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Tournaments  | Story | 11/2/2026

2028: Under-the-Radar Names to Know

Joey Cohen
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 tournament competition is created equal, and the numbers alone don't tell the entire story. But that's where the scouting comes in. Some of these players have already caught my eye in person, while others sent me back to the video to get a better understanding of what's driving the production. Here are a handful of names outside the top 200 whose statistical profiles and underlying traits warrant a closer look.

Middle Infielders


John Pruet (2028, Northport, Ala.) | Rank: T1000
 Circuit Performance: .473/.589/.745 | 1.3% Whiff | 73 PA
Notable Performance: 5-for-9, 2 BB/0 K, 4 SB at 16U National Elite

Pruet's 1.3% whiff rate immediately jumps off the page, and there's plenty within the offensive operation to support that level of bat-to-ball proficiency. The left-handed stroke has a natural rhythm to it, with loose, handsy actions at entry before the barrel works through the zone on a flatter plane. It's a line-drive-oriented approach geared toward using the entire field, and he shows an ability to consistently get the barrel where it needs to be with strong adjustability. There's already some strength present in the medium build, with enough athleticism to offer defensive value on the dirt. Second base looks like the probable long-term home, but there's a pretty appealing offensive foundation here, especially considering just how rarely he came up empty. Wofford commit. 


Max Wilkerson (2028, Saint Johns, Fla.) | Rank: 393
 Circuit Performance: .432/.546/.770 | 11.3% Whiff | 97 PA
Notable Performance: 11-for-20, 1 K at 16U National Elite

Wilkerson owns what I consider one of the prettier left-handed swings in the class, and the more I watch it, the more I'm convinced there's a legitimate hit tool to buy into. It's an exceptionally loose, fluid stroke with the ability to work into steeper barrel angles and generate lift without introducing excessive swing-and-miss. He showed some of that offensive impact during Jupiter as well, getting into a couple of balls with authority against quality competition. The athleticism probably settles somewhere around average, but there's enough skill and feel on the dirt to make the overall profile work. This is one I wouldn't be surprised to see gain considerable traction as evaluators get more exposure to the bat. There's just too much natural hitting ability here to ignore. Currently uncommitted. 

Braylon Disla (2028, Wimauma, Fla.) | Rank: 284
Circuit Performance: .456/.556/.754 | 10.4% Whiff | 72 PA
Notable Performance: 10-for-17, 2 HR, 2 BB/0 K at 16U WWBA National Championship

There's something to be said for a player who continues to produce against the caliber of competition Disla has faced, and he's made a habit of delivering at some of our premier national events. The switch-hitting profile adds another layer of appeal, with functional offensive mechanics from either side of the plate. He's certainly capable from the right, working the barrel through on a flatter trajectory, but the left-handed stroke is the one that really catches my eye. There's an added degree of fluidity and natural loft from that side, allowing him to create a little more carry at contact. The hand and barrel speed aren't necessarily explosive, but the accuracy is a separator. Disla simply finds the barrel with remarkable consistency, and the production against top-flight arms makes the profile that much easier to believe in. Currently uncommitted. 

Blake Tyburczy (2028, West Milford, N.J.) | Rank: 500
Circuit Performance: .463/.586/.870 | 11.1% Whiff | 70 PA
Notable Performance: 8-for-16, 2 HR at 16U WWBA National Championship

I'm a big fan of the overall aesthetic of Tyburczy's swing, particularly the freedom and lack of tension with which he operates. He sets up in a relaxed stance with rhythmic hand movement before turning the barrel through with an effortless quality that stands out on video. There's a short-to-long component to the path, allowing him to stay connected early before creating length through the baseball. That combination has translated into substantial offensive production, including a pair of home runs at the 16U WWBA National Championship. Physically, he's a medium-framed athlete with plenty of room to continue adding strength, which makes the present slugging output all the more encouraging. It's an attractive blend of swing aesthetics, barrel control and future physical upside. East Tennessee commit. 

