THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,625 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,625 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
High School  | General | 4/1/2018

2018 NHSI Top Prospects

David Rawnsley
Photo: Perfect Game

2018 NHSI: Day 1 Notes | Day 2 Notes | Day 3 Notes

Congratulations are in order for Orange Lutheran High School who won the 2018 NHSI tournament for the second straight year. They entered the event ranked 13th in the nation and are sure to move up this week’s National High School Top 50 after their impressive performance that not only including the championship, but also a win over No. 1 Calvary Christian in the semifinal round.

This Top Prospect list takes into consideration just the performances at the NHSI with as little weight given to past evaluations as possible, while acknowledging it is not possible to have eyes on every player and every game of a four-day, four-field event.


Class 2018

Jordyn Adams, OF, Cary, N.C
Adams was the talk of the event, as the previously unheralded football standout showed dynamic tools, including 80-grade speed and a surprisingly polished bat for his relative inexperience. Byron Buxton comparisons and first round talk followed, although the only sure thing moving forward is that Adams will be getting huge attention over the next two plus months before the draft.

Nolan Gorman, 3B, Glendale, Ariz.
Gorman showed his big raw power well in batting practice, although it was muted somewhat by opposing pitchers working around him in games. While some scouts have questioned his lower half quickness and range this spring, he looked quick and agile defensively at third base with a strong arm and a very quick release.

Matt Liberatore, LHP, Peoria, Ariz.
Liberatore's one-hit performance was a strong outing, although maybe not what some teams picking near the top of the draft were looking for. It was especially impressive when he ratcheted up his velocity to 91-93 mph during the bottom of the seventh inning of a tie game.

Brice Turang, SS, Corona, Calif.
Turang put on a solid performance, showing off his latent power and bat speed in batting practice while continuing his high average, high on-base approach in games, including reaching base four times in one game on three singles and a walk. He is a polished defender at shortstop with plus range, especially going back on pop ups.

Joe Gray Jr., OF, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Gray had a very strong event, using his shorter and much improved swing to rifle singles and doubles around the field when he wasn't patiently drawing walks. His grace and arm strength in centerfield remains one of his strong points as well.

Cole Winn, RHP, Anaheim, Calif.
Winn certainly moved up draft lists with his six inning shutout performance, which featured a steady 92-94 mph fastball he commanded well in addition to both a slider and curveball that were used wisely. The transplanted Southern Californian showed a better delivery and better control than he showed last summer.

Triston Casas, 3B/1B, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Like most of the highly ranked prospects in Cary, Casas was pitched to very carefully throughout the event and did his best to not expand the zone while waiting for a pitch he could drive. As a bonus for scouts, especially those who think he might be able to play third base at the next level, Casas was an impressive 90-93 mph off the mound during a short relief appearance.

Alek Thomas, OF, Chicago, Ill.
Thomas had a strong event showing off his quick-twitch athleticism, speed and lefthanded bat speed in leading Mt. Carmel's strong offense. He plays with an energy that maximizes his speed, consistently turning in 4.1 run times to first and always being a threat on the bases.

Christian Scott, RHP, Coconut Creek, Fla.
Scott defeated his second top 10 team in two weeks, throwing a complete game win against Hattiesburg after having beat then No. 1 American Heritage the week before. He pitched primarily off a 90-94 mph fastball and finished many hitters off with a sharp-breaking curveball.

Raynel Delgado, SS, Miami Lakes, Fla.
Delgado showed his athleticism and agility well on defense at shortstop and looks to have a long future at that position. A switch-hitter, he also showed easy plus bat speed and plenty of power from the left side.

Cole Henry, RHP, Florence, Ala.
Henry didn't hit the 95-97's that he was reportedly touching early in the season but worked primarily in the 91-93 mph range in his early innings, with his changeup being a solid second pitch.

Roberto Pena, 3B/RHP, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Pena is one of the top two-way prospects in the country and showed well on both sides of the ball, hitting a pair of doubles in one game and throwing six shutout innings, topping out at 91 mph, in another contest.

