2017 PG/Rawlings Finest in the Field: 2018 | 2019
2017 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field, Class of 2020
Pitcher: Masyn Winn (Kingwood HS, Kingwood, Texas)
Winn is an outstanding athlete, a true two-way talent with a lightning quick arm and the athleticism to play in the infield, and that allows him to be very agile on the bump. His athletic and up-tempo delivery allows him to quickly move on the mound, and because there isn’t a ton of effort to the overall motion, Winn can react instantly to contact. The athleticism truly stands out for Winn, which is why he is able to be an asset defensively in the middle infield.
Timmy Manning (Cardinal Gibbons HS, Pompano Beach, Fla.) and Brody Drost (Barbe HS, Sulphur, La.) are two other strong two-way types for the class with excellent athleticism that move well both on the mound and in the outfield.
Catcher: Alek Boychuk (Mill Creek HS, Buford, Ga.)
The physicality is what stands out at first glance for Boychuk as the 6-foot-1, 205-pound backstop is truly advanced with strength and stature; however he has one of the more understated defensive games in the country. The South Carolina commit has excellent wrist strength with very quiet hands to stick pitches well. Boychuk’s presence behind the plate is tops in the country as he also was consistently catching some of the top-ranked arms in the class such as Liam Norris and Alex Edmondson to lead Team Elite Prime to a very strong summer. Boychuk’s maturity behind the dish is absolutely what stands out and when you factor in all of the other tools – the athleticism and arm strength to name a few – he is a very well-rounded defensive presence.
There were no shortage of standout defensive catchers this past year and one of the names that jumps out is Drew Romo (The Woodlands HS, The Woodlands, Texas). Romo shows outstanding tools behind the dish and had a very good year for the Banditos.
First Base: Kellum Clark (Jackson Academy, Jackson, Miss.)
Boychuk’s teammate on the aforementioned Team Elite Prime team, Clark is a standout defender at first base with very impressive and athletic extensions to go along with great hands on balls in the dirt. The Mississippi State commit is a very big 6-foot-4, 221-pound target over at first base and has a good feel for the fundamentals of the position. Clark’s athleticism stands out around the bag and he is as sure-handed as they come.
Middle Infield: Robert Moore (Shawnee Mission East HS, Leawood, Kan.)
Arguably the most advanced defensive player in the class is the third member of the Team Elite Prime team as Robert Moore manages to stand out defensively at nearly every event he attends. The actions at shortstop are incredibly smooth with tremendous footwork and his motions exude such confidence. The uncommitted defender consistently shows his top-flight instincts and agility in the field and it is always clear that he is in control of a defense. Moore will only continue to improve as he adds strength and physicality to the frame.
Middle Infield: Mac Horvath (Century HS, Rochester, Minn.)
There are a multitude of two-way talents at this age, such as the aforementioned Masyn Winn, and Horvath might be the best such player in the nation. The North Carolina commit is an excellent runner, recording a 6.64-second 60-yard dash time at the Junior National, and that speed allows him to range very well to both sides while in the field. Horvath has plenty of twitch and athleticism to his actions with present foot quickness and balance that are strong qualities for a shortstop.
Jordan Carrion (American Heritage HS, Miami, Fla.) and Jordan Andrade (Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, Calif.) are two other middle infielders who had very strong years. Carrion is a consistently impressive athlete at the position, routinely making flashy and rangy plays while Andrade has some of the best pure fundamentals and tools in the infield.
Third Base: Ethan Long (Mountain Pointe HS, Gilbert, Ariz.)
With some of the most impressive arm strength in the entire class, Ethan Long’s arm is one of the biggest tools in the country. He has been recorded up to 96 mph from across the infield, and 97 mph from the outfield, and the plus arm strength allows him to make very impressive plays by a wide margin.
Cayden Wallace (Greenbrier HS, Greenbrier, Ark.) and Jared Jones (La Mirada HS, Whittier, Calif.) are other impressive defensive third baseman with tremendous arm strength as both have been in the low-90s when on the mound.
Outfield: Enrique A. Bradfield, Jr. (American Heritage HS, Hialeah, Fla.)
One of the most dynamic and impressive athletes in the entire class is Bradfield. The recent Vanderbilt commit routinely turns in plus run times from the left side of the plate and that athleticism plays very well in center field. Bradfield has excellent instincts and route running while the speed allows him to glide to batted balls in the outfield and that range makes him one of the premier defenders in the class.
Outfield: Austin Hendrick (West Allegheny HS, Oakdale, Pa.)
The No. 1 player in the class is also an outstanding defender as Hendrick is a very advanced defensive outfielder. The recent Mississippi State commit has very good athleticism and is a sure-handed gloveman. Hendrick is about as consistent and impressive as you can hope from an outfielder with excellent route-running abilities along with tremendous foundational tools.
Outfield: Trejyn Fletcher (Trinity-Pawling HS, Portland, Maine)
Fletcher is another hyper athlete who performs tremendously in the outfield. The arm strength is top notch with 90 mph throws from the outfield and a fastball that tops out at 92 mph. The speed stands out as well with a 6.66 second 60-yard dash time. The Vanderbilt commit’s rare combination of elite speed and arm strength is obviously extremely helpful toward being an elite defender, however Fletcher deserves a lot of credit for being a consistent and able defender and utilizing the tools to be an impressive fielder.
Dylan Crews (Lake Mary HS, Longwood, Fla.) and Brandon Fields (Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, Fla.) are two other impressive athletes with keen defensive skills in the outfield.
Utility: Alex Greene (Dematha Catholic HS, Edgewater, Md.)
Two-way players have been a strong theme for this defensive list and Alex Greene is another who is impressive both on the mound and off it. The Virginia commit’s 96 mph arm from the outfield is second in the class, only to the aforementioned Long, and is an extremely potent weapon. When you also factor in the athleticism he shows in the outfield, Greene is an easy choice for the list.
Nate Wohlgemuth (Owasso HS, Owasso, Okla.) also deserves recognition for his impressive arm strength and abilities defensively as well.