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New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - A year ago everything became more challenging for everyone. For scouts, coaches, and baseball players, that was no different. Fortunately, we were able to run numerous events last summer and through the fall, continuing through March 2021 that allowed us to see many players (though not as many as we'd have normally seen), some new to us and some we'd not seen in quite awhile. As the season is underway in many parts of California, we are all very excited to get out and once again see the players in game competition. 

As always, the evaluation process is fluid but without as many looks at players as we'd have in a normal year, that evaluation process was a little less fluid for this ranking. Some players have moved out of state, some have suffered injuries, some have had their development stall due to inactivity. However, others have worked extremely hard and are ready to show their improvement this spring. For some, we've seen that improvement already and it's reflected in their rise in the rankings.

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 our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. As such, the previous rankings have been scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and certainly not for the last time.

The new rankings show a shift in the Top 10 as some players impressed throughout the summer and have seen themselves jump up the rankings. These updated rankings see the list grow from 50 to 150 players in total. 

After much deliberation, we present the updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings.

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

THE TOP FIVE: 

Holding down the No. 1 spot in the state is Toby Twist of Garces Memorial HS (Oregon commit) who showed time and time again last summer that his progress and development is just getting started. Twist shows a quick arm, athletic frame, and swing-and-miss stuff. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder also shows some feel at the plate, but it is his 86-89 fastball, and especially his sharp breaking ball, that continue to raise his stock.

New No. 2 Nolan Stevens of Franklin HS has been dominant early this spring particularly on the mound where he’s working into the upper 80’s consistently while touching 90’s frequently.  The slider is much improved in movement and velocity at 76-79 mph and is flashing above average command early this spring. At the plate he’s a powerful left-handed hitter with over-the-fence power.

Moving into the No. 3 spot is Will Burns of Mission Viejo HS who is a legitimate two-sport athlete at the next level. Burns, an uber-athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pound quarterback at Mission Viejo, has shown polish and big tools this spring. The right-handed hitter has plus-bat speed and power potential, and gets on-plane early with impressive rotational acceleration that should provide for quick adjustments and advancements in the future. He’s twitchy in all phases of the game, but the bat has the makings of a middle-of-the-order type guy, even if he is forced to move off of shortstop in the future. 

Moving up into the No. 4 spot is shortstop Gavin Grahovac of Villa Park HS (Arizona St. commit) who has been scorching this spring with a powerful bat from the right side while showing major progress on the dirt at shortstop where he is demonstrating the ability to stay at the position when he moves on from high school. Grahovac plays with the confidence of a player much older than him and a 6-foot-2 180-pounds he has the physicality to continue that stands out immediately. 

Up a few spot into No. 5 is RHP Landon Stump of Live Oak HS (Oregon commit) who works mid-to-upper 80’s with the fastball that he pairs with a hard, biting slider. Command of both pitches has improved significantly to the point where either can be used as an out pitch. Stump flashes high spin rate with both pitches that he commands to all quadrants of the zone. Very projectable frame at 6-foot-3 170-pounds that will easily withstand more mass.

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6-10

No. 6 - C - Brady Reynolds - Liberty HS (Stanford commit)

Top catcher in the state with over-the-fence power who continuously finds barrels and is able to manipulate it through the zone. 

No. 7 - RHP/OF - Owen Egan - Yucaipa HS (UCLA commit)

With a fastball up to 90 mph and legitimate power at the plate, Egan is a bona-fide two-way standout. 

No. 8 - SS - Austin Roellig - Etiwanda HS (Arizona commit)

Premium defender with developing power at the plate. Hitting ability is advanced for his age. 

No. 9 - OF - Dean West - Notre Dame HS (UCLA commit)

Physical and speedy outfielder that is showing a much improved bat early in the spring.  

No. 10 - SS - Trent Caraway - Santa Margarita HS (Oregon St. commit)

Premium defender who is showing present and projectable power at the plate.  

NOTABLE RISERS

No. 23  - SS Carl Schmidt - Marin Catholic (Oregon commit) 

Fluid approach at the plate with outstanding bat speed; consistently finds barrels.

No. 27 - OF/RHP Jase Evangelista - King HS (Arizona St. commit)

Hyper-athletic two-way player who works into the upper 80’s with a fastball with a hammer.

No. 33 - OF Drew Rutter - Santa Margarita HS (Cal Poly commit)

Premium bat from the left side with present strength and an advanced approach. 

No. 34 - SS/RHP Roman Martin - Servite HS (UCLA commit)

Working into the upper 80’s in the fall while showing an improved hit tool this spring. 

No. 44 - SS Isaiah Lane - Eastlake HS 

Sound defensive mechanics that will allow him to stay up the middle with developing bat power.

No. 57 - RHP Collin Clarke - Santa Margarita HS 

Working into the upper 80’s with a spike curveball, Clarke shows exceptional feel on the mound. 

No. 60 - INF Kehden Hettiger - Sierra Canyon HS

Left handed hitter with pop in the bat and the ability to play multiple positions. Off to a hot start. 

No. 65 - OF Will Gasparino - Harvard Westlake HS 

At 6-foot-5 Gasparino has an uber projectable frame; Current gap approach and bat speed. 

No. 73 - C/RHP Joshua Pashby - St. Ignatius HS

Works mid-80’s with fastball with command of two pitches; 1.86-2.05 pop times.

No. 80 - RHP/INF JJ Hollis - JSerra HS (UCSB commit)

Mid-80’s fastball with a true three-pitch mix. Changeup flashes plus potential.

COMMITS BY POSITION

*Based on primary position listed in player profile

C: 23; 1B: 10; 2B: 1; 3B: 7; SS: 37; OF: 33; LHP: 3; RHP: 36

COMMITS BY SCHOOL

*Based on commitment listed in player profile

92: UNCOMMITTED

7: LONG BEACH STATE

6: UCLA

5: OREGON

4: ARIZONA STATE, UCSB, USC

3: ARIZONA, CAL, SAN DIEGO STATE, STANFORD

2: CAL POLY, FULLERTON, OREGON STATE, SANTA CLARA, SAN DIEGO, ST. MARY'S, VANDERBILT

1: ARKANSAS, FRESNO STATE, TEXAS, UNLV

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Northern California ProCase	CA	06/08	McBean Stadium
State Games ID - NorCal	CA	06/22	Islanders Field
SoCal ProCase	CA	06/22	Hart Park
Rising Stars Showcase (N CA)	CA	06/22	Islanders Field
NorCal Academic Games	CA	07/14	Islanders Field
California State Games	CA	07/16-07/18	Islanders Field
PBR Future Games (CA Invite)	CA	07/28	LakePoint Sports (GA)

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