Jayce Easley, SS/2B, Glendale, Ariz.
Easley excelled on both sides of the ball, showing quick and athletic actions on defense in the middle infield along with a quick and slashing lefthanded approach. He looks like a perfect successor to Nick Madrigal at second base for Oregon State next year.

Emilio Rosas, SS, Yorba Linda, Calif.
Rosas has long been one of the better offensive middle infield prospects in the senior class and did nothing to change that evaluation this week, consistently hitting the ball squarely with lots of gap-to-gap power.

Jack Dragum, RHP, Mechanicsville, Va.
Dragum is a physically mature righthander with a compact arm action and deceptive delivery that enables his stuff to play up. He worked in the 88-92 mph range and used a tight curveball for his out pitch.

Will Ripoll, RHP, New Orleans, La.
Ripoll is a similar pitcher to Dragum, with a medium build and a deceptive delivery that makes his 88-91 mph fastball play up to hitters. His hard power curveball was his out pitch and he showed the ability to manipulate the shape and location well.

Anthony Herron, 1B, Chicago, Ill.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Herron is as strong and well put together as any player in the country and it shows in his exit velocities and the way the ball carries off the barrel. He has a patient and well-timed approach at the plate and can punish any pitcher's mistake.

Brandon Davis, SS, Kenner, La.
Davis is a football standout who is a bit raw on the offensive side of the ball but his high-level athleticism and high energy on the field really shine on defense. He could really blossom with more time and repetitions on the baseball field.


Class of 2019

Hunter Cope, RHP, Newport Beach, Calif.
Cope is not only an intimidating 6-foot-11 righthander but is also a surprising good athlete for his size and age, something that is really highlighted in his sound delivery and repeatable mechanics. Cope topped out at 92 mph with his fastball and showed a full four-pitch arsenal, including a changeup he used effectively against lefthanded hitters.

Ryan Keenan, OF, Lighthouse Point, Fla.
Keenan is a live-bodied lefthanded hitter with very good running and bat speed. He plays the game with a high speed motor as well, which makes his tools all play up.

Ryan Cabarcas, LHP, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
The 5-foot-11 Cabarcas has some of the best feel for pitching in the 2019 class and has been a consistent high-level performer both in the spring and summer. His fastball topped out at 89 mph to go with a solid curveball and an outstanding changeup.

Mykanthony Valdez, 1B/DH, Davie, Fla.
Valdez is one of the strongest players in all of high school baseball regardless of class and a threat to change the score with any single swing.

Daniel Batcher, LHP, Lakeland, Fla.
Batcher is a very similar pitcher to Cabarcas with a tick less raw stuff but the same command of a three-pitch arsenal he uses with maturity. He struck out 10 hitters during his start, with his changeup often serving as his out pitch.


Class of 2020

Liam Norris, LHP, Cary, N.C.
Norris solidified his position as one of the top sophomore pitching prospects in the country, working a fastball in the 88-92 mph range to go with both a slider and a curveball and a polished approach on the mound. Driving in the winning run in Green Hope High Schools semifinal win was icing on the cake.

Christian Rodriguez, RHP, Corona, Calif.
Like 2019 top prospect Hunter Cope, Rodriguez is a very tall and lanky 6-foot-7 righthander with advanced coordination and delivery mechanics for his age and size. He worked in the 88-92 mph range with a severe downhill angle to the plate from a high three-quarters release point and showed plenty of promise on his mid-70s curveball.

Chad Born, OF, Plancentia, Calif.
Born was one of the hitting stars of the event as the leadoff hitter for the champion Orange Lutheran team. The righthander has outstanding barrel-to-ball skills and squared up the ball solidly in virtually every at-bat while showing a flair for the clutch hit as well.

Max Rajcic, RHP, Fullerton, Calif.
The 6-foot Rajcic is a two-way standout but his best moments were on the mound. He threw a 95-pitch complete game featuring a very steady 90-93 mph fastball and a big-breaking curveball from a mid three-quarters arm slot that has extreme sweeping action. Most impressively, Rajcic maintained his raw stuff and command the entire game.

