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| 2,473 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,473 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | Mock Draft | 3/27/2026

2026 MLB Mock Draft: V 2.0

The spring season is well underway and the board is starting to take shape. Last week, the draft team put together the Top-300 and this week we take a stab at our first mid-season mock draft. While there still is plenty of time for things to shake out differently, here is how we see things shaping up at this point in the draft cycle. 

Pick Team Selection Position School
1 Chicago White Sox Roch Cholowsky SS UCLA
2 Tampa Bay Rays Justin Lebron SS Alabama
3 Minnesota Twins Grady Emerson SS Fort Worth Christian
4 San Francisco Giants Jackson Flora RHP UC Santa Barbara
5 Pittsburgh Pirates Vahn Lackey C Georgia Tech
6 Kansas City Royals Drew Burress OF Georgia Tech
7 Baltimore Orioles Ace Reese 3B Mississippi State
8 Athletics Jacob Lombard SS Gulliver Schools
9 Atlanta Braves Eric Booth Jr. OF Oak Grove
10 Colorado Rockies AJ Gracia OF Virginia
11 Washington Nationals Gio Rojas LHP Marjory Stoneman Douglas
12 Los Angeles Angels Cameron Flukey RHP Coastal Carolina
13 St. Louis Cardinals Sawyer Strosnider* OF TCU
14 Miami Marlins Chris Hacopian SS Texas A&M
15 Arizona Diamondbacks Tyler Bell* SS Kentucky
16 Texas Rangers Carson Bolemon LHP Southside Christian Schools
17 Houston Astros Caden Sorrell OF Texas A&M
18 Cincinnati Reds Liam Peterson RHP Florida
19 Cleveland Guardians Tegan Kuhns* RHP Tennessee
20 Boston Red Sox Eric Becker SS Virginia
21 San Diego Padres Logan Schmidt LHP Ganesha
22 Detroit Tigers Ryder Helfrick C Arkansas
23 Chicago Cubs Chris Rembert* IF/OF Auburn
24 Seattle Mariners Jensen Hirschkorn RHP Kingsburg
25 Milwaukee Brewers James Clark SS St. John Bosco
26 Atlanta Braves Tyler Spangler SS De La Salle
27 New York Mets Blake Bowen OF JSerra Catholic
28 Houston Astros Chase Brunson OF TCU
29 Cleveland Guardians Gabe Gaeckle RHP Arkansas
30 Kansas City Royals Will Brick  C Christian Brothers
31 Arizona Diamondbacks Cole Carlon LHP Arizona State
32 St. Louis Cardinals Kaden Waechter RHP Tampa Jesuit
33 Tampa Bay Rays Kevin Roberts Jr OF Jackson Preparatory
34 Pittsburgh Pirates Mason Edwards LHP USC
35 New York Yankees Jake Brown  OF LSU
36 Philadelphia Phillies Joseph Contreras RHP Blessed Trinity Catholic
37 Colorado Rockies Aiden Robbins OF Texas
38 Colorado Rockies Jack Radel RHP Notre Dame
39 Toronto Blue Jays Sean Duncan LHP Terry Fox Secondary School
40 Los Angeles Dodgers Trevor Condon OF Etowah


1) Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA



This comes as no surprise. Cholowsky has been the consensus No. 1 since last summer and has done nothing to relinquish that mantle. He’s currently slashing .352/.475/.747 with 10 home runs. The offensive profile is as good as it gets, paired with Gold Glove caliber defense at shortstop.

2) Tampa Bay Rays: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

Lebron’s stock continues to rise, as he’s surged to #2 here in this mock. The athleticism and projection at shortstop plus the power upside is too much for the Rays to let slide. The hit tool will need to make strides, but you bank on the profile and makeup.

3) Minnesota Twins: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian

Emerson is the top prep player on our board and possesses arguably the best hit tool in the entire class. A smooth, left-handed swing features projectable power to go with strong defensive actions that should stick up the middle. 

4) San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Has been the most consistently dominant right-handed arm in the country this year. Holds a 0.94 ERA in 38.1 innings with 51 strikeouts to just 10 walks. Checks basically every box from a frame, delivery, stuff, strikes and pitchability perspective. Hard to see SP1 dropping out of the Top 5 here and we think the Giants are a fit here. 

