10 Under-The-Radar MLB Draft Prospects From PG’s 2026 WWBA Championship

Logen Doran, RHP, Hawaii

• BA Star Rating: ★★★
• Commitment: Arkansas

Doran has plenty of growing left to do, and his present ability to generate quality stuff with minimal effort makes the physical projection especially enticing. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound righthander has a slender, athletic build that could comfortably support considerably more muscle, with the delivery and arm speed to suggest his current velocity is short of its eventual ceiling.

There’s an appealing fluidity to his operation. Doran moves efficiently down the mound and stays direct toward the plate, working through a delivery that requires little visible exertion. His arm action features a slight stab behind his body but remains quick overall, accelerating through a lower three-quarters release with impressive arm speed. He repeats the sequence consistently, an important attribute for a young pitcher whose arsenal could gain substantial power as his frame matures.

The fastball sits 90-91 mph and touches 93, featuring good carry with run. It’s his primary weapon, complemented by a two-plane slider that serves as his preferred secondary and a reliable finishing pitch against hitters on either side of the plate. A mid-80s changeup with fading action gives him another option, though the fastball-slider combination currently anchors his repertoire. He also shows encouraging feel for spin, adding to the appeal of his developing arsenal.

Doran’s projection is rooted in more than simply being tall and thin. His ability to generate arm speed without straining, repeat his delivery and move efficiently down the mound provide mechanical support for the velocity gains his body appears capable of accommodating. There’s still plenty of physical development ahead, but the ingredients for a meaningful jump in stuff are already in place. He’s an attractive developmental arm with starter traits and room for his arsenal to take on an entirely different complexion as he grows stronger.

Nate Kesselmark, RHP, Connecticut

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: Notre Dame

Kesselmark’s delivery looks more like that of a power reliever than a traditional starter, but the results of his explosive operation suggest there’s more to the equation. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander attacks hitters with a violent, quick arm from a low three-quarters slot, generating high-quality fastball characteristics despite a delivery that comes with noticeable effort. His mechanics aren’t especially conventional, yet he repeats them surprisingly well and demonstrates better strike-throwing ability than his aggressive operation might suggest.

The fastball is the clear centerpiece of his arsenal. Sitting 92-94 mph and touching 95, it features run, carry and well-above-average spin, with impressive extension helping the pitch outperform its velocity. Hitters had little answer for it in Jupiter, where Kesselmark retired all 16 batters he faced across 5.1 perfect innings, striking out nine and generating 15 whiffs with his heater alone in a 4.1-inning outing. There’s already considerable bat-missing ability in the pitch, with a chance for plus quality as his velocity develops.

Kesselmark’s secondary offerings remain less established but provide avenues for growth. A low-to-mid-80s kick changeup features fading action, while his sweeping slider occasionally takes on more two-plane movement and a slurvy, curveball-like shape. The slider generated two whiffs in Jupiter, with another coming on the changeup. Both will need greater consistency and refinement to support a long-term starting role.

There’s an interesting developmental wrinkle to Kesselmark’s profile: He has focused primarily on pitching for only about three years. He’ll be 19 on draft day, but his relative inexperience on the mound leaves room for mechanical refinement and further improvement in his arsenal. 

His delivery carries some obvious relief risk, particularly as the intensity of his operation could complicate his ability to maintain consistency over longer outings. Still, the present fastball quality, ability to repeat his mechanics and encouraging strike throwing warrant giving him every opportunity to remain a starter. There’s rawness to the profile, but also enough explosive arm talent to make the developmental investment worthwhile.

Ka’alekahi Kuhaulua, OF, Hawaii

• BA Star Rating: ★★★
• Commitment: None

There’s a good deal of offensive upside to dream on with Kuhaulua, whose easy lefthanded swing and physical projection make for an enticing combination. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he has a lean build with broad shoulders, slender legs and ample room to add muscle. The added strength should eventually unlock more impact from a swing that already produces impressive carry when he connects. In Jupiter, he mishit a ball to the left-center field warning track, a glimpse of the raw strength he can access without squaring the baseball up.

There’s little excess movement in his operation. Kuhaulua strides into a well-balanced hitting position, maintaining his posture and staying stacked as he delivers a fluid stroke through the zone. He’s comfortable using the entire field and showed encouraging barrel feel throughout a productive summer on the showcase circuit. His swing decisions are generally sound, though he can get overly ambitious against spin at times. He doesn’t habitually expand the strike zone, giving him a reasonable foundation for making contact as the competition improves. Between his existing ability to elevate the baseball and the strength still to come, there’s a path toward plus power.