Edward Howard, SS, Lynwood, Ill.
Howard is a long and rangy shortstop with very athletic and fluid actions on defense and the arm strength to make difficult plays. He also flashed a strong righthanded bat and is a very projectable young prospect.

Enrique Bradfield, OF, Hialeah, Fla.
Bradford is one of the fastest players in high school baseball and uses that speed aggressively in all aspects of the game. His bat speed and ability to drive the ball is also steadily improving as he gets stronger.

Dante Girardi, 2B, Boca Raton, Fla.
Girardi bears more than a passing resemblance to his father and plays the game with the same energy as well. He's a sure-handed defender at second base with good bat speed for a sophomore and had a strong tournament, including one three-hit game.

Travis Warinner, SS, Glenale, Ariz.
Warninner is a bit undersized at 5-foot-8, 150-pounds but has a very live body and all the actions and quickness to play the middle infield at a high level. He takes a surprisingly aggressive and full righthanded swing with plenty of bat speed.


Class of 2021

Grant Taylor, RHP, Florence, Ala.
Taylor is one of the top talents in the 2021 class and while he "only" pitched in the 86-89 mph range in Cary, short of the regular low-90s he posted all last summer, he especially impressed with the tight spin and power in his upper-70s breaking ball.

Devin Futrell, LHP, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Futrell is a very projectable 6-foot-3, 160-pound southpaw with a long and loose build and a very fluid and easy delivery. He topped out at 84 mph and showed good feel and sequencing for his curveball and changeup.

Alonzo Tredwell, RHP/1B, Coto de Caza, Calif.
The 6-foot-5 Tredwell is a two-way prospect who hits in the middle of the Mater Dei lineup already as a lefthanded hitting first baseman, while working in the mid-80s off the mound.
Give us your feedback
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways
Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
Read More
Draft | Story | 9/11/2026

PG Draft: Potential Risers Into Top 50

Michael Albee
Article Image
We are in the early stages of the 2027 cycle and there is still plenty of time for players to make significant jumps up the board. While our current Top-100 provides an early look at the class, several players just outside that group have the upside to make a run at becoming Top-50 pick by next July. With that in mind, each member of the draft team each selected one college player and one prep player they believe could make the jump into the Top-50 over the course of the spring. These are the names to keep an eye on as the 2027 draft picture continues to develop. Joey’s Picks:   Jake Cueto (27 FL) goes oppo πŸ’£ on a mid-90s LonL heater. Performing at a very high level, hitting .464 with 5 homers. Excellent hit/run combo and here comes the juice! #PGHS #Miami commit @Florida_PG pic.twitter.com/g4gtml81mm — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) April 1, 2026 Prep: OF, Jake...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/9/2026

PG Wood Bat Fall Kickoff Scout Notes

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Evan Thompson (‘29, AZ) showcasing the all-fields power with this ground rule double the other way. Immense power upside. Really fun offensive profile #FallKickoff https://t.co/l551KirUOf pic.twitter.com/QW0AIeg59g — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) September 7, 2026 Evan Thompson (2029, Gilbert, Ariz.) put on an offensive clinic throughout the weekend, going 8-for-13 with three extra-base hits. He capped off his MVP performance with a walkoff home run to take home the championship. Thompson is one of the premier players in the 2029 class. A fluid left-handed stroke consistently finds barrels. There is all fields power present that will only continue to develop further. It would not be a surprise if Thimpson ends up the top ranked player in the class when it is all said and done.  Chase Fillman (2028, Goodyear, Ariz.) put together a loud summer circuit and...
Read More
Draft | Story | 9/8/2026

What Profiles Are Valued Most at Top of Draft

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
The landscape of the MLB Draft continues to evolve each and every year. What teams value at the top of the draft can change based on the strength of a particular class, shifts in player development philosophy, and, perhaps most importantly, the way organizations evaluate risk and upside. Some trends are subtle, while others become impossible to ignore when viewed across multiple years. For this study, I set out to answer one question: What player profiles do teams value at the top of the draft? To answer it, I analyzed the Top-100 picks from each of the last six drafts (2021-2026). That gives us 600 total selections to examine and provides a large enough sample to identify both the profiles that have remained consistently popular and those that have gained or lost significant ground. The data was broken down by position, handedness and level to create individual player profiles. While...
Read More
General | General | 9/7/2026