Gavin Dunston (2028, Fort Worth, Texas) | Rank: T1000
Circuit Performance: .392/.554/.627 | 7.7% Whiff | 76 PA
Notable Performance: 5-for-14, 4 BB/1 K, 10 SB at 16U WWBA West

There are some legitimate hitter traits to get behind with Dunston, starting with how little unnecessary movement he introduces into the swing. The operation is balanced and uncomplicated, allowing him to get into launch without having to fight through a bunch of moving parts. He does an especially good job of keeping the barrel inside the baseball, working on a compact route to contact while still generating some strength through the hitting zone. It's the type of efficient move that lends itself to consistent contact, and his 7.7% whiff rate certainly supports that evaluation. Throw in the baserunning element, which included 10 stolen bases at WWBA West, and there's a potentially dynamic offensive skill set taking shape. The bat-to-ball foundation is the real selling point for me. Currently uncommitted. 

Outfielders

Canyon Koonce (2028, Brownsburg, Ind.) | Rank: 261
Circuit Performance: .382/.427/.471 | 6.3% Whiff | 77 PA
Notable Performance: 8-for-16, 3 2B at WWBA World Championships

I'll go as far as saying Koonce has one of the safer hit tools I've evaluated in this 2028 class. There isn't anything overly complicated about the left-handed operation, and that's a big part of what makes it work. The stroke is loose and direct, with an advanced sense for the barrel and the ability to make adjustments within the swing rather than getting locked into one path. He can manipulate contact to different parts of the field, and there's a natural comfort in the box that really stands out. The offensive value isn't built around overwhelming raw power, but rather an ability to consistently put quality swings on the baseball. Add in the speed and defensive range to patrol center field, and it's a profile with a pretty high floor. I'm buying the hit tool here and would expect his stock to continue trending upward. Vanderbilt commit. 


Axton Westmoreland (2028, Senatobia, Miss.) | Rank: 214
Circuit Performance: .377/.571/.607 | 7.7% Whiff | 91 PA
Notable Performance: 5-for-8, 2 BB/0 K at WWBA World Championships

Westmoreland strikes me as another player whose reputation could take a sizable jump once more evaluators get a full appreciation for the offensive skill set. The bat-to-ball ability is already operating at an advanced level, but what makes the profile particularly exciting is that he's beginning to show some legitimate impact to go along with it. There's noticeable twitch and explosiveness in the swing, with the ability to accelerate the barrel and do more than simply put the ball in play. He has the instincts and hand-eye coordination of a natural hitter, and the physical projection suggests there's another gear he could reach as he matures. Couple that with his athleticism, and this is a player who offers both present offensive polish and considerable long-term upside. A name I'd be keeping a close eye on moving forward. Mississippi State commit. 

Jacob Forystek (2028, Dyer, Ind.) | Rank: T500
Circuit Performance: .500/.509/.820 | 12.0% Whiff | 53 PA
Notable Performance: 16-for-20 at PG HS Caba Alum Bat Championship

Forystek didn't have the same level of exposure at our major national events as some of the other names on this list, but his showings against stronger regional competition were more than enough to warrant another look. The offensive appeal starts with the looseness of the hands and how naturally he works the barrel into an elevated path. There's some lift built into the stroke, and he's shown the ability to translate that into meaningful extra-base production. Beyond the bat, he's a quality runner with an arm from the outfield that carries some real strength, giving him multiple avenues to provide value. The competition context is worth acknowledging, but the physical tools and swing characteristics offer reasons to believe there's more here than just a loud statistical line. I'd be interested to see how the offensive profile holds up with increased national exposure. Currently uncommitted. 

Cole Shearer (2028, Odessa, Fla.) | Rank: T500
Circuit Performance: .512/.614/1.000 | 12.1% Whiff | 57 PA
Notable Performance: 6-for-12, 4 BB/0 K at 16U World Series National

Shearer might be one of the better examples of a player we simply haven't given enough attention to. All he's done is produce at an absurd level, including against some of the strongest competition on our national schedule. The offensive setup features a wider base and a balanced lower half, with relatively quiet hands that allow him to work into the swing without much wasted movement. From there, he can really whip the barrel through the zone, showing a compact initial move before creating length and strength out front. There's an appealing combination of contact efficiency and damage potential, and the numbers reflect a hitter who hasn't had to sacrifice one for the other. A 1.000 slugging percentage is going to turn heads regardless of the sample, but it's the underlying swing traits that make me want to dig deeper into this one. Currently uncommitted. 

