John Cackowski
State Director

With our recent 2017 rankings update reaching 185 players, there were many players that moved up, and also were new to the list. Below is a look at some of the top risers and newcomers after the fall and winter baseball season. We had a lot of new additions as we expanded our rankings from 160 to 185. CLICK HERE for complete Colorado 2017 Rankings.

Connor Nantkes, LHP/OF, Cherokee Trail, 2017
The recent Washington State commit moved from 13 to 5 in our recent rankings. You can argue that Nantkes has been the best pitcher in the state at the 5A level going down the stretch. Nantkes ended up 7-2 in 56 innings pitched striking out 51 while throwing two complete games in the playoffs. Nantkes also hit .449 with 10 doubles and 22 RBI's. A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP who runs a 7.30 60.  Balanced at the plate with a quick stride and load.  Weight transfers forward on the swing and he shows good extension out front.  Swing stays level and he lives in the gaps.  Showcases a 92 MPH exit velocity.  Athletic in the field at first base with good feet and instincts.  He moves well on balls to his glove side and delivers from a high ¾ arm angle.  He showcases an accurate 82 MPH arm across the diamond.  On the mound he starts slightly closed and gets good balance and drive to the plate.  He lands in-line with the plate and falls off to the third base side on his finish.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot and features an 85 MPH fastball with slight tail and a 70 MPH curve with sharp break.  He flashes a 74 MPH change that moves into the right hand hitter. 

Rocco Porreco, RHP/3B, Mullen

Porreco moves into the Top 30 to 26 jumping 15 spots. Porreco was one of the top pitchers in the Centennial League this past spring. A 6-foot-2, 200-pound right hand hitting 3B/RHP who ran a 7.41 60.  Balanced at the plate with a slight dive in on the pitch.  Wide stance allows for an aggressive weight transfer on the swing.  Swing path is level through the zone and his exit velocity was 92 MPH.  In the field he shows good feet and positioning on balls at him and to his glove side.  He makes a strong accurate throw across the field at 81 MPH. 

Dylan Norsen, 3B, Mountain Range

Norsen debuts at No. 40 for the first time in the 2017 rankings. A 5-foot-11, 155-pound right hand hitting 3B/SS who ran a 7.00 60.  At the plate he hits from a slightly open stance with a quick stride to get square.  Aggressive hip and weight transfer at contact with good extension out front at contact.  He hit several balls off the left center wall.  Exit velocity was 89 MPH.  In the field he shows smooth actions and movement on balls left and right.  He delivers from a ¾ arm slot with quick hands and transfer.  Arm velocity was 80 MPH with accuracy to the bag.

Judah Wilbur, SS/RHP Denver North, 2017

Wilbur moved almost 50 spots up to No. 44 on the list. Wilbur did everything for the Vikings in 2016 leading the program to their best year in many years leading the team to a 16-0 league record. The SS/RHP was 2nd in 4A hitting with a .593 batting average driving in 28 runs and scoring 32. Wilbur also hit 12 doubles, hit 2 homeruns, and stole 13 bases. A A 5-foot-11, 145-pound right hand hitting 2B/SS who ran a 7.37 60.  Balanced at the plate with a high leg kick and long stride on the pitch.  He shows good lower leg drive and good extension out front on contact.  He had an 87 MPH exit velocity off the tee.  In the field he is athletic with smooth actions on balls left and right. Liked his actions in the field.  He has a quick transfer and accurate arm from high 3/4 arm slot. His arm velocity was 74 MPH across the diamond.

Trey Wagner, OF, Rocky Mountain

Wagner had a solid year for the Lobos this spring and moved up over 30 spots in the rankings to No. 55. A 5-foot-7, 170-pound right hand hitting OF who ran a 7.30 60. At the plate he is balanced with a slow load to the backside on the pitch.  He shows strong weight transfer on the swing and hits off a firm front side.  Swing path is slightly uphill with hands finishing high on the swing.  He showed good power to the gaps and registered an 84 MPH exit velocity off the tee.  Aggressive in the field with good glove action on ground balls.  He has a quick release from an over the top arm angle.  He showed good accuracy on his throws and showcased a 75 MPH arm.