Prep Baseball Report

Inside the Rankings: Top 10 Class of 2021 Corner Infielders


Ted Williams
Ground Forces

With our latest rankings release for the 2021 class we decided to dive in deeper with a breakdown of the top 10 in each position. Today we continue with corner infielders.

Take a look at the top 10 left-handed pitchers in the '21 class - CLICK HERE.

Take a look at the top 10 right-handed pitchers in the '21 class  - CLICK HERE.

Disclaimer: Players listed below are ranked in order of their PRIMARY listed position on the website that they have chosen. A dual player that is also strong at their secondary position may carry more weight in their overall ranking.

Class of 2021 Rankings Release

TOP 10 CORNER INFIELDERS / CLASS OF 2021

Cole Hertzler 3B / RHP / Boyertown Area, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The hulking 6-foot-3, 215-pound two-way prospect features freakish athleticism allowing for eye popping measurables across the board. The RHH regularly contacts the ball out in front of the plate yielding bat-exit velocities of 97 mph with present pull-side juice. The third baseman is a quality defender demonstrating a quick first step and advanced lateral quickness to pair with a 92 mph laser across the diamond. To top it all off, the RHP can step on the mound and run it up to 92 mph to go with a sharp 73 mph curveball showing 11/5 depth. 

First Glimpse: 2/22/19 Preseason All-State - 88 mph exit velocity, top performer.

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 PA/NY/NJ Procase - 97 mph bat-exit velocity, 92 mph arm-strength from 3B, and 92 mph off the bump. 

The Future: The Liberty commit will be an instant plug and play recruit for the Flames with natural fluidity and plus strength in all phases of his game. One of the things that stands out most is the bat speed at the plate, and he should have no trouble squaring up fastballs at the collegiate/professional level. A tooled out middle of the order thumper, Hertzler will see a heavy following leading up to next year's draft.


Bobby Marsh 1B / OF / Bellefonte Area, PA / 2021

 

Quick Hits: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound LHH continues to become one of the hardest outs at the plate in his class. Not only does he possess a 90 mph bat-exit velocity with natural feel for the deep RCF gap, but in game he commands a very mature approach allowing for controlled aggression. Rarely swings out of the strike zone and can hit any speed in any count with advanced feel for the lower half. Should stick at first base at the next level with athleticism and feel around the bag. 

First Glimpse: 2/2/18 Preseason All-State - 85 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 PA/NY/NJ Procase - 89 mph bat-exit velocity, one of the top rounds of batting practice. 

The Future: The Florida Atlantic commit has one of the higher ceilings among all hitters in the class and continues to get stronger each time we see him. With his intelligence and savvy at the plate combined with natural fluidity in the swing, it would be hard to imagine Marsh wouldn’t slot himself in the Owls’ order upon arriving on campus. With more intent in the swing (still makes it look relatively easy) the LHH will command a herd of draft interest heading into the ‘21 summer.


Will Ray 3B / RHP / Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound 3B/OF has plus athleticism and noticeable strength in an uber-physical frame. The LHH uses some weight shift and an advanced 90 mph bat-exit velocity with a strong top hand to crush baseballs to the pull-side with authority. The third baseman features quality footwork and an 85 mph arm-strength across the infield. Has been up to 90 mph from the OF showing off quality reads to either side and will most likely play one of the corner spots (infield or outfield) at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 5/16/19 - WPIAL Playoffs: Mars vs. Fox Chapel at North Allegheny High School.  

Breakout Performance: 5/21/19 - WPIAL Playoffs Round 2: Mars vs. West Allegheny - Led the Planets to a 4-3 victory in 11 innings.

The Future: The Wake Forest recruit possesses a broad shouldered, athletic frame ready for the next level and does not miss fastballs over the plate. That should result in early playing time at one of the corner IF/OF spots for the Demon Deacons with the ability to become an impact player and middle of the order stick sooner rather than later.


Jack Lincoln 3B / 1B / Avon Grove, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The physical 6-foot, 200-pound third baseman has an intriguing blend of strength and flexibility in his movements paired with a track record of in-game success. The RHH gets on plane early with the baseball allowing for advanced hip-shoulder separation to create noticeable barrel whip into the hitting zone. Generates natural pull-side lift with a loud 95 mph bat-exit velocity. The third baseman is a solid defender with smooth actions and rhythmic footwork suggesting a stay at the hot corner at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 7/06/19 PBR Mid-Atlantic Summer Championships

Breakout Performance: 2/16/20 Preseason All-State Southeast - 95 mph bat-exit velocity and 86 mph arm strength across the diamond. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Lincoln already has a host of schools hot on his trail heading into the summer. The RHH projects as a middle of the order bat with the intelligence to situationally hit under any circumstances. With likeable traits throughout his game, the third baseman should be an RBI machine at the next level and has the ability to explode as he continues to refine his game.


Joshua Heath

Joshua Heath 1B / 3B / Lewisburg, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound primary first baseman packs a punch in a frame that gives you plenty of physicality. The LHH has a pull-side approach at the plate routinely contacting the ball out in front with strong wrists. The ball jumps off his barrel (90 mph bat-exit velocity) and it seems as though there is even more in the tank with a ton of control throughout the load. Showcased the ability to handle first base with ease/comfortability around the bag and has been up to 88 mph on the mound. 

First Glimpse: 5/06/19 Lewisburg at Loyalsock Township - 2 hits and 2 runs.  

