High school baseball: 60 players to watch. Who are the top recruits in Fort Worth-area?
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The Texas high school baseball season is finally here.
The Fort Worth-area is a hotbed for talent and many players have the potential to be future college or pro superstars. Here are 60 players to watch in the area that were nominated by coaches.
You’ll want to keep an eye on these baseball recruits as they continue their high school careers.
Fort Worth Wyatt
Wyatt has its best roster in decades, and the Chaparrals are looking to make the playoffs with one of the best prospects in Texas: Sophomore Jorvorskie Lane.
Jorvorskie Lane, C/SS/CF/RHP, Soph. - Lane, a Texas A&M commit, is one of the best sophomores in the country and is arguably the best class of 2026 player in Texas. He was the only freshman to make an the All-State team in 2023, posting a ridiculous .493 batting average and six home runs. Lane led Class 5A with 54 total stolen bases and played with Team USA over the summer. At 14 years of age, Lane was named the District 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year. He is also a football standout and was named to the Star-Telegram’s All-Area Team.
Cristan Faudoa, 3B/P, Sr. - Faudoa has a fastball that reached 87 mph and was an all-district first team pitcher in the 2023 season. He went 7-4 last season and was an effective strikeout collector with a fastball, changeup and curveball in his arsenal. At the plate, Faudoa recorded an outstanding .425 batting average. He is uncommitted.
Miguel Garcia, 1B/RHP, Sr. - Garcia, another uncommitted recruit, hit .481 in the 2023 season and reached the 29 RBI mark in 28 games. He is a two time all-district first baseman and has fastball that reaches up to 86 mph.
Jaylon Cotton, SS, Sr. - Cotton has an elite defensive arm and can throw up to 89 mph across the diamond to first base. He is a two time all-district short stop and hit .435 last season. He is extremely effective on the basepaths, stealing 27 bases in 27 attempts in the 2023 season.
Arlington
Dylan Buechele, RHP, Sr. - Buechele, an Oklahoma baseball commit, has a 6-foot-3, 180 pound frame. He reaches 92 mph with his fastball and has a low 80s slider as well as a changeups that sits at 76 to 77 mph. Buechele, who is returning from a back injury, can toss all three pitches for strikes.
Jackson Irons, 1B/OF, Sr. - Irons has a 6-foot-5, 215 pound frame and is committed to play at McLennan Community College. He is a four year starter who started his high school career as a catcher and moved to primarily play first base. His exit velocity is in the upper 90s, and he posted a .408 on base percentage with 23 RBIs and two home runs in the 2023 season.
Ryan Lacey, LHP, Sr. - Lacey, an Arlington commit, will close for Arlington and step into tough situations to shut the door and secure wins. He has a nice mix of pitches with a fastball that reaches 87 mph. His curveball reaches 77 mph, and he also has a 75 mph changeup. Lacey, in 2023, recorded a 2.80 ERA and in 22 innings of work, collecting 25 strikeouts and allowing 19 hits.
Ryan Ott, RHP, Sr. - Ott is a three year starter who pounds the strike zone with a fastball in the mid 80s and a mid 70s change-up that draws swings and misses. Ott, who also has a 75 mph curveball, tallied a 2.02 ERA in 55 innings pitched last season. He posted six wins, 50 strikeouts and allowed 42 hits.
Barrett Howard, CF, Sr. - Howard is a Richland College commit and is a two year starter. He has a 60 yard dash time of 6.6 seconds. he drives the ball to the right center-field gap and is a “menace” on the basepaths, according to head coach Brian Womack. Howard had an impressive .523 on base percentage and a .338 batting average. Last season, he tallied eight doubles, a triple and a home run.
Grapevine
Grapevine, an area powerhouse, is loaded with talent and is a potential state title contender. Mustang baseball went undefeated in District 7-5A and proceeded to fall to Lubbock Cooper in the Regional Semifinal in the 2023 season.
