Ready for Takeoff: 15 to Know
September 3, 2025
Here’s a look at some bubbling helium prospects whose strong summer showings could give way to a full-on spring catapult. These are the players Prep Baseball is betting on heading into the new year as high-upside talents who flashed just enough to hint at much more to come.
2026 OVERALL RANKINGS
Whether it was a projectable frame starting to fill out, raw tools beginning to sharpen, or flashes of polish against elite competition, each of these 15 names showed signs that a breakout could be right around the corner.
TOP-25 IMPACT 💫
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Matthew Sharman RHP / Etowah, GA / 2026GEORGIA COMMIT No prospect was more consistent than Sharman who, after a dominant spring for national powerhouse Etowah, continued to excel on the summer circuit. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-hander is one of the silkiest, most dynamic movers in the class with a loose arm that routinely churned out fastballs at 92-94 mph on the tail-end of a long season. His feel for a near-plus changeup (83-85 mph) as well as dropping in a quality breaking ball, 80-81, for strikes provides ample reason to believe he will maintain his status as a starter at higher levels. The velocity is likely to tickle upper-90s next spring, and should the slider make the jump (which it already shows signs of) in adding more teeth, he clearly has top-40 value. Of note, Sharman had the tough luck of throwing in rainy settings after long delays on multiple occasions and handled it in a professional manner. No excuses, simply execution and dominance. |
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Blake Bryant RHP / Citizens Christian, GA / 2026CLEMSON COMMIT The Clemson recruit was a helium hopeful heading into the summer and had his marquee moment in Hoover at East Coast Pro during a two-inning outing that featured six strikeouts. Long-limbed at a wiry 6-foot-5, 180-pounds the stuff ticked up in this look as he dominated at 93-96 mph while featuring an above average slider, 78-81, and a future plus changeup, 83. The long infatuation amongst the Prep Baseball network has held towards Bryant’s upside has been centered around the arm action, athleticism, and especially the pitchability. The big boost that the arsenal received throughout the summer in the form of velocity and teeth served to catapult his draft status. Still developing physically and adding strength to the frame, there might be another big jump on the way. All that considered, it was a monster summer from the big right-hander who gave glimpses of frontline potential and posted at all stops. |
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Jensen Hirschkorn RHP / Kingsburg, CA / 2026UNCOMMITTED Masterfully controlling the movement patterns that his long-limbed 6-foot-7, 205-pound frame produces, Hirschkorn emphatically closed out the summer in impressive form. Utilizing a methodical, athletic delivery that gives way to a shorter, semi-controlled takeaway, the big right-hander saw his velocity jump to 93-96 mph, including two distinct shapes and profiles while flashing the makings of a future plus slider, 81-82, to go along with feel for an above-average mid-80s changeup. A gifted basketball player who can really hoop, Hirschkorn’s upside and athleticism are easy to dream on, and the fact that he provided a marquee moment in front of the scouting community should have decision makers flocking to see him throughout the spring. |
DIAMONDS ON THE DIRT 💎
+ 3B Archer Horn (St. Ignatius HS, CA; Stanford):
When it comes down to it, Horn can flat-out hit. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed hitter swings a club with some emphatic force that promises the potential of power to all fields. Athletic in the box with balanced ground force, there is an almost throwback quality to his ability to impact the ball to all fields. Polished with advanced swing decisions, Horn’s crisp defensive ability will shine at third base, but is more than adequate and adept to go off at shortstop, professionally. Also a talented pitcher with feel for a full arsenal, his willingness to compete should hold plenty of weight in draft rooms. The Stanford commitment has long cast doubt as to signability, but Horn’s performances paired with his potential might ultimately force teams to outbid campus, especially with another strong spring.
+ SS Gunner Skelton (Columbia Academy, TN; Vanderbilt):
Skelton just kept stacking days throughout the summer, and as the notes compiled, his name just kept popping up. Hitterish with aggressive intent to all swings, the right-handed hitter was on the barrel at all stops against any and all arms. Built with some compact, athletic strength on a 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, tight movement patterns provide plenty of explosiveness with minimal holes.
Rhythmically loading into a near-dead-stop power position, the strength of the wrists and hands shine throughout the approach as he turns the barrel with authority at all times while demonstrating innate ability to adjust and change planes. The bet is on the bat, but Skelton moves well enough to stay on the left side early on, and his willingness to compete is hard to bet against.
