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High School  | General  | 1/2/2020

Finest in the Field: 2022 Class

Greg Gerard     
Photo: Termarr Johnson (Perfect Game)

2019 PG/Rawlings Finest in the Field: 2020 Class | 2021 Class

2019 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field, Class of 2022

Pitcher: Dylan Lesko (Buford HS, Buford, Ga.)
The No. 1 player in the 2022 class has shined for the East Cobb Astros in 2019 primarily on the mound but on the left side of the infield as well. Coaches can really put Lesko anywhere on the field and he will shine with the glove as he has seen himself catch in some capacity also. His athleticism and arm strength project way beyond his years as he also just recently won a state title in high school football. Lesko has seen his velocity on the mound continue to climb this calendar year as he bumped 94 mph over the summer and dominates the opposition each time he toes the rubber.

Catcher: Luke Davis (Cypress HS, Garden Grove, Calif.)
It is hard to argue against Davis as the top backstop in the 2022 class defensively. His skillset both with his flexibility and agile lateral movements, as well as his receiving skills, really stand out for his age. The California native and USC recruit has a very strong arm from behind the dish as well. Combining his catch-and-throw skills with his ability to receive and block, Davis is really a no-brainer for the catching spot in the 2022 class as he sees his name on this list for the second year in a row.

First Base: Jared Jones (Walton HS, Marietta, Ga.)
2018 14u PG Select Festival participant Jared Jones has seen lots of time behind the plate as a catcher, but while playing for the East Cobb Astros he has seen just as much, if not more playing time, at first base. His versatility defensively as well as his advanced strength and size put him at the top of the class among players at the position. Jones has good footwork around the bag and a clean funnel into his glove. The Marietta, Ga. native continues to make strides at both of his defensive positions as he has named the LSU Tigers as his future school committing to the Purple and Gold in September.

Middle Infield: Termarr Johnson (Mays HS, Atlanta, Ga.)
Quite possibly the most promising young glove in the class has been Johnson for more than a year now as he saw himself man the middle infield in the 14u PG Select Festival for the second year in a row. Johnson’s hands are so smooth defensively and his confidence while on the diamond is contagious. The lefthanded hitting infielder has outstanding footwork to go along with his superb glove. One of only two uncommitted players on this list, Johnson stands out in the eyes of most collegiate recruiters for his defensively skillset as well as his ability to handle the barrel from the left side.

Middle Infield: Cole Young (North Allegheny HS, Wexford, Pa.)
Duke commit Cole Young is the next middle infielder highlighted on the list and the shortstop from Pennsylvania is surely one of note as he has some of the best hands in the country. His flashy plays up the middle have been made in front of the Perfect Game scouting staff at multiple premier events including last summer at the 15u WWBA National Championship and 15u PG World Series as well as during the fall at the WWBA Underclass World Championship. Young’s offensive profile has really stood out as well as he was recently named a Tournament All-American for the class of 2022 and the overall Player of the Year for his age group.

Third Base: Sal Stewart (Westminster Christian, Miami, Fla.)
The third baseman on this list hails from South Florida in Vanderbilt commit Sal Stewart. A physical righthanded hitter at the hot corner, Stewart has shown plenty of defensive skills to like including his hands, lateral quickness and ability to throw on the run charging in on slow rollers. Stewart has a strong arm at the position as well with lots of carry to the first base bag. Stewart can also show his arm strength on the mound with upper-80s velocity to go along with throws of up to 86 mph across the diamond at the Perfect Game Jr. National showcase last June.

Outfield: Andruw Jones (Wesleyan HS, Suwanee, Ga.)
Not many in the 2022 class can say they have a father with MLB pedigree like Andruw Jones, and like his father, Jones ranges very well in the outfield roaming center field with outstanding closing speed. His athleticism along with his outstanding instincts and fly ball reads lead to a good first step to the baseball allowing for his exceptionally advanced defensive skillset. The Vanderbilt commit plays his travel baseball with the 643 DP Cougars and has done nothing but provide an excellent boost for his team. Manning center field, as well as the infield at times, Jones has had ample opportunities to showcase his versatility on the diamond and has done just that over the course of 2019.

Outfield: Paxton Kling (Central HS, Roaring Spring, Pa.)
Kling is a superb athlete on the rise in the 2022 rankings out of Pennsylvania. His time on the summer circuit last year saw him climb quickly in the PG rankings as well as in his recruiting. The defensive aspect of his game stands out with his high motor and quick feet allowing him to track baseballs with ease. His raw arm strength stood out on the PG tournament scene both in the outfield and on the mound playing for the Flood City Elite. Kling committed to the LSU Tigers last summer as the athletic and projectable 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder provides a strong piece to a very talented 2022 recruiting class.

Outfield: Nathan Fink (Western Albemarle HS, Charlottesville, Va.)
Another 2018 14u PG Select Festival participant, Nathan Fink has been on the scene at PG events for plenty of time now covering ground in center field for Canes National. Fink is a great athlete with plenty of range and quickness to the baseball in the outfield. His talent has been put to note for his strong reads and closing speed. The arm strength stands out for Fink as well as he gets on top of his throws for plenty of carry to his intended bag. Fink is a Virginia recruit and his proven success both defensively in the outfield and offensively at the plate see him ranked as a top 30 player in the talent-filled 2022 class.

Utility: Nicolas Perez (BYOU Academy, Isabela, Puerto Rico)
Whether it be playing shortstop for 5 Star National or hopping on the mound with upper-80s velocity, Perez has the quick-twitch actions and arm strength of a prototypical flashy infielder. The 2019 selection to the 14u PG Select Festival had a monster season on the PG circuit both defensively and offensively. Hailing from Puerto Rico and committed to the Florida State Seminoles, Perez is a one of the quickest and most exciting players to watch move around in the infield in his class. Making his name on this list for the first time, it is without question that Perez has the hands and tools to stay among the top all-around defenders in the 2022 class.



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