The WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. once again lived up to its reputation as the ultimate proving ground for prep talent. While the weekend featured plenty of familiar, headline draft names, it also served as a launching pad for a group of under-the-radar players who either showed off exciting tools or delivered true breakout performances.
This list focuses on that second group—the prospects who may not yet be household names in the draft community but left lasting impressions with evaluators.
All but one player on our list is already committed to a college program, and most project as legitimate candidates to reach campus. Together, they represent the next wave of impact talent—players whose performances in Jupiter hinted at much bigger things ahead, be it in college or as a young pro starting next summer.
Cody Boshell, 1B/OF, Florida
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Tennessee
A physically imposing 6-foot-3, 220-pound lefthanded hitter, Boshell looked every bit the part of a power bat thanks to real strength through his frame and a barrel chest that suggested durability. Though primarily a first baseman, he moved well enough to project as a viable corner outfielder if needed.
At the plate, Boshell worked from a simple load with above-average hand speed and plenty of bat strength. His swing could get a touch long at times, but the bat path stayed direct enough to allow his natural power to play. The ball jumped off his barrel with carry to all fields, and he showed the ability to drive it out of the park, as evidenced by a home run he launched during a 4-for-12 showing in Jupiter.
Boshellâ€s hands worked fast through the zone, and his overall approach was aggressive. Continued emphasis on staying compact will be key as he faces better velocity, but the ingredients for middle-of-the-order power were already clear. He also pitched, though his future almost certainly lies with the bat, where his combination of physicality, athleticism and strength gives him impact potential.
Jorhan Castro, C, Puerto Rico
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Western Kentucky
Though undersized at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Castro impressed as arguably the most polished defensive catcher at the showcase. Multiple evaluators singled him out as the premier receiver in Jupiter, citing his advanced feel, quiet movements and leadership behind the plate against opposing lineups loaded with high-end players.
Castro showed a natural ability to present and steal strikes, particularly at the bottom of the zone, where his fluid hands and soft glove action consistently worked in his pitchers†favor. He blocked with ease, anticipated well and displayed a calm command of the game that stood out for his age. His throwing mechanics were compact and efficient, producing accurate throws with carry and pop times in the low 1.9s. The arm strength and quick release both played, and his overall defensive polish was ahead of his peers.
While the bat remains a work in progress and may be light long term, Castroâ€s defensive profile gives him a significant carrying tool. With plus upside behind the dish and an advanced understanding of the position, he projected as a high-floor catching prospect capable of anchoring a staff at the next level. He should make it to campus at Western Kentucky this fall.
Wyatt Clatur, RHP, Tennessee
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Virginia
Clatur delivered one of the weekendâ€s most dominant outings, striking out nine over four shutout innings while generating 18 total whiffs—12 on his fastball and six on his slider. The performance underscored both his stuff and competitive demeanor, as he worked quickly, attacked hitters and never appeared fazed by the stage.
An athletic righthander with evident arm speed, Clatur operated from a slightly-crossfire delivery that added deception and angle to his arsenal. His fastball sat 91-93 mph, touched 94 and showed lively finish through the top of the zone. The pitch consistently missed bats, playing up thanks to his tempo and ability to locate it with intent.
His slider, thrown in the low 80s, featured sweep and late movement across the plate. He showed confidence landing it for strikes and used it effectively to finish at-bats against both lefties and righties.
Claturâ€s combination of athleticism, pitchability and competitive edge stood out as much as his raw stuff. With a lively fastball-slider mix, clean arm action and mound presence beyond his years, Clatur looked like a rising name to follow closely moving forward.
Colin Driffill, RHP, Nebraska
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Kansas State
A lean, athletic 6-foot-1, 200-pound righthander, Driffill emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout arms at WWBA. Flashing loud arm strength and an operation built on athleticism, he struck out two across two innings without allowing an earned run.
