2016 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field, Class of 2020
Pitcher: Jared Jones (Whittier, Calif.)
Per his Perfect Game profile, Jones is listed as a primary third baseman, and while his future may lie on the mound it’s still too early to determine a definite position at this early juncture. What this does speak to his defensive acumen is the future Trojans’ overall athleticism as he’s able to repeat his mechanics on the mound without much hesitation and has an easy and smooth arm action that allows for a fastball in the upper-80s throughout a start. He has the defensive skill to man the hot corner at the next level and swings a potent bat from the right side as well.
Catcher: Carlos Perez (Miami, Fla.)
Nothing about this talented backstop, aside from his youthful look in the face, would suggest he’s yet to begin his freshman season of high school baseball. Already listed at a physical 5-foot-11, 186-pounds, the Miami commit already shows extraordinary receiving and blocking skills, soft hands and arm strength that’s already an easy above average asset. He’s more than a one-dimensional player as evidenced by his MVP performance at the WWBA Freshman World Championship in which he hit .476 with five extra-base hits and displayed some of the better bat speed and raw strength in the tournament.
First Base: Kellum Clark (Brandon, Miss.)
While Clark’s physically imposing 6-foot-3, 211-pound frame does its best damage with the bat, don’t let his build fool you in regards to his defensive abilities. Light on his feet with plenty of balance, Clark can man either infield corner position and possesses plenty of present arm strength as evidenced by his 87 mph fastball on the bump. A recent commit to Mississippi State and new Head Coach Andy Cannizaro, Clark’s bat speed and overall approach in the box rivals any in the class and his lefthanded power tips the scales and ranks as perhaps the best in the nation.
Middle Infield: Robert Moore (Leawood, Kan.)
A single ground ball in pre-game infield/outfield and you’ll take notice of Moore, find him in your program and draw a big circle. The son of Kansas City General Manager Dayton Moore, Robert is very much a high-level prospect in his own right courtesy of plus soft hands, advanced footwork and the type of overall feel for the game with instincts to match that you just don’t find at this level of baseball. The package for Moore isn’t done there though as he’s a switch-hitter with a natural feel for the barrel from either side and a surprising amount of strength from the left side given his 5-foot-8 frame.
Middle Infield: Alex Freeland (Cape Coral, Fla.)
Freeland teamed up with Moore this fall while on Team Elite to form perhaps the most talented middle infield tandem that you’ll find at the 14u level in any given year. Whether it’s deep in the hole to pick the backhand or ranging up the middle to make an off balance but athletic play, the Florida native displays the first-step quickness and lateral agility to profile as a shortstop at the next level. Like Moore, Freeland is a switch-hitter with an adept feel for the barrel, whether he’s hitting left or righthanded, though there’s more present gap-to-gap strength from the left side with a short but leveraged stroke.
Infield: Jordan Carrion (Miami, Fla.)
In a class that’s already proving to be rich in shortstop talent, Carrion stands towards the top of the list in terms of defensive acumen, complete with a skill-set you don’t typically find in upperclassmen at the high school level. Listed at 6-foot, 145-pounds, the future Florida Gator has all the makings of a high-level shortstop and proved it time and time again this past summer with exceptional footwork. The hands, as well as the arm strength, are above average tools and will only continue to develop with additional strength moving forward.
Outfield: Trejyn Fletcher (Portland, Maine)
Leading the way in a rather talented outfield crop is Fletcher, a Northeast product whose athleticism has allowed him to excel not only in baseball but on the gridiron as well. The uncommitted Fletcher more than passes the eye test at a chiseled 6-foot-2, 185-pounds and possesses the footspeed (6.6-second 60-yard dash) and overall athleticism to play center field as he appears to glide to the ball with plenty of twitch and efficiency to his routes. He has the strength with the bat to be a middle-of-the-order threat while polishing up his mechanics that have led to more consistent contact.
Outfield: Austin Hendrick (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Already an established prospect on the national circuit come this past fall, Hendrick solidified himself as the top-ranked player in the 2020 class thanks to a bevy of advanced tools. The lefthanded swing is a thing of beauty as he packs as much overall looseness and whip to the barrel as any player can in their respective class, regularly producing loud and hard contact to all parts of the field. His routes in the outfield are clean though it’s the arm that plays above average right now at this level, helping him to project as a right fielder for a long time with strong, online throws that feature plenty of carry.
Outfield: Josh Shuler (Suwanee, Ga.)
Just like Fletcher above, Shuler will quickly pass the eye test and sports one of the more projectable, athletic frames in the 2020 class checking in at 6-foot-2, 184-pounds. Oozing athleticism, the uncommitted Shuler has all the makings of a high-level defender in right field courtesy of his above average arm strength and advanced carry, though his long, graceful strides point to center field as a possibility. A chance to be one of the best defensive outfielders in the class, Shuler also has the potential to be one of the top bats with a short, yet leveraged and powerful lefthanded swing that plays to all parts of the field.
Utility: Dylan Crews (Longwood, Fla.)
Throughout the summer we at Perfect Game were able to see the uncommitted Crews in a wide variety of events, playing multiple positions at a high level. Though the righthanded swing, loose wrists and easy projectable power might be the loudest tool currently, he has the athleticism to stand out defensively as well. A primary outfielder who doubles as a catcher for one of the top travel teams on the circuit, Crews is an advanced runner for his age which plays well in the outfield while his arm strength suits him well both from right field and behind the dish with plenty of carry out of the hand.