Initial Class of 2018 Player Rankings (January)
January 19, 2018
Alberta Insider: Initial Class of 2018 Player Rankings (January)
We are pleased and excited to present to you the very first edition ever of our PBR Alberta Rankings. Although we are relatively knew and only one event has taken place, I feel comfortable putting out this list of the top 65 players in Alberta from my position in the province over the last few years, as well the relationships with coaches and scouts, and of course, our PBR Alberta staff.
We first look at the 2018 class, the senior class here in Alberta, with a deep group of talented players looking to make the move to the next level. At the top of our list is Canadian Junior National Team member and Cal State Northridge commit Damiano Palmegiani. At 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, the third baseman still has room to add bulk to without losing athleticism. Hands are quick and smooth on the infield, clean actions on the transfer with ability to make accurate throws at different arm angles. Offensively there is a lot of upside with the Vauxhall product. At the plate his hands are explosive through the zone, generates good force from his back side during load, slight leg kick, tends to close himself off a bit when front foot comes down, still able to get his hips through and do damage on an inside fastball. Palmegiani looks to follow the footsteps of fellow Vauxhall infielder Nolan Bumstead who hit .302/.344/.359 with 4 home runs and 25 RBIs in last season as a junior for the Matadors.
To view the entire list of 65 prospects please click here.
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Top Ten
There is a nice mix of talent and tools rounding out our Top 10 that includes; college ready arms, speed on the bases, hard-nosed catchers, and some bats that will do damage in the middle of any lineup. The number 2 ranked player on our list is another Canadian Junior National Team infielder and Indian Hills CC commit Laron Smith. Listed at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, the Okotoks Dawgs product is freakishly athletic, quick actions on the infield and at the plate. Fields the ball out front, replaces his feet and works through the ball with balance. Line drive hitter who puts pressure on his defense with his speed and baserunning ability. Smith will be a prospect to keep your eye on over the new few years as he continues on with his college career.
Coming in at number 3 and 9 respectively, are two catchers. At number three is Canadian Junior National Team member Martin Vincelli-Simard from Vauxhall. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, he is one of the larger framed catchers you will come across. Has some serious pull side pop with the bat. Stays on top of the ball well, creating good carry on his throws. At number 9 is Dawgs catcher Gavin Logan. Listed at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Logan may not be the same physical presence as Simard, but makes up for what he lacks in size with athleticism and quickness with a 7.03 60-Yard Dash. Quiet and soft hands when receiving, catch and throw game is clean, quick and consistent, puts up a pop time of 1.91. Line drive hitter with good plate awareness and grinds out at bats.
Next up, we look at a trio of quality arms who look primed and ready to make the jump to the next level, including two more players from Vauxhall, 6-foot 200 pound lefty Jaden Griffin and 6-foot-5, 215 pound righty Garrett Hawkins. Griffin, a Canadian Junior National Team member, has a smooth arm action, throws with intent, and extends through his finish very well. Repeatable mechanics with great rhythm and timing, strong glove side that he uses to get down the mound. Hawkins is extremely projectable, with a mid 80’s fastball, with what looks to be a lot left in the tank. As he continues to learn how to use his 6-foot-5 frame to create leverage and force, his velocity should jump. Joining these two Vauxhall products is 6-foot-2, 215 pound lefty Graham Brunner from the Okotoks Dawgs. Last summer, Brunner had a successful summer as a grade 11 pitching for the Okotoks Dawgs of the WMBL summer college team. Has a devastating slider that he will throw in any count, a great feel for pitching, and will empty the tank every time out on the mound.
The last three members of our Top 10 are all infielders, Vauxhall products Cooper Jones, Ty Penner and Liam Vulcano. At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Jones is extremely athletic, projects well and can play multiple positions, including the outfield. Has room to add strength in almost all areas. Potential to be a 4, possibly 5 tool player at the next level. At the plate, Jones has a smooth left handed swing, and shows some pop to the gaps. Stays through the ball well with a long, high finish. Listed at 6-foot-4, 175 pounds, Penner is another smooth swinging lefty, hits into a strong front side, clearing his hips early. Hands explode through the zone. On the defensive side, has good footwork, quick transfer out in front of his body. As he adds size and strength, projects more as a corner infielder at the college level, but could play up the middle as well. At 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, Vulcano is a smooth middle infielder. Has quick hands, good footwork, and gets good carry across the diamond. Works through the ball, replaces his feet well. With the bat, Vulcano has a short swing, stays gap to gap as a line drive hitter, with surprising power considering his small stature.
Top 2018 Uncommitted Players
Ryan Olchoway - Okotoks Dawgs
Olchoway has tons of pop, swing is still raw, should develop into a middle of the order hitter who can do some serious damage. Extends through the ball well. Had a productive off season fine tuning his swing. Would be a nice fit as a power bat in college.
Dirk Eymundson - Parkland Twins, Team Alberta
Eymundson is a ripped, large framed, left handed hitting catcher with a strong arm from behind the plate. He is a workhorse that will give his pitchers the confidence to bury pitches in the dirt. Balanced and athletic movements at the plate, pull happy hitter who gets the head of the bat through the zone.
Don’t Sleep On
Max Poole - Fort McMurray Giants
Listed at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Poole has good mound presence and changes his times through delivery well. Shows off a clean arm action, good front side. Also plays the infield well, with a good bat. Wants to be a two way player in college.
Jared Caldwell - Babe Ruth
Listed at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, Caldwell shows a low to mid 80’s fastball with way more left in the tank. Pitchers body, very projectable. Good mechanics, with good throwing offseason and throwing program should develop more velocity, with the makeup to be a starting pitcher.
PBR Alberta Class of 2018 Top 65
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Damiano Palmegiani | AB | Vauxhall Academy | 2018 | 3B | Cal State Northridge |
| 2 | LaRon Smith | AB | Okotoks Dawgs | 2018 | SS | Indian Hills CC |
| 3 | Martin Vincelli - Simard | AB | Vauxhall Academy | 2018 | C | Midland JC |
| 4 | Cooper Jones | AB | Vauxhall | 2018 | SS | Southeastern CC (IA) |
| 5 | Graham Brunner | AB | Okotoks Dawgs | 2018 | LHP | Indian Hills CC |
| 6 | Jaden Griffin | AB | Vauxhall Academy | 2018 | LHP | VCU |
| 7 | Garrett Hawkins | AB | Vauxhall Academy | 2018 | RHP | British Columbia |
| 8 | Gavin Logan | AB | Okotoks Dawgs | 2018 | C | Southeastern CC (IA) |
| 9 | Ty Penner | AB | Vauxhall Academy | 2018 | 2B | British Columbia |
| 10 | Liam Vulcano | AB | Vauxhall | 2018 | SS | British Columbia |
***** To view the entire top 65, please click here.
