TEXAS -  As we wind down a crazy and eventful spring and summer season, the PBR Texas staff will be doing rankings updates. We start today by updating the 2024 Player Rankings..  After a long season, there is a lot of movement in the top 10. We have a new number 1, as well as a new name who made his presence known at this year’s Future Games.  The list is filled with power arms, athletic shortstops, and 2 elite backstops. Let's take a closer look at the updated top 10 in the 2024 class for the state of Texas.

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The Top 10

#1 Casan Evans - RHP - St. Pius X - Uncommitted

 Electric is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Evans on the mound.  The RHP had an amazing Sophomore season for St. Pius X HS, serving as their team’s ace and starting SS when he wasn’t on the mound.  His velocity saw a big jump this spring as he sat in the low 90’s for most of the spring.  During his shutout of powerhouse Concordia Lutheran, Evans topped out at 93 on our gun.  Later in the spring he got up to 95, and the velocity will continue to rise.  He can manipulate the fastball by getting swing and miss at the top of the zone or sinking at the bottom. His slider is a true wipeout pitch with good depth that he throws in the upper 70’s with 2500+ spin.  He has a power change up that he throws in the mid 80’s that has the same arm speed as his fastball.  He doesn’t have to use it much right now, but it should be a solid 3rd pitch down the road. Evans is the next in line of power arms out of the Lone Star State, and that is why he is our new #1. 

 

 

#2 Theo Gillen - MIF/CF - Austin Westlake - Uncommitted

Gillen is no stranger to being near the top of rankings list and the trend continues.  Checking in at #2, Gillen has one of the best swings in the ‘24 class. There is electric bat speed in the LHH’s swing that  produces high exit velo’s all over the field.  He shows the ability to hit the ball with authority foul pole to foul pole.  On top of that, he has a great approach at the plate, rarely expanding the zone and not missing his pitches to hit. Gillen is also a plus runner, so when he gets on base you have to worry about him swiping bags.  Gillen’s athleticism gives him positional flexibility, he has been in the MIF most of his career, but could be a dynamic CF as well.  

 

 

#3 Cade Arrambide - C - Tomball - Louisiana State

Arrambide has some of the loudest tools in the state.  The RHH catcher has all the skills to stay behind the plate for the long haul. He is an above average athlete for the position, moves well laterally and is a good blocker of the baseball.  He receives well back there, and has a plus plus arm to help shut down the running game. He was up to 99 this summer from the OF.  At the plate, the LSU commit has easy power potential from the right side.  The athleticism carries over to the swing, as he has great rhythm and always looks like he is about to do damage to a baseball.  That was on display at this year's Underclass Area Code games, as he barrelled multiple balls and hit one of the biggest home runs of the event.  

 

 

 

#4 Wyatt Sanford - SS - Frisco Independence - Texas A&M

Over the last few years the DFW area has produced some big name shortstops and in the ‘24 class, Sanford appears to be the next in line.  Everytime the PBR Texas staff sees Sanford play, he seems to make a play that few can make. The twitchy athlete has + range and more than enough arm to stay at short long term.  At the plate, the LHH has shown the ability to square up high end pitching.  He has a repeatable swing with plus bat speed and strong wrist to really impact the baseball. There is still plenty of projection in the frame, and as he matures could develop more power.  Sanford plays the game with a quiet confidence, and is must watch every time he steps on the diamond.

 

 

 

#5 Nolan Traeger - C - Concordia Lutheran - Texas Christian

 A potential middle of the order bat from the left side with plus defensive skills behind the plate. That’s what you get when talking about Traeger.  Behind the plate, Traeger is advanced in his receiving and blocking skills.  He caught multiple high end arms in HS and in the Summer, and he makes them better every time. He has strong wrists behind the plate and does an excellent job receiving velocity for his age. He is in the 2.0-2.05 range on his throwdowns with a very accurate arm.  At the plate, the LHH hitter shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority. He has a mature and consistent approach at the plate, and rarely swings at bad pitches.  On top of all of the physical skills, Traeger shows high level leadership skills behind the plate and all of the intangibles you want from a frontline catcher.

 

 

 

#6 Jack Frankel - RHP - John Paul II - Mississippi State

One of the best combinations of stuff and pitch ability in the country belongs to Frankel.  The Mississippi State commit has a full arsenal of pitches that all grade out above avg.  It starts with his FB. He runs it into the low 90’s with spin up to 2500+ on the pitch, and really shows the ability to command it to all 4 quadrants of the zone.  The slider has become a + pitch for Frankel.  He shows the ability to manipulate shape and velocity with the pitch while generating spin rates nearing 3000 rpm. He can throw it to both righties and lefties and is a true swing and miss pitch.  And maybe the best pitch of his arsenal is the Changeup. He throws it with the same conviction and arm speed as his Fastball making it tough to pick up.  He is also confident in the pitch, showing the willingness to throw it right on right.  Frankel was shut down most of the year, but it is front of the rotation upside and all eyes will be on him this spring. 

 

 

#7 Sawyer Farr - SS - Boswell - Texas A&M

The 6’5 switch hitting shortstop has one of the more intriguing skill sets in the state. He is a very good athlete for his size, and shows the potential to stay at short despite the height.  He has great lateral movement skills for his size and more than enough arm strength to stay on the left side.  At the plate, Farr has tremendous upside. He has the ability to use those long levers to really impact and drive the baseball all over the field.  Right now the right handed swing is more advanced, showing some real power potential.  The Left handed swing isn’t far behind. It is more line drive oriented right now but there is some power potential there. Farr has one of the highest upsides in the class, and will be QB1 this fall for his High School team.

 

 

#8 Ryler Smart - LHP - Pearland - Tennessee

Smart burst on to the scene this summer capping it off with one of the best performances at this year's Future Games. Smart dominated a strong Team California lineup over 3 innings while striking out 4. 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. 

 

 

#9 Matthew Millet - RHP - Mansfield Lake Ridge - Texas

Millett is another high end right handed arm from Texas and really made a name for himself this Spring and Summer. The broad shoulder righty has a fastball that can get up to 92. He has confidence in the pitch and comes right after the hitter.  He shows the ability to sink it to the glove side as well. He also throws a short slider that tunnels well off of his fastball. He throws it in the upper 70’s and generates a lot of weak contact. He also throws a changeup that compliments the fastball.  He throws it with good arm speed and shows some ASR.  While Millett’s ultimate upside is on the mound, he also swings the bat with authority showing pull side power.  

 

 

 

#10 Jordan Stribling - LHP - HIghland Park - Uncommitted

Standing 6-foot-5 with long lean levers, Stribling is one of the more interesting prospects in the country. Recently the big LHP was up to 94 mph at Area Codes and was up to 91 mph at the PBR Texas Summer Championships. Throwing with relatively low effort and out of a ¾ slot, the lanky left hander creates tough angles on the hitter with his fastball. Stribling shows the ability to get swings and misses at the top of the zone as well as get weak contact when he is down. The breaking ball is used on occasion at 71-75 mph but shows the right shape will only continue to get better with time. Stribling is still just barely scratching the surface of who he will become as a pitcher by the end of his high school career. 

 

 

 

 

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