Driffill sat 92-94 mph and reached 97 twice in his first inning, generating five whiffs on 26 fastballs that showed late life and explosive carry at the top of the zone. His primary secondary was a curveball in the low-to-mid 70s with solid depth. Its shape varied at times, however, hinting at a still-developing feel for spin.
Working from a delivery with some drop-and-drive elements, Driffill showed evident power and arm speed through a deep arm path. His movement patterns were athletic, his lower half strong and his overall projection enticing. With refinement, he had the raw ingredients to make significant strides as he matures.
Driffill entered the event largely under the radar, but that changed quickly. Multiple evaluators told Baseball America he wasnâ€t someone they had heavily followed—or, in some cases, had on their lists at all—before Jupiter. By the time he left, he was firmly among the names who made a strong impression.
Soren Etheridge, RHP, Arizona
- Draft Class: 2027
- College Commitment: Uncommitted
The lone uncommitted prospect on this list, Etheridgeâ€s performance in Jupiter was simply too loud to overlook. The young righthander struck out eight across 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while generating an eye-popping 16 total whiffs, 13 of which came on his fastball.
Etheridgeâ€s heater sat 90-92 mph and touched 94 with late carry, overpowering hitters at the letters. Though his velocity dipped slightly as the outing went on, the pitchâ€s shape and effectiveness held steady throughout. His best secondary was a low-80s changeup with late tumble and fading action—a pitch one evaluator projected could develop into a future plus offering.
Etheridge also mixed a curveball and slider—both in the mid-to-high 70s—that occasionally bled together. He appeared to call for two distinct breaking balls in warmups but threw more of a hybrid shape during game action. A handful of firmer sliders stood out, hinting at the potential to better differentiate a fourth pitch as he matures.
An athletic, projectable arm with a lean frame and multi-sport background—heâ€s also a competitive swimmer—Etheridge showed raw but exciting ingredients. His delivery contained plenty of low-hanging fruit to refine, but with physical growth and mechanical polish, he looked like a highly moldable, high-upside talent whose recruitment should accelerate in short order.
Julian Garcia, RHP, California
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Long Beach State
A physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound righthander, Garcia possessed one of the cleaner arm strokes at the event. He worked from a high three-quarters slot with above-average arm speed and a fastball that sat in the low 90s, touched 93 mph and showed carry through the zone. The pitch got on hitters quickly and played best at the letters. There was some effort when he reached back for more, but it never disrupted his tempo. Further velocity gains appeared well within reach as he continues to mature physically.
Garciaâ€s best offspeed offering was a sharp, high-spin breaking ball in the low-to-mid 70s that eclipsed 2,800 rpm. It came out of his hand clean with pronounced depth and late, biting action when he stayed on top of it. The pitch already induced swings and misses and figures to become a legitimate out pitch with added power. He also mixed a developing changeup that he threw just once in Jupiter.
Over two hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts, Garcia displayed two pitches with above-average upside, consistent strike-throwing feel and the type of size and arm speed that suggested more to come.
Will Holden, C, North Carolina
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Wake Forest
A physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound catcher from North Carolina, Holden showed the kind of strength, athleticism and versatility that make him a valuable piece at multiple positions. He moved well for his size and showed the ability to handle both catching and corner infield duties.
Behind the plate, Holden worked from a one-knee setup with decent lower-half quickness and a compact arm action. His throws carried with accuracy, and he showed above-average arm strength. He occasionally struggled with glove-to-hand transfers, but that’s an area that should smooth out with continued reps.
At the plate, Holden hit from a wide stance and generated leverage and loft through the zone. His swing could get steep at times, but the barrel was heavy and produced above-average raw power. Two of his three hits in Jupiter left the yard, and his loose hands and developing approach hinted at more consistency ahead.
Committed to Wake Forest, Holden profiled as a strong, righthanded power bat with defensive versatility and plenty of physical maturity still to come.
Bryant James, SS, Virginia
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Virginia
A lean, wiry 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop, James stood out as one of the best athletes in the tournament. His frame offered ample room to add strength, and with natural twitch already present, there was clear upside remaining as he continues to fill out physically.
