A couple days back, we ran through the 15 pitchers who stood out at the 2026 Area Code Games. Now it's the hitters' turn.
Over five days at Blair Field in Long Beach, some of the best amateur bats in the country took their hacks in front of hundreds of scouts. A few names were famous walking in; others made a name for themselves on the spot.
After watching all five days, these are the 20 hitters who stood out the most.
Jack Leeper - OF, Saint Francis (CA) | Athletics
There simply wasn't a better hitter at the 2026 Area Code Games than Jack Leeper. The California native was the catalyst in an Athletics lineup that scored a mind-boggling 40 runs across 5 games played, the most of the event and 14 more than the second-most team.
Leeper's final slash line is jaw-dropping for such a prodigious event: he hit .500 across 20 plate appearances, while sporting an 87% contact rate and a 10% strikeout rate (2, both looking). Leeper legitimately made contact with almost every single pitch he saw inside the strike zone. Other than a few whiffs on breaking balls low and away, as well as two looking strikeouts on fastballs placed on the outer black, it was close to as flawless of a week as it gets.
It's an unorthodox set up with the hands high and away from Leeper's body, but he gets to good positions and showed the ability to fire his hands to any quadrant of the zone. One of Leeper's most impressive hits of the week came on a fastball located inside and up at his shoulders that he turned on, rocketing a 100 mph double down the left field line. It's exceptional hand-eye coordination, and the ability to make quick reactions in the box. Leeper seemed in control of nearly every at bat with polished, relaxed takes. There wasn't ever a moment where he looked overly aggressive or tried to do more than he had to. From these 5 days of games in Long Beach, Leeper looked like a plus hitter.
The raw power here is no slouch either. Leeper had as impressive of a batting practice showing as nearly anyone, peaking in the 106-107 mph range with multiple balls he launched off the batter's eye in center field. He also ripped a foul ball down the line at 110 mph on the second day of games (it wasn't a misread), the hardest-hit ball of the event by a large margin. Leeper hasn't slugged much in games yet; it's a flatter swing path and most of his hard contact comes on a line. There's more in the tank for a PD system to unlock here with a couple swing changes.
Leeper also helped his standing on the defensive side of things this week. He turned in a number of plus run times while stealing an event-leading 6 bases. He took some impressive routes in center field as well, and looked capable of sticking there at least during the first part of his professional career. Leeper is currently our No. 24 prospect in the 2027 MLB Draft.
Hank Rippy - SS, Anderson (TX) | Rangers
Despite playing some of his first games of the summer down in Long Beach, Rippy didn't look like he had an ounce of rust on him. The Anderson (TX) shortstop hit .400 while striking out just once the entire week.
Scouts got plenty of good looks at Rippy when they went to evaluate his high school teammate this past spring, Connor Comeau. Comeau would end up going 54th overall to the Texas Rangers in the 2026 MLB Draft.
It's a lanky 6-foot-3 frame, but despite the longer levers Rippy displays exquisite control of his barrel and consistently posts well above-average bat-to-ball metrics. He ran just a 13% whiff rate this week in Long Beach. The swing here is balanced with not a ton of moving parts, and Rippy's barrel stays inside the zone for an impressive amount of time. He flashed the makings of above-average raw power in batting practice, yet tended to spray line drives to both gaps and didn't really sell out for much loft in game settings. Something tells me there's more in the tank here, and Rippy will likely continue to fill out and add strength in the winter months.
Rippy is a solid athlete who turned in a number of above-average run times throughout the week. He saw some time at all of the different infield positions; unfortunately it was hard to watch much of Rippy at shortstop with the loaded crop of middle infielders on that Rangers team. Given what it looked like in his stints, Rippy has a better-than-average chance of sticking on the dirt at the next level. Third base is probably the most likely home.
There could be something of a mini Bo Lowrance profile here, potentially a better athlete with less raw power. Teams will want to get plenty more looks at Rippy this spring after an abbreviated summer showcase circuit. Anderson High School in Austin, Texas will yet again be a hot commodity.
Chayce Formosa - OF, Liberty (CA) | Athletics
Formosa really made a name for himself in Long Beach. Much less famous than a lot of these names to the scouting community prior, that is no longer much of the case. Formosa hit .417 across 15 plate appearances, with 3 extra-base hits to his name.
