As high school baseball is starting to get going across the country in most regions, with some states actually heading into the playoffs, it all means the summer circuit is right around the corner. Over the next several weeks we will look at the top-ranked players at each position, in each class, while also taking a look at some gut-feel players that could be big risers. With players having more access to individual development, things will undoubtably change at a rapid pace in the early months of the Perfect Game schedule. This provides a good look at some of the top performers coming into 2021 who look primed to continue dominance or make their mark on a national level.
Class of 2022: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield
Class of 2023: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield
Class of 2024: Catchers | Corner Infield
Class of 2025: Catchers | Corner Infield
Theodore Gillen (Texas)
6-2/184, L/R
Uncommitted
PG Events: 16
Key Stats: .404/.565/1.215 PG career slash
Short Story: Gillen is a dynamic athlete with quick-twitch muscle and loads of physical projection as he continues to mature. The left-handed hitting middle infielder has massive upside on both sides of the ball with smooth, fluid actions in the dirt and an explosive offensive profile. He exudes confidence in every facet of his game, deservedly so.
Big Moment: The resume is rather lengthy when it comes to Gillen’s PG accomplishments; He is a two-time Select Festival participant, A Freshman WWBA MVP and has countless all-tournament selections to his name. The top-ranked player in the state of Texas is an additional piece to his mantle.
Bold Prediction: Look for Gillen to unlock some of his immense power potential as he continues to physically mature, which will only add to his already stockpiled set of tools.
Chris Newstrom (Ariz.)
6-2/185, R/R
Commitment: Arizona State
PG Events: 17
Key Stats: .330-1-26 in ’20
Short Story: Newstrom is perhaps the most well-rounded, positionally-versatile athlete within the class. Tooled up in almost every facet of the game with offensive upside and two-way potential. Ultra-projectable frame with loads of athleticism and room to add more strength.
Big Moment: The two-time Select Festival alum showcased the aforementioned versatility at the 2020 14U National Showcase by running a 7.04 second 60-yard dash, excellent defensive aptitude in the infield and excellent arm strength behind the dish. All this, while displaying an immensely projectable hit tool and a fastball up to 85 mph.
Bold Prediction: The Arizona State commit continues to solidify his place amongst the top of the class, while taking the next step forward offensively to unlock some of the burgeoning power potential he possesses.
Ty Southisene (Nev.)
5-8/140 R/R
Commitment: San Diego St.
PG Events: 17
Key Stats: .413-0-26 in ’20
Short Story: Southisene is a slick-fielding middle infielder with quick-twitch athleticism and perhaps the most refined, polished defensive skill set in the class. Low-effort, highly-efficient swing with loose hands and advanced barrel skills.
Big Moment: With a PG resume that includes being selected to both the 2019 and 2020 Select Festival, along with multiple tournament MVP awards. It may be tough to pinpoint a “big” moment for the San Diego State commit, but his performance at the 2019 13U PG World Series was quite the foreshadowing of what was to come for the young 2024 grad.
Bold Prediction: The simplicity and polish of Southisene’s defensive skills makes him one of the most fun prospects to watch within the class. Look for him to continue adding strength as he matures, which will only enhance his offensive profile over the next few years.
Angel Cepeda (N.J./D.R.)
6-0/180, R/R
Uncommitted
Key Stats: .357-0-7, 16 SBs in ’20
Short Story: Cepeda is an advanced defender with quick-twitch athleticism and big-time arm strength across the diamond. Legitimate present power profile with easy bat speed and the ability to impact the baseball to all fields.
Big Moment: An extremely loud performance at the 2020 14U National ultimately led to a 14U Select Festival invitation for Cepeda. He displayed the aforementioned arm strength during the infield and outfield portion of the workout, while showcasing fluid actions and good footwork throughout. The present power/bat speed combination is evident in both game play and during batting practice, where he exhibits an easy swing with whip to his barrel and loud impact.
Bold Prediction: Look for Cepeda to be included as a July 2 International signing in 2022, as he currently is enrolled at The MB Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic. The young prospect has made significant strides physically, while continuing to stay athletic and showcase his advanced defensive acumen.
Bryce Clavon (Ga.)
6-0/170, R/R
Commitment: Oklahoma
PG Events: 60
Key Stats: .329-3-23 in ’20
Short Story: Dynamic athlete with loads of quick twitch and room to fill out. Versatile defender with exceptional athleticism and speed in both the dirt and grass. Displays more than enough present arm strength to stick on the left side long term, while imploring a simple, direct stroke with natural feel for the barrel.
Big Moment: Clavon has an expansive PG resume, participating in a host of events dating back to 2016. Pinpointing a particular moment may be difficult for the two-time PG Select Festival alum, but the 2020 14U National was where he put on display just how dynamic of a player he can be. The Oklahoma commit ran a 6.69 60-yard dash, threw mid-80s from both the infield and outfield during the workout, and showed a projectable hit tool that will only continue to grow.
Bold Prediction: Look for Clavon to continue showing the exceptional athleticism we steadily have seen, while expanding his power potential as he physically matures and adds strength.
Manuelle Marin (Fla.)
6-1/165, R/R
Commitment: Miami
PG Events: 21
Key Stats: .500-1-22 in ’20
Short Story: Marin is about as smooth as you can come when it comes to fielding the baseball. He checks every box when it comes to elite defenders; range, soft hands and the ability to throw on the run from various arm angles stand out when it comes to his defensive actions. A simple, repeatable swing that projects well from both a bat speed and power perspective bode well for future success.
