Back for another round of looking at some standouts at the plate for a New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series signature event, and this one’s anther good one to look back on. The Underclass Elite featured our extremely talented group of 2027 grads playing at Riders Field in Frisco and Globe Life Field in Arlington, and there was no shortage of talent to look back on.
As is the case with the last one of these we did for the Main Event, this isn’t intended to be an under-the-radar look or analyzing data darlings or anything like that. There will be some obvious names here. And that’s OK.
Jax Van Valkenburg, C/1B, 6-0/210 — Claremore HS (Okla.)
Impact from both sides of the plate here, and some pretty obvious intangibles make JVV an easy add to the list. He racked up multiple hits with us during the Underclass Elite — yes, both as a lefty and a righty — and brings a lot to the table with his defensive profile as well.
Isn’t a lot here that hasn’t already been said about one of our team captains, but he jumped off the page for anyone watching earlier in October.
Ramsey Chung, SS/RHP, 5-10/174 — Out Lady of Mt. Carmel HS (Ont.)
Another one where it feels like there isn’t much left to say. Earned the invite to Arlington and a captaincy of one of the teams after a big showing in Houston, and certainly didn’t disappoint once he got to the Underclass Elite. Easy actions everywhere on the field, consistent approach at the plate with more juice than you’d think for a smaller frame.
Still some time to add to that, which could increase impact a bit across the board. Will make wherever he heads next better on and off the field.
Joseph Rutledge II, SS/CF, 5-10/175 — Indian Land HS (S.C.)
Might be my favorite bat to watch from the weekend, and if you read the Main Event story, you’ll get it. Performer. Everywhere we’ve had him, performer. The Underclass Elite was no different, with multiple hits next to his name on the stat sheet when it was all said and done.
Our scouts threw a BJ Upton comp on him back in Houston, and I love that. I think he ultimately ends up in the outfield as he continues to fill out, but there’s a ton of athleticism here with a lot of bat-to-ball feel, and I suspect he won’t stay under the radar for long.
Quincy Pratt, C/3B, 6-4/195 — Magnolia Heights HS (Miss.)
What’s not to like here? As Pratt continues to add to a longer, leaner frame, the impact will likely only continue to grow, and also won’t affect his ability behind the plate, where he has more than a chance to stick. If not? He can play just about anywhere on the diamond. Another guy who stood out all weekend long from performance, but the tools are certainly there and then some.
Hector Cadena, 3B/SS, 6-0/210 — United HS (Tex.)
Probably not the overall showing he would have liked in-game, but you still can’t have a list of guys who popped from the weekend as a whole and not have Cadena on it. Texas A&M commit who can step in there in two years and likely have an immediate impact with the bat.
Sturdy frame that likely keeps him at third base, but athleticism much better than expected for the build. Has shown impressive power to the pull side and did so during BP, and will certainly be a name to watch at future events.
Chase Austin, C/1B, 6-3/210 — Cumberland HS (R.I.)
Again, my list, my story, my rules. Yes, this is more than five, but Austin is deserving of mention here given his performance in Texas. His evolution has really been fascinating to watch over the last few years, and for me, this is a kid who can be a solid college performer with a chance to keep going.
Can be some awkward actions at times as he gets used to having grown into a much larger frame than when we first saw him, but he hit all weekend long and is an easy one to root for given his makeup off the field.
As our scouts have said, it’s likely a 1B/DH profile if he can’t catch, so he’d really need to hit if so, but there’s no reason to give up on him behind the plate as he continues to improve his athleticism.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
- 2025 World Combine Rosters Slowly Unveiled - November 8, 2025
- Looking Back: 2017 Future Stars Series International Week - November 3, 2025
- ASHMORE: 5 Underclass Elite hitting standouts - October 22, 2025
