Our team of scouts were out in full force during the fall/winter and into the early part of the spring seasons giving them ample opportunity to not only see the top players, but also get eyes on players that are quickly rising through the rankings. The evaluation process is ALWAYS ongoing and after scouting and evaluating these players closely for several years, we feel this rankings list represents the most comprehensive set of player rankings for the 2020 class in the State of California.

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review their lists and make necessary adjustments based on what we've seen. As such, rankings have been presented, torn down, picked apart, recreated, torn down, and picked apart again... and not for the last time.

Without further ado, we present the updated Class of 2020 player rankings.

There is a new order within the Top 5, including a new No. 1. After having the opportunity to see the players on the field with each other and against each other, as well as in competition vs other elite competition, we have an apples to apples perspective.

As players develop there is inevitably going to be change. Some players rise as they develop and that necessitates that others fall or are passed. That doesn't always indicate that a player got 'worse' or went backwards, it's just the nature of how rankings work. Being ranked in the state of California in their senior year obviously means something very positive for each player. After much discussion, our scouting staff was able to agree on our updated 2020 Top 200 Player Rankings for the state of California which we present below.

THE TOP FIVE

There’s a new No. 1 player in the state and it’s catcher Tyler Soderstrom (Turlock HS), a UCLA signee whose offensive prowess has elevated him into the top spot in our rankings. After a summer that saw him perform at an elite level in the highest profile events on the circuit, Soderstrom has cemented himself at the top of the rankings. After performing at the Northern California ProCase, Soderstrom had a standout showing at the prestigious Area Code Games then went on to slash .364/.350/.353 with 10 RBI for the USA Baseball 18U National Team. The left-handed stroke is one of the purest in the state and the consistent power makes him a very desirable MLB Draft prospect come June. Add to that his overall athleticism behind the plate and ability to play a corner spot on the infield and what you have is one of the premier players in the nation. 

LHP Kyle Harrison (De La Salle HS), a UCLA signee, checks in at the No. 2 spot after an incredible summer of performing at an elite level in various environments. After seeing him multiple times in the spring season we had the opportunity to see him throw at our Northern California ProCase, which sort of served as his summer season bullpen session. Harrison also thrived at the Area Code Games and was a top performer on the USA Baseball 18U National Team where he collected two wins. Harrison led De La Salle to an NCS D1 title last spring earning our California Pitcher of the Year. As the summer went on, he got up to 94 mph and all the while maintained the touch, feel, and pitchability of his repertoire. 

OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Harvard-Westlake HS), a Vanderbilt signee known for his elite athleticism and considerable tools, checks in at No. 3 in our updated rankings. What has happened with PCA since the summer is his elite athleticism has merged with skill and in the process a truly elite player is emerging. When plus tools become usable on a consistent basis, that's what happens. Crow-Armstrong has all the tools and has considerable performances to back it up. He shone at the Area Code Games before going on to slash .364/.405/.606 for the USA Baseball 18U National Team. His overall athleticism and flare for coming up big in big moments makes him one of the nation's top players for the 2020 draft. It's not often the industry feels that a high school player is a 'safe bet' to come through on his potential...  but in this case, that's likely going to be the sentiment.