It’s the part of the summer where the games get real and it’s separation time. Thousands of players have been seen and vetted, and we’ve arrived in Nashville for the class of 2026 Underclass Combine, which leads directly to the Underclass Elite at Fenway Park later this summer.
There are 120 players here, and Day 1 didn’t disappoint. Athletes were on display with projection and upside, and the skills were evident across the board. With that in mind, I took a look at hitters and pitchers who made their presence felt at Hawkins Field, home of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Pitchers
Macen Collura, RHP (2026) — Lutheran High School (Nev.)
Pitcher’s frame with projection left. He’s fast twitch with a quick arm, and can run it up to 90 mph right now with plane and some deception. The velocity isn’t a forced number, either. It’s right where it should be for him and how he does it. The breaking ball and changeup are developing works-in-progress, but when he lengthens his stride the arm will be able to work out front properly. He’ll take off when that happens.
JP Harmon, RHP (2026) — Novato High School (Calif.)
Projecting an upside with present velocity, this kid has the compete function in him and plenty to dream on for the future. He needs some mechanical cleanup with an open front landing and side, but his athleticism will allow him to do that, and add more. Secondary here can protect the fastball, but he’s going to need to pick a breaking ball and allow it to take hold, rather than throwing both. He’s got the makings of a starter.
Hudson Tuley, LHP (2026) — Wylie High School (Texas)
Tuley continues to progress and just as easily continues to be fun to watch. With a no-nonsense approach to pitching and an unflappable mound presence, he’s got three future 60-grade pitches. The package reminds me of Brooks Raley with a little more ease of operation, but I screamed for Raley in the draft and this kid fits, too.
Logan Our, LHP (2026) — St. John Paull II High School (Mass.)
Compact frame with physicality and a silent assassin mindset. Three pitchers now, with more to come as they develop. Strike thrower but not a painter and the 86mph now has 10 more in it over time. He’s a take-the-ball-at-any-point type of guy, and that’s exactly what clubs need on the mound. He’s a two-way guy too, with an approach that allows him to execute both ways, and he’s able to open his swing and make consistent contact with lift. He’s a grinder who competes constantly, and he’s going to hit.
Oscar Leah, LHP (2027) — St. Marcellinus High School (Ont.)
Fast arm and an easy delivery to go with it. Quick operation and approach to what he does, and the fastball will compete with hitters’ approaches in the box. Can spin it, mostly to change speeds and eye levels, but it’s effective in making hitters far older look remedial.
Griffin Messenger, RHP (2026) — Justin-Siena High School (Calif.)
Attacked the zone and went right after hitters. Showed zero fear in putting people away, and worked both sides of the plate while using his breaking ball to protect his fastball. Velocity will continue to come, and it’s 85-6 now, which is perfect for arms at this stage, building deliveries properly as they have so much left in them to add.
Hitters
Landon Brown, 3B (2026) — Iowa Colony High School
Physical kid with bat ceiling, easy actions, a future 65 arm, and athleticism. Simple right? He’s got a good first step and moves well laterally, cutting off balls with sidespin easily. There’s power ceiling and the ability to arrive on time, making him a corner profile bat.
Ryan Morel, OF (2026) — Citius Prep (NY)
Athlete and a pure hitter. Easy, instinctual, all fields and rhythmic approach in the box. He’s a throwback of sorts with some 2024 style, making it fun to watch. He’s a 55 runner on the bags that will play better as he gets stronger, making an interesting package as he matures.
Isaac Valencia, OF (2026) — Youngker High School (Ariz.)
Power bat. All fields raw, but it plays bigger to the pull side now. He defends the zone on the edges and lets the barrel work, but he’s especially good when the hands start to go to contact. We may be looking at 55 hit with 60 power when we’re done.
Ayden Deome, IF (2026) — West Park High School (Calif.)
Loose and live with levers and projection is how you draw it up. That’s Deome. He’s an instinctual hitter who can control the zone and takes a cerebral approach to hitting at all times. It’s never something where any one swing wows you with players like this because the expectations are higher. It’s the body of work and always being good that says he’s a guy. Defensively, he projects to end up at third for me with the length, but he stays in the middle until he moves himself.
Brody Welborn, IF (2026) — IMG Academy (Fla.)
Walked in the door and dropped a bunt for a hit, and got down the line at 3.7 with a jailbreak. Live feet, fast twitch, speed player who might be an 80 runner as he matures. He’s picking players apart the entire time he’s on the field too, and if you’ve got a weakness he’s going to find it. Count on it, defensively and offensively.
Jeremiah Bibby, OF (2026) — East Nashville High School (Tenn.)
Projection with athleticism and instincts. Bat-to-ball skills with some bat speed and ability to drive the ball. Nowhere near done developing, and will be fun to watch. The instincts are there defensively to have a chance to stick in center as well, but as that bat comes along and the frame begins to fill out all of that will be answered on its own.
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