A double-plus runner with verified 60-yard times in the 6.2-6.3 range, James used his speed as both a weapon and tone-setter. He consistently pressured defenses by getting out of the box quickly to turn routine contact into close plays and extra-base opportunities. His speed was on full display when he coasted in for a triple on a ball to the gap.
At the plate, James hit from a shoulder-high handset with a fairly narrow, upright stance. In lieu of a leg kick, he instead used a controlled stride to get into his swing. His hands worked fast, and his barrel stayed through the hitting zone for a long stretch, giving him a strong contact foundation. Right now, he profiles as a table-setter with gap-to-gap line drive ability, though added strength could unlock more lift and carry in his profile over time.
Defensively, James showed the actions and arm strength to stick at shortstop. His quick first step, lateral range and overall athleticism helped him make plays to both sides. Should he eventually need to move off the position, his elite speed and twitch would translate naturally to the grass.
Taden Krogsgaard, RHP, California
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Cal State Fullerton
A lean and athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander, Krogsgaard impressed in Jupiter with his projection, polish and feel for spin. Though he also plays third base, his future clearly lies on the mound, where his athleticism and arm speed stand out.
Krogsgaard worked with a low three-quarters release and a bit of crossfire in his delivery, creating natural deception and angle on his pitches. His fastball sat 90-92 mph and touched 93, showing late life through the zone. The heater played up thanks to his ability to locate to both sides, and evaluators noted thereâ€s still velocity left in the tank as his frame continues to fill out.
His best secondary offering was a high-70s sweeper with late horizontal break that he consistently landed for strikes. Several evaluators already viewed the pitch as a fringe-plus weapon that should only improve as he adds strength and velocity.
Across two Jupiter outings, Krogsgaard allowed just one run over six innings, showing advanced pitchability and confidence. With a fastball-slider foundation, physical projection and an athletic delivery, he profiles as a high-upside arm.
Trent Lutz, RHP, Pennsylvania
- Draft Class: 2027
- College Commitment: Penn State
A long-limbed 6-foot-4, 170-pound righthander, Lutz combined present stuff with significant physical projection. His high-waisted, lean frame left plenty of room for added strength, and the delivery already hinted at future power once he grows into it. He worked with a deep, high three-quarters arm stroke and occasionally landed open in his stride, leading to some inconsistency in his release point.
Lutzâ€s fastball sat 90-93 mph and touched 94, showing solid life through the zone. His best velocity and shape came early in the outing, but the pitch still held enough life to miss bats late. He paired it with both a curveball and slider that sometimes bled together. When he stayed on top, the curveball showed depth, but he occasionally got around it and lost finish. He also mixed in a few changeups that flashed promise with late fade.
Still early in his development, Lutzâ€s projection stood out most. His wiry frame, loose arm action and flashes of a true three-pitch mix made him a highly intriguing long-term follow in the 2027 class.
Jace Mataczynski, SS, Wisconsin
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Auburn
One of the most toolsy players in Jupiter, Mataczynski drew a sizable scouting crowd each time he took the field and quickly became one of the weekendâ€s buzziest names. Several evaluators told Baseball America they were zeroing in on the Auburn commit after his standout showing, and his stock appeared to be rising fast.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Mataczynski combines promising size, twitch and fluidity. He moved easily at shortstop, showing light feet and impressive body control with an above-average arm that carried across the diamond. His wide, effortless gait translated into plus running ability, allowing him to cover ground both in the field and on the bases.
Offensively, Mataczynski remains raw but dangerous. His two-handed swing occasionally lagged behind better velocity, though his physical strength and bat speed still showed through as he collected six hits, including a home run and two doubles. With added mechanical polish and physical maturity, his offensive game could take a major leap.
Mataczynskiâ€s blend of athleticism, tools and projection has him positioned as a potential early-round follow if his upward trajectory continues.
