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High School  | Rankings  | 1/29/2021

HS Team Breakdowns: 1-10

Tyler Russo      Colton Olinger      Vincent Cervino     
Photo: Mason Albright (Perfect Game)
2021 High School Baseball Preview

HS Team Breakdowns: 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11



1. IMG Academy Ascenders (Fla.)
2020 Record: 8-2
Head Coach: Kason Gabbard
Notable Standout(s): 3B Tommy White (North Carolina State), OF James Wood (Mississippi State), LHP/OF Drew Gray (Arkansas), LHP Mason Albright (Virginia Tech), SS/RHP Drake Varnado (Arkansas), C Sam Hunt (Vanderbilt), RHP Benjamin Fiedler, OF Elijah Green (Miami), LHP Jackson Ferris (Ole Miss), 1B/RHP Blaydon Plain (Florida), RHP Davion Hickson (Florida State), C Brady Neal (Louisiana State), SS Stone Russell (Florida)

Pouring over the roster on paper, there’s no doubt that IMG possesses the most talented roster in the country. The 2019 Ascenders roster was one of the best high school teams in recent memory and the 2021 version has the chance to surpass that team. The middle of the lineup is going to be extremely dangerous as they’ll have two of the best power hitters in the country in PG All-Americans Tommy White and James Wood. Both of those dangerous hitters will be flanked by newcomer Elijah Green, the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class and a potential 1:1 pick in 2022. The polish of that lineup is impressive especially when you consider they’ll have two-way stars Drake Varnado and Drew Gray also in the lineup. Gray is a potential first-rounder on the mound while Mason Albright gives them a pair of PG All-Americans at the top of the rotation. There’s a ton of underclass depth too, with Jackson Ferris and Davion Hickson on the mound along with Blaydon Plain, Brady Neal, and Stone Russell as position players. This is an explosive roster for Coach Kason Gabbard from top to bottom and is undoubtedly the deepest nation-wide. 

2. JSerra Catholic Lions (Calif.)
2020 Record: 11-1
Head Coach: Brett Kay
Notable Standout(s): SS Cody Schrier (UCLA), LHP Gage Jump (UCLA), OF Gabe D’Arcy (Arkansas), RHP Luke Jewett (UCLA), RHP Eric Silva (UCLA), C Colin Blanchard (Washington), OF Joshua Phillips, C Anthony Aleman, RHP David Horn (UCLA), 3B Ricky Rodenberg, 2B Owen Fuller, 3B/RHP Matthew Champion (Arizona State)

IMG Academy comes in as the best team on the East Coast while JSerra Catholic is the top dog on the West Coast. Coach Brett Kay is no stranger to talented teams, but this year’s Lion squad might be the best of the last half-decade. The roster is incredibly deep but what stands out is the depth on the pitching staff. Gage Jump is a true ace at any level of the sport, and he’ll be joined by Luke Jewett and Eric Silva. Jump has been into the mid-90s with a sharp breaker and is a legit early-round candidate in July, while Jewett is a physical right-hander who works into the mid-90s, and Silva is a polished right-hander with a low-90s heater. Fellow seniors Cody Schrier and Gabe D'Arcy will set the tone offensively. Schrier is a very polished right-handed hitter with good athleticism and D’Arcy has a good combination of speed and power. Colin Blanchard is another Division-I bat in the lineup, while underclassmen David Horn and Matthew Champion put the ceiling of the team extremely high. The star power coupled with the depth of the roster make for an extremely talented ball club. 

3. Calvary Christian Academy Eagles (Fla.)
2020 Record: 2-5
Head Coach: Gil Morales
Notable Standout(s): RHP Andrew Painter (Florida), RHP Irving Carter (Miami), C Rene Lastres (Florida), SS Alex Ulloa (Oklahoma State), OF Kyle Tako (Florida Gulf Coast), OF Ty Hollandsworth (Hillsborough CC), 2B Sean Ambrose (Florida International), LHP Erik Blair, RHP Anthony Concepcion, SS Jonathan Xuereb

Another contender for the top spot, The Eagles graduated some good players in the 2020 class, but they feature an extremely star-laden 2021 class. Coach Gil Morales has, quite possibly, the most talented roster in his tenure and it starts with what might be the biggest one-two punch of starting pitchers in the entire country. Andrew Painter and Irving Carter are two of the top prep arms in this year’s draft and both of them could be first round picks when it comes to July. Painter is a workhorse right-hander with easy velocity and high-rotation potential while Carter is a super polished arm with two potential plus secondaries. A third PG All-American suits up for the Eagles in Rene Lastres, who has some of the best bat speed and tools from the catcher position in the class. Alex Ulloa will play shortstop and he is coming off a very loud showing at the World Showcase, along with Lastres. Kyle Tako and Ty Hollandsworth provide good depth to the lineup while Sean Ambrose should provide excellent up-the-middle defense. The combination of athleticism and star power make the Eagles one of the better programs in the country and one that will vie for a national title. 