First Look: Class of 2031 Rankings

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Read More
Draft | Story | 9/7/2026

Chubb Jones Jr. Enrolls Early

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Harry Chubb Jones Jr. is getting an early start on the next chapter of his baseball career. The Perfect Game All-American announced Sunday that he will enroll early at the University of Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide an early addition from one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the 2027 class. See y’all at The Joe! πŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎ pic.twitter.com/Kn0T0mJxq7 — 6._.chubbjones (@chubb_hitter) September 6, 2026 Jones, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound SS/RHP from Georgia, was ranked No. 39 in the 2027 class and came in at No. 83 on the initial Top-100 2027 Draft Board. Chubb Jones Jr (‘27 GA) smokes this one the other way for an RBI single & we’re all level in the 6th. Adv bat speed, impacts w/ authority to all fields #PGAAC@PG_Georgia pic.twitter.com/FZ46IvYVp1 — Dick’s Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican) August 16, 2026 The McEachern...
Read More
Draft | Story | 9/7/2026

2027 MLB Draft: PG Content Hub

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
No more having to search for articles pertaining to the 2027 MLB Draft as we will keep it all centrally located here, in the PG Content Hub, leading up to the first pick next July. Tyler Henninger, Joey Cohen, Michael Albee and Ryan Miller, along with the rest of the Perfect Game staff, will continue to provide you with the latest info as it pertains to this 2027 crop.  Article Date Initial Follow List July 12 Way Too Early Mock July 13 Realistic Expectations of 1:1 August 11 Preview: Collegiate RHP August 21  Draft Board: Top 100 August 28 Way Too Early 1:1 Predictions September 4 Chubb Jones Jr. Enrolls Early September 7 Preview: Collegiate LHP September 7 What Profiles are Valued Most at Top of Draft September 9 Potential Risers Into The Top 50 September 11
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 9/7/2026

2027 Draft Preview: Collegiate LHP

Ryan Miller
Article Image
2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: Collegiate Right-Handed Pitchers The collegiate left-handed pitching class is always a popular demographic, and this year’s is no different. The group contains a mix of power pitch mixes and polished pitch-ability, with healthy representation from power four schools and a handful of mid-majors. Below we look at this year’s top college left-handers. An extended look at LHP Tomas Valincius (@HailStateBB)... 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K https://t.co/lCHgGnsdbi pic.twitter.com/Vm3nQkAukc — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 28, 2026 Tomas Valincius, Mississippi State Valincius followed head coach Brian O’Connor from Virginia to Mississippi State and immediately established himself as their ace last spring. The Illinois native posted a 3.50 ERA over 17 starts in 2026, striking out 33.5% of hitters and walking just five percent....
Read More
General | General | 9/6/2026

Update: Class of 2030 Rankings

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Read More
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 9/4/2026

2027 Draft: Way Too Early 1:1 Predictions

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2027 Top 100 Draft Board  Current Favorite: SS Dylan Seward, Norco HS (Calif.) In our first iteration of the 2027 Draft Board, Norco shortstop Dylan Seward ranks No. 1 overall. The switch-hitter is an ultra-twitchy player with a lot to like on both sides of the ball. He is a supreme athlete that should stick up the middle. Explosiveness is shown in all aspects of his game and gives the profiles big time upside.  In the event that Seward does not go 1:1, each member of our draft team selected a player that they think could wind up in that spot. We are still nearly a full year away from draft day, but here are our “Way Too Early” predictions for the 1st overall pick next July.  Henni’s Pick: C/UTL Gavin Kelly, West Virginia    Gavin Kelly (@WVUBaseball) sends this over the wall in CF for a solo πŸ’£ (100 EV/ 416 ft). Adv. hitter with accurate...
Read More
General | General | 9/3/2026

Class of 2029 Rankings Update

Article Image
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.