How much muscle Kuhaulua adds could have implications for his defensive future. An above-average runner who builds speed once underway, he currently has enough range and athleticism to warrant continued opportunities in center field. He’s not an overwhelming runner, however, and the physical growth necessary to maximize his power could eventually push him to a corner. His above-average arm would fit comfortably in either spot.

That creates an interesting developmental balancing act. Kuhaulua needs more strength to realize his offensive ceiling, but additional mass could diminish his mobility and increase the pressure on his bat if he moves off center field. His ability to maintain sufficient contact against advanced pitching will be equally important as he grows into a more power-oriented game. The swing, barrel feel and physical projection offer plenty to work with, though his eventual defensive home and the extent of his hitting ability will go a long way toward determining how much of that promise he realizes.

Reggie Marshall, SS, North Carolina

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: Louisville

Marshall has a long, lean 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame, with the athleticism and defensive actions to project at shortstop. The switch-hitter is an above-average runner with a wide gait, sound footwork and plus arm strength that plays from multiple angles. He’s comfortable throwing on the move and showed impressive range around second base in Jupiter, fielding grounders near the bag before firing across the diamond to complete double plays. His defensive instincts are complemented by a vocal presence, regularly directing teammates and taking an active role in the infield’s positioning.

There’s plenty of offensive development ahead, but the physical ingredients are promising. Marshall sets up with a wide base, a stance that could help keep his lengthy frame organized and limit excess rotation during his swing. His righthanded stroke can get steep, though he generates more power from that side. The lefthanded swing is flatter and better suited to producing hard line drives into the gaps. Neither presently offers much over-the-fence impact, but Marshall has ample room to fill out his slender frame. Another 20-30 pounds of quality mass could substantially alter his power output and help turn some of his gap contact into home runs.

The challenge will be translating that physical growth into a more complete offensive game. Marshall still needs to refine his swing mechanics and approach against breaking balls, and additional strength won’t necessarily translate to more game power without corresponding improvements in his operation. His athleticism and existing feel for contact offer useful building blocks, particularly given his potential to provide defensive value while the bat develops.

Marshall’s appeal extends beyond the raw tools. His willingness to attempt difficult plays, command of the infield and natural leadership distinguish his defensive presence, while his switch-hitting ability and remaining physical projection leave room for meaningful offensive growth. There’s a lot left to refine, but the combination of shortstop ability, athleticism and the possibility of future power gives evaluators multiple reasons to remain invested in his development.

Finnian O’Loughlin, OF, New Jersey

• BA Star Rating: ★★★
• Commitment: Alabama

O’Loughlin has the kind of righthanded power that can change a game with one swing, but getting to it consistently will be the defining challenge of his offensive development. The Alabama commit already possesses at least plus raw power, with enough strength to drive pitches on the outer half of the plate out to his pull side. 

In Jupiter, he turned an 88 mph pitch up and away into a 421-foot home run to left-center field, an emphatic demonstration of how much damage he can inflict without getting a pitch in his ideal hitting location.

His offensive operation is distinctive, though not without complications. O’Loughlin starts with his hands high and a pronounced bend at the waist, dropping his hands as he initiates a short stride that closes off a slightly open stance. His bat speed is impressive, but barrel accuracy is inconsistent, and an aggressive approach compounds the issue. He’s eager to attack pitches in the strike zone, though that same willingness to swing can leave him susceptible to expanding against offerings he has less chance of driving. There are legitimate questions about how much contact he’ll make against advanced pitching, making this a decidedly power-over-hit profile.

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, O’Loughlin has a sturdy build that is already approaching its physical maturity. Additional strength isn’t likely to dramatically reshape his game, nor will his athleticism provide much of a secondary avenue for value. He’s an average runner who moves better once underway, but his defensive future appears confined to an outfield corner, where the offensive expectations will be substantial.

That puts a premium on O’Loughlin’s ability to turn his raw strength into sustained home run production. There’s enough impact in the bat to envision a dangerous power hitter even with a below-average hit tool, but the margin for error is relatively narrow without a premium defensive position or speed to supplement his offense. The power is already there. How frequently he can access it against better pitching will determine whether it becomes a carrying major league tool.

