CLASS OF 2026

Uber-twitchy in an undersized, 5-foot-9, 165 pound frame, Ratcliff burned a 6.51 60-yard dash to begin the day before showcasing a 94 mph arm from the outfield and was up to 88 on the dirt. Offensively, the right-handed hitter uses a hovering leg lift stride before a flat path is presented with twitchy bat speed. He grabbed a pair of in-game hits, with the flat path allowing for consistent contact. I've seen him play all three positions on the dirt, with 2B the likely home there with the rangy nature of excellent foot speed. However, I actually think CF is the highest-ceiling, long-term home. Regardless, it is a middle of the diamond athlete with real twitch in the frame.

3/18/25

Profile - 5-foot-9, 165 pound twitchy, athletic frame. Event-best 60-yard dash, 6.45, sets a safer floor with present plus run tool. S/R. Much more impactful from natural (RH) side with exits up to 98 there, 91 off the bat from the left-side. 72 mph avg bat speed is a tick abv avg. 88 infield arm is an abv avg raw tool. Profiles best as 2B/CF. Actions - Offense: (RH) - Starts balanced w slight pre-coil and active hand load. Short leg lift stride w minimal forward move. Twitchy, rotational swing. (LH) - Starts tall w high hands & slight pre-coil. Leg lifts into short stride. Torso retracts to create handsy, uphill path. Defense: Feet are best infield attribute. Tremendous quickness forward & laterally. Presents glove late, glove pat for rhythm. Lengthy exchange, takes time to get into arm strength. Slingy 3/4 arm action. Summation: The feet are the best tool here and they play in-game with plus H-1st times taken last summer. The twitch shows up all over the diamond. The right-handed swing works w present twitch, the arm is twitchy, and the aforementioned feet. The left-handed swing is still a work in progress but if it can get ironed out the feet really play from that box to apply pressure. He can really cover ground in the middle of the diamond though the actions are raw with effort present to suggest his future home ends up in either CF or at 2B, where he has the arm strength to turn the double play.

12/30/24

+ Ratcliff immediately announced his presence by burning a 6.47 60-yard dash, one of the top run times we have recorded in the entire class. The ultra-twitchy, 5-foot-9, 160 pounder then showed off his switch-hitting abilities with a short swing from both sides, though he showed more impact from the right-handed side (96 mph EV) than the left (90 mph EV). Defensively, Ratcliff boasts very solid arm strength (88 mph across) to pair with quick-footed actions. His future likely ends up at 2B or in CF, however his foot speed is elite and will translate to the college level.

8/28/22

Nolan Ratcliff, Guerin Catholic, 2026, IN

Position: MIF/RHP

Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pound lean frame.

Hit: Fluid. Starts in a tall athletic stance with a smooth load, then uses a controlled stride. Developing bat speed. Balanced finish, loose level swing. Line drive approach.

Power: 78.3 mph exit velocity, average 75.4 mph. 61.7 mph bat speed average. 18.4 mph hand speed average.

Defense: (IF) Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Solid. (OF) Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Athletic. Laterally, his movements were athletic.

Arm: 75 mph infield velocity. 79 mph outfield velocity. Quick arm action, high ¾ slot.

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