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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - This summer season has been unlike any we’ve seen before. With the restrictions in place throughout the state due to COVID-19 players were often forced to travel out of state to play in tournaments. At PBR California we were able to host many events during that time allowing us to see players up close and personal. Our team of scouts also traveled throughout the state and outside of it to see players to continue the evaluation process on them. As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development, some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works.  

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. As such, the previous rankings have been scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and certainly not for the last time.

Having had the opportunity to see the players on the field, sometimes with each other at a showcase and other times playing against each other in competition vs other elite competition, we present these rankings with an apples to apples perspective.

The new rankings show a shift in the Top 10, along with two new players at the top,  as some players impressed throughout the summer and have seen themselves jump up the rankings. These updated rankings see the list grow from 100 to 150 players in total. 

After much deliberation, we present the updated Class of 2022 Player Rankings.

THE TOP FIVE

No. 1: There’s a new No. 1 in the state and it’s left-handed hitting catcher Malcolm Moore of C.K. McClatchy HS (Stanford commit) who enters the top spot after a scorching summer. We saw Moore a few times in the early spring before the cancellation of the season where he showed that his ability behind the plate is only exceeded by his ability at the plate. As a left-handed hitter, Moore has a legitimate shot to be on par with some of the best hitters in the country when it’s all said-and-done. Had a fantastic showing at the Area Code Games where he was called up from the underclass team to the big club because of his performance. 

No. 2: Shortstop Cutter Coffey of Liberty HS (Arizona commit) has answered all the questions about his ability to stay at shortstop long-term. Coffey’s athleticism is clearly evident in his approach at the plate where the hands work in rhythm with a leg kick that allows him to gain ground through impact. There is twitchiness to the hands that allows him to whip the barrel through the zone, and his aggressive hips provide for considerable torque as he works slightly uphill through the zone. At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds the high-waisted Arizona recruit has plenty of room to continue filling out an athletic frame, and looks the part of a potential middle to top-of-the-order bat.

No. 3: Holding down the third spot is Ryan Ward of Coronado HS (Arizona commit) has had a very good summer showing his ability to stick at shortstop at the next level. He’s developed physically during the quarantine adding some more power to his game without hindering his speed and athleticism. Playing a premium position, Ward’s tools stick out at first glance and when doing a deeper dive into his overall game you notice his ability to control the barrel through the zone and manipulate it’s angle are very advanced. At 6-foot-2, 170-pounds he has an athletic frame with significant athleticism and projection. 

No. 4: Right handed pitcher Tyler Gough of Heritage HS (Oregon State commit) jumps into the fourth spot after showing the type of gains you hope to see from a power pitcher. Up to 93 this summer he’s fearless on the mound where he attacks hitters with his overpowering fastball and very good feel for his slider and changeup. Had a great showing at the Area Code Games this summer where he dominated in his three innings on just 38 pitches (71% strikes). He remains well connected throughout an uptempo, athletic delivery with efficient movements including a shorter arm path that allows the fastball to jump out of the hand. At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds there’s still some physical projection remaining which should see his velocity continue to climb.

No. 5: Left handed pitcher Nic Bronzini of California HS (Arizona commit) climbs into the No. 5 spot after an impressive early spring that he carried into the summer. He has a large, muscular frame (6-foot-3, 220-pounds) that he uses to his advantage. He has a crossfire/low 3/4 slot, relatively effortless delivery that creates some deception and was up to 90 mph this summer in various events. Curveball flashes some depth with tight spin and late breaking action. The exciting part of Bronzini’s game is that there’s plenty of projection remaining both physically and with his pitching repertoire. 

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6-10

No. 6: RHP/OF Jaden Noot - Sierra Canyon HS (Oregon commit)

Easy delivery that produces 90 mph plus fastballs with very good feel for secondary pitches. Command continues to improve on all pitches. 

No. 7: SS Mikey Romero - Orange Lutheran HS (Arizona commit)

Continues to impress with his defense and left-handed swing that is beginning to produce more power. Smooth stroke that sees him control the barrel very well. 

No. 8: RHP Matthew Porchas - Santa Margarita HS (Texas commit)

Big, physical and durable frame of a prototypical power pitcher. Impressive Trackman numbers during a summer bullpen session. 

No. 9: SS Andrew Walters - Corona HS (San Diego State commit) 

No questioning Walters’ ability to hit where he has power and the ability to adjust late to pitches and get the barrel on the ball. 

No. 10: RHP Louis Rodriguez - Orange Lutheran HS (San Diego commit)

Has seen significant gains in both velocity and command with the curveball now a legitimate weapon in his arsenal. 

NOTABLE RISERS

No. 16: RHP Tyler Prystajko - Edison HS (Washington commit)

Projectable, 6-foot-1, 175-lbs, athletic w/3-pitch mix up to 91. Advanced Trackman numbers.

No. 17: INF Lucas Kelly - Sacred Heart Cathedral 

Big, strong and athletic with legitimate power at the plate. Also works upper 80’s on the mound. 

No. 20: INF Payton Brennan - Rocklin HS (UCLA commit)

Smooth, balanced and easy LHH with late bat speed. Impacts game without getting hits. 

No. 28: Khamani Blakney - Pittsburg HS 

Electric athlete that covers lots of ground in the outfield; sub-7 runner. Continues to improve at the plate. 

No. 35: INF Ian Halverson - Mission Vista HS

Proved at the CA State Games that his bat will be a carrying tool moving forward. Strong defender. 

No. 47: 1B Ryan Geck - Huntington Beach HS (Long Beach State commit)

Power at the plate is real and impressive. Simple stroke that results in loud contact. 

No. 52: RHP Carson Turnquist - Paso Robles HS (Oklahoma commit)

6-foot-4, 200-pounder that misses bats through the zone w/upper 80’s FB and sinking slider. 

No. 58: LHP Oliver Santos - Mater Dei HS (Duke commit)

6-foot-3 pitcher with feel for three pitches and understands how to set hitters up. 

No. 68: Troy McCain - Ayala HS (Cal Poly commit)

Power in the bat is beginning to show more consistently; big outfield arm; covers a lot of ground. 

No. 72: RHP Sam Tookoian - Buchanan HS (Santa Barbara commit)

6'4" projectable frame, easy 86-88, ball comes out well, low 70s CB, projects to be hard thrower.

COMMITS BY POSITION

*Based on primary position listed in player profile

1B: 11, 2B: 1, 3B: 16, C: 20, LHP: 10, OF: 25, RHP: 37, SS: 30

COMMITS BY COLLEGE

*Based on commitment listed in player profile

11: Long Beach State

7: San Diego State, UC Santa Barbara

6: Arizona

5: Cal State Fullerton, Southern California, UCLA

4: Cal Poly, San Diego

3: CAL, Stanford, TCU, Washington

2: Duke, Oregon State, Sacramento State, St. Mary’s, Washington State

1: Harvard, LMU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pepperdine, Santa Clara, Texas, Texas Tech, UC San Diego

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Norcal Uncommitted Senior Games	CA	09/26	Islanders Field
Norcal Underclass ID Showcase	CA	10/10	Islanders Field - Lathrop
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp	CA	10/10	Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp	CA	10/10	Great Park
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp II	CA	10/11	Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp II	CA	10/11	Great Park

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