Each year, new freshman step on to campuses across the state, ready to make their mark at the high school level.  For our staff, it's also a time that we evaluate this new crop of prospects, from all of the games and events that we've covered over the summer and fall months.  The 2026 class, in Louisiana, is looking like it is going to be another really good class, and today we are excited to bring to you our first rankings release for the class.  There is talent up and down the board, especially at key positions on the diamond: pitcher, catcher, middle infield, and centerfield.  This is, however, just a starting point for the class, as we know there will be more prospects to join the list over the coming months.  Below, we take a closer took at the Top 5 prospects in this initial rankings release!

 

click here for full rankings

 

1. 2026 LHP Bradyn Garner (West Monroe H.S.)

Garner attended our Junior Future Games two summers ago and showed a lot of promise by running his fastball up to 84 mph, while showcasing a clean arm action and repeatable delivery.  Fast-forward 12 months and Garner is now sitting in the mid-80's and has even been up to 90 mph, which is why he debuts at the #1 spot in our state rankings for the 2026 class.  Coach Simoneaux returns the likes of Junior LHP Brennan Eager and Sophomore RHP Drew Ferguson, both of whom are Future Games alumni, and now adds Garner, which gives the Rebels a legit three man rotation, as they are the clear-cut favorites in Class 5A heading into the spring.

 

2. 2026 OF/RHP J.D. Alexander (Barbe H.S.)

Long, lean, and projectable 6'2" 175 lbs. frame with a ton of room to continue to add strength.  Alexander boasts the best set of overall tools in the class.  This past summer, he also showed off big-time arm strength from the OF with a 90 mph positional velocity and his throws were accurate with backspin and carry.  In the box, he gets off aggressive hacks and shows power to the pull-side with a max exit velocity of 94 mph, and we've seen him produce in game as well.  At this summer's Jr. Future Games, he finished the week going 4-9 with a triple, 8 runs, and 2 runs batted in.  On the mound, he shows just as much promise, as he already runs his fastball into the mid-80's to go along with a sharp and tight slider and a quality change up.  He's a legitimate two-way prospect and checks in at #2 in the state.

 

3. 2026 MIF/RHP Myles Ledoux (Barbe H.S.)

If you like "throwback" type of players that just get the job done, then Ledoux is your guy.  The Barbe HS product is more than the sum of his parts and has been a consistent producer coming up, and showed it at this summer's Jr. Future Games.  On the mound, Ledoux worked his FB up to 84 mph against Alabama while finishing with 3 K's and 0 BB's over his 3 innings pitched, while giving only 1 hit and 0 earned runs.  His offense was nearly perfect at the tournament, as he finished the week going 7-9 with a triple, six runs, and eight runs batted in.  Along with teammate J.D. Alexander, look for Ledoux to make an impact as a freshman for the Bucs.

 

4. 2026 OF Braylen Montgomery (Walker H.S.)

Uber-projectable 6'3" 175 lbs. frame with long limbs and room to add strength.  We had the chance to see the Walker HS product at our State Games this fall and he didn't disappoint.  He started his day off by running a 6.88 (laser) in the 60 and that time should continue to tick down as he matures, and also flashed above average arm strength from the OF by recording an 86 mph positional velocity.  Offensively, he shows quick hands and present bat speed with pull-side power and a max exit velocity of 94 mph.  Montgomery checks in at #4 in the state.

 

5. 2026 RHP Logan Sorrel (Dunham H.S.)

Tall and long 6'2" 170 lbs. frame.  The Dunham HS product turned in one of the best performances on the mound in Game 2 of this summer's Jr. Future Games against Illinois.  Athletic and repeatable delivery with minimal effort; Sorrel worked his fastball up to 83 mph with some slight cutting action, while mixing in a developing slider.  The arm works and is loose with some whip, so we expect his velocity to continue to trend upwards as he gains strength, which will also sharpen up his slider.  He finished his outing against Illinois with 7 K's and 2 BB over his 4 innings pitching, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs.  Sorrel enters the 2026 rankings at the #5 spot. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Baton Rouge Preseason ID	LA	01/14	Zachary High School (Zachary Youth Park) - Zachary, LA
Lake Charles Preseason ID	LA	01/15	Sam Houston High School - Moss Bluff, LA
Hammond Preseason ID	LA	01/22	St. Thomas Aquinas HS - Hammond, LA

 

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