Inside The Rankings: 2019's Primed to Climb
January 29, 2018
The New York 2019 rankings are constantly being updated and expanded quietly the more we see player's through our scouted events. An overall updated rankings will be released this March for the 2019 class with a major overhaul in store. But today we take an inside look at three OF's in the class of 2019 that are primed to climb come spring. Full list of the current 2019 NY rankings here.
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Haakon Meland OF / Pine Bush, NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 103 / POS: 15
Currently ranked at No. 103 (15th best OF in the 2019 class in NY) Meland is ready to make a climb come spring. The frame has an athletic look, standing 5-foot-11, 180-pounds with a strong defined lower half. Currently the bat is the question, but there's signs of a repeatable path, compact to the ball and mostly level at contact through the zone. At times the ball jumped off his bat to the deep gaps (opposite field power is present) but he's also passive at times in the box. If Meland focuses on a more aggressive approach combined with getting his exit velocity up near 90 mph then I think you see the bat take off. Defensively he's rock solid. Prototypical RF with an above average arm (87 mph) with carry to the bag. If this offseason was taken serious we expect to see him make some jumps this spring and possibly at the NYS Games this June 25-27. BOLD PREDICTION: Meland continues to gain size and strength to his athletic build while showing off one of the states best OF arms this summer at the NYS Games. |
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Luke Harder OF / LHP / Liverpool, NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 121 / POS: 16
Currently coming in at No. 121 in our NY 2019 rankings, Harder has all the tools to make a serious climb come this spring/summer. We saw Luke almost a year ago at our Preseason event in Syracuse, and he didn't disappoint. He's got an athletic build standing 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, runs well-enough and shows room for further physical gains. Lefty in the box with an aggressive approach, consistent contact from a slightly lifted bat-plane. A year ago the bat-speed was just OK (78 mph) but expect that number to be higher this Feb. at our Preseason All-State series. From the OF, again showing a very aggressive approach with a serviceable arm (79 mph) another tool we expect to have gotten stronger and faster since we last tested. BOLD PREDICTION: A lot can change in a year, and we are banking on it. Impresses this Feb. with all numbers improved. Explodes onto the recruiting scene at the NYS Games June 25-27. |
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Chris McConnell OF / OF / Arlington, NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 126 / POS: 17
McConnell checks in at No. 126 in NY's 2019 class but there's raw signs that point at a climb come this summer. For starters there's projection in his frame, an easy 15-pounds could be added which will only increase his measurable numbers across the board. With the bat it's strong and repeatable, short and compact, some juice currently present. Would like to see him smooth out his timing mechanism, currently the toe-tap is inconsistent and could present some challenges with upper level arms. Arm is serviceable, accurate showing carry to the bag with plenty of time to develop. BOLD PREDICTION: McConnell uses this off-season to add some strength and size, bat gets even better and the arm finds another gear. Could break out at the NYS Games in front of rows-and-rows of college scouts. |
OTHER INSIDE THE RANKING ARTICLES
- NY Inside the Rankings: February Surprises 3/27/18
- NY Inside The Rankings: 2019's Primed to Climb 1/29/18
- NY Inside The Rankings: Top 3 Leaderboard (2018) 12/28/17
- NY Inside The Rankings: 2019 Thoughts From the Fall 12/19/17
- NY Inside The Rankings: 2019 Risers and Newcomers 12/10/17
- PBRPlus Inside The Ranking: 2019 3B Zachary Selinger 10/02/17
UPCOMING EVENTS
| New York Winter Open | NY | 02/11 | Paul Gerry Fieldhouse - Loch Sheldrake, NY |
| Rising Stars Winter Showcase | NY | 02/11 | Paul Gerry Fieldhouse - Loch Sheldrake, NY |
| Preseason All-State West (NYS Games Trials) SOLD OUT | NY | 02/19 | Pinnacle Sports Campus - Victor, NY |
| Preseason AS Downstate (NYS Games Trials) SOLD OUT | NY | 02/21 | House Of Sports - Ardsley, NY |
| Preseason All-State East (NYS Games Trials) | NY | 02/22 | All-Star Academy - Latham, NY |
| Preseason All-State Long Island (NYS Games Trials) | NY | 02/23 | All Pro Fieldhouse - East Setauket, NY |
| Rising Stars Instructional Showcase | NY | 02/25 | Spencerport, NY |