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 | Middle Infield
Class of 2025: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield
Elijah Green, OF (Fla.)
6-3/215, R/R
Commitment: University of Miami
PG Events: 40
Key Stats: 133 games, .362-9-67 with a 1.097 OPS
Short Story: Has a blend of size, speed and power that few prospects in recent memory possess. This goes on both sides of the ball. Everything seems to take steps forward every time we see him, from the usable in-game power to his arm strength. This helps to bet on Green reaching his mountainous ceiling as the development process just keeps trending up to the sky.
Big Moment: Green gave us a glimpse of what he is really capable of at the 16U WWBA World Championship when he hit .583-2-11. He combined to produce 20 runs, hit another seven doubles, and even chipped in three stolen bases for good measure. The home runs hit were some of the highlights of the summer regardless of class.
Bold Prediction: Green is already capable of changing the game with one swing of the bat, with real power from foul line to foul line. He covers an ocean in center field as well. All of the little things take shape and he solidifies himself as the best prospect in the last few draft classes.
Andruw Jones, OF (Ga.)
6-3/180, R/R
Commitment: Vanderbilt University
PG Events: 59
Key Stats: 206 games, .436-9-160 with a 1.163 OPS
Short Story: Jones plays with grace and range on defense and seems to float as he covers all the green on the field. The arm plays and the instincts are exactly what you would expect as he has grown up around the game. The long body is starting to fill out and it is leading to big power numbers this spring, and he always had good bat-to-ball skills. Jones is tapping into the uber-tools that he owns.
Big Moment: There are a number of huge moments to pick from, though it might be the consistency that is most impressive. Let’s go with the 16U BCS National Championship, though. Jones hit .565 with 13 hits during a loud event. He showed a future glimpse of power, speed, and on-base skills. Of course, the lockdown defense in center field was also on display.
Bold Prediction: This comes down to strength, really. Jones continues to take leaps as he adds strength to his lean frame. As the strength continues to come to the frame the ball is literally flying off his bat right now. His double-digit home run total during the high school season is setting the stage for an incredible summer run.
Nolan Schubart, OF (Mich.)
6-5/210, L/R
Commitment: University of Michigan
PG Events: 19
Key Stats: 68 games, .354-8-51 with a 1.123 OPS
Short Story: From a physical projection standpoint, Schubart might be in a league of his own. The length in the body and high waist are going to fill out making the left-handed hitter look like a Greek God one day. He has some versatility defensively, but let’s not mince words while describing the standout tool. His light-tower power will make a quad get quiet quickly when he strides to the plate.
Big Moment: Schubart is young for the class and during the 15U WWBA National Championship he raked. He hit .435 with three extra-base hits and averaged an RBI per game. During a multi-week stay in Marietta during the 2020 summer, he hit some mesmerizing long balls that even touched the top of the trees past the right field fence.
Bold Prediction: Schubart did not miss a stop on the tour last summer and most likely will not again. He puts together a summer where his power and on-base profile stand out and he proves, from a pure power standpoint, that he sets the bar above the rest.
Riley Stanford, OF (Ga.)
6-4/225, R/R
Commitment: Georgia Tech
PG Events: 59
Key Stats: 178 games, .374-8-138 with a 1.012 OPS
Short Story: Stanford is physically imposing and combines a power right-handed bat and a power right-handed shoulder. The well-above average bat speed leads to easy power. He is a better athlete than one would think from his stature, and he profiles perfectly in right field.
Big Moment: At the biggest amateur event of the year, Stanford mashed at the 2020 WWBA World Championship. The .455 and 1.189 OPS clips against the best arms in America pretty much tells the story. He also ran the heater up to 97 mph at the event.
Bold Prediction: With one of the higher two-way upsides in the class, Stanford brings consistency with both his power arm and bat. The impact at the plate shows up and the breaking ball takes a step forward.
Paxton Kling, OF (Pa.)
6-2/195, R/R
Commitment: Louisiana State University
PG Events: 14
Key Stats: 42 games, .444-4-32 with a 1.218 OPS
Short Story: Kling can hit. The feel for the barrel and length in the zone gives him a huge margin for error, which directly leads to huge production. The approach is advanced with the ability to drive the gaps with ease. He has good overall athleticism with a good chance to stay in center field based on his above average running ability, strong arm, and feel for routes.
Big Moment: When anyone hits .667 with a 1.706 OPS at a World Series it’s a pretty big statement. The arms Kling’s travel team faces on a daily basis makes this feat even more impressive.
Bold Prediction: Kling has the tools and feel for the game to rival the production of any outfielder in the ’22 class. When someone can hit, they seem to just separate themselves. And Kling hits.
Michael Gupton, OF (N.C.)
5-11/185, R/R
Commitment: North Carolina State
PG Events: 18
Key Stats: 52 games, .344-3-35 with a 1.061 OPS
Short Story: Gupton has twitchy wrists and overall explosiveness that few athletes in the class can compete with. He is still developing pitch recognition and repeating his mechanics, but the pure bat speed he can create is easily noticeable.
Big Moment: He made a splash at the 16U WWBA when he hit .364 and a 1.318 OPS. He got things rolling with some absolutely loud contact that led to five extra-base hits, including two home runs. When locked in, the electric bat speed is fun to watch.
Bold Prediction: Gupton sticks to an all-fields approach and uses his disruptive speed to become one of the biggest run producers on the circuit.
Roman Anthony, OF (Fla.)
6-3/195, L/R
Commitment: Ole Miss
PG Events: 36
Key Stats: 146 games, .362-6-109 with a 1.079 OPS
Short Story: Anthony has a classic swing and he is a smooth mover in all areas of the game. He looks the part and produces effortless bat speed with natural loft in the swing path.