At the dish, it's a confident look and a guy who expects to do damage when he's up. Formosa has a simple operation with quick hands and bat speed that comes remarkably easy. He hit a number of balls 100+ off the bat in his 5 games, with 2 of them being 105 mph. Scouts simply couldn't stop raving about his feel for the barrel.
Like some of these other names on this list, there's some unlocking to do here in teaching Formosa to leverage the baseball. Some people I talked with at the event also feel he has a stiff lower-half and can at times have trouble adjusting to pitches outside the zone. With all that into consideration, this still has a chance to be an above-average to plus power grade at the next level.
Formosa spent most of his time in a corner outfield spot during the event. He did make an impressive sliding catch down the line, but his overall athleticism may need to improve for him to stick there at the next level. He's a 40-grade runner.
Formosa played the game hard the entire week and seemingly competed with an intensity that elevated those around him. It's clear Formosa was there for more than to get on spring lists; he wanted to win ball games. If he can prove the questions surrounding the defensive home and athlete, Formosa has a chance to go within the top 3 rounds. He is committed to the University of Arizona.
Sebastian Castillo - SS, Byron Nelson (TX) | Rangers
Castillo looked like one of the best hitters in the country down in Long Beach, continuing what has been a smoking-hot summer with the bat for the Byron Nelson (TX) shortstop.
There's a pronounced barrel wrap here in the swing, but other than that there's really not a ton to poke at. Castillo features a short, compact move to the baseball with a barrel that stays through the zone well. There's some strength in those hands, and Castillo hit a number of balls with exit velocities in the upper-90s or better. Again, his feel for the barrel was on display all week. Castillo flashed what looked like above-average bat-to-ball skills and sound swing decisions. He did whiff a number of times against velocity up at his hands, but for the most part he covered all quadrants of the zone well.
Castillo got work at a number of infield spots throughout the week, and looked like a steady defender with reliable hands and plus arm strength across. It may be range better suited for second or third base at the next level, and there is some concern about his longer arm action and how that might fare on the left side of the infield. Castillo still did quite well for himself at the event, and continues to look like a slam dunk top-50 pick.
Devlan Daniel - OF, Indian Hill (OH) | Yankees
Coming off an East Coast Pro showing where he left the yard, Daniel continues to impress with the stick, and is slowly but surely putting together an impressive summer circuit.
Daniel is a sturdy, well-built switch-hitter with a compact 6-0, 215-pound frame. Most of the at bats we saw were from the left side, but Daniel looked like he could really hit. He barreled up a number of balls, including a hard 101 mph single to right field on the 3rd day. It's quick hands through the zone and the ability to get to any quadrant. Daniel is a remarkably patient hitter at the plate, who rarely expanded the zone in this look and ran a sub-30% swing rate (a tad passive). He walked 7 times in 16 plate appearances.
Daniel rotated between center field and a corner outfield spot throughout the week, where he featured a plus arm. It's a well-rounded profile across the board, with a polished offensive game that is sure to intrigue pro teams.
Dylan Seward - SS, Norco (CA) | Brewers
Seward, obviously, came into the event with ultra-high expectations, and eyes were on him at all times when he stepped onto the field. While it wasn't a dominant showing and there were some warts that showed up in the overall profile, one thing can't be questioned: the tools.
Seward is most famous for his 80-grade wheels, and let me tell you they were on display all week. It felt like every single home-to-first time that Seward flashed was under 4 seconds; the foot speed and overall athleticism absolutely jumped off the page. The athleticism and body control translated over to shortstop, where Seward looked like a future plus shortstop and someone who will man the position for a long, long time. He glides across the dirt with great lateral range, quickness and instincts, and an above-average arm across. There wasn't a whole lot to pick at there, and Seward made every single play he was tasked with all week.
At the plate is where more of the questions showed up. Seward flashed more swing-and-miss than we were used to in the past, with a 74% contact rate (6 whiffs) across the event, and most of those whiffs coming from the left side of the plate. His at bats seemingly got better as the week progressed, but it's also worth mentioning that most of the higher-level arms threw earlier on. There were a number of people who I talked to who had seen Seward a good amount, and were more scared with the swing-and-miss than maybe you would expect. It's something to keep tabs on, but like every No. 1 ranked high school player, Seward will be put under a microscope as the draft approaches, especially if swing-and-miss questions continue to arise.
Seward still flashed his usual pretty stroke from both sides and legitimate plus bat speed. He also worked a number of impressive at bats, garnering 4 walks throughout the event. Seward still stands as the top high school player in the 2027 class, but it seems like some of the talented college players towards the top have surpassed him in this class as a whole.
