Future Stars: Scouting the 2026 and 2027 High School Draft Class

Scouting and prospect projection really drive baseball’s constant evolution. The latest episode of Future Projection with Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo digs into the next wave of talent.

They focus on elite high school prospects from the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 draft classes. The conversation highlights standout names and connects their potential to bigger trends in player development.

From high school pitchers like Gio Rojas to major league promotions and the role of the MLB Draft combine, the episode covers a lot of ground. It’s a thorough look at where baseball’s headed—at least, if you ask me.

Emerging High School Stars: Scouting the 2026, 2027, and 2028 Classes

Ben Badler’s latest scouting trip gave him a close look at up-and-coming prep talent. He saw key players in the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes, each showing off a ton of potential.

The episode points out why it’s smart to track talent early. These young athletes could shake up future MLB drafts in ways we can’t quite predict yet.

Spotlight on Gio Rojas: A Standout of the 2026 Class

In the 2026 class, lefty pitcher Gio Rojas really stood out. Badler praised Rojas’s skills, poise, and that easy natural talent you just can’t teach.

He competes at a high level despite his age. Rojas’s development will be worth keeping an eye on as he edges closer to draft eligibility.

Other Notable Names from the Prep Ranks

The episode also mentions several promising players from the 2026 and 2027 classes:

• Denton Lord: He’s got an advanced approach at the plate and can play a bunch of positions.
• Noah Wilson: Throws hard and commands the zone better than most kids his age.
• Malachi Washington: Super athletic, with real tools in both hitting and fielding.
• Cole Prosek: Blends power and finesse on the mound—kind of rare at this stage.
• Kaiden McCarthy: This 2027 prospect already looks like a future top draft pick.

Scouting trips like these can reveal future MLB-caliber talent years before they’re eligible. It’s wild to think how much can change before draft day rolls around.

From High School to the Majors: A Roadmap for Development

Badler and Collazo also talk about how high school pitchers develop. They use Padres pitcher MacKenzie Gore as a case study, touching on the challenges and unpredictability of getting from prep ball to the majors.

Understanding Timelines for Prep Pitchers

For high school pitchers, the path from amateur standout to MLB regular isn’t always smooth. Physical maturity, injury risk, and the ability to handle tougher competition all matter a lot.

Gore’s timeline offers some context for what might be ahead for guys like Rojas and Wilson. It’s never a straight line, is it?

The Present Meets the Future: Recent MLB Promotions

The episode shifts gears to recent major league promotions, giving us a peek at the bigger developmental picture. Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Teel just got called up, and their arrivals show how tricky it is to balance talent readiness with opportunity in MLB organizations.

Jacob Wilson vs. Marek Houston: A Comparative Lens

There’s also an interesting comparison between Jacob Wilson and Marek Houston. Looking at their paths helps highlight how performance, projection, and team needs all mix together.

It’s a reminder that evaluating players never really stops, whether they’re in high school or already climbing the pro ladder.

Looking Ahead: The MLB Draft Combine

Finally, the episode previews the upcoming MLB Draft combine. This event has become a big deal for evaluating amateur talent and connecting high school and college players to their MLB futures.

For scouts, analysts, and players, the combine shows just how much baseball scouting keeps changing. Who knows what the next wave will bring?

Why the Combine Matters

The MLB Draft combine gives draft-eligible players a real shot to show off their skills in front of scouts and front offices. It’s a packed showcase that can totally change a player’s path.

This event isn’t just about the present. Early-stage evaluations, even for prospects in the 2026 and 2027 classes, always seem to circle back to moments like this.

The latest episode of *Future Projection* brings that sense of anticipation right to the forefront. Badler and Collazo dive into stories of preps like Gio Rojas and break down what makes prospects like Jacob Misiorowski tick.

With the draft combine just around the corner, it’s hard not to feel a little excited. So many young athletes are putting their names on the map, and honestly, the future of baseball feels wide open.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Scouting The 2026, 2027 High School Draft Class, MLB Promotions