The perfect way to wrap up the 2023 baseball season is to spend it in Hawaii watching great baseball at the Hawaii Sandlot Classic. Or so I’ve heard. Yeah, I’m a little jealous. Anyway, members of the Five Tool team were in Hawaii for good vibes, good baseball, good food and another very successful Sandlot Classic. With the help of those staff members, I’ve put together reports for over 40 participants who caught the attention of myself during video coverage and our staff who was in attendance. It’s fair to say the talent this event hosts continues to grow each year. Let’s conclude our coverage with players in the 2026 and 2027 classes:

2026 PROSPECTS

Kahanu Martinez – 2026 – Saint Louis School

Easily one of the most impressive prospects regardless of age, Martinez is a two-way stud. He has good defensive actions in the infield, had a 1.92 pop time as a catcher during testing, and can even get on the mound, too. But the real standout tool is the left-haninded bat. Martinez rakes and carries himself well beyond his years in the batter’s box. Noticeably stronger through his lower half, Martinez could soon start to send some pitches over the fence instead of just torturing pitchers with line drives all over the field. He’s undoubtedly a major D1 prospect.

Koa Marzo Jr. – 2026 – Hilo 

Another all-around standout who is a two-way prospect, Marzo Jr. showed impressive athleticism and projection coupled with in-game performance. He timed pitches and rotated well from the right side in the batter’s box with some feel for the barrel, and his defensive actions are promising as an up-the-middle player. On the mound, Marzo Jr. utilized an easy, repeatable delivery and as his velocity naturally progresses, he could become an intriguing prospect on the mound, too. 

Judah Ota – 2026 – ‘Iolani

Ota lived up to the hype and undoubtedly cemented his status as one of the top 2026 players in Hawaii if not the best. After an impressive round of testing that included a 6.79 60-yard dash, quality batting practice round and an 85 MPH throw from the outfield, Ota had the most impressive swing of the event when he drilled a homer into the wind. Repeatedly, Ota performed with the bat from the left side and doesn’t have issues making quality contact despite being a young player with so much size (6-4). Ota projects physically and could be just scratching the surface of the power he’ll show in years, which he’s consistently getting to in games. – Dustin McComas

Judah Ota, 2026 OF out of ‘Iolani (HI), made a statement at the Classic. His two-run home run straight into a medium gust coming from right field was impressive and the talk of the week. At 6-4, 185 lbs., Ota has a massive frame that he’s already well growing into. There was also a triple hit on the second day of games where the LHH wasn’t quick out of the box as he watched the ball the other way, but impressively finished from home to third with a 12.65s time. Certainly not a knock for watching the ball hit, but rather just to further show the in-game speed Ota possesses on top of the speedy 6.79 60-time posted at the showcase. All the tools are there, and his phone will be blowing up at midnight on August 1st of this year when colleges coaches can contact the ’26 class. – Jeff Kahn

Colten Amai Nakagawa – 2026 – University Laboratory School

Nakagawa had some bright flashes in the batter’s box as a switch-hitter. Although he has an active setup/timing with a lot of hand movement, he was able to time pitches and hit the ball hard. On the mound, the left-handed pitcher showed he’s going to be a 2026 prospect to follow because of his arm speed and delivery.

Deagan Kawahakui – 2027 – Saint Louis School

A left-handed hitting catcher with a good swing, Kawahakui showed he could become one of the top catchers in Hawaii for 2027. He’ll likely develop into a big, strong backstop and if he can continue improving his flexibility and catching skill, there’s a chance he can impact the game on both sides of the ball, which college coaches love from catchers.

Jonah Brub – 2027 – Saint Louis School

Brub is a talented two-way prospect who was one of the most productive 2027 hitters at The Sandlot and also showed he can get outs on the mound as a right-handed pitcher. 

Kekahupono Kong – 2027 – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama) - Hawaii commit

Kong showed why he’s one of the top prospects for Hawaii in 2027. The right-handed pitcher touched 85 MPH and flashed an ability to execute his fastball to his glove side. With a fast arm and breaking ball that has major promise, Kong has major upside. He’s also a quality competitor unfazed by tough situations and can even hop in at catcher or give a quality at-bat as a right-handed hitter.

Derin Lewis – 2026 – H.P. Baldwin

Lewis showed intriguing tools during testing that ended up impacting the games. He threw the ball 84 MPH from the outfield and then doubled off a runner at first base later in The Sandlot after making a good read on a sinking liner to center field. As a hitter, Lewis was able to pull extra-base hits with some surprising pop given his undersized frame. As he matures, he’ll be a 2026 player to track.

Max Hinahara – 2027 – Punahou School

A projectable athlete who is a true two-way prospect, Hinahara has a good right-handed swing that led to some impressive at-bats. During batting practice, he used his impressive bat speed and controlled intent to smash a bomb on a swing that actually ended up breaking his bat. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher touched 82 MPH and showed the type of arm action and delivery to bet on long-term, especially considering his infield throws during testing touched 86 MPH.

Colten Silva – 2026 – Saint Louis School

Silva is simply a ballplayer. He made a tough catch in right field, completed a difficult play on a slow roller to second base, smacked some extra base hits around the yard and also flashed a good breaking ball with a quick arm/movements through the finish of his delivery. He’s the type of player who can impact winning in a variety of ways.

Kaleb Flores – 2026 - Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Still growing into his frame, Flores is a really exciting pitching prospect because he has a live arm and seemingly nothing he throws his straight. He was also up to 88 MPH from the right side and there’s definitely more in the tank. Flores ran a 7.12 60-yard dash and is a good mover underway, which makes his outlook on the mound even more promising with the projection he has both developmentally and physically.

Kanalu Antone – 2026 – Saint Louis School

From the left side, Antone was one of the toughest hitters to retire during The Sandlot. He has a natural hitting feel and controlled his barrel well, often tracking pitches instinctively and even spoiling pitches that weren’t in bad spots. Antone had a 2.19-second pop time during testing and also caught a runner stealing second base during game action. There’s a lot to like about the way the bat plays and the way he runs and moves suggests there’s athleticism and more speed to come. 

Klay Gostling – 2026 – Saint Louis School

At 6-2 and 155 pounds, Gostling possesses obvious physical projection and could really blossom as he fills out and adds more strength. In the meantime, he moved well on the mound, especially for a player of his size with his length; the longer moving parts on the mound didn’t negatively impact his control and he controlled them in the batter’s box with promise, too. 

Ryeder Takahashi – 2027 - Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

A small righty in the 2027 class, Takahashi packed some surprising arm strength thanks in part to a loose, whippy arm. He threw 87 MPH from the outfield and it translated to the mound. He has many years ahead of him before he’s a senior and depending on how much he progresses physically, he could end up being an all-around talent to track in the 2027 class.

Hiwa Macomber – 2026 - Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Macomber mashed a homer during game action and showed he’s a strong hitter with some pull-side punch. He profiles as a future corner infielder who could provide some thump in the middle of a lineup. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor and National Scout

Jeff Kahn
Vice President

Tracy Warren and Tim Arakawa also contributed to this report.