Prep Baseball Report

Updated Class of 2022 Rankings


PBR California Staff


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LOS ANGELES, CA. - As of this rankings update we still don't know if there will be any portion left of the spring season and its looking very unlikely. Like all of you reading this, we remain hopeful but understand the health implications and are waiting on final decisions.

As per usual, our team of scouts were out in the fall/winter and into the early part of the spring season, getting as many looks as we could. If you are reading this, you understand the evaluation process is a fluid ever ongoing, especially for kids who completed only a portion of their sophomore season. That being said, we still feel this ranking represents the most comprehensive set of player rankings for the 2022 class in the state of California.

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to go over our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. After those discussions take place, the previous ranking is scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and ultimately we settle on an updated ranking of the class.

There is a new order within the Top 5, including a new No. 1 and a new member of the Top 5. It must always be stated that as players develop there is inevitably going to be change. Some players rise as they develop and that necessitates that others fall or are passed. That doesn't always indicate that a player regressed or went backwards, it's just the nature of how rankings work. Being ranked in the state of California obviously means something very positive for each player. After MUCH discussion, and after an abbreviated spring when we saw as much as we could, we present our updated Class of 2022 player rankings, 100 players deep.

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

THE TOP FIVE

There’s a new No. 1 player in the state and it’s catcher Luke Davis of Cypress HS (USC commit). A switch-hitting catcher with present day usable power, particularly from the left side, Davis also possesses the arm talent to impact games. He has the ability to pop in the 1.90-2.00 range with on the bag accuracy and has confidence in his arm. Also of significance is his penchant for coming up big in big moments, which he has routinely done during his brief high school career.

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Jumping up to the No. 2 spot is RHP Jaden Noot of Sierra Canyon HS (Oregon commit). Getting on our radar last January, Noot has steadily made quite a name for himself. With a fastball that peaked at 93 mph this spring, he also possesses a sharp curveball and what looks at times like a future plus change-up. The delivery is simple and the arm is quick. With a lean 6-foot body type, there is plenty of development ahead of him with physical maturity gains.

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Santa Margarita Catholic HS RHP Matthew Porchas (Texas commit) has moves to the No. 3 spot. To go with a sturdy 6-foot-3 body, Porchas possesses present day stuff that rates with the top pitchers in any class. He's already been up to 93 mph and he gets there with an easy arm action. His lower body provides stability and allows him to repeat and to manipulate the ball at release point, giving him feel of the curveball and change-up. 

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Holding steady at No. 4 is SS Ryan Ward of Coronado HS (Arizona commit). Ward is a smooth swinging left-handed hitter with more polish than usually seen of players his age. At 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, Ward has plenty of physical gains to make as he matures, which will only enhance the present day tools. Presently a shortstop, he's also shown well at 3rd base, with a strong arm and soft hands. However, it's that left-handed swing, with barrel control and consistent path that carry him.

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Entering the Top 5 is catcher Malcolm Moore of C.K. McClatchy HS (Stanford commit), a left-handed hitter with an exceptional offensive profile. At 6-foot-1, 185-pounds his wing shows high level hand/eye coordination and swing adjustability. The power will play as a plus future tool and the hit tool should play no less than average (pro game). He's a quality receiver both at the top/bottom of the zone and both sides of his body, gets in multiple positions to receive, strong soft hands and block ability. The raw arm strength is a tool to continue to improve as is the carry on his throws to 2nd base.

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GO INSIDE TO SEE THE FULL RANKINGS LIST, BIGGEST RISERS, COMMITS BY POSITION, COMMITS BY SCHOOL, AND MUCH MORE.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Of course given the Covid-19 pandemic, future event dates/locations could change. If they do, we will alert presently registered players and make adjustments to our calendar.

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Norcal Underclass Games (INVITE-ONLY) CA 06/06 Islanders Field - Lathrop
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/13 Folsom Lake College or Islanders Field
SoCal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/13 Hart Park
SoCal ProCase (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/14 Hart Park
California State Games CA 07/25 Southern California

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