Prep Baseball Report

Ohio Insider: Class of 2019 Player Rankings (December)



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By Jordan Chiero and Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Director of Scouting / Editor in Chief/Scout

Ohio Insider: Class of 2019 Player Rankings (December)

In our second player rankings of the 2019 class we take a look at the top 55 players in the Buckeye State. We have seen numerous prospects over PBR Showcases throughout the summer and fall, local workouts and high school/travel ball games across the state. A lot of time and thought have been put in from our staff with these rankings.

That being said, we have had the pleasure of seeing a number of solid players this past spring and summer. Prospects are popping up left and right, making velocity jumps, improving 60-yard dash times and showing more power with the bat.

To view the entire list of 55 prospects please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring/summer season visit the 2016 Ohio Scout Blog by clicking here.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

What’s New At The Top

Our second rendition of the 2019 rankings had some shuffling inside the top 10 and a new name atop the rankings.

This fall was the coming out party for RHP Mack Anglin, the new No. 1 ranked player in Ohio’s Class of 2019. The Sparta Highland product burst onto the scene after a strong performance in Florida during the fall. The 6-foot-5 prospect showed off an upper 80’s fastball that touched up to 90 mph. He started to garner attention from the nation’s top programs and recently issued a verbal commitment to Clemson.

Jack FrankStrongsville OF Jack Frank, who previously appeared in the top spot, moves back to No.2. After strong performances at the Class of 2019 Top Prospect Games and the PBR Future Games, the left-handed hitting prospect collected several offers from Big 10 and MAC programs before giving his commitment to the Michigan State Spartans.

Anglin wasn’t the only player to make a jump this fall.

Centerville RHP Nick Hoffmann capitalized on a strong summer and fall. The lanky righty from the Dayton area was one of the few Class of 2019 prospects to earn an invitation to the Top Prospect Games in June. During the summer, he camped at Clemson and later pitched well enough in Florida this fall to pick up an offer from the Tigers. With a fastball clocked in the upper-80s and improved secondary pitches, Hoffman made his way up to the No. 3 position.

The Risers

Yianni SkeriotisYianni Skeriotis, RHP, Jackson HS, 2019
Scouting Report: The 6-foot-2 right-hander had a lights out performance on the mound in Ft. Meyers this fall. Skeriotis showed easy, clean arm action while sitting 84-87 mph with his fastball that showed heavy cut at times. More importantly, he showed an improved breaking ball that was much sharper than we had seen in the past. He has gotten better each time we’ve seen him and now he sits at the No. 8 spot in the rankings.

Duncan Hall, RHP, Miamisburg, 2019
Scouting Report: The 6-foot-5 right-hander has some of the higher upside in the 2019 class, and moved up the the No. 15 spot in the rankings. Hall features a fastball that will sit in the low to mid-80s and has reportedly been in the mid to upper-80s. The Miamisburg standout also features two different breaking balls that are playable. It will be interesting to see what he becomes as he matures and grows into his frame.

Bryce Cox, C, Springfield Shawnee, 2019
Scouting Report: Cox made his way inside the top 20 and landed at the No. 18 spot after his performance at the 2016 Southern Fall Underclass Preview. One of the most talented defensive catchers in the state we have come across so far in the 2019 class. Advanced beyond his years in every aspect behind the plate. Blocks well, receiving skills are impressive, and has elite catch and throw abilities. Pop times in the defensive workout ranged from 1.84-1.91, and he threw with 81 mph arm strength.

THE NEWCOMERs

Blayne RobinsonBlayne Robinson, 1B/LHP, Defiance, 2019
Scouting Report: After earning MVP honors of our Central Ohio Fall Program, Robinson comes in at No. 20. A left-handed bat with big upside and a definite follow on the mound, with a 6-foot-5 frame and loose arm action. His abilities as a position player are what earned him a spot inside the top 20. At the plate he has smooth movements during his pre launch sequence that allow him to create energy and consistently be on time. Has gap to gap pop at this stage with power potential to come. Also a high-level defensive first baseman with the athleticism to play in the outfield.

Payton Pennington, MIF, Hamilton, 2019
Scouting Report: A talented defensive infield from the Cincinnati area, that swings a solid stick from the left side. In the infield he has quick footwork with above average glove skills. Plays with confidence. How arm strength develops will likely determine which side of the field he ends up on at the next level. At the plate he has an aggressive approach and more pop than frame would indicate. Pennington ended up at the No. 36 spot.

Nate Stone, OF, Granville, 2019
Scouting Report: A physical prospect with a 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. His bat is his best tool and a big reason on why he made his way into the Top 50. A left-handed swinger with impressive pop for his age. Ball comes off his bat very well and he has shown the ability to hit the ball out of the ball park. An adequate defender that will most likely end up in the corner outfield or first base at the next level.

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Caden Kaiser+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Yianni Skeriotis, Alec Sayre, Ben Vore

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Jack Pacetti, Blake Smith, Trevor House

+ Top Catching Prospects: Sammy Sass, Bryce Cox, Garrett Gray

+ Top Corner Infield Prospects: Caden Kaiser, Blayne Robinson, J.P Sponseller

+ Top Middle Infield Prospects: Jase Bowen, Joseph Powell, Nathan Karaffa

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Kyle Westfall, Jack Spellacy, Ryan Callahan

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2019 TOP 55

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Mack Anglin OH Sparta Highland 2019 RHP Clemson
2 Jack Frank OH Strongsville 2019 OF Michigan State
3 Nick Hoffmann OH Centerville High School 2019 RHP Clemson
4 Joey Velazquez OH Desales 2019 OF Ohio State
5 Sammy Sass OH Upper Arlington 2019 C
6 Caden Kaiser OH Olentangy 2019 OF
7 Braedon Norman OH Vandalia Butler 2019 RHP Wright State
8 Yianni Skeriotis OH Jackson 2019 RHP
9 Alec Sayre OH Dover 2019 RHP
10 Jase Bowen OH Toledo Central Catholic 2019 SS


***** To view the entire top 55, please click here.