Ashby Piatt, LHP, Florida

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: South Florida

At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Piatt has the kind of physical canvas that is easy to dream on. The towering lefthander has impressive length, ample room to add muscle and the athleticism to make effective use of both. His ability to generate double-plus extension and maintain impressive arm speed gives an otherwise developing arsenal considerably more life than its present velocity and movement profiles would suggest. There’s a great deal of projection involved, but the underlying ingredients are already compelling.

Piatt’s delivery is refreshingly straightforward for a pitcher of his stature. A rocker step leads into a traditional leg lift before his arm extends horizontally behind his body and accelerates through a whippy three-quarters release. Some crossfire adds another element to his operation, but he repeats his mechanics well and uses his length to get down the mound. The result is a deceptive combination of reach and arm speed that makes his pitches difficult to track, even without premium velocity.

His fastball sat 87-89 mph and touched 91 in Jupiter, showing run and carry with an effective plane through the upper portion of the strike zone. It’s a modest velocity band, but the heater generated 10 whiffs across 5.2 innings against eventual WWBA champion East Cobb/San Diego Padres Scout Team. The rest of his repertoire remains a work in progress, featuring a high-70s to low-80s slider with short horizontal action, a mid-70s curveball with more vertical depth and a low-80s changeup with fading, tumbling movement. Each offering benefits from his ability to maintain arm speed and release characteristics across the arsenal, helping the secondary mix generate five additional whiffs. He finished the outing with 10 strikeouts.

Perhaps most encouraging is that Piatt has already added roughly five mph to his fastball over the past year without sacrificing the athleticism and mechanical consistency that underpin his appeal. There’s ample reason to anticipate further gains as his frame fills out, though his secondary offerings will need greater definition and his overall arsenal remains well short of a finished product.

Piatt’s present stuff alone doesn’t command considerable attention. His size, movement quality and unusually advantageous release traits do. He’s a long-term developmental investment whose ability to miss bats before growing into significant velocity makes the potential payoff all the more intriguing.

Justin Rodrigues, 3B/SS, Utah

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: Florida State

Rodrigues has the makings of a versatile, contact-oriented infielder whose feel for the game and athleticism could ultimately prove more valuable than any individual tool. A twitchy, 5-foot-11, 165-pound righthanded hitter, he employs a simple operation with a quick, whippy barrel and an on-plane swing designed to produce line drives to all fields. His bat rarely gets overmatched by velocity in the strike zone, and he enjoyed an immensely productive summer against a variety of pitch types while demonstrating sharp swing decisions and a disciplined approach. There’s little inclination to sell out for damage, with an offensive game better suited to stringing together quality at-bats than producing home runs.

His defensive versatility could become an equally important part of the equation. Rodrigues has the instincts, internal clock and footwork to handle shortstop, where he makes routine plays reliably and covers ground without appearing rushed or overextended. There’s enough arm strength and athleticism to envision him providing meaningful innings at the position, even if third base ultimately becomes his more permanent home. His arm fits comfortably across the diamond, and his quickness should allow him to handle the lateral demands of the hot corner, particularly on balls to his left.

How much Rodrigues should develop physically presents an interesting question. There’s still room for additional strength on his lean frame, though his listed measurements might overstate just how much weight he can comfortably carry. His plus speed and overall explosiveness are central to his value, and adding too much mass could compromise the very attributes that make the profile work. The power likely settles below average regardless, placing a greater premium on maintaining his contact ability and disciplined offensive approach.

There’s a certain utility to players who understand exactly how their tools fit together, and Rodrigues has that look. He can hit, run the bases intelligently and provide defensive value at multiple infield positions without needing substantial power to contribute. A future as a super-utility player is easy to envision, particularly if his bat continues to hold up against advanced competition.

Mark Susa, LHP, Wisconsin

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: Indiana

Susa is a long-term projection play whose physical attributes and ease of operation offer considerably more intrigue than his present arsenal. The Indiana commit stands 6-foot-5, 200 pounds with a high waist, long limbs and ample room to add strength. He’s a fluid mover who uses nearly every inch of his frame on the mound, generating plus extension through a relatively effortless delivery. His arm action features a slight stab and momentary slowdown behind his body before accelerating rapidly into a high three-quarters release. There’s plenty of arm speed to work with, even if the velocity hasn’t caught up to it yet.

