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Updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings (September)

2021 has given us a little bit more normalcy in life, and the high school baseball scene is no different. We crowned four state champions during the spring and enjoyed a full summer of summer ball with tournaments and showcases throughout the state. We have searched far and wide throughout the state to find the best prospects we can, to help them get to college and to help colleges find prospects that fit their culture.

Many names came off the board to some of the top programs around the nation, many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene, and many prospects improved their game.

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

Below we will take a look at “What's New At The Top", "The Risers”, "The Newcomers", "The Sleepers", and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

To view the Positional Breakdowns, please click below:

• Class of 2022 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024

To view the Uncommitted Class of Positional Breakdowns, click below:

• Class of 2022 | Class of 2023

To view the 2021 Summer Showcase Statistical Breakdowns, click below:

• Trackman Analytics- Hitting | Fastball | Curveball | Changeup | Slider
  Blast Analytics | Speed/Fielding

To view the entire rankings, please click here.

What's New At The Top

Andrew Edrington RHP / SS / Princeton, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 379 / POS: 115 Report: Andrew Edrington was far from an unknown coming into the Future Games. A talented, two-way prospect out of Princeton HS who had already received several D1 offers and a top 20 rated guy in the state. However, he took his stock to another level after his performance on the mound for Team Ohio. Athletic, mobile, and an electric arm that come together to generate fastball velocities consistently 88-90mph, topping 92mph. The breaking ball also showed flashes. Don’t be surprised if he continues to make his way up this list as he fills out.

Ryan Piech RHP / OF / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 404 / POS: 121 Report: Another arm that continues to progress in the right direction is Xavier commit Ryan Piech (Walsh Jesuit HS). Another guy who has been highly rated from the start and the stuff continues to tick up. Before we get into the arsenal, another reason we are so high on him is the composure/mound presence he’s shown in the several outings we’ve seen him. Fills up the zone, keeps a low heart rate while being as battle tested as just about any ‘23 in the state when it comes to throwing in big games. Stuff wise, he has feel for both secondaries and the fastball has climbed up into the upper 80s consistently with reports of touching 91mph.

Luke Vaughn C / 3B / Elder, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 445 / POS: 42 Report: A position player who came onto the scene in the winter and proved he belongs in the conversation as one of the state’s top defenders regardless of position is UCF commit Luke Vaughn (Elder HS). The backstop is fun to watch behind the dish. The skillset starts with one of the strongest arms we’ve ever seen from the crouch for a player that age. He also has the ability to receive at a high level and an athletic blocker. Physically imposing presence in the box that has the tools to progress into a middle of the lineup candidate at the next level.

The Risers

Nathan Taylor RHP / 1B / West Clermont, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 15 Report: RHP Nathan Taylor out of West Clermont is a guy who we think has a chance to explode in 2022. He’s 6-foot-5, athletic, with feel for the zone and velocity that will sit in the mid 80s. Each time we see him he continues to positively progress towards that bigtime ceiling he possesses. Don’t be surprised if when we’re writing the ‘23 rankings article this time next year he’s made a velo jump and has grabbed attention from college scouts in a big way.

Brian Allen RHP / 1B / Troy, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 19 Report: Coaches often look for present tools but also projectability and RHP Brian Allen fits that mold. We’ll start with the projectability. 6-foot-4 with a relatively untouched frame and fastball that can creep up to 87mph. 6-foot-4 and 87mph already plays…. but the fact the pitch can have 20+inches of horizontal break means it more resembles a left-handed slider than a righty fastball. Also the young RHP offers above average secondary at present. As he continues to fill out the velo will almost certainly tick up and the ability to create advanced action will make him a tough out for hitters on both sides of the plate.

Alejandro Covas OF / OF / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 8 Report: Positionally, a prospect who made big time jumps is Alejandro Covas out of Walsh Jesuit High School. Had a strong spring, starting for arguably the most loaded high school lineup in the state and has a strong start to the summer. We were high enough on him that he would have been a part of Team Ohio at the Future Games if it wasn’t for a small injury sustained just prior. Stands out both on paper and in live action. Tools are there: 6.6 runner, 89mph arm from the outfield, and near triple digit exit velocity. Between the lines he’s a cerebral defender, pest on the bases and a run producer ceiling at the plate. In other words, he can impact the game in all three phases.

The Newcomers

Alex Caudill RHP / 3B / Bellefontaine, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 12 Report: It was a whirlwind few weeks for ‘23 RHP Alex Caudill in a very positive way in late May/Early June. The strong-armed righty out of Bellefontaine HS wasn’t a name on our radar or most colleges until his performance at our PBR Summer Kickoff where he sat in the upper 80s. That performance earned him an invite to Top Prospect Games which turned into him throwing for Team Ohio and earning D1 offers. He’s athletic and up to 90mph with stock having a chance to continue to go up as secondary develops.

