This time of year, man, there are players and places, and at least I get to do it at all levels. That covers the earliest entry into the full- size diamond, international players and signings, college, and the big leagues. The evaluation filter required is so different at each stop that it can get on you in a hurry.
Looking back on 2024 thus far, I’ve seen thousands of players already. That’s a real number, and it’s been fun and a refreshing aspect of being with the Future Stars Series family. The stop we’re talking about here involved 200 players at the NorCal World Series, the premier event in Northern California.
This year’s edition added a day and special event piece on Thursday, and it was as electric as the rest of the weekend was throughout. This year, the question of ‘what’s in the water? is a valid one.
PITCHERS
Brady Estes, LHP (2025) — Whitney High School
Left-hander with a bonafide starter profile. Lean, high-waisted, long extremities with projection. Athletic and has upside in all things he does. The fastball is 87-9 1mph, with feel to move it around the plate. Secondary works in and out of the zone, and he can bury it. Advanced feel for a changeup, which is always an indicator of an ability to start, especially as a strike thrower.
Cade Colombara, RHP (2025) — Jesuit High School
A little up-tempo here with the approach, but has a starter mix and profile provided he can harness it. Good mound presence, and an attack dog-type mentality. Velocity now with projection for more, and a full package of 55-grade stuff across the board is easy to envision. There are some issues in the arm action that likely are the result of leaving catching behind, but he’s athletic enough to make
the adjustments.
Eric Erdmann, RHP (2025) — Jesuit High School
Physical kid with a durability innings-eater body. Present velocity and a full mix package on the way. Arm works, and the delivery will refine as he progresses with natural maturity and repetition. It’s a future 60 fastball, 60 changeup, 55 slider, with average control. He’ll be a zone filler and reminds of Brad Penny. I said what I said.
Kyle Pott, RHP (2025) — Franklin High School
Strike thrower that will have command of his stuff on and off the plate. It’s sink and cut the ball all day, with an uncomfortable slot and an ability to keep hitters off balance in the box. He’s got some Jeff and Jered Weaver in him, and that guy pitches for a long time. Nobody likes facing that.
Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP (2026) — Kingsburg High School
Draw it up and this is what they look like. Angle, deception, velocity, life, breaking ball, baseball IQ, upside, and everything else. The analytics check out as well, and all of that makes it an exciting package. It’s 6’s all over the place with command, and maybe a front-of-the-rotation type in the future.
Railin Covey, RHP (2026) — Sacred Heart Prep
Another large-body guy with projection and upside. It’s a future 60 fastball and feel for secondary, but he’s also enough of a strike thrower and has the strength to believe he profiles down the line as a starter. It’s evolving, and that’s a good thing, but it’s easy to dream on.
2025 Top 100 High School Prospects
HITTERS
Brayden Jaksa, C (2025) — Irvington High School
Physical monster with some room left to grow. Athletic and can jump through the roof, which speaks to his explosiveness. Natural raw power and a 70-grade arm. He plays so far ahead of the others at his age group he has to slow himself down. The type of kid that some groups will ride their reps on, but he’s also the type that can see right through it. 80 makeup, and profiles to play for a long time.
Waylon Walsh, 3B (2025) — Archbishop Mitty High School
Can hit. Has some Max Muncy (Dodgers) in him, who I was admittedly a little light on in college. The bat will carry as it’s consistent barrel-to-ball skills and more than enough defensively to profile at the corners. Our guys walked out of there raving about the approach and makeup to play, which is the right place to start. Extra-base strength now and home run power to come.
Michael Boyd, IF (2025) — Granada High School
Baseball player that reminds me of Mark Bellhorn. He can hit, and that’s the carrying tool. It’s at least average strength as well, and with a football background, the toughness and makeup are evident. He’s a gamer without a true future positional home, but bats play and with the ability to center the baseball on the barrel there’s a spot somewhere. Bellhorn and guys like Marwin Gonzalez made pretty good livings out of it. I’m in.
Jordan Walcyzkowski, OF (2026) — Jesuit High School
I don’t know what bomb of talent went off at Jesuit, but here’s another one who can flat-out play. He’s got a line-drive approach and uses the whole field, with game power for extra bases to the pull side. If an outfielder turns his back it’s another base, and he can go get it defensively with angles and closing speed. He’s just a good player and has impact to his game. Fun to watch.
Hunter Lynch, 1B (2026) — Argonaut High School
He’s bigger than 6-foot-3, at least that’s how he plays. It’s a loud bat and easy power to all fields. The carrying tool will be the ability to drive in runs, but he’s a better athlete than you think and can catch in a pinch too, as well as save runs around the bag. I’m giving him 50 hit, 55 power, and 50 defend with some strikeouts in the future, but that stays on the field and every club will take that right now.
Jackson Freehill, IF (2026) — Menlo School
Pure hitter with an innate ability to control the strike zone and barrel the baseball. It’s fun watching him get to the next pitch, and after 20-30 at-bats with him, he grows on you. Defensively he can help you in a few places as his athleticism and instincts make for easy transitions, and that helps college and pro clubs alike with their roster decision and lineup construction. Winning player.
- 2027-28 Underclass Combine: Day 2 Scouting Notes - July 11, 2024
- 2027-28 Underclass Combine: Day 1 Scouting Notes - July 10, 2024
- BOOTH: Talent galore at the NorCal World Series - June 28, 2024
