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Sat March 18, 2017
By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting
On a yearly basis our initial player rankings for those in their freshman year of high school is released following the completion of the high school baseball season. While most freshman spend their first year in a high school uniform as members of their school's freshmen or JV rosters, some get the privilege of dawning a varsity uniform. An even smaller percentage actually have the opportunity to affect the outcome of varsity games in their initial year of high school.
Following we take a look at a handful of freshmen statewide that are likely to make a name for themselves this spring.
While he has yet to play a high school game, West Allegheny OF/LHP Austin Hendrick has garnered more than his fair share of attention on the national stage through travel baseball. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter has showcased significant bat speed and present power with very athletic actions in the outfield. Although he will likely see time on the mound during his high school career the current two-way prospect is likely to be a position player at the next level. Hendrick's hit tool has him currently positioned as the top Class of 2020 prospect in the PBR overall rankings.
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment | |
1 | Austin Hendrick | PA | West Allegheny | 2020 | OF | |
2 | Yanluis Ortiz | TX | Southlake | 2020 | 3B | Miami |
3 | Nate Wohlgemuth | OK | Owasso | 2020 | RHP | |
4 | Liam Norris | NC | Green Hope | 2020 | LHP | |
5 | Aaron Nixon | TX | McCallen | 2020 | SS | Texas |
6 | Jackson Miller | FL | JW Mitchell | 2020 | C | |
7 | Jared Kelley | TX | Refugio | 2020 | RHP | Texas Christian |
8 | Victor Mederos | FL | Coral Reef Senior | 2020 | RHP | Miami |
9 | Dalton Porter | TX | Rouse | 2020 | LHP | Texas |
10 | Jordan Carrion | FL | Somerset Academy | 2020 | SS | Florida |
The PBR Future Games is the top event in the country for uncommitted rising juniors every summer. While it is not uncommon for a few rising sophomores to dot the rosters representing the various PBR states at the event, it is not the norm. This year's Team Pennsylvania roster is nearly complete and already includes seven prospects from the Class of 2020.
The Preseason All-State Showcase also helped to elevate the status of Archbishop Carroll RHP/SS Kamal Gray. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder turned heads with a solid two-way skill set and the potential to really blossom on the mound. PBR National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt's notes on Gray's performance on the bump included adjectives such as crisp, fluent, effortless and efficient.