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High School  | General | 2/17/2026

Ohio Valley All Region & Top Tools

OHIO VALLEY REGION (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH)

The Ohio Valley Region has a healthy amount of top-level talent, as it features five Perfect Game All-Americans in shortstop Ethan Bass, third baseman TJ McQuillan, two-way stand out Matt Ponatoski and right-handed pitchers Shawn Sullivan and Grayson Willoughby.  The 2027 class looks very strong as well, especially in Illinois.

A couple of things are missing from the Ohio Valley All-Region team, though.  The first is the two best outfielders in the region, as 2027 Illinois outfielder Sebastian Wilson is attending IMG Academy in Florida and fellow 2027 outfielder Noah Goettke from Ohio is attending P27 Academy in South Carolina.  Also missing are any players from Michigan, which enjoyed a dominant run of top prospects in recent years largely behind the Lake Orchard St. Mary’s HS program.  2027 catcher Broder Katke (Brother Rice HS) is the top prospect in the state and a favorite for the 2027 All-Region team.



Trinity HS of Kentucky has the distinction of being the highest ranked team in the PG Pre-Season Top 50 National Rankings outside the “Power 4” states of California, Florida, Texas and Georgia.  The Shamrocks, led by two-way standout Grayson Willoughby and an outstanding junior class, start the year 11th nationally.  Three other Ohio Valley Region teams are in the top 50, including Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) at 35th, St. Laurence (Illinois) at 48th and Center Grove (Indiana) at 49th.


C – Sean Dunlap (Sr., Crown Point HS, Ind.)

Dunlap really came on late in the summer and in the ball and is now the second ranked catcher in the 2026 class nationally.  His physical tools defensively are very good, with an 85 mph throwing arm behind the plate and 6.64 speed, but what’s really separated the 6-3/205 right-handed hitter is his bat and power potential.  Dunlap collected 5 extra base hits at the WWBA World Championships and hit .444-3-14 with a .911 slugging percentage in PG play in 2025 after hitting .429-6-35 in the spring at Crown Point HS.   He’s signed with Tennessee.

1B – Brady Cunningham (Jr., Brother Rice HS, Ill.) 

Cunningham is one of the top two-way players in the 2027 class and the 50th ranked junior nationally.  He’s a 50/50 prospect at present who is listed as a primary right-handed pitcher who has been up to 92 and went 6-0, 1.99 in 52 innings as a sophomore at Brother Rice HS.  But Cunningham is also an extremely strong 6-3/215 right-handed hitter with big power and exit velocities who hit .407-4-28 as a sophomore and followed up by hitting .396-4-24 in 22 games in PG play.  He is committed to Texas A&M.

MIF – Ethan Bass (Sr., Glenbrook North HS, Ill.)

A Perfect Game All-American, Bass established himself as a top prospect early in his high school career due to his outstanding glove work and defensive ability.  But while those skills/tools still exist, addition strength has given him some significant and unexpected juice in his swing.  The right-handed hitting Wake Forest signee hit .402 with 9 home runs and 11 doubles last spring and .478 in PG play.

MIF – Landon Thome (Sr., Nazareth Academy, Ill.)

Thome is a different athlete than his Hall of Fame father with a young 6-0/185 build and middle infield tools on defense.  But the common thread is a strong left-handed swing that has really improved over the past year as he’s noticeably got stronger and improved his bat speed.  Thome, who ranks 83rd in the 2026 national class rankings, is signed with Florida State.

3B – TJ McQuillan (Sr., Mount Carmel HS, Ind.)

McQuillan is a Perfect Game All-American who is the 45th ranked player in the 2025 class and the third ranked third baseman.  His best tool is his left-handed bat and especially his left-handed power, with an easy and effortless swing that produces elite exit velocities.  The Wake Forest signee hit .362-2-19 with 28 walks in 31 games as a junior at Mount Carmel HS.

OF – Carter Shouse (So. Bishop Fenwick HS, Ohio)

Shouse is the fourth ranked player in the 2028 class nationally and a former 14U Select Festival and USA Baseball 15U National Team member.  He’s a two-way player at present with a 92 mph arm off the mound from the left side and a powerful right-handed swing at the plate.  Shouse also just turned 16 years old, so there’s lots of time to keep growing and improving.

OF – Nolan Ramoley (Sr., Brother Rice HS, Ill.)

Ramoley has an impressive combination of strength in his right-handed swing with his 6-1/215 build and running speed, which includes a 6.52 time in the sixty.  The Northwestern signee also throws 93 mph from the outfield.  The one tool that he is still looking to fully develop is his Hit tool and that comes on this spring, he becomes a next tier prospect quickly.

