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Updated Class of 2024 Rankings

August 25, 2022
PBR California Staff

New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

The PBR California 2024 Class Rankings have been updated after a baseball packed summer season that saw many of the top players in the state continue to maintain their status in their class while many others continue their climb toward the top of the class rankings. The 2024’s continue to add depth to an already talented class with some players who have seen major development and some newcomers to the list. 

Today we take a deeper dive into the top three players in the State, a couple of the top uncommitted players remaining on the board, as well as take a look at who's seen their stock take a rise after the summer. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

The Top Three

Bryce Rainer SS / Harvard Westlake, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1

It’s business as usual for Rainer who continued to scorch balls all summer at major events across the country including the Prep Baseball Report NPI. While much has been said about his ability to hit premium pitching, Rainer seems to have exceeded expectations where the power continues to show itself with more frequency and the run tool is also showing itself to be an asset to his game. Whether at third base, shortstop, or in the outfield Rainer has always shown to have a big arm which has onlookers eagerly anticipating his return to the mound, where he was last seen touching 94 mph.

Derek Curiel OF / Orange Lutheran , CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1

Curiel continues to show his high ceiling ability against some of the top competition nationally both in his own high school league and during the summer circuit. Few players his age have the ability to slow the game down like Curiel and it results in incredibly high levels of play whether defensively or at the plate. He’s one of the best hitters in his class with above average tools across the board that make him the top outfielder in the country in the 2024 class.

Austin Nye RHP / Woodcreek, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1

The future Vanderbilt Commodore has shown this past spring and summer that he’s a legitimate two-way prospect tools as a catcher and right handed pitcher although he’s unlikely to play those two positions beyond high school. Nye features a low 90's fastball that he combines with a hammer 12-6 breaking ball, a slider and a changeup. At the plate he’s a tank waiting to happen. True bat-to-ball skills that just sound different off the bat with the ability to hit to all fields and do so with power. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

Top Uncommitted

Justin Cuellar LHP / Tulare Western, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 3

The uncommitted Cuellar has seen his stock soar over the summer thanks in part to his ability to pound hitters in with multiple pitches. Cuellar has shown a true three-pitch mix with a FB (88-91), CH (78-81), and a SL (81-83) that he’s able to land for strikes in any count. Has a confident presence about himself on the mound that shows itself while he’s pitching.

Stunner Gonzales RHP / La Costa Canyon, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 7

Perhaps no player has garnered more attention this summer than Gonzales and deservedly so. After a strong spring at La Costa Canyon, Gonzales burst onto the scene at the PBR Future Games where he worked three very strong innings and was up to 91 mph flashing the big, live arm. It’s a true three pitch mix that has college coaches lining up for their shot at the 6’7” pitcher that is just getting started but has that rare high floor/high ceiling combination.

Nathan Aceves RHP / Huntington Beach, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 18

Aceves burst on the scene at the SoCal Preseason All-State and has continued his steady climb since. The righty commands a wipeout slider that induces high whiff rates to go with weak contact. The fastball and changeup velocity and command have improved over the summer making his stuff play way up. There's a long line of big time arms at perennial national powerhouse Huntington Beach and Aceves has a chance to be one of the next in line for the Oilers. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

RANKINGS Risers

Charlie Bates SS / Palo Alto, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 1

The Stanford commit had a huge spring season ranking near the top of multiple offensive categories for a loaded Palo Alto team that featured a second round pick at the top. Bates also has proven his worth defensively at shortstop where he’s a lock to stay moving forward in the future. The summer was more of the same with more loud contact but with more power showing itself, if that power continues to come Bates is a lock to continue to climb the rankings.

Nick Montgomery C / Cypress, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 1

After a big spring at Cypress that saw Montgomery begin to come into his power a little more consistently, he continued that this summer where he punished baseballs. The power is real and when it’s on it’s a sight to see from Montgomery. He can play behind the plate along with first base, but as far as pure hitters are concerned in this class in the state, he’s definitely in the discussion with the top guys.

Andrew Johnson RHP / Capistrano Valley Christian, CA / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 9

Johnson once again had a brilliant outing at the PBR Future Games where his velocity and stuff were as good as we’ve seen. The improved command of the fastball/curveball/changeup mix has elevated Johnson amongst the top right handed pitchers in the class. With a 6-foot-3 195-pound frame with room for more, one gets the impression that there is more in there for Johnson and velocity should continue to climb.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
NorCal Rising Stars Game CA 09/11 McBean Stadium
SoCal Underclass Game (Invite-Only) CA 09/24 University of San Diego
SoCal ProCase (Invite-Only) CA 09/25 JSerra High School
NorCal Uncommitted Games CA 10/09 McBean Stadium
SoCal Top Prospects Games (Invite-Only) CA 10/09 Great Park Stadium

 

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