2016 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field, Class of 2018
Pitcher: Owen White (Mt. Ulla, N.C.)
As if White’s ceiling on the mound wasn’t high enough being a talented righthander with a fastball that has been clocked up to 93 mph, he also happens to be a tremendous athlete off the mound. When he isn’t pitching, the 6-foot-4. 175-pound White will be seen playing shortstop and moving fluidly to both sides. When coming off the mound to field he charges well with strong, accurate throws to various bases and is always in a good position to release the ball.
Catcher: Will Banfield (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Banfield has become a fixture of Perfect Game events in the last several years and has continued to show some of the best arm strength and athleticism of any catcher in the 2018 class. He will routinely turn in sub 2.0-second pop times in games and was clocked as low as 1.78 during this past June’s Junior National showcase. He blocks incredibly well with good bounce out of his stance. There is also something to be said for the quietness of his hands when receiving the ball, making him the preferred target of many of his Team Elite teammates.
First Base: Jose Gonzalez (Spring, Texas)
Though it’s hard to stand out defensively at first base, Gonzalez has showed sound defensive actions at the position. The physical 6-foot-1, 190-pound first basemen has a clean arm action from the position with accurate feeds around the bag. He has raw arm strength with athletic overall actions. His footwork is very quick on and around the bag as well, getting in a good position to field and in proper position to receive throws.
Middle Infield: Xavier Edwards (Wellington, Fla.)
The defensive actions of Xavier Edwards almost make the game look too easy at times. His transfer skills and footwork leading into double plays are so advanced and he continues to make very difficult defensive plays look routine. His arm strength will ultimately determine his true home on the diamond, but taking him out of the middle of the field would be a crime. Everything Edwards does around the ball is easy, fluid and repeatable. Where Edwards shined the most recently was the WWBA Underclass World Championship where he was running all over the field, showing his advanced actions and sure hands on what seemed like every play.
Middle Infield: Nander De Sedas (Montverde, Fla.)
Looking out at the middle of the field and seeing De Sedas it does not look like an amateur player listed at 6-foot-1, 188-pounds with broad shoulders. De Sedas has incredible footwork up the middle with fluid actions to both sides. He has tremendous instincts and made several jaw-dropping plays over the course of the summer, often showing full extension up the middle with a casual glove flip to start a double play. De Sedas also has some of the best arm strength in the class with a cannon of a right arm that was clocked up to 90 mph this past summer.
Infield: Kendall Simmons (Macon, Ga.)
Simmons has spent a great deal of time manning the left side of the infield for the East Cobb Astros and East Cobb Yankees this past summer and fall. Simmons has easily a plus arm that he shows off routinely with accuracy and carry to the chest of the first basemen. He’s been clocked up to 93 mph from the infield and 94 mph from the mound. He moves well laterally with good balance and body control on the move showing off high-end athleticism. The profile is one that could play at either spot on the left side with a bat that would play at either position.
Outfield: Joe Gray Jr. (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
There might not be a player as physically gifted and projectable in the 2018 class than Joe Gray. He stands at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds with the highest levels of athleticism. He ranges incredibly fluidly to the ball in the outfield with an easy first step. He has a strong arm with above average carry and accuracy around the field. He profiles as a no-doubt center fielder at the next level and should be a very high draft pick when the time comes.
Outfield: Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha, Wis.)
Kelenic profiles as a right fielder at the next level with above average arm strength that plays well in game. He ranges very well to both sides and quickly works through the ball, showing a very quick release with tremendous carry out of his hand. With the arm and quickness to play right field in the future, it should be said there should be no question marks about the bat as well with tremendous ability to barrel up pitches with great strength and bat speed.
Outfield: Jared Hart (Marietta, Ga.)
Hart might ultimately prove to be one of the best defensive outfielders in the 2018 class. The Vanderbilt commit can be seen routinely making high-level athletic plays ranging to both gaps with ease from his natural center field position. His arm is another high-level tool with accuracy through his gather with tremendous raw arm strength. Hart’s natural ability to track the ball with fluid strides is what makes him a high-level defender in the outfield.
Utility: Brice Turang (Corona, Calif.)
The upside of the No. 2 overall player in the 2018 class is impossible to ignore. The only thing scouts can’t seem to agree on is whether they prefer him playing a dazzling center field or ranging up the middle at shortstop. Turang could quite possibly be the first high school position player off the board come the 2018 draft in part for his glove. He has high-twitch actions at both positions with a lightning quick transfer up the middle. He reads everything off the bat well and plays two of the hardest positions on the diamond with relative ease and a high baseball IQ.