Zach Halligan 3B / RHP / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 68 / POS: 3 Report: A guy we are very high on is two-way talented Zach Halligan (Walsh Jesuit HS). We could have easily listed him on the “sleeper” part of this article because he may be somewhat under that radar but the ceiling is through the roof. Halligan stood out right away at this years’ Central Ohio Prospect Games at 6-foot-4, with athleticism showing in all facets of his game. Ball flies off the barrel, he can pick it over at third base and is also a mid 80s guy off the mound. Expect him to factor in for perennial power Walsh Jesuit next year on both sides of the ball where he has a chance to make big jumps to the power and the fastball as he fills out that frame. A lot to like here.

Simon Bargo SS / RHP / Milford, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 87 / POS: 17 Report: Another guy we’re a big fan of is 6-foot-3, Simon Bargo out of Milford High School. A two-way talented who is very intriguing on the mound. He has length, feel for the zone and all the physical indicators of more velocity to come. We saw it at 82-84mph but this a guy who has a chance to really run it up there as he progresses physically. Both secondaries are above average with a low 70s breaker and a changeup that he’s able to tunnel well with the fastball, considering both show similar shape with heavy run/sink.

The Sleepers

Dominic Fullen SS / RHP / New Albany, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 102 / POS: 21 Report: Dominic Fullen is another good looking athlete to come out of this year’s State Champion, New Albany HS. 6-foot-1, uber athletic looking prospect with two-way capabilities. Can pick it in the infield while also sporting an efficient stroke from the right side. Too early to peg him as one or the other yet but the mound may be even more intriguing. The athleticism is obvious and the arm is live. Sits in the mid 80s with a well above average breaking ball. Aside from the aforementioned he is also the same age as 2024s make him a candidate to take further jumps to the already impressive physical traits he presently offers.

Elisha Steiner RHP / 2B / Wooster, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 123 / POS: 49 Report: Elisha Steiner out of Wooster HS is a name you could easily see move up this board over the next few years. A guy who has advanced pitchability, quality stuff, funky slot that make him a tough AB from both sides of the plate. Low 80s presently but expect the radar gun to look much different by the time his prep career is finished and his stock will rise as velocity does. Steiner had a monster spring for Wooster.

Titus Lotz LHP / 1B / Washington Court House, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 62 / POS: 6 Report: The only reason Titus Lotz makes his way on to the sleeper list is because he was sidelined due to minor injuries this summer. He would have been a Top Prospect Games participant and was in heavy consideration for a possible Team Ohio invite at the PBR Future Games. Athletic, two-way prospect who swings it/tosses it from the left side. As of last fall he was a low 80s arm and fast-twitch bat who can spray it around the yard with advanced barrel accuracy. Expect him to be a guy who grabs college coaches attention once he’s healthy because he can flat out play.

Mark (Eli) Henderson OF / 1B / New Albany, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 92 / POS: 14 Report: Our recruiting base/rankings come from three major sources: showcase, high school games, summer games/tournaments. A big misconception is that we just evaluate from a showcase standpoint which couldn’t be further from the truth and a perfect example of this is New Albany OF Eli Henderson. Home-schooled up until this season we showed up to the New Albany vs Olentangy Liberty game full of names to follow..his wasn’t one of them. That quickly changed after his first at bat out of the two-hole for the eventual state champions. The 6-foot-3, physical right-hander turned on a ball for an out but it was the type of swing that catches your eye.Even though he tests off the charts measurable wise the raw bat speed is obvious. He then put together several quality at bats throughout the playoffs solidifying the hit tool as one of the top uncommitted wise in the state.

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 2-5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2023 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Nik Copenhaver | Carson French | Evan Shapiro | Ethan Stewart | Michael Murphy

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Jacob Tabor | Ben Schechterman | Titus Lotz | Carsen Cox | Luke Senften

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Ben Slanker | Max Palinski | Alejandro Covas | Conlan Daniel | Evan Bottone

+ Top 1st Base Prospects: Brandon Swope (Video Below) | Karl Ferber Jr. | Conner Peer

+ Top 2nd Base Prospects: Nicky Sackett | Carter Potts | Dax Heilmann | Teagan Williams

+ Top Shortstops Prospects: Andrew Cox | Drew Denham | Connor Hutchinson | Connor Christenson | JP Wagner

+ Top 3rd Base Prospects: A.J. Havrilla | Zach Halligan | Ethan Sweat | Jacob Snow | Carter Hanson

+ Top Catching Prospects: Dominic Brancel | Camren Vessels | Garrett Wright | Will Kocher | Seth Yacobucci

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2023 TOP 10

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Colt Emerson	OH	John Glenn	2023	SS	Auburn
2		Clayton Burdette	OH	Moeller	2023	SS	Ohio State
3		Colton Hartman	OH	Lebanon	2023	LHP	Louisville
4		Mason Eckelman	OH	Walsh Jesuit	2023	C	Michigan
5		A.J. Ewing	OH	Springboro	2023	SS	Wright State
6		Lucas Moore	OH	Badin	2023	OF	Kentucky
7		Tommy Skelding	OH	Marlington	2023	RHP	Kentucky
8		Andrew Edrington	OH	Princeton	2023	RHP	Clemson
9		Ryan Piech	OH	Walsh Jesuit	2023	RHP	Xavier
10		Luke Vaughn	OH	Elder	2023	C	Central Florida

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.

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