Drake Hawpe - OF, Liberty Christian (TX) | Rangers
The son of former big-leaguer Brad Hawpe, Drake had a monster week with the bat at Blair Field, hitting .455 with a .600 OBP. Hawpe looks the part in the box, with a massive 6-4, 215-pound frame, broad shoulders and more on the way physically. He's already flashing above-average to plus raw power in batting practice, yet similar to a lot of these names the slug hasn't materialized in games yet.
Hawpe is surprisingly good in the bat-to-ball department despite the longer levers he's growing into. There was occasional swing-and-miss on breaking balls and changeups located off the plate in this 5-game look, but Hawpe crushed almost every fastball he was thrown inside the zone. Lofting the baseball will be an emphasis moving forward, but Hawpe already has plenty of traits that will appeal to a pro organization.
Hawpe looked like an average runner who likely sticks in right field at the next level, where he features a plus arm. This profile will be carried by the stick. Hawpe is committed to Louisiana State University.
Stephen Bobo - OF, Shelbyville Central (TN) | Royals
Bobo was simply one of the bigger winners of the week, an ultra-twitchy, slashy, top-of-the-order type bat who looked like a potential day one pick in Long Beach.
At the plate, it's a slightly crouched, open set up with hands that don't move much throughout the load. Bobo, like many of the other pesty types written up here, is short and direct to the baseball. He had 3 whiffs on the week, resulting in an 81.2% contact rate. Bobo could flash sneaky bat speed at times, though his feel for the barrel didn't particularly stand out. There's more in the tank here than just a slashy type who lets his legs do the work.
Bobo consistently turned in plus run times, and it wouldn't be all that surprising if he is one day a 70-grade runner. He looked like he had the tools capable of staying in center field at the next level, with what was clearly plus arm strength, potentially better, in workouts.
Sushi Wilson - OF, IMG Academy (FL) | Royals
Wilson looked like one of the best hitters in the country this week; it felt like he had a number of hard-hit balls in every single game he played.
At the dish, Wilson utilizes an early toe-tap to load and gather, shifting his weight onto his back foot before unloading forward. Some of the hacks Wilson can get off early in counts are loud, and that will at times cause some swing-and-miss. Still, Sushi's ability to fend off pitches and work deep into counts was probably the most glaringly impressive part of his game. Wilson had maybe the at bat of the event, working a 10-pitch battle against MLB Breakthrough arm Keegan Mathis after being behind in an 0-2 count. The AB would end with Wilson ripping a single down the first base line and taking second on the next pitch.
It felt like nobody could stop what Wilson had brewing at the plate. He kept finding barrel after barrel, lining multiple balls hard to left field at 99+ mph off the bat. It looked like an above-average hit tool.
Wilson also showcased well in the outfield, where he frequently showed off plus arm strength. Sushi also turned in a number of plus run times from home-to-first, though I still have doubts about him being able to stick in center field at the next level.
Wilson is committed to the University of Tennessee, in what feels like a match made in heaven if he can make it to campus given how he plays the game. That said, Wilson looked like a top-two round pick in Long Beach. He's a part of a loaded IMG Academy squad that will have scouts watching their every move this spring.
Jacob Carrasco - C/1B, Manheim Township (PA) | Yankees
Carrasco was one of the more complete hitters at the event, flashing big raw strength and bat speed combined with sneaky good bat-to-ball and hand-eye coordination. He hit a number of balls hard, and ended the week hitting .444 while only whiffing twice across 5 games.
Carrasco is on the bigger side and looked like a potential 30-grade athlete. He got some run behind the plate, looked solid but didn't have crazy explosiveness out of the crouch and little lateral mobility. This looked like a mashing right-handed first baseman, but definitely a bat that will translate to the next level.
Carrasco is committed to the University of Oregon, and could be somebody who contributes early to that lineup if he makes it to Eugene.
Pete Browand - C, Peninsula (WA) | Reds
Browand was one of the big surprises of the week, a Washington native who is currently committed to Fresno State University.
The bat here looked steady. Browand had a good BP round where he peaked north of 106 mph and launched a number of balls out of the yard in left field. There's some loud triggers in the swing. Browand moves his hands actively in the box with some rhythm but got to a consistent load. There's serious whip to his barrel and bat speed that was on display frequently, with multiple balls he hit north of 100 mph in-game settings.