OF – Devlan Daniel (Jr., Indian Hill HS, Ohio)

Daniel is a highly athletic young outfielder with a solid overall tool set and advanced switch-hitting ability at the plate.  Daniel hit .557 with 6 home runs and 26 extra base hits as a sophomore at Indian Hill HS and also features a low 90’s fastball and on the mound.  A Mississippi State commit, Daniel is also a two-sport standout and ran for 2,098 yards and 30 touchdowns on the football fields.

RHP  Gannon Grant (Sr., Center Grove HS, Ind.)

Grant is a very projectable and athletic right-hander who already has good feel for commanding all his pitches and stuff that is already pretty firm.  His fastball works in the 90-94 mph range and will inch higher at times and he throws a change up and a slider with near 3,000 rpm spin rates.  Grant went 8-0, 2.02 with 58 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 55 innings as a junior at Center Grove HS.

RHP  Shawn Sullivan (Sr., Walsh Jesuit HS, Ohio)

Sullivan came into his velocity early on the mound and has been one of the harder throwers in the 2026 class ever since he was a freshman.  A quality athlete who doubles as a shortstop with 6.6 speed and some right-handed power, Sullivan ticked the velocity up another notch in 2025, topping out at 98 mph to go with a four-pitch mix that includes a low 80’s curveball that can buckle knees, a short upper 80’s slider and a change up.  A Perfect Game All-American, Sullivan is signed with Tennessee.

RHP  Parker Van Engelenhoven (Sr., Olentangy Liberty HS, Ohio)

Van Engelenhoven has a big power pitcher’s body at 6-5/220 but is as much a command pitcher as a power pitcher.  He works in the 90-93 mph range with his fastball but creates 2,800+ rpm spin on both a curveball and slider while throwing all his pitches for strikes.  Van Engelenhoven is signed with Louisville.

RHP  Kaden Wasniewski (Jr., McHenry West Campus HS, Ill.)

Wasniewski is the 2027 Ohio Valley version of Shawn Sullivan (above) as a 6-0 right-hander with lots of athleticism and a very life arm.  Wasniewski gained 6-7 mph on his fastball in 2025 and is now touching 94-95 mph with a loose and fast arm.  He’s also a 6.63 runner who has middle infield skills on defense.  Wasniewski is committed to LSU.

RHP  Grayson Willoughby (Sr., Trinity HS, Ken.)

A Perfect Game All-American, Willoughby is a very polished right-hander with a solid three-pitch starters mix.  His fastball tops out at 95-96 mph with good sinking life and is mixed with a well-tunneled low 80’s slider and mid-80’s fading change up.  He is signed with Kentucky

UT – Matt Ponatoski (Sr., Archbishop Moeller HS, Ohio)

The ultra-athletic Ponatoski is primarily a shortstop and hit .462-4-37 as a junior on his way to be named the Ohio Player of the Year.  But as he showed at the Perfect Game National Showcase, he can also jump on the mound and show a mid-90’s fastball and low 80’s curveball with 2,800+ spin rates.


Ohio Valley Top Tools


Best Hitter for Average: Landon Thome (Sr., Nazareth Academy, Ill.)

Scouts love Thome’s swing approach and barrel abilities and he added notable strength and bat speed during 2025 that will carry over to 2026.  His father was a late developer and Landon could be as well with his strength.

Best Hitter for Power: TJ McQuillan (Sr., Mount Carmel HS, Ind.)

McQuillan looks the part of a power hitter with his 6-1/210 frame and can put on an impressive power show in batting practice, such as he did at the MLB High School Home Run Derby last July when he hit 13 home runs in one round.

Best Runner: Desmond Francis (Sr., Park Tudor HS, Ind.)

Francis ran a 6.38 sixty at the PG National Showcase and has outstanding first step quickness.  A Notre Dame signee, Francis is a three-year starter at Park Tudor HS with a career .423 average and hit .404 as a junior with 25 steals in 23 games.  He also has a 92 mph arm in center field. 

Best Defensive Catcher: Sean Dunlap (Sr., Crown Point HS, Ind.)

Dunlap is a bit big for a standout defender behind the plate but his athleticism and quickness more than make up for it.  And his arm is a major weapon.

Best Defensive Infielder: Ethan Bass (Sr., Glenbrook North HS, Ill.)