Lukas McDowell, RHP, Canada
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: North Florida
A towering 6-foot-8, 245-pound righthander and native of Canada, McDowell looked every bit the part of a workhorse starter thanks to his broad shoulders and powerful lower half. His size alone turned heads, but it was the combination of athleticism and stuff that made his outing one of the more memorable performances among the unheralded prospects in Jupiter. Over three scoreless innings, he struck out three without issuing a walk while showing poise and command.
McDowell attacked from a long, whippy low three-quarters slot that created difficult angles and deception. His fastball sat 91-93 mph and touched 95 with carry through the zone and late life that helped it miss five bats. He paired it with a low-80s sweeping slider and a high-70s curveball that featured two-plane depth—both capable of missing barrels when executed. A developing changeup rounded out his four-pitch mix.
At 18, few pitchers combine this kind of physicality, arm speed and athletic operation. McDowellâ€s blend of size and raw stuff gives him a rare ceiling, and continued refinement could make him one of the more fascinating Canadian arms in the 2026 class.
Ethan Offing, OF, South Carolina
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Clemson
An ultra-athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound center fielder, Offing turned in one of the more complete performances in Jupiter and drew legitimate scouting attention. His combination of speed, defense and emerging impact at the plate made him one of the eventâ€s more intriguing all-around position players.
Offing covered ground easily in center field, showing smooth actions, confident reads and the type of closing speed that allowed him to make more difficult plays look routine. His running ability also translated offensively, where his quickness out of the box and aggressive baserunning kept pressure on defenses.
At the plate, Offingâ€s short, fast swing and advanced bat control stood out. He went 7-for-13 with a double, triple and home run, consistently finding the barrel and flashing surprising strength for his lean frame. The bat speed was real, and his swing path suggested room to grow into more power without sacrificing contact.
With plus speed, reliable defense in center and the potential to both set the table and impact the baseball with authority, Offing looked like a high-upside athlete who would fit perfectly in Clemsonâ€s up-tempo, offensive-minded program if he reaches campus.
Chandler Taylor, OF, Ohio
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Alabama
The younger brother of former Indiana All-American Devin Taylor, Taylor impressed as a lean, athletic 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder with real center field potential. He moved with above-average speed, read the ball off the bat well and showed the instincts and reaction time to hold down the middle of the diamond.
At the plate, he shared traits similar to his brother, as his swing stayed on plane and his hands were quick. That ability already allows him to drive the ball all over the field, but as he adds strength, heâ€ll need to learn to lift the ball more consistently to unlock additional power.
Taylorâ€s biggest area for growth is in plate discipline. He needs to sharpen his approach against spin and remain engaged in two-strike counts, rather than expanding too early.
Though still relatively young, Taylor is already committed to Alabama and appears likely to land on campus. His tools, pedigree, and athletic profile make him an interesting name to follow going forward.
Ty Van Valkenburg, RHP, New York
- Draft Class: 2026
- College Commitment: Miami
Built with a strong, durable 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, Van Valkenburg looked every bit the part of a physical righthander with starter traits. His delivery was compact and repeatable while his arm worked with looseness and whip from a three-quarters release. He occasionally dropped the slot a bit when throwing his slider but maintained a consistent tempo and direction throughout.
Van Valkenburgâ€s fastball sat in the low 90s and reached 94 mph while showing both run and ride that allowed it to miss bats. He commanded the pitch well, especially to his arm side, and collected four whiffs on it in this outing. Over two innings, he punched out four, didnâ€t issue a walk and allowed two hits—one an infield single—without surrendering an earned run.
His primary secondary was an upper-70s slider that flashed above-average potential. The pitch varied in shape, showing tighter, two-plane bite against lefthanded hitters and a sweepier look with more lateral movement to righties. It already profiled as his best swing-and-miss weapon and was responsible for two of his six total whiffs on the day. He also flashed a changeup in warmups but didnâ€t use it in-game.
With physical strength, repeatability and a fastball-slider combination that both played, Van Valkenburg fit the mold of a strike-throwing starter to watch closely this spring.
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