The bat-to-ball skills looked healthy, too. Browand struck out once in his 9 plate appearances and only whiffed once throughout the event. He also was rock solid behind the plate, and made a number of impressive blocks, the best defender out of a number of players we saw back there for the Reds.
Browand certainly put himself on the map in Long Beach. He looks like one of the top prep bats in the Northwest for the 2027 MLB Draft.
Brady Cunningham - 3B, Brother Rice (IL) | White Sox
Cunningham has long been heralded for his top-of-the-class power, something that was well on display at the Area Code Games.
Cunningham had the first of just 3 home runs hit at this year's event, a ball that left the bat at 104 mph and traveled 381 feet out to left field. He hit a number of other balls over 100 mph as the week went on, including another ball smoked at 104 off the bat that the wind held up. Cunningham's bat speed comes remarkably easy. It's an uphill swing path with plenty of feel for launch and leverage. Cunningham may ultimately have a chance to hit 30+ home runs at the next level.
There are still plenty of questions with the profile. Cunningham had 11 whiffs on 24 swings, and punched out 6 times in 17 plate appearances. There will certainly always be some swing-and-miss here given the slugging archetype; limiting it and continuing to show exceptional contact quality will be key as July approaches.
Cunningham spent most of the event at third base, and looked relatively solid at the position with an above-average arm. He's a surprisingly good athlete and runner for his 6-3, 225-pound frame.
Joseph Rutledge - INF/OF, Ardrey Kell (NC) | Yankees
Rutledge made the trip up to Long Beach after a solid showing at East Coast Pro, and continues to look like one of the sneakier bats in the '27 class.
The swing here is short and smooth from both sides of the plate. Rutledge slapped the ball around the yard well all week, including a hard line drive single that left the bat at 99 mph on the final day. Rutledge works directly to the baseball, with little wasted movement throughout his swing. He was a tad aggressive at times, but maintained a 20% whiff rate, and collected 4 hits throughout 13 plate appearances. Rutledge can also really hustle out of the box; he turned in a number of plus run times.
There's some versatility to the profile. Rutledge spent time in both the outfield and the middle infield throughout, and looked capable of handling either. Rutledge also won't turn 18 until after the 2027 MLB Draft.
Taylor Dodd - OF, Casteel (AZ) | Reds
Dodd fits the mold of pesky, slappy top-of-the-order bats we've seen come out of the Arizona prep ranks over the past few years (e.g. Jet Berry, Ryne Barker). He may also just be one of the fastest players in the country, and his true 80-grade speed was on display all week.
Dodd consistently turned in sub-4.00 second run times every time he had to make a dash to first base, including an eye-popping 3.75 second jailbreak home-to-first time. Dodd also used his game-changing speed to nab a number of bases (3) and score on a couple balls hit into the gap.
A switch-hitter, Dodd utilizes a short, direct swing to put the game in motion. It's above-average bat-to-ball skills, and he looks to slap the ball on the ground and do damage with his legs. It was a 64% ground ball rate across the event.
Dodd is wire thin with a high waist, only 5-9, 160 pounds at this stage. A full winter of development could help kick his game into another gear, so it will be interesting to see how this looks in the spring.
Lubin Rincon - SS, Shadow Creek (TX) | Rangers
Rincon didn't have the dazzling week with the bat that a lot of people were expecting him to have, but some of the ingredients that make him such a highly regarded prospect were well on display.
Rincon is a lean, projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop with a long, athletic build. He looked quite polished at the shortstop position, with clean footwork and a strong internal clock in this look. He would rotate between shortstop and third base for the most part of the 5 games, and looked close to a lock for sticking on the left side of the infield at the next level.
The swing here is quick and direct to the baseball with little moving parts and efficient triggers. Rincon flashed some pull-side loft in batting practice, but generally struggled to get the bat-head out during his game stints. In this look it was solid-average power projection, but given the weight Rincon could add to his frame it wouldn't be all that surprising if he one day grows into above-average power.
The part of Rincon's game that stood out the most was his relaxed nature and low heartbeat at the dish. It's a remarkably polished offensive foundation, a guy who looks like he has a plan every time he steps in the box. There was a tad bit more swing-and-miss than we were used to for a guy with Rincon's pure hitting chops, but he still showed what looked like an above-average hit tool.
Rincon's profile at this same stage feels somewhat similar to Tyler Spangler from the 2026 Draft.