Gianni Corral, C, Soph. - Corral had a phenomenal freshman season, posting a .333 batting average and 18 RBIs. His defense was elite, earning him a District 7-5A Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Corral is committed to Texas A&M Baseball, and is one of the best sophomores in all of Texas.
Dasan Hill, LHP, Sr. - Hill is Perfect Game’s No. 2 ranked senior left handed pitcher in the entire state of Texas. He throws in the low to mid 90s with a fastball topping out at 94 mph, and he also has a curveball, slider and change-up in his arsenal. Hill, standing at 6-foot-5, went 8-4 last season en route to a first team all-district selection with a 1.67 ERA, three saves and 117 strikeouts. Hill, a 6-foot-4 DBU commit, has participated in the Area Code Games, Texas Scout Association Games and much more.
Sammy Kelley, CF, Sr. - Kelley posted a solid .365 batting average in the 2023 season en route to scoring 37 runs and 16 RBIs. He is committed to Tyler Junior College.
JoJo Kubo, RHP, Sr. - Kubo won two games and lost zero and also picked up three saves on the way to being named to the all-district second team. Kubo recorded an excellent 1.06 ERA in his junior campaign.
Colleyville Heritage
Cooper Powell, LHP, Sr. - Powell had a stellar season in 2023, throwing 98 strikeouts and posting a 1.98 ERA in 55 1/3 innings pitched. He was a first team all-district player last season and is committed to the play baseball at the next level with the Texas Longhorns.
Everman
Orian Boon, CF/3B, Sr. - Boon is a 5-foot-11, 172 pound player commited to East Central University. He tallied a .429 on base percentage, 12 RBIs, 24 runs and 21 stolen base in the 2023 season. He is a four year starter and a two time all-district outfielder who can play anywhere in the field. Boon has elite speed with the ability to make impact plays on balls hit in the air.
Mikey Brown, SS/P, Jr. - Brown tallied a .310 average and a .417 on base percentage in an all-district 2023 season. He recorded 14 RBIs, 15 runs and nine stolen bases. As a pitcher, he posted a 3-2 record and tallied 38 strikeouts in 35 innings of work. He had one save and a 3.20 ERA.
North Crowley
Michael Bell, RHP/OF, Sr. - Bell reaches a top speed of 91 mph on his fastball and was second team all-district in the 2023 season. Unfortunately, Bell suffered an injury and will be out for the 2024 season.
Carter Peabody, C/2B, Sr. - Peabody tallied a .348 on base percentage in the 2023 season.
RJ Clayborn, 1B/RHP, Sr. - Clayborn tallied a .317 on base percentage in the 2023 season. Clayborn is also a football standout with the Panthers and will continue his college career with McPherson.
Haslet Eaton
John Christner, RHP, Sr. - Christner is a Texas Tech commit with a fastball that reaches 94 mph. He is Perfect Game’s No. 81 ranked senior right handed pitcher in Texas.
Nathan Tobin, OF, Sr. - Tobin, a Texas A&M commit, is a left handed bat that is extremely fast. Defensively, he shines in the Eagles’ outfield.
Colton Klapprodt, C, Sr. - Klapprodt gives the Eagle lineup versatility as a switch hitter. He has a 6-foot-4, 240 pound frame and is a Howard Junior College commit.
Dylon Myrow, SS, Sr. - Dylon Myrow, a Midland College commit, is Perfect Game’s No. 123 ranked senior shortstop in Texas.
Boswell
Sawyer Farr, SS, Sr. - Farr, a 6-foot-5 Texas A&M commit, is a switch hitter with a 6.5 second 60 yard dash. Farr was named to the Five Tool All-Summer team, posting a .405 average with the Dallas Tigers.
Berkeley Roddy, RHP, Sr. - Roddy is an Oklahoma baseball commit with a fastball that reaches 95 mph. He has a 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame.
Mason Bell, RHP/INF, Jr. - Bell hit .350 en route to being named the District 3-6A Newcomer of the Year. He has tremendous upside as a pitcher with a fastball that reaches 89 mph.