5) Pittsburgh Pirates: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech

Lackey needed to show more power this spring for his stock to rise, and that is exactly what has happened. A late bloomer physically, he is still growing into his body which gives scouts plenty of reason to dream on a significant ceiling. Athletic catcher that can stick behind the dish. He’s hitting .425 with nine home runs to this point.

6) Kansas City Royals: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech

Burress is one of the more decorated college bats in the class, putting together a monster career at Georgia Tech. The outfielder may be undersized, but possesses advanced pull side power and should stick in center field long term. 

7) Baltimore Orioles: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State

You could argue Reese has the best college offensive profile in the class. He features elite barrel control with a smooth left-handed swing that produces easy plus power. Regardless of defensive questions, this profiles as a high-floor, high-ceiling bat.

8) Athletics: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Schools

Plenty of bloodlines here with his father & brother, and he’s got all the tools needed to be a high first round draft selection in his own right. Near top scale run with evaluators confident in his abilities to play and stick at shortstop long-term. He’s got power, and you bank on the hit tool refining in professional PD hands.

9) Atlanta Braves: Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove

Booth has been one of the biggest risers this spring and goes here at No. 9 overall. The left-handed hitting prep outfielder is a dynamic athlete with a mix of hit and power ability. 

10) Colorado Rockies: AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia

It’s tough to see Gracia falling beyond this range. He owns one of the prettiest left-handed swings in the class, with a well-rounded offensive skillset. He consistently stays in the strike zone and produces some of the loudest impact in college.

11) Washington Nationals: Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Rojas provides size, spin, strikes and physical projection while throwing with the left hand. He will pitch in the low to mid 90’s while holding velocity, can spin a slider with above average potential and has a quality change in the mix. Plenty of clay here and is a very good mover. 

12) Los Angeles Angels: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina

Flukey has only started one game this spring due to a rib injury, but should still go early on day one and could be a steal here at No. 12 overall. The right-hander possesses dominant stuff to go with high-end strike throwing ability. 

13) St. Louis Cardinals: Sawyer Strosnider*, OF, TCU

Strosnider may be the most toolsy and athletic college prospect in the class, and it’s difficult to envision him falling much further than #13. The power has fully shown up this spring, and he’s made notable approach adjustments, highlighted by a 13% increase in walk rate.

14) Miami Marlins: Chris Hacopian, SS, Texas A&M

Hacopian has been getting a ton of buzz this spring and for good reason… the hit/power tools are showing up in a loud way. The defensive home may be up in the air, but there is going to be conviction with the bat given the under the hood data and production at the SEC level.

15) Arizona Diamondbacks: Tyler Bell*, SS, Kentucky

Bell missed some time early in the year with a shoulder injury, but is back healthy and remains one of the top college bats in the class. A switch-hitter with a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the ball, Bell is a high-floor prospect that does a lot of things well. 

16) Texas Rangers: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian Schools

Bolemon’s spring is just getting underway, but early returns are promising. Widely regarded as the top pitchability HS arm, as he rightfully earned that reputation on last year’s circuit. While “safe” is rarely used for prep arms he may offer one of the highest floors in the class.

17) Houston Astros: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M

Sorrell is another first rounder from that Aggies order. He offers a good glove in the outfield with power upside in the box… he consistently is hitting the baseball hard and getting it in the air to maximize his power output. Left-handed stick in the SEC that has been a producer going on three years now.

18) Cincinnati Reds: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida

Peterson possesses a sturdy 6-foot-5 frame to go with some of the best stuff in all of college baseball. An upper-90’s heater and the ability to spin two breaking balls well make for high-end start potential if he throws enough strikes. 

19) Cleveland Guardians: Tegan Kuhns*, RHP, Tennessee

While the surface-level performance numbers don’t jump off the page, there’s a lot to like through six starts, especially his stuff and strike-throwing ability. He currently holds a 31% strikeout rate with just a 4% walk rate. The fastball is elite, and his ability to spin the ball stands out.

20) Boston Red Sox: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia

It’s a bundle of major league average tools as a left-handed stick with some impact and some project an ability to stick up the middle long-term (likely 2B). It’s a pretty left-handed swing with good angles and he can do damage. The contact rates continue to improve as the power remains steady.

21) San Diego Padres: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha

The Padres going with a prep lefty makes sense, and Schmidt fits well here. He’s off to a strong spring, with a fastball sitting comfortably in the 93–95 mph range. His changeup, long been his calling card, remains a weapon and the slider has taken a step forward in both shape and execution. Factor in his age, and this feels like the right spot.