Breakout Performance: 5/16/19 Lewisburg at Mifflinburg - 2 hits (XBH) and an RBI.

The Future: The West Virginia commit will most definitely be a middle of the order contributor for the Mountaineers down the line. The LHH has a very high ceiling with room to add another ten pounds or so of lean muscle onto the frame. It wouldn’t be a shock for him to be a mainstay as a run producer in that lineup sooner rather than later with the ability to do some damage.


Michael Ciocco 1B / OF / Peters Township, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The uber-physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound primary first baseman gets it done with violent rotation in the hips allowing for noticeable bat speed (102 mph bat-exit velocity) and loud contact out in front of the plate. The RHH is a prime athlete with the ability to move for his size - runs a 7.13 60-yard dash. Utilizes natural lift to generate consistent backspin to the deep pull-side gap. Quality hitter with ability to do damage in any count and does not miss pitches up in the zone.

First Glimpse: 1/20/19 - Pittsburgh Outlaws Scout Day, top performer.

Breakout Performance: 3/1/20 Pittsburgh Outlaws Scout Day - 102 mph bat-exit velocity (tops on the day). 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Ciocco raised eyebrows with a huge performance at the PIttsburgh Outlaws Scout Day. A hitter who has light tower power and understands situational hitting, the 1B will bring stability to the middle of any collegiate order with big RBI potential. Can handle first base at the next level with comfortability and feel around the bag.


Randy Carlo IV 3B / OF / Wilson West lawn, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The 6-foot, 180-pound third baseman features an athletic frame with physicality and advanced feel for his body. The RHH is consistently on time with the baseball in front of the plate with a whippy barrel, creating natural backspin to all fields. An XBH machine with an understanding of what he is doing each time at the plate, Carlo has recorded a 93 mph bat-exit velocity. Plays with active feet in a quality fielding position with lateral movement, but the arm-strength (79 mph) will need to improve for him to stick there at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 1/20/18 Preseason All-State - Top Performer.

Breakout Performance: 2/16/19 Preseason All-State - 93 mph bat-exit velocity, top round of batting practice. 

The Future: Regardless of arm-strength, Carlo is the high school equivalent of Nick Castellanos (works extremely well using gap to gap) and is a quality at-bat machine. With an incredibly high ceiling and room to add some strength, it would not be a shock to see the Bryant commit explode from now until he steps onto campus.


Louie Kegerreis 3B / SS / Franklin Regional, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound third baseman is an all-around athlete running a 6.80 laser-timed 60-yard dash and recording an eye popping 96 mph bat-exit velocity at a PBR event this past winter. The RHH makes it look easy and there seems to be even more in the tank with room to add strength onto the frame. Can pick it at third base with the ability to make plays on the run and throw from multiple arm angles. If you’re looking for a player who is refined in all areas of the game or a plug & play guy, Keggereis would be it. 

First Glimpse: 11/1/18 Elite Prospect Showcase - 83 mph bat-exit velocity. 

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 Preseason All-State Northwest - 96 mph bat-exit velocity, 6.80 laser-timed 60-yard dash, 84 mph IF arm.

The Future: Currently uncommitted, the primary third baseman has shown the measurables and in-game successes to warrant a heavy following heading into this summer. A tooled-out player and hard worker, Kegerreis has one of the highest ceilings in the class and looks to be a steal for any program. The RHH should be approaching a 100 mph bat-exit velocity in the near future. 


Mike Gregos 3B / 1B / Daniel Boone , PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
A feature on our “Headed North” a couple months ago, Gregos has seen his stock continue to jump entering the summer. The 6-foot, 215-pound third baseman is extremely physical with twitch in the hands allowing for loud bat-exit velocities of 92 mph and ability to pepper both gaps. Defensively he’s come a long way improving his arm-strength by 12 mph in one year. With athleticism in the actions at the hot corner and a new and improved arm, Gregos should be able to stick at third base at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 12/30/17 - PBR Evaluations & Measurables Showcase - 84 mph bat-exit velocity. 

Breakout Performance: 2/16/20 - Preseason All-State Southeast - 92 mph bat-exit velocity, 86 mph IF arm, 7.23 60-yard dash laser-timed. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, the third baseman is well-rounded in all facets of the game with a track record for finding barrels in-game. Gregos will be a middle of the order RBI producer at the next level with ability to make plays at the hot corner defensively. A hard worker with a track record for improvements from year to year, it would not be shocking to see him continue to take that next step entering his Senior campaign.


Jake Cooper 3B / 2B / State College Area, PA / 2021


Quick Hits:
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound third baseman displays physicality in his actions with noticeable strength in the lower half. Exploded onto the scene with a huge performance for Team Select in last years’ PBR Future Games in Atlanta. The RHH has a bat-exit velocity near 90 mph and consistently finds barrels out in front of the plate. Has quality rhythm in the load and rarely is off-time on fastballs in the zone. The third baseman is a sound defender with a low center of gravity and soft glove hand but will need to increase a 78 mph arm-strength across the diamond in order to stick there at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 7/26/19 - Western PA College Prospect Showcase - 86 mph bat-exit velocity.

Breakout Performance: 8/03/19 - PBR Future Games for Team Select - Went two for two against Team Arizona. 

The Future: The Penn State commit has shown the ability to hit both hard stuff and offspeed pitches in any count and has solid barrel awareness. This combination makes him a tough out at the plate and gives the Nittany Lions a consistent bat who could see his strength continue to improve as he matures. 


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