Coby Mcbride, OF/RHP, Jr. - Mcbride is a switch hitter with a 6.5 second 40 yard dash and has great instincts.
Ramon Corona, C/RHP, Jr. - Junior catcher with great defense and quick hands. Corona has a 5-foot-11, 170 pound frame.
Burleson
Aviel Webster, OF, Sr. - Webster batted .298 with a strong .484 on base percentage in the 2023 season. He tallied 28 hits, seven doubles two triples, 42 runs and 28 walks en route to a first team all-district appearance. Webster is committed to Navarro College.
Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll has an extremely deep team, and plenty of players could’ve been chosen as the Dragons to watch. These five players are among a group that has plenty of experience. Carroll will be looking to build on a second place finish in District 4-6A and an area round appearance
Grant Moore, OF/P, Sr. - Moore batted .310 in his junior season, tallying six doubles, a triple and 17 RBIs.
Hayes Melvilles, RHP/OF, Sr. - Melvilles is ommitted to Pitch at UTA. He is Perfect Game’s No. 75 senior right handed pitcher in Texas.
Cody Cashon, C, Sr. - Cashon is committed to Houston and is Perfect Game’s No. 18 ranked senior catcher in Texas. He has a 6-foot, 185 pound frame.
Davis Perkins, SS/P, Jr. - Perkins has a fastball in the mid to upper 80s, but he is committed to play middle infield at Oklahoma.
Ethan Baiotto, RHP, Jr. - Baiotto has a fastball in the low 90s, and Dragon head coach Larry Vulcan said he has a stellar slider.
Mansfield
David Hogg, SS, Sr. - Hogg is the highest ranked senior in the Fort Worth-area and is an LSU signee. Hogg, a Perfect Game All American, was an all district Shortstop last year and can do everything on the field. He is extremely fast and has a strong arm.
Braxton Van Cleave, OF, Jr. - Van Cleave is a Kentucky commit and was a District 11-6A first team outfielder last year. He is also a football standout and has served as Mansfield’s quarterback, facing some of the best teams in the area such as Duncanville and DeSoto.
Cade Julius, P, Jr. - Julius has a fastball that tops out at 93 mph and hovers in the 90 mph range. He mixed in a slider and a changeup effectively.
Zaiden Perez, DH/1B, Sr. - Perez is an all district designated hitter who led the Tigers in hitting last year.
Brock
Sawyer Strosnider, OF, Sr. - Strosnider is a TCU commit with a 6-foot-2, 190 pound frame. He was a District 8-3A Co-MVP last season, posting an unreal .500 batting average with eight triples and seven home runs.
Cam Harris, 2B, Sr. - Harris, a Houston commit, is a 6-foot-1 middle infielder. He was also a District 8-3A Co-MVP and posted a .430 batting average with 17 doubles.
Cooper Massey, Sr.- Massey is a Star-Telegram first team all-area linebacker, but has loads of baseball talent too. He posted a .382 batting average and was named to the District 8-3A first team.
Jesse Rusinek, P/UTIL, Jr. - Rusinek was named the 2023 District 8-3A Newcomer of the Year after a strong sophomore season. He recorded eight wins and zero losses, recording an 1.67 ERA with 67 strikeouts. Also, he batted .379 and was a key contributor on offense.
Mansfield Lake Ridge
Elbert “Trey” Craig, 1B, Sr. - Craig is a Texas A&M commit and is the No. 1 ranked first baseman in Texas by Perfect Game.
Matthew Millet, RHP, Sr. - Millet, a Texas commit, has a fastball in the 90s and is ranked as the No. 8 right handed senior pitcher in Texas by Perfect Game.
Kayden Mansell, RHP/OF, Soph. - Mansell is one of the top sophomores in the Fort Worth-area and will be a sought after recruit.
Azle
Azle baseball’s 2023 season ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapevine, an area powerhouse. The Hornets have some solid talent this season, and the experience could be a difference maker.
Austin May, RHP, Sr. - May, a 6-foot-4 Seminole State College commit, had two wins, two losses and two saves last season. He had a strong 2.90 ERA and accumulated 26 strikeouts in 28 innings of work.