Bass plays with a quickness, energy and flair that makes him fun to watch play defense.  His arm strength isn’t a plus but he makes up for it with his quick release and aggressiveness attacking the ball.

Best Defensive Outfielder: Devlan Daniel (Jr., Indian Hill HS, Ohio)

Daniel’s base tools and extreme athleticism should make him a standout defensive outfielder.  It will be fun to see him play at more national level events in 2026.

Best Defensive Arm: Matt Ponatoski (Sr., Archbishop Moeller HS, Ohio)

Ponatoski threw a Perfect Game record 101 mph during infield drills at the PG National Showcase, which speaks for itself.

Best Fastball: Shawn Sullivan (Sr., Walsh Jesuit HS, Ohio)

Sullivan has always had one of the top fastballs in the 2026 class nationally and he’s always shown the ability to throw it for strikes.  It’s especially effective up in the zone.

Best Off-Speed Stuff: Shawn Sullivan (Sr., Walsh Jesuit HS, Ohio)

Sullivan’s fastball often has hitter’s cheating to catch up with it but his array of off-speed pitches and his feel for dropping them into the zone has always been impressive.  He’s a very uncomfortable at-bat regardless of how he’s attacking a hitter.

Best Pitchability: Grayson Willoughby (Sr., Trinity HS, Kent.)

Willoughby has a classic starter’s package of pitches and the athleticism to throw them for strikes.  At 6-2/185, he still offers some physical projection as well.

Best Multi-Sport Athlete: Matt Ponatoski (Sr., Archbishop Moeller HS, Ohio)

Ponatoski threw for 4,217 yards and 57 touchdowns this past fall and adding the Ohio POY award in football to same award he’d won for baseball during the spring.  He is signed to play both sports at Kentucky.

High School | Rankings | 11/4/2026

Class of 2027 Rankings Risers

Kyler Peterson
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Complete Class of 2027 Rankings With the end of the summer and fall seasons behind us, it was time for a quick refresh of the 2027 class rankings. Below you'll be able to read about some of the biggest risers up the board, led by North Carolina outfielder John Hucko who jumped more than 110 spots to now sit at No. 20 overall.  John Hucko, OF, Charlotte, N.C. Previous Rank: 132 | Current Rank: 20 Hucko makes a huge leap into the top-20 players in the class after a dominating showing in Jupiter. It’s as good of a left-handed swing as you’ll come across with pretty easy impact to all parts. He’s a supreme athlete with all the tools to play center long term and is a present plus runner. Hucko is a name that cemented his prospect status in Jupiter and will be a name to follow for next year’s MLB Draft. Elyjah Mason, SS, Lake Forest, Calif. Previous Rank: 71 |...
General | General | 11/5/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 70

Ron Wolforth
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That Off-Season Program Wasn't Built for Your Son. It Was Built for Nobody. The Harsh Reality of Skill Development · Part 2 of 5 Somewhere right now, a pitcher is starting a twelve-week off-season program. It came from his travel team. Or a trainer. Or a big leaguer's Instagram. It has phases and a logo, and every kid in the building got the same one. Here is the harsh reality. That program was written before anybody looked at your son. It doesn't know he exists. It was built for the average pitcher... and the average pitcher does not exist. A Template Fixes Somebody's Problem. Maybe Not His. Every pitcher who is stuck is stuck for a reason. We call that reason his constraint... the thing that is actually limiting him right now. For one kid it is strength. For the next it is mobility. For the next it is a mechanical inefficiency, or an arm that isn't recovering, or a body that...
General | General | 11/5/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 69

Ron Wolforth
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Your Son's April Arm Injury is Being Scheduled Right Now   The Harsh Reality of Skill Development - Part 1 of 5 Let me start this series with something most people in baseball won't say out loud. In my experience, a great many of the arm problems we will see next April are being set up right now... in October, November and December. Not necessarily because a young pitcher is throwing too much. Often it's because of what happens when he stops. Here is the pattern. I have watched it for more than thirty years. The fall season ends. The arm is tired, so the family does what seems like the responsible thing.  They shut it down. No throwing. For a lot of kids, no anything. Weeks go by. The holidays come and go. Then somebody looks at a calendar in January and realizes tryouts are three weeks away. Suddenly, an arm that has done nothing since October is asked to go from zero to game...
General | General | 11/3/2026

Class of 2027 Rankings Update

Perfect Game Staff
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Press Release | Press Release | 11/2/2026

