Prep Baseball Report

Initial Class of 2026 Player Rankings (November)


PBR Michigan Staff

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Initial Class of 2026 Player Rankings (November) 

2022 has given us a little bit more normalcy in life, and the high school baseball scene is no different. We crowned four state champions during the spring and enjoyed a full summer of summer ball with tournaments and showcases throughout the state. We have searched far and wide throughout the state to find the best prospects we can, to help them get to college and to help colleges find prospects that fit their culture.

With many names be noted and talked about by some of the most prestigious programs in the nation. Below we will take a look at the Top 10 prospects.

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

The Initial Top 10

Ethan Armstrong RHP / 3B / Garden City, MI / 2026

Report: Ethan claims the top spot in the initial 2026 rankings after a dominant summer. A primary RHP projects well on the mound with a lean 6-1 frame and a loose, easy arm action. Showed off a big velo jump in the summer running his FB up to 88. Was a standout playing 2 classes up at Future Games where he threw a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts. Good present feel for the breaking ball showing high upside as he continues to refine his arsenal. Potential 2 way ability where his arm plays at the hot corner. Swung the bat well during the summer including a grand slam at the PBR 15U National Championship.

Hudson Brzustewicz SS / RHP / Orchard Lake St. Mary's, MI / 2026

Report: Hudson is a long, lean 6-2 prospect with legit 2-way potential. Left handed hitter stands out at the plate creating loud contact with an all-fields approach. Advanced hitter for the class who has flashed power to the pull side. Good athlete plays up the middle at SS now but projects at the corners as the frame fills out. Strong arm on the mound who has been up to 84 with good command. Name to keep an eye on next spring as a potential impact newcomer for OLSM.

Carson Liedel RHP / OF / Monroe, MI / 2026

Report: Two-way prospect with an athletic 5-11/185 build who is on the younger side of the class. A 2022 Junior Future Games participant, Carson is a physical hitter with pop at the plate and a strong arm that was up to 86 from the OF. Standout on the mound who was up to 85 this fall showing good arm speed and a potential out pitch in a big breaking curve.

Kaden Jominy RHP / Mattawan, MI / 2026

Report: Kaden has a lean 5-11/160 frame with a strong track record on the mound and high level upside. Has been a Junior Future Games participant each of the last two years running his FB up to 85 this summer. Proven to be one of the most consistent arms in the class showing a deep 5-pitch mix that features both a curve and a slider. Clean delivery on the mound with command of the entire arsenal and will be a name to watch as he continues to fill out.

Luke Crighton MIF / Orchard Lake St. Mary's, MI / 2026

Report: Luke checks in at 5 in the initial rankings and is a lean 6-1 infield prospect with a projectable frame. Primary MIF is a smooth fielder who can swing it at the plate showing the ability to find the barrel. Good athlete and intriguing player to watch over the next four years as the frame fills out with more strength.

Keegan Malley OF / RHP / Midland Dow, MI / 2026

Report: Keegan is an athletic two-way player and 2x Junior Future Games participant. Sub-7 runner with an arm up to 84 from the OF and a low 80’s arm on the mound. Shows good bat speed at the plate with a gap to gap approach. Flashed some power at the plate with a 3 run HR during Team Michigan’s 14U run to the championship game at JFG.

Jax Racht RHP / Niles, MI / 2026

Report: Physical 6-2 RHP with a good present build and room to continue to fill out. Up to 85 on the mound this fall showing a strong lower half and a quick, compact arm. Flashed a developing low-60s breaking ball. Player to follow as he adds more strength and improves the offspeed mix.

Cole Duhaime LHP / OF / Brother Rice, MI / 2026

Report: Long levered LHP with a projectable 6-2/150 frame that projects well moving forward. Shows a loose arm on the mound getting into the low-80s with a three pitch mix that includes sweeping 1-7 breaking ball and a CH. Checks in as the top LHP in the class.

Zach Essig LHP / OF / Orchard Lake St. Mary's, MI / 2026

Report: Left-handed two-way player with a 5-10 frame that has a mix of present strength and projection. Shows good command on the mound with a FB that has been into the low-80s at times. Projects on the mound but swung the bat well this summer producing multiple extra base hits, including a HR, at the PBR Great Lakes Underclassmen event.

Rafael Valdovinos 1B / RHP / Western International, MI / 2026

Report: Left-handed hitter with a lean, athletic 5-8 frame and the ability to play all over the diamond. 2022 Junior Future Games participant shows a short swing path with a big leg kick at the plate. Works the gaps showing the ability to drive the ball to the pull side. Quick arm defensively playing the corners and attacks hitters on the mound. Gamer who is a player to follow as he is on the younger side of the class.

PBR Michigan CLASS OF 2026 TOP 10

Rank   Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Ethan Armstrong MI Garden City 2026 RHP
2 Hudson Brzustewicz MI Orchard Lake St. Mary's 2026 SS
3 Carson Liedel MI Monroe 2026 RHP
4 Kaden Jominy MI Mattawan 2026 RHP
5 Luke Crighton MI Orchard Lake St. Mary's 2026 MIF
6 Keegan Malley MI Midland Dow 2026 OF
7 Jax Racht MI Niles 2026 RHP
8 Cole Duhaime MI Brother Rice 2026 LHP
9 Zach Essig MI Orchard Lake St. Mary's 2026 LHP
10 Rafael Valdovinos MI Western International 2026 1B

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.

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