Christian Shephard, LHP, Sr. - Shpehard, another Seminole State College pledge, posted an excellent 1.40 ERA in 2023, but had a small sample size of five innings pitched.
Lane Springfield, RHP, Sr. - Springfield, a Murray State College commit, had a great 1.90 ERA in the 2023 season with 22 innings pitched. the 6-foot-2 right hander picked up four wins, one loss and 32 strikeouts.
Ivan Perez, RHP/3B, Sr. - Perez will continue his athletic career with Redlands College. He had a phenomenal 2023 season, hitting .337 and posting a .441 on base percentage. In 86 at bats, Perez racked up 29 hits, 19 runs and 20 RBIs.
Garrin Graves, RHP/UTIL, Jr. - Graves, an Amarillo commit, tallied 28 hits, 17 runs and 14 RBIs in 88 at bats last season. He was efficient, tallying a .318 batting average and a .381 on base percentage.
Burleson Centennial
Burleson Centennial won the District 8-5A championship last season with a 14-2 district play run. The Spartans had high expectations but fell to Birdville in the bi-district round last season. Now, Centennial is looking to make a deeper run.
Connor Mohan, RHP, Sr. - Mohan stands at 6-foot-3 and is committed to play at Texas Tech. He has incredible potential with a fastball that regular sits in the 93-95 range and occasionally tops out at 97 mph.
Zach Applegate, LHP/1B, Sr. - Applegate is a two time all-district hitter signed to Abilene Christian University. His fastball can reach up to 91 mph, and he stands at 6-foot-2 with a 190 pound frame.
Boyd
Boyd had a phenomenal year in 2023, winning the Class 3A State Championship. The Yellowjackets are reloading with an abundance of talent and are far from a rebuild.
Braden McIntire, RHP/SS, Sr. - McIntire was the 2023 Class 3A Texas Sports Writer Player of the Year and the Texas High School Coaches Association Super Team MVP. He is a three time district MVP and a three time all state member. McIntire, a North Central Texas College commit, is looking to finish his legendary high school career on a strong note.
Eric Rogers, RHP/INF, Sr. - Rogers was named to the TSWA All-State First Team. He is a two time district pitcher of the year and was also named a co-district MVP.
Jax Heid, INF, Jr. - Heid was named to the all-district team in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He is also a third team TSWA third team all state member.
Will McIntire, RHP/C/INF, Fr. - McIntire is set to begin his high school career and has high expectations as Perfect Game’s No. 9 ranked freshman in Texas. He thrives catcher but is also an effective pitcher. McIntire is arguably the best freshman in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Glen Rose
Glen Rose had a strong season in 2023, going 8-4 in district play. The Tigers fell to Wichita Fallas in the regional quarterfinal. Now, they’re looking to put together another solid year.
Cullen Kickhoefer, LHP, Jr. - Kickhoefer is a 6-foot-1 Louisiana Monroe commit and was the District 6-4A Newcomer of the Year in the 2023 season. He posted a 6-4 record, picking up 75 strikeouts and recording a strong 2.55 ERA in 55 innings pitched. Kickhoefer has a fastball that ranges from 87 to 92 mph, a mid 70s slider, a change-up.
Jackson Thompson, RHP, Sr. - Thompson was a first team District 6-4A pitcher and was named the TSWA third team all-state pitcher. Thompson posted a 2-2 record with eight saves. In 34 2/3 innings, he picked up 42 strikeouts and and a 3.03 ERA. Thompson has a fastball in the mid 80s with a mid to high 70s slider.
Argyle
Grady Emerson, SS, Soph. - Emerson, a TCU commit, is the No. 1 ranked sophomore in all of Texas by Perfect Game. You’ll want to get to know Emerson before he plays for the Horned Frogs.
Baron Mannis, LHP/OF, Jr. - Mannis, also a TCU commit, is the No. 10 ranked junior left handed pitcher in Texas by Perfect Game.
