Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

From the Hip: All-American Game Takeaways

September 24, 2026
By Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

It was another banner year for the Prep Baseball All-American Game, as the fourth annual event in Miami delivered the kind of edge-of-your-seat baseball that has become a signature of this exclusive stage.

Only 45 of the most talented prospects in the 2027 and 2028 classes were invited to take the field, creating a setting where every at-bat, every pitch and every player carried significance. No filler, no need to manufacture storylines, the invitation itself meant something, and bringing that many elite prospects together in one place created a level of talent concentration that is not seen anywhere else in the game. That kind of exclusivity is a defining part of what makes the Prep Baseball All-American Game different. It is not about putting as many talented players on a field as possible, it's about identifying the players who have separated themselves from their peers and giving them a stage worthy of that distinction.

Four years in now, the results have begun to speak for themselves, too. The first two graduating classes of the Prep Baseball All-American Game combined for more than $120 million in signing bonuses out of high school, with a number of those players positioned to make an early impact in the MLB Draft after short collegiate careers.

And our latest trip to Miami felt like another step forward. The talent at this year's event was elite, the competitiveness was evident, and the athleticism and tools were on full display. More importantly, the game provided another look at a collection of players who will help shape the next chapter of professional baseball.

MORE #PBAAG26 HEADLINES

Below, Prep Baseball Vice President of Scouting Shooter Hunt shares some instant-impact observations and walk-away thoughts from the 2026 Prep Baseball All-American Game, which took place on Saturday, Sept. 19, at loanDepot Park.

THE 'M' STANDS FOR MALACHI

+ The MVP of the event after coming HUGE with a game-winning single that drove in two runs, SS Malachi Butler (McEachern HS, GA; Georgia Tech recruit) capped off a breakout summer in pristine form. Under control with a stoic look in all phases, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, who won’t turn 18 until after the draft, effortlessly laced balls from gap-to-gap in batting practice and was on base twice in game play.

TWO YEARS OF DOMINANCE

+ There was no better performance than the one that RHP George Ferguson (Abilene HS, TX; Texas recruit) turned in to close out the victory for the 2027 squad. He needed only 10 pitches in a dominant inning at last year's All-American Game, and just 11 to strike out the side in this year's exhibition. The strong-armed right-hander continued to show off an imposing arsenal from a delivery that looks like an anvil falling with drop-and-drive power. The fastball peaked at 96.7 mph with 2711 rpm max and an average of more than 20 IVB. However, it was a double-plus power changeup that angrily tumbled out of the hand at 88 mph (1537 rpm avg.) that stole the show. Confident in throwing in all counts, this look saw a true swing-and-miss weapon in undeniable “tell ‘em it’s coming” form. Ferguson also flashed a slider at 83.5 (2596 rpm). It was a stellar end to a summer that saw the big west Texan blossom from potential Top 50 pick to strong first round candidate and an eager challenger to being the top right-hander in the class.

CENTER STAGE SENIORS

+ There is no shortage of center stage moments at the Prep Baseball All-American Game, but no player put the event to greater use than hometown kid, OF Jake Cueto (Belen Jesuit Prep, FL; Miami recruit). A minor injury disrupted his spring and early summer, bu the 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter made up for any time lost by impacting the entire weekend in a big way. Top five in nearly every offensive and athletic data points (Trackman, Blast, Vald), the bat-to-ball specialist demonstrated some sneaky power potential throughout workouts including a max distance of 388 ft. with exit velocities effortlessly running north of 100 mph. A active hands load deeper from a crouch, ground force look, and innate barrel accuracy stood out with each swing. Still more, his swing decisions, even in a small sample (three at-bats) were stellar while his defensive prowess revealed itself in dynamic form with a game-saving catch in right field. If there was Top 40 pick buzz coming into the event, Cueto’s performance at the Prep Baseball All-American Game should ignite that into a rumble.

+ OF Drake Hawpe (Liberty Christian HS, TX; LSU recruit) continued to present himself as an undeniable first round prospect and hammered balls all over the park with the most majestic shots sent at an event best 429 ft. in batting practice. The bat speed combines with dangerous intent in the box to present the look of an impact power-bat with the polish to carry a strong hit-tool. While his defensive value is meant for a corner profile, the ascension of the bat, and especially the future power production, is likely to force his way up war room boards in a hurry.

+ The top prospect in the class, SS Dylan Seward (Norco HS, CA; Tennessee recruit), continued to show off his dynamic, five-tool ability including running a 6.07 60-yard dash time and flawlessly executing a legendary defensive workout. Most specifically on the defensive side was a backhand play that demonstrated electric glove-to-hand capabilities in innate fashion. Seward was on the barrel in his final at-bat of the game which came on a 95 mph fastball that left the bat at 103 mph and saw him go 3.94 down the line.

+ Just stacking another performance, SS Sebastian Castillo (Byron Nelson HS, TX; LSU recruit) smoked a back side missile for a single and was later robbed of extra-bases on a sensational play at the wall. The 6-foot, 200-pound shortstop is an undeniable hitter, and his quiet confidence is alluring and inspiring. Covering the plate with an elite hit-tool while presenting a future power profile, Castillo’s prospect status nestles nicely into the first round after a strong summer and showing in Miami.

