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Prep Baseball All-American Game in Miami Highlights Future MLB Stars β€” Class of 2026 Tops 2027

 Matt Tallarini - World Baseball Network  |    Sep 21st, 2025 11:34pm EDT
MVP Prep Baseball All-American Game in Miami Highlights Future MLB Stars β€” Class of 2026 Tops 2027

MIAMI β€” The 2025 Prep Baseball All-American Game returned to loanDepot Park on September 20, spotlighting the nation’s top juniors and seniors on a Major League field. The Class of 2026 went head-to-head against the Class of 2027 in front of scouts, media, and family, delivering highlight defense, power arms, and clutch hitting. More than just a showcase, the event doubled as a fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer research through Prep Baseball’s Vs. Cancer partnership, making every pitch matter.

Class of 2026 vs 2027 β€” Early Innings

Kaeden Waechter opened for the Class of 2026 and struck out Dylan Seward and Lubin Rincon while working around a walk to Grant Westphal. Connor Salerno answered for the 2027s by striking out Rocco Maniscalco, Carson Bolemon, and Sean Dunlap in order.

Drake Hawpe delivered the game’s first hit in the second inning with a single to center. Harry Jones Jr. walked three in the bottom half, but escaped with a fly out from Noah Wilson.

The Class of 2027 struck first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Max Hemenway that scored Jared Grindlinger. The Class of 2026 immediately answered. Jacob Lombard singled, Coleman Borthwick and Gio Rojas drew bases-loaded walks to plate runs, and Maniscalco added a sacrifice fly to make it 3–1.

Stars Who Made Their Mark

Jacob Lombard

The No. 1 player in the 2026 class, dazzled in his hometown with web-gem defense and a steady bat.

John Stowers

Hammered one of the loudest swings of the day, a 98.3 mph leadoff double in the sixth that set up an RBI groundout.

Dylan Seward

The No. 2 player in the 2027 class, showed why he is a top prospect. His two-run inside-the-park home run in the eighth cut the deficit to 4–3 and drew roars from the Miami crowd.

Beau Peterson 

Fresh off his Home Run Derby crown, added the exclamation point with a two-run double into the left-center gap in the eighth.

Blake Bryant Raises His Stock

Georgia right-hander Blake Bryant shifted momentum when he entered in the middle innings.

β€œNow have Blake Bryant outta Georgia on the map for the 2026s,” Corey McCartney said. β€œTalk about a guy who’s just flown up the charts this year β€” from 63rd in the nation to 18th. He’s the third-ranked player in Georgia and the third-ranked right-handed pitcher in the nation.”

Sean Duncan added: β€œHe looks like a shortstop on the mound. Quick, athletic. It’s a pristine delivery and he’s around the zone with everything.”

Shooter Hunt went further: β€œIt’s kind of like Anthony Davis. He grew into a seven-foot center but was a point guard for so long. Bryant had the arsenal and the athleticism, and now the power intent of that arm strength has grown into a frontline top-40 pick.”

Bryant backed the words up with a fastball sitting 93–96 and showed four pitches for strikes, finishing the frame with a strikeout that sent the Class of 2026 dugout into a frenzy.

Pitchers With Swing-and-Miss

George Ferguson touched 95 with his fastball and paired it with a slider that froze hitters.

https://x.com/prepbaseball/status/1969440116549497335

Gannon Grant showed off an 81.8 mph slider with 2,984 rpm spin, earning the β€œtrue swordsman” tag from the broadcast.
Trey Rangel added electricity of his own, spinning late breakers that kept bats off balance.
Cole Kinder slammed the door with mid-90s velocity and a hammer breaking ball.
Connor Salerno set the early tone with his strikeout-heavy first inning.

β€œFlush It” Becomes the Broadcast Theme

Former big leaguer Brandon Guyer joined the booth with a miniature toilet, reminding players to β€œflush it” after mistakes. The booth ran with the gag, repeating it throughout the game and turning it into a teaching moment about mental resets.

World Baseball Network Interviews

MLB Comps Video β€” Who Do They Model?

World Baseball Network asked 11 of the nation’s top prospects one question: Which MLB player do you model your game after?

World Baseball Network had the privilege to speak with 11 players before the game, who all expressed how blessed they felt to share this opportunity in their young journey:

  • Trevor Condon β€” OF, Etowah HS (GA), Class of 2026, Tennessee commit 

  • John Stowers β€” C, St. Paul’s Episcopal (AL), Class of 2026, Auburn commit

  • Sebastian Castillo β€” INF, Byron Nelson HS (TX), Class of 2027, uncommitted

  • Jake Turner β€” OF, Centennial HS (NV), Class of 2027, TCU commit

  • Coleman Borthwick β€” RHP/3B, South Walton HS (FL), Class of 2026, Auburn commit

  • Lash Henderson β€” OF, Prestonwood Christian (TX), Class of 2027, uncommitted

  • Eli Herst β€” RHP, Seattle Academy (WA), Class of 2026, Vanderbilt commit

  • Graham Houston β€” INF, Venice HS (FL), Class of 2027, uncommitted

  • Jared Grindlinger β€” LHP/OF, Huntington Beach HS (CA), Class of 2027, uncommitted

  • Lubin Rincon β€” INF, Shadow Creek HS (TX), Class of 2027, uncommitted

  • Logan Bristol β€” RHP, North Broward Prep (FL), Class of 2027, uncommitted

Awards and Final Word

The Class of 2026 sealed a 6–4 win. After the final out, Jacob Lombard was named MVP in front of friends and family in his hometown park.

β€œIt’s awesome,” Lombard said. β€œI can look in the stands and see my friends and family.”

Home Run Derby Champion: Beau Peterson
MVP: Jacob Lombard
Final Score: Class of 2026 defeated Class of 2027, 6–4

Enjoy the action from the Full broadcast and learn about the future of the game at the event hub (rosters and partners. 

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Matt Tallarini - World Baseball Network Chief Correspondent
Matthew (Matt) Tallarini is the Founder and Chief Correspondent for the World Baseball Network.
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