Luke Esquivel, the 2025 Star‑Telegram Player of the Year, is set to leave Grapevine High School for Southlake Carroll, a program that has captured five state titles.
During his freshman season he posted a .434 batting average, collected 56 hits, drove in 31 runs and struck out 122 opponents while maintaining a 1.459 ERA, a performance that highlighted a fastball regularly hitting the mid‑90s along with sharp sliders and change‑ups.
Eligibility Hearing Still Pending
A district executive committee hearing will determine his athletic eligibility for college play, but the hearing has not yet been scheduled, leaving his participation in the 2027 season uncertain.
The decision comes after Grapevine was removed from the playoffs earlier this year due to an eligibility violation, adding a layer of complexity to his case.
A National Prospect on the Rise
Ranked No. 15 nationally by Perfect Game for the class of 2028, Esquivel’s combination of hitting prowess and pitching dominance has placed him among the most coveted recruits in the country.
If he gains clearance, he is expected to be the top baseball prospect in the Fort Worth‑area for the 2027 recruiting class, a prospect that could reshape the local talent landscape.
The move also places him in the same region as other elite athletes, potentially intensifying rivalries and raising the profile of Southlake Carroll’s program.