+ SS Elliot Lascelles (Upper Canada College, ON; Yale):
In what is shaping up to be a strong year for Canadian prospects, Lascelles is a good bet to catch helium in the new year. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting shortstop has the speed and defensive acumen to stick up the middle, and his swing decisions stand out along with exceptional bat-to-ball ability. His athletic frame should see steady strength gains which will only aid the impact of the bat. Between his Yale commitment and unassuming nature, it was warranted that Lascelles might fly under the radar prior to the summer, but his steady performances and exciting upside are sure to yield plenty of buzz moving forward.
ATHLETES IN THE OUTFIELD 🏁
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Ryan Harwood OF / Casteel, AZ / 2026TEXAS A&M COMMIT Harwood’s summer kicked off at the Prep Baseball’s West Coast ProCase where he planted his five-tool potential on notice to the scouting community. One of the more physically gifted prospects in the class, the left-handed hitting slugger carries an imposing 6-foot-2, 218-pound frame that includes 6.60 speed, a 94 mph arm, and triple-digit exit velocities delivered via exciting swing metrics. Still more, he took excellent at-bats throughout the summer, including left-on-left against some of the premier southpaws in the class, and the obvious power potential that his swing and frame provide is sure to excite the scouting community throughout the spring. The adjustments made over the course of the past 12 months shine well on the future potential and there is a quiet confidence to the way that Harwood carries himself on the diamond. Willing to adjust, Harwood almost looks to be a looser version of Jace LaViolette, and should his spring continue the upward trend, so too will the Day One chatter. |
+ CF Blake Bowen (JSerra Catholic HS, CA; Oregon State):
Bowen, one of the class’ most athletically and physically gifted prospects, made the most of his summer, and saw a steady upward trajectory that included some quality adjustments to close things out. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Adonis who runs a 6.4 60-yard dash with a plus-arm from the outfield, continued to showcase eye-opening exit velocities and power potential in batting practice, but it was his willingness to shorten up and adjust late in counts while exhibiting the ability to change planes with some louder flick against premium arms that is likely to build considerable buzz heading into the spring. His plus-makeup and high motor are easy to like, and should the bat-to-ball continue its current trend, few can replicate Bowen’s five-tool potential.
+ CF Anthony Murphy (Corona HS, CA; LSU):
A treat to watch at all times, Murphy is the most polished center fielder in what is a stellar group of pristine outfield prospects. Hardly unknown having led Corona High in hitting the past two seasons in front of four seven-figure-bonus draftees, the silky smooth defender features electric bat speed and hands with present pull-side power. His summer kept getting better and better, and while he easily could have suffered late due to the longevity of the season, he instead raised his level of play. At times, there can be holes in the swing with swing-and-miss present, but the ability to wipe the slate clean from at-bat to at-bat stood out, and at times from pitch-to-pitch, was admirable. Whiffs were routinely followed by freaky explosiveness and heavy barrels, and given the long track record that the scouting community has with him, Murphy has clear mid-Day One standing with a chance to rise even higher next spring, which seems likely given his alluring style of play.
+ OF Jorvorskie Lane (Grapevine HS, TX; uncommitted):
Lane is one of the most dynamic players in the class thanks to eye-opening bat speed and raw power that provides majestic batting practice performances with the chance to impact the game at a high-level. The 6-foot, 190-pounder eloquently shifted from catcher to center field throughout the summer where his natural athleticism and innate glove work provided an admirable look on the defensive side. However, it is the impact potential of his right-handed stick that holds the most value, and while there was a propensity for swing-and-miss throughout the national circuit, the glimpses of exciting electricity more than warrant close attention. Barely turning 18-years old before next summer’s draft, Lane still carries considerable upside with the chance to make massive leaps at the plate given his high ceiling. Of all the big prospects in this class, Lane towered above the rest in his workout performances, and he has a peak level of play that very few have the potential to reach.
+ OF Andruw Giles (Basic HS, NV; Oregon):
Nestled in behind the impact status and seven-figured bonuses of Ty (2024) and Tate (2025) Southisene, Giles name just kept coming up on scoutcards thanks to impressive performances as an underclassmen. Almost unassuming and in the shadows of the aforementioned Southisene brothers, the summer provided ample opportunities in announcing “his time” for the left-handed-hitting Oregon recruit. A simple, well-connected stroke delivers loud, triple-digit exit velocities, and Giles provided a look of a player with a chance to hit at a high level against any and all arms. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound 6.60 runner has athleticism that plays up in game, and the fact that he loves to play and compete will gain plenty of fans on the scouting side. A gut-feel type prospect, Giles kept stacking days throughout the summer which will help him climb boards next spring.
