When Dominic Santarelli steps into the batter\u2019s box, he carries years of preparation with him. The St. Joseph High School outfielder has spent countless days refining his swing, sharpening his instincts and building athleticism that now has scouts projecting him as a top-two-round pick in the 2026 MLB draft.<\/p>\n
Santarelli\u2019s game is the sum of disciplined work and natural talent. At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, he pairs raw power with plate discipline, generating tape-measure home runs without sacrificing contact. <\/p>\n
Last spring, he led Wisconsin prepsters with 11 homers in 31 games while drawing 44 walks, helping St. Joseph capture the state Division 3 championship. On the showcase circuit, he earned MVP honors at the MLB High School All-American Game and impressed at both the Home Run Derby and the Under Armour Next All-America Game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Santarelli is also a committed player for LSU, a program known for developing professional-level talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hit tool is my biggest strength,\u201d Santarelli said. \u201cI have a simple approach, and that\u2019s a hit, a double in the left-center gap. If I try to pull the ball or sell out for homers, it doesn\u2019t end well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Defensively, Santarelli built his foundation at first base before adding outfield versatility two years ago on the showcase circuit. Initially uncertain about the move, he embraced the change, showcasing athleticism and range that have made him a multi-positional threat. This spring, he will patrol center field for St. Joseph.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved shagging balls in the outfield since I was young,\u201d he said. \u201cThis past offseason, I worked really hard to improve my speed, so now it just makes sense to be out there. Getting to shag balls in big league stadiums was incredible. It felt like my childhood self coming out again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power at the plate is part of Santarelli\u2019s appeal, but so is the simplicity of his swing. He has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, a player he admires for his ability to generate elite exit velocities with a compact, repeatable stroke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recently, Santarelli traveled to Ohio to hit with Schwarber, an experience made possible through their shared representation. The session allowed him to see firsthand how Schwarber translates efficiency into game-changing power.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is going to be a Hall of Famer,\u201d Santarelli said. \u201cI love the way he hits. It\u2019s just so simple. He doesn\u2019t do a lot to get into the power. That\u2019s kind of my swing too. To go hit with him in person will allow me to learn so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Santarelli credits his preparation for his power and consistency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have genuine confidence and belief in myself every time I step on the field,\u201d he said. \u201cIt comes from the work I put in every day. I knew there was nobody who worked harder and nobody who had more confidence in themselves than me, so I was going to be prepared whenever my opportunity came.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his blend of power, plate discipline and defensive versatility, Santarelli has emerged as one of the country\u2019s most complete high school hitters. Scouts believe his tools project well at the professional level, and his showcase performances have confirmed he can succeed against elite competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true to be taking steps toward my dream,\u201d he said. \u201cI wake up every morning with a chip on my shoulder and ready to go to work because I have big goals and big dreams. I try to stay focused and grounded with my family, myself and my inner circle, and not let outside distractions get to me. I\u2019m just taking it slow and trying to take it all in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Video of Dominic Santarelli. <\/p>\n
Dan Zielinski III<\/a> has covered the MLB draft for 11 years. He has interviewed 613 of the top draft prospects<\/a> in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations<\/a> as an \u201cMLB draft expert.\u201d Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3<\/a>.<\/p>\n