Jake Adamson (2028, Gainesville, Ga.) | Rank: T1000
Circuit Performance: .412/.570/.824 | 12.6% Whiff | 80 PA
Notable Performance: 8-for-12 at 16U WWBA National Championship

Adamson doesn't necessarily overwhelm you with physicality, but there's a lot more to the offensive profile than the smaller frame might initially suggest. He's an impressive athlete with advanced barrel skills, showing the ability to get the bat into the zone quickly and create productive contact from a short, efficient entry. What I particularly like is how he can work into steeper attack angles and generate lift despite possessing what looks to be more average present hand and bat speed. That speaks to his swing efficiency and feel for getting the barrel to the right spot. The resulting power production has been impressive, especially for a player who isn't relying on sheer physical strength to drive the baseball. There's a skill-over-size element to this profile that I find pretty appealing, and the offensive output certainly deserves more recognition. Currently uncommitted. 

Pitchers

Colton Carpenter (2028, Bloomington, Ill.) | Rank: High Follow
Circuit Performance: 0.36 ERA | 19.2 IP | 33 K | 70% Strikes | 41% K Rate

Carpenter's statistical profile is about as convincing as you'll find in this exercise, pairing a 70% strike rate with a ridiculous 41% punchout clip. And while the present velocity isn't going to blow anyone away, there's a lot to appreciate about how he goes about getting outs. The left-hander operates with an easy, loose delivery that he repeats well, showing the ability to move his low-80s fastball, which has reached 84, to either side of the plate. There's also usable feel for both a changeup and breaking ball, giving him multiple weapons to keep hitters from sitting on the heater. The frame is more medium-sized, but the ease of operation and advanced strike-throwing ability make this a pretty interesting developmental arm. The stuff may not be overpowering just yet, but the pitchability is already well ahead of the curve. Currently uncommitted. 

Brandon Keen (2028, Ocala, Fla.) | Rank: T1000
Circuit Performance: 3.00 ERA | 18.2 IP | 26 K | 69% Strikes | 34% K Rate

Keen brings a different look from the left side, with a physical 6-foot-3, 195-pound build that offers plenty to work with moving forward. The delivery is relatively straightforward, and the arm works cleanly through release without much unnecessary effort. He's already run the fastball up to 87, but the breaking ball is what gives the arsenal some added appeal. It's a bigger, depth-oriented curveball that he demonstrates the confidence to land in the strike zone with regularity, allowing him to get ahead of hitters and disrupt timing. The combination of size, handedness and a nearly 70% strike rate is a pretty strong starting point for a young arm. There's enough present stuff to be effective, and the physical foundation leaves room for another jump as he continues to develop. Stetson commit. 

Colin Lawlor (2028, Chicago, Ill.) | Rank: 374
Circuit Performance: 3.11 ERA | 18 IP | 28 K | 68% Strikes | 39% K Rate

Lawlor is probably an arm we've been a little late getting fully on board with, especially considering the circuit he put together and the fact that he's already landed an Arkansas commitment. He's a physical presence on the mound at 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, attacking hitters with an aggressive move down the slope and a loose arm that works with some real intent. There's a slight step toward the left-handed batter's box, creating an uncomfortable angle for opposing lefties and adding a layer of deception to the overall look. What stands out beyond the delivery is the depth of the repertoire. He'll show two distinct breaking balls along with a changeup, giving him multiple ways to navigate a lineup rather than relying on one dominant offering. It's a fairly complete mix for this stage of development, and the ability to pair that variety with a 39% strikeout rate makes him a name worth revisiting.

Josh Yurgin (2028, Mullica Hill, N.J.) | Rank: T500
Circuit Performance: 1.27 ERA | 27.2 IP | 42 K | 62% Strikes | 37% K Rate

Yurgin might not have the prototypical size scouts gravitate toward when projecting a right-handed pitching prospect, but I'm not sure that should overshadow how much there is to like about the actual pitching operation. He works with starter-type ease and repeatability, showing a delivery that he can consistently get back to without having to manufacture effort. A slight crossfire component, combined with a lower release point, creates some deception and gives hitters a different angle to contend with. The breaking ball is a legitimate weapon, particularly against right-handed hitters, and he demonstrates an advanced ability to manipulate its shape and land it where he wants. There's real feel for the craft here, and his 42 strikeouts across 27.2 innings speak to how effective the arsenal has been. He may not check every traditional physical box, but the pitchability and underlying traits are worth betting on. Currently uncommitted. 