Big Moment: The Miami commit's entire 2020 season can be considered a big moment, as he hit .500 (31-for-62) on the year. The slick-fielding middle infielder tapped into some power potential as evident by 13 extra-base hits.
Bold Prediction: The all-around tools that Marin possesses are pretty astounding, look for him to add more strength to his athletic frame and really start to unlock the long-term power potential we’ve seen flashes of.
Ethan Murray (Ga.)
6-2/162, R/R
Commitment: Georgia Tech
PG Events: 35
Key Stats: .500-7-41 in ’20
Short Story: Murray is a run-producing bat with immense power potential and tons of projection remaining. Developing defensive skills along with present athleticism bode well for one of the better overall skill sets within the class.
Big Moment: The Georgia Tech commit's 2020 stat line was unquestionably loud with 21 extra-base hits (including seven home runs) in just 31 games played. Couple that with a .500 average and 41 runs batted in, and you may have the premier power bat within the class.
Bold Prediction: Look for Murray to take the next step defensively, as he continues to mature physically. He may not end up in the middle long-term due to his lengthy future frame, but he will certainly produce more than enough to be a highly impactful corner infielder.
Miles Ghossein (Calif.)
6-2/180, R/R
Commitment: UCLA
PG Events: 19
Key Stats: .346-0-33 in ’20
Short Story: Ghossein is a legitimate two-way player with athletic actions in the dirt, a fastball that’s been up to 85 mph in previous looks and immensely projectable swing that has big-time present power.
Big Moment: At the 2020 14U WWBA National Championship, Ghossein displayed the exact two-way capabilities that we mentioned above. He hit .323 for the week, including six doubles and 11 runs batted in. He then hopped on the mound to deliver 10 1/3 innings of one-run ball for his USA Prime squad, where he ran his fastball up to 85 mph and punched out 10.
Bold Prediction: The eventual long-term position for Ghossein may not be in the middle, but he brings one of the better two-way profiles currently in the class. Look for him to continue growing into potentially a power-hitting corner infielder down the road.
Erik Parker (Ga.)
6-3/180, R/R
Commitment: South Carolina
PG Events: 26
Key Stats: .288/.403/.819 PG career slash, 6.90 (60-YD Dash)
Short Story: Parker is already a physical presence at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and has one of the more intriguing two-way profiles amongst the ’24 class. The South Carolina commit projects well on both sides of the ball as he continues to add strength. Has been up to 85 mph on the mound with a projectable swing that has shown flashes of present bat speed.
Big Moment: The 2020 14U National Showcase is where Parker showed off the aforementioned projection that we can dream on. He ran well for his present size, showing good coordination and athleticism to go along with some smoothness to his defensive actions. Also displayed young bat speed and looseness to his swing that projects well as he continues to add strength.
Bold Prediction: Ultimately, Parker may end up the mound due to his immense physical projection and velocity upside. Look for him to continue developing at the plate, refining some components to his swing and use his present physicality and length to succeed.
David Hogg II (Texas)
6-2/180, S/R
Commitment: Oklahoma
PG Events: 16
Key Stats: 6.83 60-yard, 88 mph IF velo
Short Story: Legitimate switch-hitter with loud tools and loads of physical projection. Displays excellent athleticism throughout the fielding process and an absolute cannon of an arm across. Exhibits easy bat speed and big-time power potential from both sides of the plate, equally.
Big Moment: A loud performance on both sides of the ball at the 2020 14U National Showcase ultimately led to Hogg being selected to participate in the 14U Select Baseball Festival. Displayed high-level all-around tools with significant physical upside.
Bold Prediction: Look for Hogg’s offensive production to catch up with his loud tools, as he starts his ascension up the rankings rather quickly. Additional strength and another year of maturity will only expand upon his current skill set and solidify his place amongst the best in the class.
Gut Feel Risers/Names to Know
Jeff Lougee (Pa.)
The advanced bat-to-ball skills and innate ability to find the barrel standout for the Duke commit. An extremely long and lean frame may dictate a positional change long term, but the bat plays wherever he ends up.
Cole Crafton (Ill.)
Crafton’s performance at the 2021 National Underclass-Main Event left many in our scouting department wanting more from the Louisville commit. Blessed with advanced physicality at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds already, look for the offensive upside and power potential to be unlocked relatively soon.
Brody Connors (Calif.)
With only two PG events under his belt, look for Connors to steadily rise in the rankings. He has true two-way potential with immense physical projection remaining and loads of present tools that will only continue to grow as he matures.
Bryce Rainer (Calif.)
Rainer has long term two-way potential with a smooth left-handed swing and electric present arm speed. Add in an ultra-projectable 6-foot-2 frame and good feel for his secondary offerings, and you may have a premier power bat/power arm combination.
Owen Paino (N.Y.)
An extremely loud 2020 stat line for Paino only continued to show what we already knew. The physical projection may dictate a move to the corners long term, but the bat will always play and will only develop more as he matures.
Reggie Sharpe (Mich.)
The immensely athletic Sharpe should continue adding strength to his frame over the next few years, which will only add to an already polished overall profile for the young Michigan commit. Blessed with natural instincts, polished defensive actions, and advanced tools from both sides of the plate.
Myles Davis (Iowa)
The Marion, Iowa native has made steady improvements in all facets of his game and should continue to add strength to his frame. Look for Davis to take the next step offensively and start producing at a more prodigious clip.