Mekyel
Almond

Mekyel Almond is a 2026 C/SS with an undersized 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame that packs compact strength and twitch. He hits from a balanced setup with a small hand waggle, and the barrel works on-plane with some length on the backside. There’s twitch and explosion at launch, flashing bat speed and generating a 94 mph max exit velocity (84.4 avg). Behind the plate, Almond is one of the top defenders in the class with an electric 85 mph arm from the crouch and advanced pop times in the 1.87–1.95 range. His quick transfer and arm strength stand out, and his receiving is clean with the tools to stick. Also a 7.05 runner

Almond showed the best catch & throw metrics of the weekend, including from the Upperclass event, with an 85 mph arm from the crouch and pops that ranged from 1.85 - 1.95. The 5-foot-8, 170 pound frame is full-of twitch and the arm is a real weapon behind the dish. Almond is an above average receiver, and also showed more impact at the dish with an exit velocity of 94.8 mph. A handsy hitter that swings the bat on a loose, level plane - Almond's arm talent is outstanding and he will trend upwards as long as the bat continues to trend in the same fashion.