The fastball sat 88-89 mph and touched 91 in Jupiter, though its present shape leaves plenty to be desired. Additional velocity should come as Susa fills out his frame, and his ability to get down the mound gives him a release advantage that could help the pitch play beyond its eventual velocity band. The breaking ball is presently the most compelling piece of his repertoire. He shows natural feel for spin, generating ample sweep with some tilt and enough bite to use it as a finishing pitch. A low-80s changeup gives him a third offering, though it’s less refined and lacks the quality of his breaking ball.

One developmental priority will be preserving his fastball arm speed across the entire arsenal. Susa noticeably decelerates when throwing his secondary pitches, a tendency that could make them easier to identify against more advanced hitters. His fastball also needs meaningful improvement in both shape and velocity before it can anchor a professional-quality repertoire.

There’s no mistaking how much work remains, but the physical ingredients are difficult to ignore. Susa moves well, repeats an efficient operation and possesses the arm speed, extension and breaking-ball feel to envision a substantially more formidable pitcher as he matures. The present stuff is modest, making this a bet on development rather than immediate polish, but there’s a worthwhile foundation for a patient organization to build upon.

Rylan Ulrich, RHP, Pennsylvania

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: None

The crowd behind home plate swelled as Ulrich worked through three hitless innings in Jupiter, striking out four and offering evaluators an enticing glimpse of a rapidly improving arm. The former George Washington commit is back on the recruiting market, with multiple Power Four programs entering the pursuit. His appeal isn’t difficult to understand. Armed with a fastball that has taken a significant step forward over the past year and an athletic delivery that leaves room for further gains, Ulrich is still in the early stages of discovering his capabilities on the mound.

There’s an easy rhythm to his operation. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound righthander moves efficiently down the slope, staying direct to the plate while working through a smooth arm action that remains concealed behind his body before accelerating through a low three-quarters release. His arm speed and freedom of movement help him generate velocity without an exaggerated effort, and his frame has room for additional muscle.

The fastball commanded attention in Jupiter, sitting 92-94 mph and touching 95 with carry through the upper portion of the strike zone. It accounted for all six of his swinging strikes, and the combination of present arm speed, athleticism and remaining physical growth makes a future in the mid-90s, with occasional upper-90s velocity, a plausible outcome. His feel for spin is apparent in a high-70s curveball with pronounced vertical depth and late finish. Ulrich showed confidence deploying the breaker against both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, giving him a second offering capable of challenging hitters in a different part of the zone.

For now, the repertoire is essentially a two-pitch operation. His outing was efficient enough that there was little need to unveil anything else, but developing a credible third offering, and potentially a fourth, will be essential to establishing a long-term starting profile. Strike throwing also needs improvement, particularly as he continues adjusting to the substantial gains in stuff he’s made over the past year.

Ulrich is developing quickly enough that his present arsenal may offer only a partial picture of what he’ll eventually become. The fastball and curveball already give him two distinct weapons, while his delivery and physical attributes offer room for further advancement. Whether he can expand the repertoire and improve his control will determine how fully those traits translate into a starting role.

Hunter Vitello, RHP, Colorado

• BA Star Rating: Not Rated
• Commitment: Virginia

Vitello is a developmental arm whose projection and promising release characteristics offer reason to look beyond his modest present stuff. The Virginia commit stands 6-foot-4, 195 pounds with long limbs and ample room to grow into a starter’s frame. He’s an athletic mover who gets down the mound well and generates solid extension, helping his fastball play above its 89-91 mph velocity band. The pitch touched 92 in Jupiter, showing run and ride with a more sinker-oriented profile at the bottom of the strike zone while retaining effectiveness up.

The secondary arsenal features two distinct breaking balls in the mid-to-upper 70s, a curveball and slider that occasionally blend together but demonstrate his feel for spin. He also mixes in a mid-to-upper-70s changeup, giving him four pitches to develop as his physical strength and mound experience progress.

The biggest obstacle is presently his ability to repeat his delivery. Inconsistent mechanics contribute to below-average fastball command and an overall need for more strikes. There’s also a meaningful velocity jump required to elevate the arsenal, though his size, movement quality and release traits provide reasons to anticipate one. Vitello is still raw, but there’s enough underlying athleticism and physical runway to envision a much more formidable pitcher as he matures.