+ 2027 OF Sushi Wilson (IMG Academy, FL; Tennessee recruit) captured the Home Run Derby title with some majestic shots to the pull side that put his big raw power on display. Game action showcased much of what the summer uncovered as Wilson got off excellent early count swings before displaying a willingness to utilize the whole field late in counts. The hands work with loose, flicky precision and the phone-booth turns come after an athletic forward move. Wilson also moved well in the outfield and the promise of a potential center fielder continues to percolate.

SENIOR HEAT CHECK

+ Were it not for the heroics of Butler late in the game, RHP/C Brogan Witcher (Liberty HS, CA; South Carolina recruit) would have been knocking on the door as MVP of the event. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-way prospect has some of the biggest tools across the board, and started the game on the mound where he worked up to 96.9 mph with north of 2700 rpm on an explosive fastball before ripping off two plus breaking balls including a slider and curveball. Still more, the right-handed hitting slugger put on a loud power display throughout both batting practices and gunned down a runner while behind the plate in 1.88. The industry is likely to be split on which side features the highest ceiling, but the talent is undeniable, and the upside is inherently enticing.

+ Hailing from a farming family in rural Illinois, RHP Traxton Roberts’ (Armstrong HS, IL; Kentucky recruit) confident presence made him alluring to be around all weekend, and he capped his time in Miami with a clean inning of work that included a strikeout and a fastball that worked 92-94 with nearly 2600 rpm max and a hoppy 19.3 average induced vertical break. The pitch jumped on hitters in hurry with explosive action, and the quick arm and athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame promise much more to come in coming years. Adding to his upside were a pair of breaking balls, slider (82.2 mph, 2532 rpm) and curveball (76-79, 2627 rpm max), that ripped off with an above average look with the chance to make a bigger jump in the near future. The mound presence and tunneled intent was a treat to watch and something that is sure to be enticing for scouting departments next spring as Roberts continued to march his way towards a Day 1 prospect.

+ The way that he handled adversity is precisely the reason that RHP Samir Mohammed (Jesuit HS, FL; LSU recruit) is knocking on the door of the first round next summer. THe sturdy, 6-foot-5, 250-pound right-hander dealt with a barrage of oddity plays (cued up broken bat and an error) along with a tightened late-inning strike zone without losing his commanding mound presence. Effortlessly up to 96.6 mph (2440 rpm, 17.8 IVB avg, 12.4 HM avg) he mixed in both an above average changeup (82.9 avg) and above average slider (84.1 mph) in depicting the look of a future starter. It was the poise that he handled himself with in a late-inning, energy-packed situation that really served in amplifying his elite prospect status, and this marquee moment should only aid in the comfort of any and all professional clubs weighing an early selection on the Tampa native.

2028 DRAFT PREVIEW?

+ OF Alec Cabrera (The King’s Academy, FL) was a clear mega winner on the day as he introduced himself to the hoards of MLB decision-makers with the look of a prospect who might be the best pure hitter in the class. Electric hands produced eye-opening bat speed throughout workout day with loud outputs that included a 106 mph max exit velocity and 398-foot max distance. Still more, his in-game at-bats against some of the best arms in the ‘27 MLB Draft class provided the look of a future impact bat.

+ SS Theo Swafford (Sierra Canyon HS, CA; Texas recruit) committed to the Longhorns while in Miami and then proceeded to look the part of the potential top prospect in the class. Semi-unassuming at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, the 6.6-runner provided a glimpse at the onset development of some bigger pull side power. His batting practice rounds were some of the best of the week, and he amplified that look with several professional in-game at-bats. The kid can flat-out hit.

+ RHP Jack Postma (Barrington HS, IL) flooded the zone with a tantalizing mix and especially intriguing metrics. At 6-foot-6, 210-pounds, the long-limbed right-hander showed a quality jump since the Future Games and left even more to get excited about in coming years. Working 90-92+ with a sizzling fastball from a whippy arm stroke that delivered at a release height of 4.9 ft., at an extension of 7.3 ft., and with an average of 19 IVB Postma put together some of the biggest fastball metrics of an prospect at the event Exploding out of the hand and at the plate, he hardly had need for a secondary offering, but willing flashed both a curveball (mid-70s) and slider before pulling the string on multiple above average changeups that should easily sift into plus-status in no time. Still growing into his long frame, the ceiling is exceptionally high for the talented right-hander.

+ Two of the most unassuming (physically) standouts from the 2028 class were SS Jake Welch (Lehi HS, UT; Texas recruit) and OF Jakob Groeschel (Kenton Ridge HS, OH). At 5-foot-11 and 5-foot-9, respectively, and both under 170-pounds, the impactful right-handed barrels were startling from each. Welch pranced around defensively before getting off dangerous cuts in game play in driving home a loud introduction to the vast number of scouting directors and decision makers in attendance. Undeniable in his quiet intensity, his athleticism joined with playful adjustability in presenting the look of a long-term top prospect. Groeschel’s freaky outputs included a 6.48 60-yard dash (1.58 10-yard) with exit velocities up to 101.3 and a max distance of 394 ft. in batting practice. As a cold weather hitter, his in-game swings and approach were made that much more impressive as he generated tight-window turns with electric hands.

Related Content