22) Detroit Tigers: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

Helfrick is an easy first-round talent and could go even higher. Has been a consistent offensive performer in college and has improved both his walk and strikeout rates this season. Add in plus power and solid defensive ability behind the plate, and the profile becomes clear.

23) Chicago Cubs: Chris Rembert*, IF/OF, Auburn

Rembert has one of the quickest bats in college baseball with twitch in his hands and wrists. He’s got a bundle of major league average tools and is a sure fire second baseman at the professional level, with good actions and hands out front. Nice overall package and toolset.

24) Seattle Mariners: Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP, Kingsburg

Hirschkorn is a prep right-hander with high-end upside and a track record of performing.  There is tons of projection remaining to go with stuff that already stands out, showing a mid-90’s heater with a tight breaking ball and changeup. 

25) Milwaukee Brewers: James Clark, SS, St. John Bosco

Clark entered the spring with one of the top prep hit tools in the class and has done nothing to change that perception. Pair that with his high-end athleticism and ability to stick at a premium position, and it’s clearly a first-round profile.

26) Atlanta Braves: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle

Tons of projection here with Spangler, as he offers a plus body and an easy left-handed swing for evaluators to fall in love with and dream on. The future home on the field is up in the air and a bit tied with the body, but the contact ability and feel to hit that is in place makes for a tantalizing offense upside once the man strength starts to show.

27) New York Mets: Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra Catholic

Bowen is an uber-physical prep bat with middle of the order potential. The power is arguably the best in the prep class and plays to all-fields with ease. 

28) Houston Astros: Chase Brunson, OF, TCU

It hasn’t been the loudest spring for Brunson, but we remain believers in the offensive profile. He brings some of the best all-around tools in the class, with a strong, physical build and athleticism that shows up on both sides of the ball.

29) Cleveland Guardians: Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas

He possesses that lower launch delivery to pair with a riding fastball that he can command to the top rail in the mid to upper 90’s, something that teams covet these days. Gaeckle has a full arsenal of secondary offerings and has been a quality starter in the SEC with a track record to his name.

30) Kansas City Royals: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers

Brick is the top prep catcher on the board with tools on both sides of the ball. There is physicality that results in quality power, along with strong catch and throw behind the plate. 

31) Arizona Diamondbacks: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State

Carlon has made a strong case to be the top college left-hander this spring. He’s posted a 3.19 ERA over 31 innings with 48 strikeouts against quality competition. The stuff is high-end, featuring a mid-to-upper 90s fastball from a unique angle and two swing-and-miss breaking balls.

32) St. Louis Cardinals: Kaden Waechter, RHP, Tampa Jesuit

He’s a premium mover with a plus arm action and projectable command along with present velocity and stuff. There are big league bloodlines here as well. Prep right-handers are their own category, but Waechter is as enticing as it gets there.

33) Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Roberts Jr, OF, Jackson Preparatory

Roberts is an absolute tool shed with as much upside as anyone in the class. A premium athlete with massive power and arm strength, Roberts could be a steal if the hit tool develops enough. 

34) Pittsburgh Pirates: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC

Edwards may be the frontrunner for College Pitcher of the Year given his video game-like numbers. Currently holds a minuscule 0.25 ERA over 36 innings with 64 strikeouts. There’s a lot to like, from his smooth and athletic delivery to his low-to-mid 90s riding fastball and a big, downer breaking ball that generates ugly whiffs and buckled takes.

35) New York Yankees: Jake Brown, OF, LSU

Brown has been swinging his way up boards, catching real steam as of late and vaulting into first round discussions. More power is starting to show and the under the hood data in terms of swing decisions and contact rates look good. Intriguing arm talent too.

36) Philadelphia Phillies: Joseph Contreras, RHP, Blessed Trinity Catholic

Contreras has big league bloodline and potential big league stuff. The young right-hander can work up to 99 mph and has a changeup/forkball that can put hitters in a blender. Having played for Brazil in the WBC, Contreras has shown he can compete against top tier talent. 

37) Colorado Rockies: Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas

Robbins has been crushing the ball all spring and could easily rise if he sustains this performance throughout conference play. He’s tapping into plus power consistently, and his athleticism gives him a chance to handle all three outfield spots.

