2024 Player Rankings Update - Risers
August 24, 2022
TEXAS - Yesterday, we updated the 2024 Player Rankings in Texas. Today, we take a deeper look at the update by focusing on 11 players who made a big move up in the rankings.
RISERS
+ Ryler Smart - LHP - Pearland - Tennessee Commit - Unranked to #8
Smart has the rare ability to pound the zone with 3 pitches for strikes with above average stuff, and has the ability to throw each of them in any count. The Volunteer commit will work his fastball from 89-91 mph up to 92 mph to all four quadrants of the strike zone. Smart also mixes in a curveball 75-77 mph with depth and ability to land for strikes as well as get swings and misses with. Smart showed the changeup as his third pitch at 77-78 mph with gradual fade and good arm speed. Smart shows premium stuff as well as the ability to pitch from the left side and he is only going to continue to refine his craft with time.
Long and athletic at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, the 6.8-runner worked short-to-long at the plate with a balanced approach that exhibited some controlled aggression from the left side. Comfortably loading into a power position, his quick hands allow the barrel to work flat through the zone with some ability to change planes, and what should be considerably more power in coming years. Only adding to his upside as a prospect, the quick-armed southpaw was also up to 89 mph on the mound with a firme, 80-82 slider, and a case could easily be made that he has even more upside on the bump. Strosnider’s athleticism is easy to bet on, so expect many big programs to be in hot pursuit of his commitment. - Shooter Hunt
Hickerson earned his way into the top 20 after a standout spring and summer performance. The 6’4 RHP from Denton has a FB that has been up to 92 and projects for more down the road. It is a super quick arm with a frame that has plenty of filling out to do. He also shows a tight slider that should be a real swing and miss pitch for him down the road. Hickerson is part of a talented Denton Guyer pitching staff that should be one of the best in North Texas.
The 6’2 3rd baseman continues his ascent as one of the premier hitters in the state of Texas. He flashes pull side power presently, but projects to power to all fields in the future. Has a repeatable swing with strong wrist and continues to improve in each viewing. He is an above avg. defender at 3rd with more than enough arm strength to stay at the hot corner long term. The OU commit ended his summer with a very good Area Codes Underclass Performance.
Craig had one of the loudest spring/summers in the state. The big 1B has some of the best raw power in the 2024 class, and he really started to tap into it consistently this year. The bat speed has always been electric, but he has refined his swing allowing him to get into his power more often. The recent Texas A&M commit has a chance to emerge as one of the elite power hitters in the 2024 class.
Branch is a player you appreciate more every time you watch him play. He does all the little things well on top of being extremely talented. The recent OU commit can handle either infield spot up the middle, showing above avg. range and more than enough arm. At the plate, Branch shows above avg. bat speed and has current gap power. He is a solid runner, but it plays up because of his instincts and anticipation.
+ Josh Glaser - RHP/CIF - Flower Mound - Uncommitted - #77 to #51
Glaser, a Future Games participant, really elevated his game while at Lakepoint in Late July. He attacked everything he did with intensity and conviction. On the mound, he worked fast with confidence and came at every hitter he faced. He was 87-89 on the mound and commanded the pitch to both sides of the plate. He featured an above average change up that he threw to both righties and lefties and got swing and miss in the zone with it. He is also developing a nice short slider that is in the low 80’s. As he gets more confidence in that pitch Glaser’s profile will continue to rise. In addition to his pitching, Glaser had multiple hard hits in Atlanta showing some power potential from the right side.
+ Peyton Pierce - C - Sweeny - Uncommitted - #96 to #81
The backstop from central Texas came to our top prospect showcase in June at TCU and showed the tools necessary to be a frontline catcher. He has a strong, sturdy build that should hold up over a long season behind the plate. He is a good receiver and blocker of the baseball and consistently is in the 2.0-2.05 range with his pop times. At the plate, Pierce has a repeatable swing and shows the ability to back spin the baseball to all fields. Pierce will be at our state games next month and the PBR Texas staff is excited to get another look at him.
The switch hitting infielder can do a little bit of everything on the field, and do it well. Yeary is a really good defender who can handle all 3 infield spots at a high level or could lock down an OF spot. In the box, it is easy to dream on what Yeary could do as the body keeps mature. He has elite barrel to ball skills and can impact the baseball from both sides. His power should continue to come as he gets stronger. He is a good runner as well.
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