Behind the Rankings: 2022 Players to Watch

The initial Overall Class of 2022 Rankings were released on Wednesday with North Carolina players making a big splash.  The No. 1 overall player in the 2022 class hails from Raleigh, NC and attends Leesville Road HS.  Ryan Clifford is a known commodity after spending some time with the National Team, and playing well in several national events over the past two years. 

Joining Clifford inside the Top 10 is Calvert Clark (OF/RHP, Charlotte Christian School).  Clark is a good athlete, just beginning to scratch his potential.  High waisted with quick twitch, Clark has good hands in the box and the ball is beginning to jump off the barrel already.  The frame will handle plenty of strength in the years to come, with an already advanced approach offensively.

Carter Boyd (RHP, Reagan HS, 2022) is the lone North Carolina player in the top 100 who has committed to.  The future Florida Gator continued to improve throughout the summer and into the fall with the fastball reaching 87 and sitting 82-85.  The frame suggests continued growth with the quick arm.

While three players from North Carolina made the initial Top 100, there were several others that were in the conversation.  As these players enter their first high school season, PBR Scouts will be out to continue to gather more information and add more players to the follow list.  The past few years have yielded several first rounders and numerous MLB draft picks.  The 2022 class, as it continues to develop, should be in position to continue to add to the rich history of North Carolina amateur baseball.

Inside the 2022 Class

Ryan Clifford OF / 1B / Leesville Road, NC / 2022 Rankings  OverallRank: 1 / POS: 1 Known commodity having received exposure on the summer circuit and in his stint with the 15U Team USA this past summer.  Athletic and lanky, definitely looks the part of a player with a high ceiling.  Stands 6-foot-2, 195 pounds with a lot of maturation still ahead.  Left handed hitter has juice in the box, driving balls to both gaps in BP and peppering the scoreboard in the oppo gap with wood during his second round of BP.  Strong hands.  Tall with a leg kick to load his weight.  Flat bat head works to a lagged position at his launch.  Advanced quickness and bat speed translated.  Shows patience in game, willing to work deeper in counts.  More pull conscience with more rollover type passes in game situations.  Athletic, with the potential to play 1B as well, the arm has advanced carry and accuracy from a clean exchange and release.  4.76 home to first time recorded in game.   /var/www/html/login/modules/Playerss/shortcodes.json not found