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Journal Star Announces 2026 Super-State, All-State, and Honorable Mention Baseball Player Picks
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The Lincoln Journal Star has released its 2026 Super-State, all-state, and honorable mention baseball picks, spotlighting the best players from across Nebraska after a dramatic state championship weekend at Werner Park Journal Star. The list is headlined by a wave of elite juniors — players who won't graduate until 2027 — who already hold Power Five college commitments and are drawing attention from MLB scouts Prep Baseball Nebraska.
The 2026 season ended May 23 with three tight title games. Millard North beat Lincoln East 6-5 on a walk-off to claim Class A. Skutt Catholic edged Gross Catholic 5-4 for the Class B crown. Lincoln Lutheran topped Mount Michael Benedictine 3-2 in Class C Journal Star.
Bubba Day and the Juniors Who Stole the Show
The top honor goes to Bubba Day of Omaha Skutt Catholic — a junior ranked as the #1 player in Nebraska's Class of 2027 Journal Star. Day, a Florida State commit, pitches with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and also plays shortstop. He was the key force behind Skutt's Class B championship run York News-Times.
Day is not alone at the top. Omaha Westside's Markus Chandler, a Kansas State commit and one of the state's most dangerous power hitters, also earned Super-State recognition. So did Matthew Gorman of Papillion-La Vista South, a Miami commit and polished left-handed pitcher with a four-pitch mix Star Herald. Ten of the 11 projected Super-State first-teamers are already committed to Division I programs Columbus Telegram.
Outstate Players Break Through Metro Dominance
One of the most-watched storylines is whether small-school players get fair recognition. This year, two outstate picks made the top tier. Kowen Rader of Adams Central, a Nebraska commit and Class B's best arm outside the metro, earned Super-State honors. Samuel Schroeder of Grand Island Northwest, a Creighton commit who plays catcher and outfield, also made the cut Beatrice Daily Sun.
Coaches in Western Nebraska have long argued that the honorable mention list overlooks small-school talent. The inclusion of Rader and Schroeder is seen as a step toward fixing that gap Journal Star. Still, critics note that most first-teamers come from Omaha and Papillion, where private training facilities like Tread Athletics have accelerated player development.
Millard North's Tactical Edge Wins Class A Title
Millard North's 6-5 walk-off win over Lincoln East was not just a great game — it was a coaching clinic. The NSAA limits pitchers to 90 pitches per game. Millard North used a "piggyback" strategy, rotating starters before they hit the limit. That kept arms fresh deep into the tournament Journal Star.
Lincoln East had won the Class A title in 2025 and was chasing a repeat. Millard North, which had spent three seasons rebuilding, ended that bid in dramatic fashion. The loss ended a strong run for East, which had several players earn all-state recognition despite falling short of the crown York News-Times.
MLB Draft Looms Over Several Honorees This July
The 2026 MLB Draft is set for July 11-12, and several players on the Journal Star's list are on team radars. Players like Bubba Day hold college commitments, but high enough draft picks can change those plans. A top-five-round offer often means more money than four years of college ball Columbus Telegram.
The Journal Star's selection committee noted that the 2026 class is unusually deep with underclassmen talent. Pascal Paul of Prep Baseball Nebraska said the "Class of 2027 is top-heavy with arms that are already drawing MLB scout attention." With picks published June 14, the full all-state and honorable mention lists are now available across affiliated outlets Star Herald Beatrice Daily Sun.
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