DYERSVILLE, Iowa — Fans got a look at many of the top high school players in the country on a national stage on Wednesday, and the prospects did not disappoint.
Potential future top Draft picks shined in the 2026 MLB High School All-American Game as the National League edged the American League, 3-1, on Wednesday at the Field of Dreams stadium.
In its seventh iteration, the annual kickoff to the summer scouting season showcases the top high school talent from next year’s graduating class and has featured 51 players who went on to become first-round Draft picks, including Jordan Walker, Konnor Griffin and this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Roch Cholowsky. This year’s crop featured potential No. 1 overall pick Dylan Seward as well as familiar baseball names in Frank Thomas III, Striker Pence and Drake Hawpe.
Here are 11 standouts from Wednesday afternoon’s game.
Jordan Ayala, RHP, Norco (Calif.)
The second-youngest player in the showcase was filthy on the mound, registering two strikeouts with his cutter in a perfect frame. Ayala, who reclassified from 2028 and doesn’t turn 17 until next Wednesday, topped out at 96 mph and notched seven of the 10 highest spin rates, reaching 3054. The right-hander with pitchability and solid command of his breaking ball was in opposite dugouts on Wednesday from his high school teammate and friend, Dylan Seward.
Brady Cunningham, 3B/DH, Brother Rice HS (Ill.)
The 2026 High School Home Run Derby champion showed off his raw power again with the two hardest-hit balls of the day. The big (6-foot-3, 230-pound) corner infielder drilled a ball 380 feet to straightaway center at 104.5 mph in the first then laced a 103.9 mph triple 403 feet to right-center a few innings later. With the notable power stroke, the 17-year-old is primarily a slugger, though he also had 10 appearances from the mound this year.
Liam Dougherty, RHP, Homeschool (Tenn.)
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound righty recorded a perfect frame on 11 pitches while striking out a pair in the seventh inning for the American League squad. Dougherty also recorded three of the four highest spin rates in the game at 3060 (first), 3050 (third) and 3024 (fourth) with his curveball. The Florida commit averaged 94.7 mph on his heater and topped it out at 96.1. During his junior campaign, he went 6-1 with a 0.92 ERA and punched out 82 over 45 1/3 innings.
George Ferguson, RHP, Abilene HS (Texas):
Dialing it up to 97.7 mph, Ferguson spun a 1-2-3 frame with three strikeouts via his slider. The Texas commit showed why he is considered one of the best strike-throwers in the class with nine of his 14 pitches going his way, including six looking. The 17-year-old is coming off a dominant season in which he notched a 0.10 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 66.2 IP.
Jordin Griffin, OF, Barbe HS (La.)
The LSU commit reached base twice for the American League, showing off his 4.4 40-yard dash time by screaming down the line for an infield hit to second base in the third before working a five-pitch walk in the eighth. Griffin also laid out in left to make a diving snag in the eighth. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Griffin has standout athleticism with strong hands and quick wrists that allow him to hammer the ball with startling power for his size. He is also equipped with good instincts in the field and plus-arm strength.
Ethan Gustus, RHP, Roseville HS (Calif.)
After whiffing the first two batters, the lanky 6-foot-6, 192-pound righty worked around an infield hit and a soft blooper that found grass in left to strike out Max Hemenway on a high heater to escape the frame unscathed. The Vanderbilt commit topped out at 96.8 mph and displayed solid feel for a short-breaking slider that he can spin above 2,600 rpms at times. The 17-year-old posted a 7-1 mark with a 1.34 ERA and 88 strikeouts over 52 1/3 frames in his junior year, leading his team to its second straight section title.
Jake Ivey, LHP, Gunter HS (Texas)
After yielding a leadoff double to Frank Thomas III, the Arkansas commit locked in to toss a scoreless frame, fanning a pair of batters and stranding Thomas on third. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound southpaw gets great extension on his fastball, registering the three best marks of the game and eight of the top 13, while also featuring a curveball and changeup to go with his nasty slider. He landed that offering for a strike four times in six deliveries, including whiffs on both swings that it induced.
Samir Mohammed, RHP, Tampa Jesuit HS (Fla.)
The LSU commit threw a 98.1 mph sinker as part of a pair of punchouts for the NL in the first. Mohammed threw eight of his first 12 pitches for strikes, then worked around a Dylan Seward walk by forcing a flyout. While all three of his outs came on heaters, the righty’s changeup is considered one of the best in the Draft class. Mohammed, who turns 18 in September, flashes two-way potential as well, posting a 0.42 ERA and a .370 average last season.
Striker Pence, DH/RHP, Santiago HS (Calif.)
The nephew of four-time MLB All-Star Hunter Pence got a chance to showcase his skills on both sides of the ball as he started at DH and picked up a base hit and then moved to the mound in the eighth. The 6-foot-6 right-hander had an eventful inning, working around a pair of walks and a hit while striking out one to record a scoreless frame. The reclassified 17-year-old threw the 15 fastest pitches in the game, hitting 100 mph four times, topping out at 100.7 and averaging 99.3 on his four-seamer.
Dylan Seward, SS, Norco HS (Calif.)
The projected No. 1 overall pick in MLB Pipeline’s way-too-early 2027 mock draft battled National League starter Samir Mohammed in the opening frame to work a nine-pitch walk, fouling off four pitches in the at-bat. The Tennessee commit then promptly showcased his 80-grade speed with a clean swipe of second base. He added another walk in the eighth, facing the 100 mph velocity of Pence. Seward batted .436 with a 1.246 OPS and 17 stolen bases over 33 games in his junior season and led the Norco Cougars to a 28-5 record and the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title game.
Sebastian “Sushi” Wilson, OF, IMG Academy (Fla.)
The Chicago native did it all for the American League club as he drove home their only run with a base hit in the bottom of the seventh and added two defensive highlights. Wilson made a nice sliding snag in right when he entered the game in the fifth and then nailed a runner at home trying to score to end the eighth inning. The Tennessee commit got the nickname “Sushi” at around nine years old when he ate sushi for the first time and then went on a tear. His teammates shouted “sushi” as he slid into third base after a triple, and it stuck.