PG Partners Up with Minority Prospects

Perfect Game Staff
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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME ANNOUNCES MEDIA RIGHTS PARTNERSHIP WITH MINORITY PROSPECTS   Sanford, Florida (Monday, November 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a media rights partnership with Minority Prospects, the Atlanta-based organization that has become the largest platform in the world for minority baseball and softball prospects. The partnership kicked off last month at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., Perfect Game's premier fall event, where Minority Prospects produced content featuring some of the nation's top amateur players in front of college coaches, professional scouts and MLB legends. Under the agreement, Minority...
Draft | Story | 10/30/2026

2027 Draft Preview: Prep Middle Infielders

Ryan Miller
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2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: Collegiate Right-Handed Pitchers | Collegiate Left-Handed Pitchers The premium profile in each class often are prep middle infielders, a sought-after group with the athletic ability to stick on the dirt or land throughout the diamond long term. This demographic has produced the superstars of today’s game and therefore are selected in prime spots while demanding high-end signing bonuses. This group features a mix of loud tools, high level projection, and impact defenders. Below we break down at the top prep middle infielder in the 2027 cycle.  ‘27 SS Dylan Seward (CA)- liftoff from the No. 1 player in the class. A solo blast to RCF to extend the lead for @TheCanesBB #WWBA @California_PG @Vol_Baseball commit https://t.co/lJjNg6T7PS — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 27, 2026 SS Dylan Seward, Norco (CA)  The Southern...
Tournaments | Story | 11/2/2026

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Joey Cohen
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2028 Post-Circuit Dive: Under-the-Radar Names to Know One of my favorite parts of the calendar comes after the summer and fall circuits have wrapped, when I can finally sit down, dig through our tournament performance data and uncover some names that may have slipped through the cracks. With hundreds of events on the schedule and thousands of players coming through them, there's inevitably going to be talent that I or even our collective staff haven't given enough attention to. For this exercise, I wanted to isolate a particular offensive profile. I looked for 2028 bats who produced at a high level while keeping their swing-and-miss numbers in check across a sample of at least 50 plate appearances. On the pitching side, the approach was equally straightforward in terms of identifying arms who consistently filled the strike zone while missing bats at a strong clip. Of course, not all...
Tournaments | Story | 10/29/2026

WWBA Underclass Prospect Recap

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA Underclass Scout Notes: Days 1-2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Stars Being Stars These are some of the more well-known names on the national landscape, playing across several big events in which they performed at the highest of levels. Their showings in Fort Myers were simply a continuation of what we've almost come to expect at this point from them!  Kasen Langerhans (2028, Round Rock, Texas) batted leadoff and stuck at the hot corner for Texas Twelve Red Sox 2028 in Fort Myers. The Texas native has the looks a young left-handed power bat and the swing is built for it. Langerhans produces easy bat speed, delivering a fast and leveraged barrel through the zone. He creates backspin and uses the ground well, really getting into the legs. The infielder has excellent power projection and took comfortable, intentful cuts in the box. Langerhans got the job done at the top of the order...
Tournaments | Story | 10/28/2026

WWBA Sophomore Prospect Recap

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Stars Being Stars These are some of the more well-known names on the national landscape, playing across several big events in which they performed at the highest of levels. Their showings in Fort Myers were simply a continuation of what we've almost come to expect at this point from them!  2029 MIF Easton Housewright (Knoxville, Tenn.) currently stands at 6-foot,175 pounds with strength in the lower half, present above-average athleticism. Continued to shine at the top of the lineup as the left-handed hitter is your prototypical leadoff hitter, consistently finding a way on and scoring. Takes quality at-bats with an above average awareness of the strike zone. Loose hands with easy bat speed that find the barrel often for hard line drives into the gaps that frequently turn into XBHs. Confident and balanced approach. Also...
Tournaments | Story | 10/27/2026

Beyond the Board: SS Malachi Butler

Tyler Henninger
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As the 2027 draft cycle moves through the fall and into the offseason, we kick off a new series called Beyond The Board. With each installment, we will provide an in-depth scouting report for some of the top players in the class, breaking down their tools, strengths, question marks, and overall projection. This week we take a look at Georgia prep shortstop Malachi Butler. The Georgia Tech put together an outstanding showing on the circuit this summer and has been a significant riser early in the 2027 cycle.  Player: Malachi Butler Position: SS B/T: L/R Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 190-pounds School: McEachern HS Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.  Physical Description: 6-2/190. Strong, athletic build. Well-proportioned body. Has strength with room to continue to add more.    High speed BP swing from '27 SS Malachi Butler (GA)... #PGNational @PG_Georgia https://t.co/M9OWUX9rPw...
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