Prep Baseball Report

Sneak Peek into the 2020 Rankings



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By Jerry Shank
Maryland / Virginia Scouting Director

We finish our rankings updates for the start of 2017 with an early preview into the 2020 class rankings which will be released in March. This initial list will be a smaller one much similar to every class we begin out with that will eventually grow into the 150-200 players by their senior year. As we continue to cover the land with our boots-on-the-ground approach to scouting, this will undoubtedly be the case.

Playing a key role in our initial rankings will be the Freshmen Free Showcase coming up on January 21 at Athletic Performance Inc in Gambrills, MD. Already there is a full roster on board for the event, which should be a great one and is almost full to capacity.

Today for our early look into the 2020 rankings, we give you three players that should see themselves at the top of the list thus far and will be names to follow and watch over the course of the next four years. Two of the three are teammates playing for the same school and two of the three are already committed. Let's take a closer look at the young men.

Alex Greene OF/RHP DeMatha
aScouting Report
10.6.16 - Greene is a highly projectable athlete with great quick twitch and shows two way potential. Quick hands with a short swing at the plate. Creates some fast bat speed that should turn to some power as he continues to fill out his projectable frame (6-foot-1, 172-pounds). On the mound Greene showed life in his arm with a fastball up to 87 mph hitting it twice coupled with a late breaking 75 mph slider with put-away potential.

Greene was highly sought after this fall by numerous top collegiate programs in the region and made his pledge at the end of the fall to the University of Virginia. He is just one piece on a very talented and young DeMatha squad that strengthens a deep and what looks to be a highly competitive WCAC this upcoming spring. Greene landed in the initial 2020 PBR Overall rankings at the No. 18 spot. The PBR Overall Rankings is based off of our 33-state network of coverage.

Jack Bulger C DeMatha
aScouting Report
10.6.16 - Physically strong for young age at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. Impressive quick twitch behind the plate with a short arm action on throws down to second. Pop times consistently 2.0 and and as low as 1.98. Still needs to develop as a receiver and blocker, which he shows the athleticism to do as much. Showed quick hands at the plate and strength at the plate with a power ability that is advanced for his age.  

Bulger already has shown off his power ability at a national Home Run Derby event this summer. There is a lot to like about his potential when you see the rawness and athleticism in the young player. He does need to continue to develop as a receiver, but again his athleticism shows that he should develop into a solid backstop. On the same DeMatha team with Greene, Bulger gives the Stags a solid 1-2 punch behind the plate with 2019 Top Ten ranked C Clark Burroughs. Bulger also made the 2020 Overall Rankings, coming in at No. 39.

Clay Wargo C St. Mary's
aScouting Report
9.11.16:  Wargo is 5-10 with an athletic frame and ran a 7.51 60 yard dash. He hits from the right side from an athletic stance. Good rhythm, smooth load back and a short leg kick stride. Decent lower half and good balance throughout his swing. Hands get to the ball quickly, mostly level swing, sometimes getting uphill with extension through the ball. Pull approach with power potential, exit velocity was 80. Behind the plate, receives the ball well with soft, firm hands. Quick, clean exchange with good footwork, short arm action that is loose from a high three-quarters arm slot. Position velocity was 74 with pop times from 1.95 to 2.05, arm was accurate. 

Wargo was just outside the 2020 rankings when our initial top 50 were released. This fall the St. Mary's backstop made his pledge to defending national champ Coastal Carolina. Wargo shows an advanced ability as a receiver for his age behind the plate. He has a solid foundation offensively that should continue to develop through the years and also should unlock power potential at the plate. And there is plenty of baseball in the Wargo bloodlines.

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