4. Buford Wolves (Ga.)
2020 Record: 9-2
Head Coach: Stuart Chester
Notable Standout(s): RHP/UT Treyton Rank (Florida State), C Nathan Smith (Tennessee), SS Connor Sampers (Wofford), RHP/UT Dylan Lesko (Vanderbilt), OF/RHP Riley Stanford (Georgia Tech), SS Brant Baughcum (Georgia Tech), SS/RHP Jackson Gaspard (Georgia Tech), OF Stan Zagrodnik (Wofford), SS Cole Taylor, 1B Carson King, SS Ethan Murray (Georgia Tech)

The top team in the state of Georgia, the Wolves were off to a very hot start with a 9-2 record in 2020, and they might feature the strongest collection of 2022s in the country. Coach Stuart Chester has made Buford one of the top programs in the state in recent years and there’s a strong core of senior talent to rely on. Treyton Rank is a very accomplished two-way player who has excellent command on the mound, while Nathan Smith’s power and Connor Sampers’ versatility will lengthen the lineup. Dylan Lesko and Riley Stanford are two of the top juniors in the country as Lesko is one of the most polished arms regardless of class and Stanford has a power-power combo with big heat and good right-handed power. Lesko will also hit and can more than handle himself, while Brant Baughcum and Jackson Gaspard are two more talented juniors. There’s also a good collection of freshmen and sophomores highlighted by shortstop Ethan Murray, who’s already ranked as one of the best players in his class. The pitching depth is going to be the difference maker for the Wolves as though there’s talent throughout, their aces are the separator. 

5. Hamilton Huskies (Ariz.)
2020 Record: 8-0
Head Coach: Mike Woods
Notable Standout(s): LHP Brock Selvidge (Louisiana State), SS Luke Thiele, OF Gavin Turley (Oregon State), RHP Logan Saloman (Arizona State), OF Prince Deboskie, 1B Grant Degraffenreid, RHP DJ Barrett, RHP Kole Klecker (Grand Canyon), SS Josh Tiedemann (TCU), SS Roch Cholowsky (UCLA), SS Tre Spivey, OF Will Shelor, SS AJ Diaz

Though the Huskies don’t have the biggest senior class, they do have one of the best senior arms in the country along with a ton of underclass depth. Brock Selvidge is the title card here for this pitching staff as the PG All-American might be the most talented left-hander in the country. He’s a physical, durably-built southpaw with a mid-90s fastball, sharp slider, and a starter’s command on the bump. Underclassmen Logan Saloman, DJ Barrett, and Kole Klecker will join Selvidge on the mound and all promise to be good options for Coach Mike Woods out of the bullpen. The depth of the underclassmen is notable as Gavin Turley, Prince Deboskie, and Josh Tiedemann are physical hitters that can slot into the middle of a lineup. There are players who are going to have to take steps forward in terms of development but there’s no questioning the talent of the roster. The Huskies should be the class of a very good Southwest region that is going to have some serious talent, but Hamilton has proved over the last half-decade that they are one of the best programs in the country. 

6. Thousand Oaks Lancers (Calif.)
2020 Record: 8-0
Head Coach: Jack Wilson
Notable Standout(s): SS Maxwell Muncy (Arkansas), 2B/OF Roc Riggio (Oklahoma State), C Charlie Saum (Stanford), 1B Michael Welikala, RHP Myles Weiss, MIF Justin Abercrombie, LHP Collin Adams, C/OF Josh Melnick, SS Easton Rulli

Coach Jack Wilson and the Lancers were off to an excellent start to the 2020 campaign with an undefeated 8-0 start before the season was canceled. The 2020 class was a strong one for Thousand Oaks and though they lose some important pieces, there’s still a very good core of three seniors that all have legitimate draft upside. Maxwell Muncy, Roc Riggio, and Charlie Saum should make for one of the more formidable trios of position players in the country and all three are exciting players that can take over a game. Muncy is a terrific athlete who will stick up the middle with quality bat speed and barrel skills, while Roggio has built a strong track record as an underclassman as being a very polished left-handed hitter with surprising power. Saum is a polished prospect in that the defensive skills stand out, as does the balanced approach on offense. There are some returnees who earned playing time on last spring’s team and there will be players and groups who need to step up but there’s no denying that there’s the talent on the roster to make a deep run. 

7. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep Eaglets (Mich.)
2020 Record: N/A
Head Coach: Matt Petry
Notable Standout(s): SS Alex Mooney (Duke), RHP Brock Porter (Clemson), OF/RHP Nolan Schubart (Michigan), C Ike Irish (Auburn), LHP John Essig (Ashland), C Steve Essig (Ashland), RHP Thomas Allman (Jacksonville), RHP Jake Keaser, C Coleson Titus (Army), 2B Jake Dresselhouse (Michigan State), 3B Jack Crighton (Michigan), SS Ciaran Caughey (Kent State), SS Jasen Oliver (Michigan), OF Ryan Mooney (Notre Dame)

The top-ranked school in the Midwest, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is coming off a state title in 2019 and didn’t get a chance to start their season before it was ultimately canceled last year. The Eaglets are one of the most talented rosters in the country, regardless of region, and it starts with PG All-American shortstop Alex Mooney. The senior leader was a focal point on their 2019 championship team and he’s a true five-tool shortstop with first-round upside in July’s draft. The Eaglets also boast one of the best junior duos nationwide in right-hander Brock Porter and left-handed slugger Nolan Schubart. Porter works the fastball into the mid-90s with a great changeup while Schubart has exemplary raw power. Experienced arms like John Essig, Thomas Allman, and Jake Keaser will undoubtedly see significant innings on the mound, while junior Ike Irish has excellent strength from the left side. That doesn’t even mention the very strong sophomore class of athletes that the Eaglets will roster in 2021, but looking at the team on paper, Coach Matt Petry has an excellent chance to repeat as state champions and are currently the class of the Midwest. 

