John Cackowski
State Director 

In the fall of 2014 PBR Colorado released our first ever 2017 rankings which consisted of 40 players. In the past two years Prep Baseball Report Colorado has had the opportunity to cover amateur baseball like no other organization has ever been able to do before in the state of Colorado. Between scouting numerous games in the summer and fall from our last 2017 rankings posted in July, and having a great opportunity to see more 2017 grads at the Unsigned Senior Games and Colorado Fall Prospect Games, we were able to move our 2017 ranking list to 200 players.

Staying at No. 1 is RHP and Texas Christian commit Caleb Sloan of Regis Jesuit. Recently committed to Texas Christian, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound right hand pitcher stands tall and stays tall through his delivery.  He gets good lower leg drive and extension out front on his pitches.  Body stays in-line and stays square on his follow through.  Arm is over the top with good speed on all pitches. Sloan has been on the national summer circuit which included a performance in the Under Armour All-American Game in Wrigley, the Area Code Games in California, and recently pitching in the Wood Bat Championship in Jupiter, Florida. Sloan has a strong frame with a developed upper half and his fastball this summer and fall has been consistently 92-93, touching 95 late in the summer. 

Staying at No. 2 in our rankings is switch hitting catcher and Arkansas commit Casey Opitz of Heritage High School. A 5-foot-11, 170-pound switch hitting catcher. Playing for the Midland Redskins out of Ohio this summer, Opitz is the top catching prospect in our state. At the Preseason All-State last march Opitz ran a 7.13 60. From the left side he stands open with a short stride to come square.  Level swing path with good extension.  84 MPH exit velocity.  From the right side he is square with a good level path to the ball with same exit velocity.  Behind the plate he shows quick actions on balls in the dirt and soft hand while receiving.  He showcased a 79 mph accurate arm with pop-times of 1.81-190. 

Our No. 3 ranked 2017 is another Texas Christian Commit RHP James Notary of Broomfield. Last time we saw Notary was in June when he was pumping 88 mph fastballs in the Atkinson Memorial for the Colorado Rockies Scout Team and was dominant. Notary is a 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds. Notary has good mechanics with a square, in-line over the top delivery that now touches 90 mph  Good leg drive towards home that produces  good down angle and extension. Curveball is 12-6 shape with good tight spin at 71 mph. Change has some fade at 72. 

Moving to No. 4 is RHP and Arizona State Commit Drake Davis of Raltson Valley. 6-foot-1,170 pounds. Davis fastball sits at 88-89 and can touch 90. Aside from his fastball, Davis throws and effective changeup aggressively and for strikes, and a wipeout slider. Recently in our Atkinson Memorial Davis was impressive in 3 innings of no-hit work against Cherokee Trail. What we came away impressed with was how much he has cleaned up his motion to make it less effortless. Arm works real well and is quick. Square to the plate and pounded the strike zone. To see video Click Here

Staying at No. 5 is LHP and Washington State Commit Connor Nantkes of Cherokee Trail. Nantkes had a great run at the end of the year to help the Cougars win their first 5A Baseball State Championship. A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP 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.  Has a 74 MPH change that moves into the right hand hitter.  

Tomorrow we will post our "Top Risers" in the 2017 Rankings. 

Here is a sneak peak at the Top 15 in which 14 of the 15 players are committed to Division 1 colleges

To see entire list Click Here

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Caleb Sloan	CO	Regis Jesuit	2017	RHP	Texas Christian
2	Casey Opitz	CO	Heritage	2017	C	Arkansas
3	James Notary	CO	Broomfield	2017	RHP	Texas Christian
4	Drake Davis	CO	Ralston Valley	2017	RHP	Arizona State
5	Conner Nantkes	CO	Cherokee Trail	2017	LHP	Washington State
6	John Sorensen	CO	Rocky Mountain	2017	SS	Kansas State
7	Liam Eddy	CO	Brighton	2017	RHP	Wichita State
8	Blake Rohm	CO	Broomfield	2017	RHP	Virginia
9	Tyson Hays	CO	Grandview	2017	C	Illinois State
10	Jack Winkler	CO	Chatfield	2017	SS	San Francisco
11	Joey Salvato	CO	Mullen	2017	SS	Coastal Carolina
12	Matt Givin	CO	Rock Canyon	2017	2B	Xavier
13	Jacob Hilton	CO	Arapahoe	2017	RHP	New Mexico
14	Carter Akerfelds	CO	Dakota Ridge	2017	RHP
15	Sam Colehower	CO	Cherry Creek	2017	RHP	Northern Colorado