Updated Class of 2020 Rankings

During the summer season we had the opportunity to learn much more about the players who are now in the senior class and make up the present draft class. With that it's time to update our player rankings for the Class of 2020, presented here.

Our team of scouts covered well over 600 high school games in the spring season and then, we blanketed the state during the summer season, giving us ample opportunity to get multiple views on these players. The evaluation process is ALWAYS ongoing. After scouting and evaluating these players closely for well over a year, we feel this 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.

THE TOP FIVE

There is a new order within the Top 5, including a new No. 1 and two new players ranked in the Top 5. 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 going into the fall of 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.

There is a new No. 1, both in California and nationally, and that is OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Harvard-Westlake HS), a Vanderbilt recruit known for his elite athleticism and considerable tools. What is now taking place with PCA is elite athleticism more deeply merging 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, making 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.

LHP Kyle Harrison (De La Salle HS), a UCLA recruit, rises to No. 2 in the rankings (from No. 8) 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 led De La Salle to an NCS D1 title in the spring, was named our California Pitcher of the Year, and then went out and shined on the national level. As the summer went on, he got up to 94 mph and all the while maintained the touch, feel, and pitchability of his four-pitch mix. That led to his rise to No. 2.

Making one of the biggest jumps is new No. 3, C/3B Tyler Soderstrom (Turlock HS), another UCLA recruit. Soderstrom, previously ranked No. 23, shot up not only our ranking, but also up the pref lists of scouts and cross-checkers as he tore it up at the plate all summer. A left-handed hitter, Soderstrom showed the ability to hit for average vs high caliber pitching, and already displays the ability to hit for power against that same pitching. An above average athlete, Soderstrom's soft hands and athletic feet also translate well to 3rd base. As a catcher or 3rd baseman, it's his left-handed hitting ability at EITHER position that has vaulted him up 20 spots and into the national Top 10.

Remaining in the top Top 5 at No. 4 overall is RHP/OF Jared Jones (La Mirada HS), a USC recruit. Jones is the top two-way player in the state and has been a staple presence near the top of each 2020 class ranking. It's primarily his prowess on the mound that has had Jones as highly ranked as No. 1 in the class (which he was in the previous ranking), having touched 99 in the spring and lived consistently in the 95-97 range most of the summer. Jones also showed the ability to play the outfield at a high level this summer while his bat has a history of loud contact with big power. In regard to raw baseball talent, Jones rates with the top players in the nation.

Rounding out the Top 5 is SS Milan Tolentino (Santa Margarita HS), a third UCLA recruit in the Top 5. He's a middle infielder with both the big time arm and power left-handed bat that baseball fans are now used to seeing at the MLB level. He combines those two talents with elite level glove work and above average speed. When considering tools and L/R profile at a premium position, Tolentino would be a candidate to be the No. 1 player in many other states and perhaps even in California in a previous year. He separated himself from his peers in the state at the position defensively while the consistency of the bat has not left him. For good measure he's been 90+ at times on the mound with a potential wipeout slider.

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6- 10:

No. 6 SS - Drew Bowser - Harvard-Westlake HS (Stanford)

Being a good defender at a premium position at a premier Southern California high school will generally get a player noticed... being that player who also develops power at the plate, that's special.

No. 7 C - Kevin Parada - Loyola HS (Georgia Tech)

Known as a very strong defender at the catcher position, Parada has now developed into an offensive talent as well. He's been consistently hitting for some time now and possesses legitimate power.

No. 8 OF - Chase Davis - Franklin HS (Arizona)

Though he didn't quite light up high level competition with consistent performance this summer, Davis remains an elite prospect, with a present 80 raw arm and future 70 power... from the left side.

No. 9 C - Daniel Susac - Jesuit HS (Arizona)

The third catcher ranked in the Top 10, Susac has the best arm of the group (grades out at present 70), has shown power (with wood) to all fields... and he very well could switch-hit this coming season.

No. 10 SS - Jacob Gonzalez - Glendora HS (Mississippi)

One of the biggest movers in the rankings, up from No. 49. Given his performance all summer as an emerging offensive talent, to go with already appreciated plus defensive tools, he's earned the bump.

>>>CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST>>>