Big Moment: This fall he had 11 hits and hit .393 during the WWBA Underclass and World Championship. The hit tool showed up against velocity and the ability to control the zone has always been a strong part of his offensive game.
Bold Prediction: During the high school season this spring, Anthony has started lifting the ball to the pull side with authority. This is something that could take him to new heights as he proves it with a wood bat as well. He has all the ability and he leaves no doubt this summer.
Kaden Martin, OF (Tenn.)
6-1/210, L/L
Commitment: University of Miami
PG Events: 18
Key Stats: 57 games, .288-3-38 with a .937 OPS
Short Story: Martin has big left-handed power coming from strong hands and a whippy stroke. He proved he can make any field look small when he connects and the search for real left-handed power will always be a premium.
Big Moment: Martin hit .478-1-11 at the 16U WWBA National Championship. The average exit velocity is insane. He was comfortable and locked in allowing him to stay on the attack regardless of who was on the mound.
Bold Prediction: The elite two-sport athlete will split time between the diamond and the gridiron. But this won’t faze Martin as he will dominate on all fronts.
Ryan Clifford, OF (N.C.)
6-3/215, L/L
Commitment: Vanderbilt University
PG Events: 22
Key Stats: 73 games, .343-6-41 with a 1.068 OPS
Short Story: The body, athleticism and sweet swing give Clifford some excitement heading into the 2021 summer. He has a long track record of production dating back to the PG Select Festival he participated in.
Big Moment: The left-handed hitter stroked his way to a .500 average at the Ultimate Baseball Championship. He also worked five walks and got big reviews for his overall offensive ceiling.
Bold Prediction: The Vandy commit puts together the hit tool and power tool against top competition while doing it at the biggest stops and biggest arms.
Jace LaViolette, OF (Texas)
6-5/220, L/L
Commitment: Louisiana State University
PG Events: 12
Key Stats: 36 games, .293-1-18 with a .985 OPS
Short Story: The massive frame produces enormous power and it, of course, comes from the left side. Laviolette is one of the few young prospects that can miss-hit a ball and still do damage. It’s a corner outfield profile so the bat will have to carry, but the power and on-base profile will not slump.
Big Moment: Laviolette came in hot at the WWBA World Championship, showing his power stroke, banging a triple and homer during the event. He also hit .333 and, as mentioned, can get on base as he walked 25 percent of his at-bats.
Bold Prediction: This is the summer he checks every box during his summer tour. He will become a must-watch for professional scouts as he just shows up and puts on power displays.
Gut Feel
Jaden Noot, OF (Calif.)
6-4/235, R/R
Noot is a big bodied OF/RHP that is known for his power bat and power arm. It will be interesting to see how much he swings the bat with reports of his mid-90s velocity and improved offspeed this spring.
Emaarion Boyd, OF (Miss.)
6-0/160, R/R
Boyd can absolutely go get the ball in center field using his plus speed and excellent first step to make the outfield grass look small. He is slender, but has extremely quick wrists and really attacks the ball at the dish. It could be a top-of-the-lineup disrupter or gain weight and be a middle-of-the-lineup run producer.
Jack Lausch, OF (Ill.)
6-3/195 L/R
The profile is pretty attractive. A projectable body with easy hand speed and good running ability. A healthy and full summer should put Lausch in the middle of all the talks when it comes to the top high school hitters in the country.
Gavin Turley, OF (Ariz.)
6-2/190, R/R
Turley just rakes. This spring has seen the hard doubles turn into long homers. The resume he is putting together is on par with all of the producers in the class and there doesn’t appear to be anything that will slow the right-handed hitter down.
Reese Chapman, OF (Colo.)
6-1/195, L/R
The body and strength help create some of the best pure bat speed in the class and he does it consistently in games. Chapman has already proven he has big pull power, but he is an underrated hitter that can bang to all fields.
Dakota Jordan, OF (Miss.)
6-1/155, R/R
Jordan is a tightly wound and explosive athlete with big twitch in the wrists. The ball explodes off his barrel when he connects, and his explosive legs can stretch an extra-base hit or move an extra ninety feet with a stolen base quickly.
Stewart Evans, OF (N.C.)
6-1/190, R/R
The right-handed hitter invites velocity and is one of the better competitors in the box in the class. He has innate timing and has come through in the biggest spots during his time at major PG events. Nothing will change this summer.
Alex Stanwich, OF (Ill.)
6-2/195, R/R
Stanwich is going to be fun to watch. He has very strong wrists, allowing him to mash balls deep in the zone and to all fields. He is a super athlete that can run and throw on defense and the venture to stay in center field will be watched closely.
Gage Harrelson, OF (Ga.)
6-3/175, L/L
The production and development from the start of 2020 until the end saw him soaring to a middle-of-the-lineup producer. It also showed in his ascension as a prospect. It is easy to see him at the top of the order, but if the lift starts to show up, watch out.
Jaron Nevarez, OF (Calif.)
5-10/175, L/L
It’s been shorter looks at Nevarez, but all of them include serious bat-to-ball skills. He is scrappy, but that doesn’t mean anything other than an all-out winner that collects an obnoxious amount of hits. This will be a fun summer for him to build a solid resume.
Max Belyeu, OF (Texas)
6-2/195, L/R
There will be a need to show consistency, but the power and upside will give him every chance to continue to prove himself. When he is locked in, he is a true middle-of-the-order talent and he hits from the left side.
Tyler Albright, OF (N.C.)
6-1/190, R/L
Albright is just tough. He is willing to do it dirty to win, but that is rarely the case as he has a powerful turn and gets the head out consistently to drive the ball hard to all fields. It’s mostly doubles power now, but there will be little surprise when the power shows up in a big way this summer.