38) Colorado Rockies: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame

Radel’s stock has surged, as he put on more weight that has translated to functional strength on the mound. He’s got a wipeout slider, the fastball is sitting mid 90’s deep into starts and missing bats and the change-up is now improved as well. Starter’s package and performing.

39) Toronto Blue Jays: Sean Duncan, LHP, Terry Fox Secondary School

Duncan is the top Canadian prep on the board and stays north of the border with the Blue Jays here at No. 39. Duncan is an athletic left-hander with a mid-90’s fastball, advanced feel for the changeup, and quality two-plane slider.  

40) Los Angeles Dodgers: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah

It’s difficult to see Condon falling out of the top 40. He’s solidified himself as one of the top prep hit tools in the class, showcasing elite bat-to-ball skills with a beautiful left-handed swing where the barrel stays in the zone for a long time. There’s also quality impact in the bat, along with enough athleticism to project in CF.

Draft | Story | 6/4/2026

Pence Makes the Jump to 2027

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 STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT   Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
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  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
Tournaments | Story | 6/15/2026

Braves Scout Team Keep Winning In Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
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Through big wins and making their way into the championship bracket, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team has done exactly what every team hopes to do at a major Perfect Game event: keep winning.  Now undefeated and preparing for the semifinals, the Braves have established themselves as one of the top teams remaining in the 15U division. Dominant pitching performances, timely hitting, and a lineup full of contributors have powered the team through a strong weekend in Hoover.  The Braves opened the tournament with a statement performance behind right-hander Daylen Woods, who tossed a five-inning no-hitter while striking out six. Woods also helped his own cause offensively with three hits and two runs scored as the Atlanta Braves Scout Team rolled to victory. The momentum continued with a 10-3 win over Wow Factor Nation 15U, as Sam Ridley allowed just one hit across four innings while...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/15/2026

WC Ghost Claims Arizona All-State Title

Emily Hicks
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In a championship game that featured strong pitching and sharp defense from both sides, West Coast Ghost AZ 16U pulled away late to defeat Overfly 2028, 5-3, and claim the Arizona All-State Games title. “We had discipline at the plate, on the mound, out in the field; everyone just did their thing. It was good,” said Cash Carmichael The two teams traded runs throughout the 1st and 2nd innings, making it 3-2. Followed by a single run scored at the top of the 4th by Overfly 2028, it remained tied 3-3 for most of the game. Both defenses made key plays to limit scoring opportunities, turning potential rallies into outs and keeping the pressure high in every inning. With the game deadlocked heading into the bottom of the sixth, West Coast Ghost AZ finally broke through. Bottom of the 6th, J. Haizen Reidhead recorded a single, Oren Tucker walked, and Josiah Shim was hit by pitch....
Tournaments | Story | 6/15/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Wyatt Smitherman (2028, Durham NC) had a solid day at the plate for USA Prime Triangle 16u Stars in their matchup against the Charlotte Colts. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound shortstop has a tall athletic frame. The left handed batter displayed a mature approach at the plate. Attacks fastballs and drives them with authority. He has quick hands and gets the barrel through the zone. Uses his lower half to his advantage creating enough torque to generate his power he shown. Smitherman finished the day going 1-for-3 with a home run and 4 RBI. Zachary Days (2028, Charlotte NC) had a impressive day at the plate for the Charlotte Colts against USA Prime Coastal. The 6-foot-3, 170 pound center fielder has a tall athletic frame. Days bats from the left side with a short but powerful swing. Very disciplined during his AB’s and applies pressure on the defense. He shifts his weight to his lower half...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/15/2026

Weather Can't Delay Top Tier Victory

Alyssa Golden
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A seven-run first inning gave Top Tier Roos American Red 2027 all the momentum they needed Sunday morning, but the road to a Florida World Series championship was far from straightforward.  After jumping out to an early lead against WBC 17u, Top Tier endured a 3 ½-hour rain delay before returning to finish off a 9-1 victory at Lee Health Sports Complex.  The championship game, which began at 8 a.m. and did not conclude until nearly 1 p.m., ended in the bottom of the fifth inning under Perfect Game’s mercy-rule format. Top Tier’s dominant performance was powered by a complete-game effort from Christian Davis and an offense that erupted for seven runs in the first inning.  Not even hours of uncertainty and lightning delays could keep Top Tier from finishing what they started.  Davis started on the mound for Top Tier and remained the entire five...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/14/2026

