It’s go time here at the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series. Monday, we landed back in Nashville for workout day for the 2027-28 Underclass Combine, the event that leads directly to the Underclass Premier (2027’s) and Fresh 50 (2028 and some 2029’s) at Dunkin Park in Hartford.
This level is always interesting as you truly get a mix of talent and preparedness, as it is a culture setter for these players in an important transition phase, crossing over so much of their lives.
Tuesday, we witnessed exactly that — a cross of performance and tools, with a mix of baseball IQ.
HITTERS
Quincy Pratt, IF/C (2027) — Magnolia Heights High School (Miss.)
There’s no way around it, he’s a Pratt. This means baseball IQ and tools, and Quincy is the third of four in a line that will play at higher levels of the game.
We’ve had Cooper Pratt (Brewers) here, and he’s got an all-star ceiling, but he’s going to be mad at me: Q can be better. He can play anywhere and today was on the dirt, but he’s a catcher for me and reminds me of Buster Posey. It’s all in there and will be fun watching him develop.
Nicholas Davis, SS (2027) — Brea Olinda High School (Calif.)
Davis is athletic, strong, explosive, and ready to play. He has a chip on his shoulder, and it’s not a bad one. He competes, hustles, gets the barrel to the baseball, and can use the whole field. The infield instincts are there, and he may end up a Dustin Pedroia type when it’s all done.
Noah Layton, CF (2027) — Nation Ford High School (SC)
Layton is an impact athlete with game feel and instincts. He works at his game while playing and has an innate ability to make adjustments on the fly. He’s a runner too, and will steal bases.
The bat will continue to develop with present plate discipline and zone control. Layton understands himself and uses his tools now, showing who he will ultimately become.
Lincoln Hoffman, CF (2027) — Westfield High School (Ind.)
Baseball player. We can talk tools all day, but what impressed me most was how he carried himself. He’s not afraid of big moments and will run through a wall for a win. Tools-wise, he can hit and it could be a 60 bat with 55 power to go with someone who can help you all over the outfield.
Collin Thomas, SS (2027) — Georgia Premier Academy
Thomas reminds me of Jose Reyes. Let me say it louder for
those in the back: JOSE REYES.
He can do it all on both sides of the ball, and nothing is in his way but himself. He’s underappreciated because he doesn’t have to talk the game, he just does it.
Winning player.
Miller Crane, C (2027) — Alpharetta High School (Ga.)
A catch-and-throw guy with leadership, makeup, and competitive function. When his feet are underneath him, he’s as accurate as anyone and that’s deadly for base stealers. Offensively it’s a loud bat, with extra-base strength. Reminds me of Will Smith.
PITCHERS
Miles Murray, RHP (2027) — Attleboro High School (Mass.)
It’s a projection frame and velocity ceiling. The delivery and arm work, he has feel, and is a strike thrower. There is plenty to dream on, with fast-developing right-now stuff.
He will need to pace himself and stay within his frame as the aptitude is exciting. Others will recognize it when it becomes more apparent. Well, once the gun readings start with ‘9.’ But it’s there now.
Gunnar Herman, LHP (2027) — Crescenta Valley High School (Calif.)
He’s a strike thrower with a durable frame, an advanced feel for three pitches right now, and plenty of velocity to come. He’s deceptive and tough to square up, a trait that will continue to give hitters fits as he matures. He possesses excellent mound presence, too. Might be Bobby Seay.
Andrew Young, RHP (2029) — Lincoln Middle School (TX)
The ceiling on this kid is astronomical. He’s a 70 athlete and with strength may end up an 80. He can dunk a basketball right now, and it translates to the diamond. He’s the type of kid who can watch games to learn, and then go and apply it, and Tuesday he never left the ballpark, watching every game he wasn’t playing in so he could do exactly that.
Young competes, and it all works as it should. He has an advanced understanding of what he does, and it’s gonna be really good.
Kaleb Dunn, RHP (2027) — Magnolia Heights High School (Miss.)
Dunn is long-levered with projection, and when he figures out his body it’ll be nasty. He’s worked to throw strikes and trusted the velocity to be there, which is unusual for his age. It’s mostly arm strength now but if you can’t control your fastball the other stuff doesn’t matter, anyway.
At times, Dunn will flash feel for secondaries and it’s enough with his angle to be uncomfortable to face. Dunn has unquestionable pro upside.
Branden Pegueros, RHP (2027) — Spanish Fort High School (Ala.)
Peguero is physical for his age with feel to throw three pitches for strikes. Velocity is up to 85 mph, which is right where it should be at this stage, and he has plenty of ability to move the ball around the strike zone.
It’s a coach’s dream to have pitchers pound the strike zone, and Pegueros will keep plenty of hitters off balance.
Chase Fillman, LHP (2028) — Millenium High School (Ariz.)
He’s a quick-armed strike thrower with feel, creates an angle from a three-quarter slot, and runs and cuts the ball, which may or may not be intentional.
It’s a starter kit for success via soft contact and swing-and-miss when he needs it. Hitters hate it, a perfect mix.
- 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
