Fresh on the scene without having completed a semester of high school, the whispers across the country of a talented 2023 class have steadily increased after a full summer and fall of action on the diamond. Still very much maturing as players, both physically and mentally, these wide-eyed freshmen are eager to make an impact at the varsity level as well as the national stage...and some already have.

In producing the initial 2023 Overall Rankings list, PBR’s Ground Forces, which includes hundreds of scouts across the country, worked hard to uncover and discover players from coast-to-coast at practices, tournaments and showcases. The modest list of 200 is sure to grow over the next four years with new players emerging and others making big jumps, and through it all, PBR stands committed to being the most up-to-date and credible source for amateur baseball news. It is important to note that PBR overall rankings only include states that we intimately know from our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff.

In reviewing the long list of players from all over the country, one storyline continuously showed up with each state list that came in: left-handed pitching is prevalent in the class. So much so that the top two players and six of the top 15 are southpaws. Still further, 18 of the top 100 show promise on the mound as left-handed hurlers—with many also competing as two-way players.

Leading the bunch is LHP Thomas White (Phillips Andover HS, MA), a long-limbed, 6-foot-3, 185-pounder whose right-now stuff is only outweighed by the future potential and upside that he still holds. Electrifying a packed house of college coaches at Lake Point at the 2019 PBR Future Games, White ran his fastball up to 90 mph from a difficult 3/4 slot that exhibits heavy arm-side life thanks to a crossfire step. Already demonstrating an ability to work to both sides of the plate as well as elevate with the fastball, White’s quick arm and projectable frame promise even more velocity on the way in the future. Combine that with a polished, athletic delivery, and developing feel for a slurvy breaking ball and changeup, and he has the makings of a future frontline starter down the line.

Thomas White (August, 2019)

Just behind White is LHP Kade Anderson (St. Paul’s HS, LA), a Louisiana State recruit, who effortlessly produces upper-80s velocity with a clean delivery and high-3/4 slot that exhibits quickness out front. His ability to spin a tight, 1/7 breaking ball (70-73) with multi-tier break, and mix a fading changeup (76-78) with fastball arm speed gives him three legitimate weapons to continue honing over the next several years. Following Anderson are: LHP Jakob Schulz (Memorial HS, TX) at number five, and LHP/1B Ethan McElvain (Summit HS, TN) at number six. Schulz, Texas’ top-ranked player, already showcases impressive command of a mid-80s fastball (up to 87 in June) to both sides of the plate, along with a big-bending curveball that takes 1/7 shape with tight spin in the mid 70s (2360 rpm). With a durable, 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame with lean, proportional strength, Schulz shows signs of making another big jump in the future. McElvain, already a Vanderbilt recruit, is one of the top athletes in the class, and shows upside both on the mound, where he attacks hitters with a 85-87 fastball and sharp breaking ball (69-73), and at the plate where the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder possesses a powerful stroke.

Jakob Schulz (June, 2019)

But the class is far from being only southpaws. At No. 3, RHP Ethan Robinson (Donelson Christian Academy, TN), a Vanderbilt recruit, might be the most polished arm in the class. With four pitches for strikes including a fastball that has been effortlessly up to 91 along with a pair of breaking balls and a changeup, he combines a starter’s repertoire with an athletic, 6-foot-2, 177-pound pitcher’s frame.

Ethan Robinson (April, 2019)

Perhaps the most talented “baseball player” in the country is two-way standout UT/RHP Aidan Miller (JW Mitchell HS, FL), the top player in Florida, who checks in at number four. A consummate winner whose game is elevated in big situations, Miller has the athleticism to play any position on the field along with natural feel for the barrel and a gap-to-gap approach, and shines on the mound with a fastball that creeps into the upper 80s, sharp secondary stuff, and strong overall feel for pitching.

Aidan Miller (June, 2019)

Rounding out the top 10 is RHP Brandon Olivera (Mater Academy, FL), at number seven. A talented player with a powerful right arm, Olivera has stuff to get swings and misses. SS/RHP A pair of Georgia products stand at numbers eight and nine: Dylan Cupp (Cedartown HS, GA) has upside as a defender on the left side with the potential to hit in the middle of the order stands out right now. As his lean, athletic, 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame fills out, there is likely to be even greater strides taken forward. SS/RHP Cam Collier (Mt. Paran HS, GA) brings a physically-advanced, 6-foot, 190-pound frame with proportional, defined strength to the diamond, and utilizes it well with a powerful stroke from the left side. Far from approaching his high-ceiling, Collier’s athleticism pairs well with a quality tool set. At number 10 is RHP Duke Eckstrom (Point Loma HS, CA). Eckstrom’s whippy arm has the potential to be electric, and his wiry-athletic, 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame will likely hold considerably more strength in the next four years, and makes him the top player in California’s class.

Dylan Cupp (April, 2019)

Cam Collier (June, 2019)

Duke Eckstrom (July, 2019)


2023 OVERALL Rankings

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Thomas White	MA	Phillips Academy, Andover	2023	LHP
2	Kade Anderson	LA	St. Paul's	2023	LHP	Louisiana State
3	Ethan Robinson	TN	Donelson Christian	2023	RHP	Vanderbilt
4	Aidan Miller	FL	JW Mitchell	2023	3B
5	Jakob Schulz	TX	Memorial	2023	LHP
6	Ethan McElvain	TN	Summit	2023	LHP	Vanderbilt
7	Brandon Olivera	FL	Mater Academy	2023	RHP	Miami
8	Dylan Cupp	GA	Cedartown	2023	SS
9	Cam Collier	GA	Mount Paran	2023	SS	Louisville
10	Duke Eckstrom	CA	Point Loma	2023	RHP