Prep Baseball Report

Updated & Expanded 2022 Overall Rankings


Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker


In updating the 2022 Overall Rankings after a busy fall of action, there was little reason to change the top 10 players, and in fact, only one move was made—C Jared Jones (Walton HS, GA), a Louisiana State recruit, slid up a spot to No. 10. The top player in the class, OF Ryan Clifford (Leesville Road HS, NC), continued to excel as a premier prospect. The left-handed hitter possesses outstanding power that is far advanced for the class, and is sure to be a carrying tool down the line.

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Ryan Clifford (September 2019)

While the top 10 remains relatively intact, there was plenty of shuffling throughout, and the list expanded by 150 players after a full fall of tournaments, games, and workouts. Coast-to-coast, PBR’s ground forces were on the hunt for talented ball players. With their efforts, and even more so the performances of the players on the field, the rankings were expanded to 400 players across the country.

The top 100 shuffled with multiple playing making substantial jumps, and nine new ones breaking in, including RHP Manning West (Apalachee HS, GA), a hulking, 6-foot-6, 230-pounder. West’s loose, quick arm produced heavy fastballs up to 89 mph with sink throughout the fall to go along with feel for multiple secondary offerings. Built with a thick, strong lower-half, West still exhibits plenty of upside with the potential to make another jump in the future.

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Manning West (September 2019)

Two of the more projectable arms in the class can now be found in the top 200 with RHP Jax Traeger (Concordia Lutheran HS, TX) and RHP Michael Forret (Metrolina Christian HS, NC), an East Carolina recruit, make their first appearance in the rankings. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Traeger creates deception by throwing over a high front shoulder, creating a downward plane through the zone with a fastball that sat 85-88 this fall along with confidence in a fading changeup in the mid 70s, and tightly-spun breaking ball at 70-72. Forret’s lean, athletic, 6-foot-3, 163-pound frame provides plenty to dream on, and with a loose, quick arm that currently runs fastballs up to 88 mph, there is a strong chance he makes an even bigger jump over the next few years. Effortlessly repeating a polished delivery, the long right-hander demonstrates feel for both a faded changeup (77-79) and sharp breaking ball (72-73) that are thrown for strikes. Both pitchers are high follows with a chance to continue rising.

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Jax Traeger (September 2019)

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Michael Forret (November 2019)

The depth of the pitching in the class (as in most cases), begins to show even outside the top 250. RHP Parker Smith (Central Valley HS, WA), a Gonzaga recruit, has a long, elastic frame at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, and a whippy arm that allows his mid-80s fastball to play up much higher, as the ball gets on the plate in a hurry. He pairs that with a sharp 70-73 breaking ball and 74-76 changeup that give him a strong chance to continue as a starter moving forward. Big, 6-foot-6, 220-pound southpaw, LHP Julien Hachem (Mount Carmel HS, IL), now an Oklahoma recruit, is an imposing force on the mound where his strong arm allowed him to run his fastball up to 86 early in the fall, and another jump is likely on the way. Wiry and athletic, LHP Tadan Bell (Columbus HS, NE), a 6-foot-2, 160-pounder with a quick arm, is another new name to the list that could end up rising over time.

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Parker Smith (July 2019)

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Julien Hachem (September 2019)

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Tadan Bell (September 2019)

But the pitching didn’t steal all the new spots created with the expansion, as a plethora of position player talent can be seen throughout. SS Nico Senese (East Coweta, GA) makes his first appearance on the list after a strong fall. He showcases a crisp all-around game with a quality approach at the plate and polish defensively. His athletic, 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame should  develop quickly over the next few years, and allow for more power. SS Roger Vergera (St. Thomas Aquinas HS, FL) sports a projectable frame with a smooth stroke from the left side, and chance to stick on the left side of the diamond. SS Gabe Springer (Fairview HS, CO) was featured as a prospect to know at PBR’s Underclass World Series thanks to a smooth stroke with a barrel that effortlessly lags in the zone.

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Nico Senese (October 2019)

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Roger Vergera (June 2019)

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Gabe Springer (October 2019)


Though fall is turning to winter, the hot stove is already burning, and 2022 players all over the country are putting in work to improve their game. PBR continues to remain committed to being on the lookout for new talent as well as eagerly awaiting the advancements made by those that we have seen.


2022 OVERALL RANKINGS


A look at the top 10:
RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Ryan Clifford NC Leesville Road 2022 OF  
2 Dylan Lesko GA Buford 2022 RHP  
3 Elijah Green FL TNXL Academy 2022 OF Miami
4 Matthew Porchas CA Santa Margarita Catholic 2022 RHP Texas
5 Termarr Johnson GA Mays 2022 SS  
6 Luke Davis CA Cypress 2022 C Southern California
7 Andruw Jones GA Wesleyan 2022 OF Vanderbilt
8 Brandon Barriera FL Westminster Academy 2022 LHP Vanderbilt
9 Sal Stewart FL Westminster Christian 2022 3B Vanderbilt
10 Jared Jones GA Walton 2022 C Louisiana State

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