The lack of a spring season pushed back the update to the 2022 Overall Rankings as PBR’s “boots on the ground” forces scoured the country for talent all summer in an effort to provide the most up-to-date and credible list of prospects. With college coaches forced to remain home, a greater emphasis and commitment was made by Prep Baseball Report to highlight players through live streams, social media, and most especially advanced metrics/technology including Trackman and Blast, as player profiles were given a new updated look.

All the advanced deliverables only elevated the stage for this group of rising juniors, and they made the most of it.

Elijah Green (August 2020)

But nobody took more advantage of the big spotlight than OF Elijah Green (IMG Academy, FL), a Miami recruit, who continues to exceed high expectations. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is perhaps the most physically-gifted prospect in the class with defined lean strength throughout a frame that still exhibits more development to come. Green left no doubt as to his claim to be number one, blasting three home runs against the nation’s premier arms at the Area Code Underclass while demonstrating keen pitch recognition, and an ability to utilize the entire field in driving the ball with authority. His natural strength, speed, and ability is more than enough to push him into the upper echelon of prospects, but his in-game skills and production combined with a high, hard-working motor elevate him to the top spot.

And there is still more to come…

CLICK FOR TOP 500

There has hardly been any “slowing down” on the recruiting trail as players continue to commit to programs early on in high school, but a look at the top 20 players in the 2022 class reveals a refreshing look at seven prospects who remain uncommitted.

#2 RHP Dylan Lesko (Buford HS, GA)
#3 INF Termarr Johnson (Mays HS,  GA)
#4 LHP Tristan Smith (Boiling Springs HS, SC)
#6 OF Ryan Clifford (Leesville Road HS, NC)
#13 RHP/OF Riley Stanford (Buford HS, GA)
#16 SS Gavin Guidry (Barbe HS, LA)
#18 RHP Nazier Mule (PCTI, NJ)
 

+ Each player provides “program changing” upside, and will bolster any recruiting class assuming that they make it to campus. Lesko, Smith, and Mule are all electric frontline arms with big arm strength (mid 90s) and a full arsenal of potential plus-pitches. All have two-way potential as exciting athletes, but the upside on the mound is sure to bring plenty of professional scouts to games as early as this spring.

 Termarr Johnson (August 2020)

+ His participation, as an underclassman, at both East Coast Pro and Area Code Games is a sure indicator that Termarr Johnson is firmly on MLB scouts’ radars. The 2022 class’ most exciting player showed off his fearless ability to swing the bat and perform at a high level against the country’s top draft prospects at each of those events. Gifted with an innate ability to track pitches, Johnson is comfortable getting off aggressive swings in all counts with a dynamic approach and ability to find the barrel with impressive consistency.

 Ryan Clifford (June 2020)

+ Clifford continues to shine as the premier left-handed power-bat in the class, and given the emphasis and premium placed on such a tool, will likely have MLB scouts following him closely over the next two years. A natural hitter who has produced against older competition for years, he has a chance to make a major impact on this class in June/July 2022.

+ Riley Stanford’s two-way potential is further emphasized by his passionate will to win. A right-hander who can run a fastball into the mid 90s with even more on the way, his bat might ultimately be even more valuable. Producing eye-opening exit velocities, the right-handed  hitter has present pull side power and the ability to change planes in driving the ball to all fields.

 Gavin Guidry (March 2020)

+ One of the biggest risers of the summer, Guidry might end up going even higher in the end. Uber projectable at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds with lean developing strength throughout, the primary shortstop would be a major recruit as a pitcher-only. However, the upside he possesses with the potential to stick at shortstop long-term along with a sweet right-handed stroke that continues to trend upwards in the power department makes Guidry not only a prized recruit but a dynamic prospect.

Power Potential

Malcolm Moore C / C.K. McClatchy, CA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 8 / POS: 1 Moore jumps up to #8 in the class as he carries one of the more projectable power-bats in the class, and the ability to stick behind the plate. The Stanford recruit is durably-built at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds with a maturing frame that carries some natural strength. The left-handed hitter utilizes a handsier-load with whippy bat speed through the zone with intent to get the ball in the air. His present power is more than enough to get excited about, but the ability to track pitches and remain balanced while getting off aggressive swings should provide for even more advancements in the future. His in at-bat adjustments showcase his maturity as a hitter, and there is a strong chance he hits for power to all fields in coming years. Behind the dish he does a quality job receiving, and also delivers accurate throws including pop-times at 1.86-2.04 which should make him a high-profile prospect looking ahead towards next summer.