Mikey Stortz (2028, Buckeye, Ariz.) | Rank: T500
Circuit Performance: 2.94 ERA | 16.2 IP | 23 K | 66% Strikes | 31% K Rate

Stortz is a name I've actually been familiar with for a while, and quite frankly, one I don't intend to overlook much longer. I'd expect that sentiment to be reflected in our next rankings update. There's an attractive foundation to build upon with the wiry, projectable 6-foot-3 frame and an athletic delivery that operates with pace and conviction. He's already working in the upper 80s with the fastball and shows the ability to command it to both sides of the plate, but I'm especially encouraged by the secondary mix. He can really turn over a changeup with quality action, giving him a legitimate weapon to disrupt timing, while a developing slider adds another dimension. The combination of physical upside, body control and a three-pitch foundation gives him a chance to make a sizable leap as the stuff continues to mature. This is one I'm personally buying into. Arizona commit. 


Conor Dietz (2028, Wading River, N.Y.) | Rank: T500
Circuit Performance: 1.73 ERA | 24.1 IP | 33 K | 65% Strikes | 33% K Rate

Dietz has to be considered one of the more notable winners of the circuit, delivering dominant looks in front of our scouting staff at multiple premier events. There are a lot of boxes checked here from the left side, whether it's the delivery, overall feel for pitching or the quality of the arsenal. There's also considerable physical upside remaining in his wiry 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, making the present stuff all the more appealing when projecting what he could eventually become. He operates with an upper-80s fastball that features legitimate life through the zone, giving him a strong foundation to work off. The secondary offerings are equally encouraging, with a tighter, sharper slider and a changeup that shows quality depth. What I particularly like is how well those pitches play off the heater, creating similar initial looks before separating late and generating chase and swing-and-miss. It's a well-rounded starter profile with the ability to attack hitters in several different ways, and his success against high-level competition gives the entire package added credibility. Coastal Carolina commit. 
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Tournaments | Story | 11/6/2026

National All State Preview: Week 1
Hannah Jo Groves
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This weekend, teams from all around the country in the 10U, 12U and 14U divisions will converge on the Houston area for the 2026 PG National All-State Select Championships. The 10U division will have 22 teams, 12U will have 23 and 14U will have 22. All ages have many different states represented - from Hawaii, to the Pacific Northwest, to Arizona, to New England, to Carolina to Florida and many more. “National All-State brings together the best players in the country across Houston,” national crosschecker and northeast scouting director, John McAdams, said. “It’s a fun atmosphere for ultimate bragging rights amongst all the regions the PG platform reaches domestically while serving as a good litmus test for myself, Jheremy Brown and Tyler Russo to see the players. We get another glimpse at the end of the year as we start to formulate our initial thoughts on the...
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General | General | 11/6/2026

Class of 2028 Rankings Update

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Draft | Rankings | 11/6/2026

2027 MLB Draft Board Update: Top 200

Tyler Henninger
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PG Draft Content Hub With the fall season winding down and the winter months approaching, it is time for another draft board update.  After getting more live looks and gathering information from the fall action across the country, we have expanded the board to a Top-200. The class continues to feature an intriguing mix of arms from both the prep and college ranks, along with an enticing position player pool.  There is still plenty of time for new names to emerge and established prospects to continue to improve their draft stock, but here is where things stand as we head into the winter.  * denotes draft eligible sophomore Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State Commitment 1 Dylan Seward H SS S-R Norco Eastvale CA Tennessee 2 Brendan Lawson C SS L-R Florida Toronto ON 3 Dax Whitney C RHP R-R Oregon State Blackfoot ID 4 Tomas Valincius C LHP L-L Mississippi State...
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College | Story | 11/6/2026

College Fall Notebook: November 6

Craig Cozart
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Virginia Cavaliers  2026 In Review:  Under the leadership of first year Head Coach Chris Pollard, the Cavaliers won 37 games which was the second most victories by a first-year coach in program history.  Virginia went (37-23) finishing tied for 8th in the ACC and earned an at-large bid to the Hattiesburg Regional.  They fielded a talented offense that averaged over 8-runs per game, highlighted by AJ Gracia and Eric Becker who were both selected on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft.  While the defensive squad wasn’t quite as elite as usual, they were ultra-competitive on the mound with a strong rotation and lock down bullpen.  With plenty of talent returning for Pollard and his staff in ’27, they should be a force on a national level once again.  Impact Returners:    Senior Antonio Perrotta (.266/.459/.431, 5 HR, 6 2B, 24 RBI) experienced...
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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...
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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...
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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 |...
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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...
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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...
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