Analyzing The Updated 2023 Rankings

PBR updated their national 2023 rankings on Wednesday and four players from the State of Colorado saw their names appear in the rankings. We got a good look at the 2023 class this year thanks to a somewhat normal baseball season, as well as the Future Games in Georgia. 

Shortstop Walker Martin (Arkansas) is the only one to appear in the top 100 thanks to a strong summer season, highlighted by the Future Games in July. Right-handers Max Stanley (Wichita State) and Tate Smith (Oklahoma State) both come in the 290s while shortstop Finley Bates (San Diego State) falls in that same range. Three of the four participated in the Future Games this past summer, while the third, Max Stanley, was a part of the 2020 team. 

Below, we break down the four names that appear on the national rankings and atop Colorado 2023 rankings. 

Walker Martin SS / 3B / Eaton , CO / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 96 / POS: 22 Walker Martin really jumped onto the scene at the Future Games this summer and committed to Arkansas shortly after. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound shortstop had noticeable strength gains and there’s still a ton of projectability in his game. Martin, a product of Eaton High School, moves well in all areas of his game and has a smooth swing from the left side. His game at shortstop has really taken a big step forward. Martin will be a must follow in Colorado from a national perspective.

Max Stanley RHP / 1B / Douglas County, CO / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 294 / POS: 83 Stanley, a Wichita State commit, was strong from start to finish in 2021. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-hander sat 88-89 in February and was 88-91 this past October at the Yard Dawgs Scout Day with above average spin rates on both days. The mechanics are clean and there’s a ton of projectability and room to grow for the Douglas County HS righty. It will be interesting to see how far Stanley can elevate his game over the next two seasons.

Finley Bates SS / 3B / Douglas County, CO / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 297 / POS: 71 The size doesn’t stand out from Bates, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound shortstop, but everything he does stands out. He has advanced bat to ball skills with bat speed from the right side and he works gap-to-gap. The Douglas County HS product has feel for both positions up the middle, reads the game well and has a strong arm across the diamond. His game will only continue to elevate as he continues to mature.

Tate Smith RHP / 1B / Eaton, CO / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 299 / POS: 85 The size immediately jumps out from the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Oklahoma State commit and controls his body extremely well on the mound. Smith’s fastball sat 88-90 in Georgia, touching 92 with arm side run. The slider has downward action at 84 and has the chance to become a true wipeout pitch. It’s an intriguing overall package from Smith who already has the size, control and stuff to go along with a three-pitch mix.