Jayson Jones 3B / Braswell , TX / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 10 / POS: 1 The ball comes off Jones’ bat differently as the barrel stays in the zone forever on a flat path. His 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame already showcases some physicality although it will likely add even more strength in coming years which will only aid the already impressive power that he has. Jones’ quick hands whip the heavy barrel through the zone, and he is a persistent threat in each at-bat and any count. An athletic defender at third base, he has a chance to stick there long-term although the bat alone will allow him to shift to a corner outfield spot if necessary. The Arkansas recruit is an immediate impact player, and might ultimately be the best hitter in the class.

Nolan Schubart 1B / Orchard Lake St.Marys, MI / 2022 Rankings  OverallRank: 11 / POS: 1 Schubart looks every bit the part of a left-handed power-threat at 6-foot-5, 210-pounds, and his consistent production further provides the evidence that he is, in fact, one of the top bats in the class. The Michigan recruit slows the game down at the plate where he tracks impressively well hitting from a relaxed setup before working uphill through the zone with intent to do damage in the air. His ability to excel against elite pitching only helps to raise his high ceiling, especially as a northern hitter with limited reps. Wide-shouldered and athletic, the long-limbed first baseman has the ability to run his fastball up 90 mph on the mound as well.

 

ON THE RISE

 

Cutter Coffey SS / RHP / Liberty, CA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 20 / POS: 4 Coffey’s athleticism is clearly evident in his approach at the plate where the hands work in rhythm with a leg kick that allows him to gain ground through impact. There is twitchiness to the hands that allows him to whip the barrel through the zone, and his aggressive hips provide for considerable torque as he works slightly uphill through the zone. At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds the high-waisted Arizona recruit has plenty of room to continue filling out an athletic frame, and looks the part of a potential middle to top-of-the-order bat.

Paxton Kling OF / SS / Central (Martinsburg), PA / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 24 / POS: 5 Kling, an LSU recruit, has shined in the past thanks to the twitch that his all-around game presents, and especially the 6.51-speed that he possesses. Perhaps even more intriguing, looking towards the future, is the advancements that he makes seemingly every time he steps on the field. The right-handed hitter has a heavy barrel that is driven by advanced quickness of the hands to cover the plate including loud contact to all fields. Balanced throughout an aggressive and athletic approach, Kling showcases above average pitch recognition, and is more than capable of battling deep into counts against premium pitching. With his plus-speed, power potential (100 mph exit velocity), hit-tool, strong throwing arm (92 mph from outfield), and ability to be a premium defender in centerfield, Kling has the ingredients to be one of the top prospects in the country looking ahead to 2022.

Caden Dana RHP / 3B / Don Bosco Prep, NJ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 32 / POS: 9 Dana, a Kentucky recruit, shined at last year’s PBR Future Games as an underclassman, and has only continued to excel on an upward trend. The broad-shouldered, imposing right-hander has a workhorse frame at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with defined strength throughout, and drives a 90-93 fastball on a downhill plane that jumps from a shorter arm stroke. He counters that with feel for a tightly-spun, downer breaking ball that shoots into the upper 70s, and equally as impressive changeup at 83-84. With limited mileage on his arm, the athletic two-sport standout (football) has even more upside looking towards the future.

Tucker Biven SS / RHP / New Albany, IN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 42 / POS: 9 Biven, a Louisville recruit, possesses electric arm speed that allows his fastball to work 91-94 with the whippiness of a shortstop, which he also plays very well as a two-way prospect for the Cardinals. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is uptempo and athletic throughout a polished delivery, and his slider (79-82) is already a swing-and-miss pitch with plus-potential. He throws it with confidence, tunnelling the fastball, and is utilized in any count as a weapon. His athletic upside and competitive nature should help provide for future advancements.

Jace LaViolette OF / 1B / Tompkins, TX / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 44 / POS: 9 LaViolette, an LSU recruit, shined against some of the top arms in the country at the Area Code Underclass event. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is plenty imposing, physically, but it was his hit-tool that has taken him to the next level as a prospect. Balanced and compact throughout the approach from the left side, LaViolette is relaxed with an ability to slow the game down while still producing impressive exit velocities to all fields, and still showcasing big power potential. His frame is well-built with defined muscle throughout, and he has the athleticism to stick at a corner outfield spot, especially given his soft, confident hands.

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