California prep outfielder Isaiah Hearn wasn\u2019t always viewed as a future baseball prospect.<\/p>\n
In fact, for much of his early high school career, his future appeared to be on the football field.<\/p>\n
Now, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior is one of the more intriguing high school outfielders in the 2026 MLB Draft class, pairing power, speed and athleticism with a rapidly rising profile.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very satisfying,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cEverything kind of came together from all the work I put in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hearn\u2019s path to this point has been anything but traditional. Raised as a multi-sport athlete, he spent his early years focused primarily on football and basketball before fully committing to baseball.<\/p>\n
That decision didn\u2019t come easily or without risk.<\/p>\n
As a freshman football player, Hearn made an immediate impact, scoring five touchdowns in his first game and quickly earning a promotion to the varsity level. College interest followed soon after, with scholarship offers from programs including Colorado State, Arizona, Nebraska and San Diego State.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started getting a lot of hype for football,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cIt kind of just kept rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time, baseball wasn\u2019t generating the same level of attention. Entering the summer before his junior year \u2014 a key evaluation period for college recruiting \u2014 Hearn remained largely under the radar on the diamond.<\/p>\n
Still, he made a pivotal choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t have a lot of hype going into that summer,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cBut I decided I was only going to play baseball and really put everything into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
That bet on himself quickly began to pay off.<\/p>\n
Through a combination of showcase events, camps and steady development, Hearn started to draw attention from college programs and professional scouts alike. His physical tools \u2014 particularly his combination of power and speed \u2014 began to stand out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say my power and my speed are my top tools,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cAny ball over the plate, I feel confident I can put it out of the ballpark. And I feel like I can cover a lot of ground in the outfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those traits, along with his athletic background, have helped shape him into a well-rounded prospect. Despite his size, Hearn projects as a potential center fielder at the next level, thanks to his range and ability to move efficiently in the outfield.<\/p>\n
His development at the plate has followed a similar trajectory. After initially relying more on raw strength, Hearn has worked to refine his swing into something more efficient and repeatable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve tried to make my swing as short and simple as possible,\u201d he said. \u201cI know if I touch the ball, it has a chance to go out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even as his profile continues to rise, Hearn remains focused on improving key areas of his game. He is working to add arm strength through long toss and strength training, while also refining his approach at the plate to better utilize all fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more of a mindset,\u201d he said. \u201cJust knowing I have more room for error when I\u2019m thinking about the whole field.\u201d<\/p>\n
That mindset has been especially important during his senior season, as expectations and attention have increased.<\/p>\n
Maintaining that balance has been key as scouts continue to follow his progress. Hearn said he leans on a steady, even-keeled approach \u2014 something teammates and coaches have come to expect from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take pride in being level-headed,\u201d he said. \u201cNot getting too high or too low.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also credits his parents for helping him stay grounded throughout his development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve always made sure I\u2019m in the right headspace,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cThey\u2019re my biggest supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n
As July approaches, Hearn\u2019s future remains open. He is committed to Oregon, one of the premier programs on the West Coast, but also has a chance to begin his professional career if selected in the draft.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the path, his rise stands as a reflection of persistence and belief.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery step I\u2019ve taken makes me want more,\u201d Hearn said. \u201cThere\u2019s always another level to get to.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a mentality captured in a quote he lives by: never let a hard time humble you.<\/p>\n
For Hearn, that mindset has helped turn a once-overlooked baseball player into a legitimate draft prospect \u2014 and one still trending upward.<\/p>\n
Video of Isaiah Hearn. <\/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