Cooper Goff - OF, Mountain Ridge (UT) | Reds
Goff had a strong week with the stick, slashing .357/.400/.714 in what seemed like an event full of barrels for the Utah outfielder.
He hammered the second home run of the event, a ball hit 100 mph off the bat, launched into the bullpen in right field. Goff's feel for launch and getting to his pull-side has stood out for the entirety of his amateur career; it could become above-average power projection with some added weight.
Goff has a pretty left-handed swing with natural loft, good balance and a heavy barrel through the zone. There's a barrel tip here, but it's worth keeping in mind that's a move that plenty of good hitters share.
Goff did flash some swing-and-miss throughout the event, and he did show a tendency to be remarkably aggressive, especially early in counts. It's an offensive profile that will need some polishing around the edges at the next level, but there's no denying some of the projectable traits he brings to the table.
Goff will likely be a scout favorite, but also a name that models will weigh down and analysts will critique. It will be interesting to see which way this ends up trending in July.
Elyjah Mason - OF, Huntington Beach (CA) | Brewers
Mason was a famous name headed into the event, and continued to build a strong case as a potential top-two round pick in 2027.
It's a wire-thin 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with plenty of physical maturation on the way. Mason consistently turned in plus run times and took quality at-bats from the left side the whole week, showcasing strong swing decisions and above-average bat-to-ball skills. There's another gear to unlock here from an offensive production standpoint. Mason tends to struggle with getting to his pull-side for the time being and there's little leverage. He did flash the making of above-average raw power in batting practice; for now it's likely average at best in-games.
Mason spent most of his week in center field, where he probably lands at the next level given the toolset. He may also get a chance to play shortstop this spring at Huntington Beach, which could be something to watch out for.
Bryson Bourn - OF, The Woodlands (TX) | MLB Breakthrough
The son of long-time big leaguer Michael Bourn, Bryson was one of a few 80-grade runners we saw at the Area Code Games. It should come as no surprise from someone whose father stole 341 bases in his 11-year major league career.
The slappy nature of Bourn's profile is a little rarer to see from a right-handed hitter, but given how fast he can run, it doesn't really matter. Bourn consistently turned in sub-4.00 second home-to-first times, including a couple that were bordering on 3.9 seconds. Bourn showcased solid bat-to-ball skills, with just 3 whiffs across his 5 games played. There was very little emphasis on lofting the baseball here; 62% of Bourn's batted balls were ground balls. The game plan here was simple: put the ball on the ground, and let the legs eat.
Bourn's top-of-the-scale speed translated well into the outfield, where he looked like a future plus defensive center fielder. Bourn won't turn 18 until after the 2027 MLB Draft. He is still uncommitted.
Jaxon Haynes - OF, Providence (NC) | MLB Breakthrough
Haynes was one of my personal favorites of the entire event. A spark-plug at the top of the MLB Breakthrough lineup, Haynes played with an infectious energy and had a pesky style to his game.
It's an ultra long, lean 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame with plenty of physical upside remaining. Haynes has longer limbs and a higher waist, but showed good body control in the box and the ability to make plenty of contact and spray the ball to all fields. It's a short, quick move to the baseball with some sneaky bat speed. There is more power in the tank than what Haynes has flashed up to this point.
Haynes was an aggressive runner on the bases who stole a number of bags (4) and turned in plus run times. He made a couple of impressive dives into the second and third base pillow where he flew through the air while fully extended; the athlete here is impressive. Haynes looks like a future spark-plug center fielder with a throwback playing style. Haynes recently decommitted from the University of South Carolina, and is one of the better uncommitted names still left on the market.
Carter Hadnot - SS, Aquinas (CA) | Brewers
Hadnot features true plus defensive traits on the dirt, with dynamic range to both his left and right complemented by smooth, quick hands. He also showed off above-average arm strength across the diamond in this look, though scouts want to see the accuracy improve from what it currently is.
At the plate, Hadnot struggled to get much going similar to Seward, but his bat-to-ball skills still looked solid. Hadnot looked like he was playing underweight, and for the time being it may be just fringe-average raw power. Some added muscle feels like it could bolster what currently is a very contact-reliant offensive game. Hadnot also consistently turned in plus run times.
Hadnot's defense and athleticism give him a relatively high floor, but there's no doubt that scouting departments want to see the bat take strides forward. If it does, you're looking at a potential middle-of-the-first-round pick in July of 2027.