MORE RISING ARMS 💪
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Joseph Contreras RHP / Blessed Trinity, GA / 2026UNCOMMITTED Just starting to grow into a projectable 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame that should see significant strength gains in coming years, the buzz coming out of Georgia in the spring continued to grow throughout a breakout summer. Even a spell battling heat exhaustion at the 18U Trials in Cary hardly slowed down the long-limbed right-hander. Routinely pumping in mid- to upper-90s fastballs with a longer, low-effort arm stroke, Contreras elevated his stock by flashing the makings of two potential plus secondary offerings. A unique pitch profile, his short, tight slider is already a weapon, and he counters with a split-like, parachuting changeup that dazzled the summer circuit. Featuring an all-stretch look, he is just starting to become confident in the movement patterns of his long frame, and given the trajectory of the summer, there is good reason to believe that a breakout spring ultimately leads to first round whispers. |
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Jerek Turlij RHP / North East, PA / 2026PENN STATE COMMIT Turlij struck out 148 batters in just 56.2 innings during the spring – earning a spot on the national All-Prep Baseball Team in the process – and the stuff that he showcased throughout the summer provided ample reason for those gaudy numbers. Working 94-97 mph with a steep, heavier fastball and loose arm stroke, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander looked the part of another power-armed Pennsylvania product in what is a class of Keystone State arms filled with sleepers and helium potential guys with monster upside. Ripping off a quality, firm slider, 82-84 mph, there are strong signs that the pitch will trend up in spring looks. Should the slider continue to develop, there is a clear path for Turlij to jump up a tier into earlier Day One consideration given the movement patterns and fastball profile. No state sees bigger, later jumps from prospects like Pennsylvania, and this year in particular might yield the largest number of those, led by Turlij. |
+ LHP Drew Christine (St. John’s College HS, VA; Tennessee):
Christine delivered a performance at East Coast Pro that will not soon be forgotten by the scouting community as he worked two flawless innings with three strikeouts. The wiry, athletic, near gangly, 6-foot-3, 175-pound southpaw looked the part of a future starter with feel for three future average to above offerings. It was more pitchability and movement patterns than raw stuff, but this look provided a sturdy platform for future helium to grow. Working 88-90 mph with a fastball that featured 18 to 22 inches of IVB at 2,500-plus rpm, the pitch got on hitters in a hurry with some whiffs in the zone, and the quickness of the arm promised even more velocity to come.
Christine sits firmer on the back side in working long down the mound to a low-ish release height with a high ¾ slot working slightly across the frame. He countered with a manipulated curveball, 73-75 mph (2,700-plus rpm), that played up due to the pressure applied with strikes early in counts. Manipulating the shape, the pitch showed more depth early in counts with 1/7 big breaking action before sweeping with more slider action in kill counts. Only amplifying the claim to future starter success was killed-spin changeup, 80-83 mph, that mirrored the fastball and was thrown for strikes against both left- and right-handed hitters. The gaudy velocity was not on display, but a year after jumping on the scene at the Prep Baseball Future Games, the upward trajectory is clearly just beginning. Similar in strike-throwing and efficiency to what 2024 LHP Will Kirk (NJ) provided, Christine’s secondaries already outpace Kirk’s, and should the velocity creep up even just to the 93-94 mph range, there is clear second-round potential.
+ RHP Coleton Brady (TNXL Academy, FL; uncommitted):
Brady appears set to assume the position of being one of the more intriguing arms in the class. Still well under 18-years old before draft day, the 6-foot-5, 218-pound right-hander carries some natural, durable strength on an athletic frame that still shows signs of considerable strength addition. He worked mostly 91-93 mph with some whip to the loose arm action, and there is strong potential for a considerable jump in the spring. He also flashed the makings of a plus-changeup (his best secondary offering) with near demon shape, 83-85 mph, while a shorter slider was thrown with less teeth, albeit for strikes. The age factor for Brady, a former New York native who elected to head to TNXL for more development, presents one of the more curious upsides in the class, and given the monster year expected in the state on the prep side, there are likely to be multiple looks from decision makers.