Hunter
Baugh

2024 Future Games: Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville) is an intriguing middle infielder from one of the top high school baseball programs in the entire state. At 5-foot-9, 140-pounds, Baugh has all kinds of athleticism with room still to grow. He’s a quality defender with soft hands and fluid footwork, showing the ability to range to both sides of the ball. Baugh also possesses an accurate arm across the diamond with some strength, topping out at 84 mph at the Future Games. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has simple, easy swings with a slightly uphill path, producing a max exit velocity of 91.1 mph during his round of batting practice. Baugh remains a name-to-follow in Illinois.

2024 Future Games: RHP Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville) had a brief showing on the mound and it was a good one. Though he only fired one inning, he didn’t allow a single hit or run, walked just one and struck out one. The right-hander moves athletically down the mound while staying in-line, pairing with a loose and whippy arm that works into a high ¾ slot. He attacked the zone with his three pitch mix, starting with his fastball that sat around 83-85 mph. To pair off the fastball he showed an 11/5 curveball with quality shape and feel (73-75 mph), as well as a fading changeup in which he kept down in the zone, 78-79 mph.

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 15 in the state’s sophomore class. Started at second base and batted seventh. Stands in an athletic frame with more to come at 5-foot-10, 132.2-pounds. Impressed at the plate, taking quality at-bats throughout. Showed a short, direct bat path from the right side of the plate with some present bat speed. Sent a ball up the middle for a single and a deep flyout to left field. Clean defender up the middle with athletic actions and fluid footwork. A must-know uncommitted name in the sophomore class

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 135-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Carries himself with all kinds of quiet confidence and he seemed to shine the brightest when the game was on the line. Delivered a go-ahead two-run double down the left-field line in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs and two-strikes. Also lined a single in his first at-bat of the day and flew out to right-field. Loose, athletic swing that will continue to tick up as he adds strength to his frame. Defensively, smooth infielder up the middle with soft hands and fundamentally sound actions. Also, shined on Friday night on the mound when he started the continuation of a suspended game against Brother Rice. Advanced mannerisms and confidence on the mound. Works fast, pounds the zone and seems to be in attack mode at all times. Fastball lived in the zone at 84-85 mph and went frequently to a 72 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and feel. Picked up the save going two innings, one hit, no walks and struck out two. Has all the makings to be a high-level arm down the road.

There is a quiet intensity and confidence that Baugh already exudes as just a sophomore that is something college coaches are sure to take note of over the next couple of years. Still maturing physically at 5-foot-10, 140-pounds, the potential two-way player showcases a winning foundation with the tools to match. Short to the ball and long through the zone, there is some present gap-to-gap, line drive strength with more on the way as strength is added. There is a chance to play multiple positions on the dirt along with a quick arm that produces a hoppy fastball that jumps on the plate even without the (present) gaudy radar gun readings. Coming out of a stellar Illinois power program at Edwardsville, look for Baugh to continue drawing the eyes of college recruiters who will like him more with each new look.

The youngest player in attendance, MIF Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville, 2026) more than held his own against an older crop of competition. Baugh, who is one of the state’s top-ranked sophomores, has all sorts of upside at the plate. He consistently works on the barrel from a short, rhythmic right-handed swing that effectively covers the hitting zone. Baugh’s quality of contact metrics aren’t there right now, but his natural barrel feel and pure feel to hit are, and his power tool should only trend up as he continues to mature physically. Aside from his talents at the plate, Baugh’s glove may be his biggest asset, with natural actions on the infield that should keep him there moving forward. He’s a smooth, savvy defender that’s comfortable and controlled on the move, working quickly and accurately to release from a loose, fluid arm stroke. Baugh has the skill-set to be an asset in multiple ways on the diamond and he looks every bit the part of a high-end prospect in the state’s 2026 group.

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic frame with more physical development to come down the road.
Hit: RHH. Wide relaxed setup, minimal pre-pitch movement. Athletic hands, creates whip and intent throughout. Controls the barrel, covers the whole plate and flashes sneaky juice to the pull-side. 64.3 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration. 
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Easy arm, plays accurately and with life.
Defense: Clean, easy actions, athletic, moves with ease and body control.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. High-waisted, well-proportioned frame with plenty more physical development to come.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg-lift trigger, up/down stride. Fluid, easy swing, slightly uphill at times, consistent line drive contact, accurate barrel. Finished game play 4-for-6 with a triple, two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 80.5 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long, quick arm out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, soft hands, plays through the ball with timing, feel for the position.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60.

MIF Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville, 2026) is an intriguing prospect up the middle that has plenty of upside to dream on. Baugh stands at a lean, wiry 5-foot-10, 140-pound frame with room for added strength. Despite a developing frame, Baugh posted one of the highest infield velocities among ‘26 grads at the event (85 mph). During gameplay, Baugh impressed at the plate, showing off advanced bat-to-ball skills against older competition. Also featured an all-fields approach that translated to an opposite field triple among many other hits. Baugh is a prospect to watch as he physically matures throughout his prep career.

Lean, wiry frame with plenty of room for physical projection to come. Saw playing time on the IHSA 4A state champion Edwardsville Tigers as a freshman this past season. Highly advanced defensively with silky smooth actions on the dirt, should be an asset on the dirt in the long run. Loose, easy, and repeatable right-handed swing, banged a double off the left field wall on day one and got off a handful of competitive hacks throughout the tournament, too. Also a follow on the mound, arm works clean with fluidity throughout, touching 82 mph with his fastball, while pitching in the upper-70s and low-80s. A high-follow prospect in the Illinois’ 2026 class that’s still far away from reaching his ceiling.

5-foot-9, 135-pound frame with plenty of room to grow. Athletic frame, sat 80-82 mph on the mound, paired with 69 mph sliders that played off the FB well. Pitched for five innings, striking out six and only allowing one run to score. Clear confidence on the mound.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Easy delivery with toe lift into balance, athletic mover, long stride down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, loose, clean and easy.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Good feel for the zone, shows slight arm side run. T2429, 2365 average rpm.
CB: 66-68 mph. Flashed sharp action, 11/5 shape. T2057, 2056 average rpm.
SL: 67-68 mph. Lateral action, 10/4 shape. T2005, 1972 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Showed sink action. T1514, 1473 average rpm.

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride and hand pump trigger. Loose, easy swing, flashed twitch and line-drive pull-side approach with leverage at times.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. 3/4 slot with a loose arm.
Defense: Two-handed gather out front, shuffles through the ball, athletic actions, gains momentum into throws.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.