8. Tampa Jesuit Tigers (Fla.)
2020 Record: 9-0
Head Coach: Miguel Menendez
Notable Standout(s): C/3B Cole Russo (UCF), RHP Alden Segui (North Carolina), LHP Dominic Castellano (UCF), LHP Joseph Volini (South Florida), OF Billy "BJ" Graham Jr. (Tulane), RHP Kristopher Sosnowski, RHP Ryan Skelly (Charleston Southern), LHP Jamie Arnold (Florida State), RHP Ryan Denison (Florida State), RHP Andrew Hunt, 3B AJ Nessler (Pittsburgh)

The Tigers were the No. 1 team in the country throughout the short-lived 2020 season and though Tampa Jesuit’s 2020 class was special, they will once again reload and feature one of the best teams in the country. Coach Miguel Menendez has a ton of options, but he’ll rely on a talented 2021 class led by Cole Russo on offense and Alden Segui on the pitching side. Russo has big time power and strength with his left-handed swing while Segui is a power arm who works into the mid-90s at times. Dominic Castellano and Joseph Volini will pitch a lot of innings while BJ Graham is another bat to rely upon. The 2022 class has a chance to be special for the Tigers, as both Jamie Arnold and Ryan Denison are two of the top-ranked juniors in the nation. Arnold is a projectable, quick-armed left-hander into the low-90s while Denison has similar velocity with a workhorse, physical frame. There are options galore on the roster for Tampa Jesuit and they certainly are well-positioned to challenge for another state title in 2021 in what should be a very contested classification. 

9. Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nev.)
2020 Record: N/A
Head Coach: Gino DiMaria 
Notable Standout(s): 3B Tyler Whitaker (Arizona), OF Santino Panaro (UNLV), C Gavin Mez (UNLV), 2B Julian Molto-Herrera, 3B Billy Ham, 3B/RHP Demitri Diamant (Georgia Tech), OF Justin Crawford (Arizona), 1B Tai Nguyen, RHP Tyler Avery, LHP Raffael Chiarella, 3B Easton Shelton, RHP Kamdyn Perry, C Anthony Marnell, IV (Oregon State), OF Aiden Pollock

In what looks like a banner year for the four corners, Bishop Gorman stands above the rest in the state of Nevada and will be right up next to Hamilton as the class of the region. They’ll be led by a trio of seniors in Tyler Whitaker, Santino Panaro, and Gavin Mez, all of which are committed to Division-I schools and lengthen the lineup considerably. Whitaker has draft potential with his long levers, burgeoning power, and athleticism, while Panaro is a speedy, strong defensive center fielder who fits a table-setter profile nicely. Mez has good strength and power from the catcher position, while Julian Molto-Herrera and Billy Ham will also have key roles in the lineup. Most of the pitching depth comes from underclassmen but there’s no denying their talent as two-way player Demitri Diamant, Tyler Avery, Raffael Chiarella, and Kamdyn Perry will all be looking for various levels of breakout. Justin Crawford is another uber-talented underclassman, and Coach Gino DiMaria has a lot of options with a very good blend of experience and talent to make for a formidable squad. 

10. Lake Travis Cavaliers (Texas)
2020 Record: 14-2-1
Head Coach: Mike Rogers
Notable Standout(s): RHP Alec Grossman (Texas), RHP Ethan Roark (TCU), SS Logan Baker, SS Kaeden Kent, SS Pierce George (Texas), RHP Luke Jackson (Louisiana-Lafayette), LHP Charlie Bower (Baylor), 1B Cole Johnson, RHP Orlando Jose Gonzalez Jr, OF Liam Richards

The top-ranked team in Texas heading into 2021, the Cavaliers have been one of the more consistent programs across the state. They were off to a very hot start in 2020 and that came on the heels of making it to the state semifinals in 2019. Alec Grossman and Ethan Roark lead the way on the mound as both senior arms were excellent in 2020. Grossman, committed to Texas, had a 0.53 ERA in 2020 while Roark, a TCU commit, pitched to a perfect 3-0 record in the abbreviated 2020 season. There’s good middle infield depth, led by senior Logan Baker, while underclassmen Kaeden Kent and Pierce George are talented enough to play themselves into everyday roles. Fellow underclassmen Charlie Bower and Luke Jackson provide some depth on the mound as the talent gives them an edge heading into the season. The roster doesn’t feature as many bona fide stars as in year’s past, like first-rounder Brett Baty on the 2019 team, but there are a ton of well-balanced, talented players that give the Cavaliers the potential to finish tops in the state. 
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