PG Softball Super Regionals

Erica Beach
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PG Super Regionals Dripping Springs, Texas June 6-7, 2026     DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX- The weather was nice, the Longhorns JUST won a national championship, and Perfect Game brought it’s first softball event to Dripping Springs. It was a weekend packed with college coaches, quality softball, and a great softball atmosphere. Over the course of the six-game guarantee event, our scout saw some amazing athletes. Below she highlights some of the athletes who caught her eye.   Destiny Sidiropoulos (2028, Houston, TX) of the Impact Gold HTX 16U was an incredible spark plug at the top of their lineup all weekend. She is a true triple threat who has great speed on the basepaths. She can soft and power slap, drop a sneaky bunt, and hit away with pop. Her barrel control is next level, and she is fun to watch pick apart defenses. On defense, she is versatile and athletic. She gets...
Tournaments | Story | 6/13/2026

West Coast Summer Breakout Hopefuls

Joey Cohen
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With summer ball ramping up, the priority follow lists from our scouting staff start to take shape and every year a handful of intriguing names outside the national spotlight begin to separate. Digging deeper into the West region, there’s a group of prospects currently buried outside the Top 200 who carry real breakout and helium potential over the next few months. All 10 players featured here are coming off strong high school seasons and bring traits that evaluators tend to bet on whether it’s projectable/athletic bodies, strong secondary stuff, or flashes of impact tools. They may not be household names just yet, but the ingredients are there for significant jumps by the end of the summer circuit. Don’t be surprised if several of these names are firmly in the mix and climbing up early boards in a hurry before the fall rolls around. Two innings of work here from Jonah...
Tournaments | Story | 6/14/2026

UBC West Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Steve Fiorindo
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Nash McCarthy (2030, Camas, WA) was outstanding in his start on day two of the UBC West for NW Baum Bat, working six-innings allowing four-hits, no walks and struck out seven.  Standing at 6-foot, 170-pounds with athleticism and room to add.  Effortless mover down the bump with a low effort, up-tempo operation that produced a fastball that was up to 84.  He showed feel for the secondary offerings mixing in a firm breaking ball at 71-74 with 11-5 shape with depth.  Controlled the zone and the tempo throughout the outing, moving the ball around to all four-quadrants.  Projectable arm speed with advanced feel for the spin and strike zone.  Dylan D'Oyen (2030, Cerritos, CA) got the start for 5 Star 2030 in their opening game of the tournament and impressed over six innings of work.  Athletic mover down the mound with balance and repeats the delivery. ...
Tournaments | Story | 6/13/2026

UBC South Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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Quintin Blackwell (2030, Hercules, California) has, literally, been unstoppable this weekend for Premier Banditos Deleon. In six plate appearances, he has a walk and five hits. Doing it all with a double and two triples, while stealing three bags. Plenty of coil on the front side. Hands work through zone and the barrel stays on plane for a long time. High upside bat that makes an already deep Banditos lineup even deeper. Kenson Buth (2027, Trophy Club, Texas) has been an absolute weapon on both ends for Stix 2027 Scout. At the plate, he’s 6-9 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run. Linear approach with a ton of bat speed. Plenty of impact at the bottom of the zone and showing some ability to do serious damage in the middle of the field. On the mound, he went four quality innings, punching out three. The fastball lived 86-90 with carry. Good feel for the slider in the mid 70s....
Tournaments | Story | 6/13/2026

WWBA East Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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Sawyer Pettit (‘27 MS) Has shown extremely well to start the summer of 2026. Its a physical left-handed hitting corner profile with big muscle mass. Will pass the eye test off the bus at the next level. The swing is clean with controlled violence and big in-air power that has shown up frequently. Good mover for the size and plays the game hard. Candidate for a big frosh season at LSU-Eunice in 2028. Keviyun McQueen (‘27 MS) Pair of barrels tied together here. Innate feel to hit with fast hands. Line drive approach that gets to pull side power in the air. Excellent athlete that will stick at a premium spot. #LaTech commit.#WWBAEast pic.twitter.com/xeintVTMil — PG Deep South (@PG_DeepSouth) June 12, 2026 Keviyun McQueen (‘27 MS) The Louisiana Tech commit just does not stop hitting. Left the yard to the pull side yesterday and followed it up with a 3-4 day with a...
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