Photo by: Paige Kuwata | Louisville Athletics
Shannon, Elam on Perfect Game’s Top 100 Freshmen List
January 12, 2026 | Baseball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville baseball program had a pair of student-athletes ranked on Perfect Game's Top 100 Freshmen list released on Monday.
Right-handed pitcher Brandon Shannon came in at No. 63, while infielder Kade Elam was No. 99 on the list.
Shannon joins the Cardinals after a standout high school career at McHenry (Ill.) High School. The righty broke the school record for career wins following a dominant senior season.
Last spring, Shannon posted a 12-0 record with a 0.82 ERA and school-record 111 strikeouts in 68? innings, including pitching McHenry to its first-ever state championship appearance.
Shannon was ranked as the No. 54 overall player in the 2025 class by Prep Baseball Report and the fifth-best player in Illinois.
Elam chose to stay in state to play his college baseball after starring at Corbin High School. The infielder was named Mr. Baseball in the state of Kentucky in 2025 after hitting .455 with five homers and 41 RBIs while leading Corbin to a second straight 13th Region championship.
Elam was also a standout on the football field as well, earning a pair of All-State selections as the quarterback for the Redhounds.
Elam was the No. 62 overall player in the Prep Baseball Report national rankings and second in Kentucky.
Shannon, Elam and the Cards will open the 2026 season on Feb. 13 with the first of a three-game series against Michigan State at Jim Patterson Stadium.
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Right-handed pitcher Brandon Shannon came in at No. 63, while infielder Kade Elam was No. 99 on the list.
Shannon joins the Cardinals after a standout high school career at McHenry (Ill.) High School. The righty broke the school record for career wins following a dominant senior season.
Last spring, Shannon posted a 12-0 record with a 0.82 ERA and school-record 111 strikeouts in 68? innings, including pitching McHenry to its first-ever state championship appearance.
Shannon was ranked as the No. 54 overall player in the 2025 class by Prep Baseball Report and the fifth-best player in Illinois.
Elam chose to stay in state to play his college baseball after starring at Corbin High School. The infielder was named Mr. Baseball in the state of Kentucky in 2025 after hitting .455 with five homers and 41 RBIs while leading Corbin to a second straight 13th Region championship.
Elam was also a standout on the football field as well, earning a pair of All-State selections as the quarterback for the Redhounds.
Elam was the No. 62 overall player in the Prep Baseball Report national rankings and second in Kentucky.
Shannon, Elam and the Cards will open the 2026 season on Feb. 13 with the first of a three-game series against Michigan State at Jim Patterson Stadium.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on X, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleBSB.
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