Texas Rankings Update: 2026 Class (December 2023)
December 6, 2023
TEXAS - As we wind down the 2023 campaign, it is time to look one more time at our 2026 rankings now that the season is over. The ‘26 class has the potential to be one of the best classes to come out of Texas in a while. It has star power at every position, led by top 5 player in the country, Grady Emerson. The arm talent in this class has a chance to be special. Here is a deeper look into the top 10.
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TOP 10
1. GRADY EMERSON - SS - ARGYLE HS - TCU
Emerson stays on top as our #1 player in the 2026 class. The TCU commit continues to show why he is one of the top players in the country with some of the best barrel to ball skills around. He shows more and more power with each viewing, and I expect those numbers to jump as he continues to get more physical. He is sure handed at short, and has more than enough arm to make every throw from the left side. On top of all the physical tools Emerson displays, his baseball IQ and the way he attacks every game are equally as impressive. Emerson continues to look like the next great SS out of the DFW area, which has produced some special ones the last few years.
2. CHANDLER HART - LHP - ALLEN HS
The talented LHP from Allen is one of the top arms in all of the country. He was dominant as a freshman in one of the toughest 6A districts in Texas and I expect him to have an even bigger Sophomore campaign. The 6’5 southpaw has a low 90’s fastball that he can get to both sides of the plate. He follows that up with a slider that is a true swing and miss offering, and flashes an average changeup as well. Hart is a good athlete, and moves well down the mound for his size and age. His athleticism shows up at the plate, where Hart uses his 6’5 frame to leverage baseballs from the right side. He can play OF and 1st. While he is talented in the field, Hart has special potential on the mound.
3. TREY RANGEL - RHP - THE COLONY HS
Rangel was a standout in 2023, and it really showed up at this years’ Future Games and Area Codes. Rangel is another two way player, but his future is on the mound. Rangel’s fastball sits in the low 90’s and was up to 93 with good life. He follows that up with a + slider that is a true put away pitch. He was ripping off 3,000+ breakers at Future Games during his outing and then followed it up a week later in California at Area Code Games. Rangel’s changeup is behind the other two pitches, but it flashes average or better potential. He throws it with good arm speed and tunnels it well off his fastball.
4. CJ SAMPSON - RHP - TOMBALL HS
Sampson is part of an absolutely loaded sophomore class at Tomball High. The talented two way player had a monster freshman campaign on both sides of the ball. On the mound, Sampson has the best pitch ability/command combo in the state, maybe even regardless of class. He has plus fastball command and each pitch has a purpose. He has above average secondaries he uses exceptionally well off the fastball and commands them well, also. His fastball will get up into the upper 80’s and plays up because of his sequencing and command. Sampson also shows a lot of potential from the left side in the box. Just like pitching, Sampson has a plan and puts himself in good counts consistently and gets off good swings. He plays a really good 3rd base, and has true two way potential.
5. JUDSON DOWELL - OF - HOUSTON LAMAR HS - TEXAS A&M
I have been a big fan of Dowell since I saw him in January and he continues to impress even more every time I get a chance to see him. Some guys just look ‘hitterish’ when they step in the box, and that is Dowell. He has some natural rhythm in the box, and has full confidence he is about to barrel a baseball up. He has plus bat speed and the ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields. He is a good runner with a plus arm, and he has the potential to stick in center long term. The future Aggie has true impact potential.
6. KARSON REEDER - RHP - TOMBALL HS
The 2nd Tomball Sophomore on the list, Reeder is another talented righty that has a bright future. Reeder continued to see his stuff get better throughout the year, and his fastball continues to tick up. Reeder has a ultra projectable 6’2 frame with long arms and legs. He has a very clean and athletic delivery that will see him sit in the mid 80’s and creep into the upper 8’s. He follows that up with a sharp breaking ball that shows a lot of depth, and generates a lot of swing and miss in the zone. Reeder also showed pop at the plate throughout the summer, and should have a chance to two way it this spring. Reeder had a big ‘23, but his best days are ahead of him and his stock continues to rise.
7. JORVORSKIE LANE - SS - OD WYATT HS - TEXAS A&M
One of the most talented players on the list, Lane can play a lot of positions at a high level. The future Aggie could handle every position up the middle of the diamond, and handle them well. On top of being a plus athlete, Lane is another one with really good baseball instinct. At the plate, Lane has some of the fastest hands in the state. He has the ability to let the ball get super deep and still drive it with authority. He can beat you in so many different ways, either by driving a ball over the wall, or causing havoc on the bases. Lane is an exciting player, and he always gives you something special when you watch him play.
8. JAYLEN WALKER - OF - LUTHERAN SOUTH ACADEMY
Another talented two way player, Walker is one of the twitchier players in the 2026 class. It doesn’t take long to see the immense talent and tools Walker has. On the mound, Walker can run it up into the low 90’s pretty consistently without much effort. The strike throwing is still coming along, but the arm talent is special. At the plate, Walker has plus raw power and can leave any ballpark with one swing. He has electric hands and can really impact the baseball. Walker has the potential to be a 5 tool player in CF.
9. SPENCER BROWNING - SS/RHP - PLEASANT GROVE HS - ARKANSAS
The Razorbacks commit put on a show this fall at our State Games. The talented SS/RHP is one of the best athletes in the country for his class. He is a 6.4 runner with a plus arm and more than enough range to stick at short long term. Browning has plus bat speed at the plate and routinely hits balls in the mid to upper 90’s. His swing continues to make strides and he showed the ability to impact the ball more consistently this fall. Browning also shows some upside on the mound, where he is a good mover down the mound and produces easy upper 80’s velo on his fastball. There aren’t many players around with louder tools than Browning.
10. COLE KOENINGER - SS/RHP - KELLER HS
New to the top 10 is Koeninger, and after the 2023 he had, it is much deserved. Koeninger more than held his own as a freshman playing SS for a talented Keller team. And as the year went on, the confidence continued to build, and this summer he busted out. Koeninger is a physical SS, but has more than enough athleticism to stick there long term. He has a plus arm on the dirt, and shows good range as well. Koeninger really started to flash at the plate at the end of the spring and it continued through the fall. He has the ability to leave the yard, and the power should only continue to improve as he matures. He got more consistent as the year went on at finding the barrel, and if that trend continues, Koeninger will continue to rise up the rankings. He also flashes some loud stuff on the mound, topping out at 93. It is an easy operation he repeats well, and the arm talent is special.
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