Updated Colorado 2020 Rankings
April 18, 2019
After hosting the 5th annual Preseason All-State, Junior Sunbelt Tryouts, and scouting numerous games so far at the halfway mark of the 2019 spring season, we’re all set to reevaluate and update the class rankings, and we’ll start by taking a closer look today at the top-10 prospects in Colorado’s 2020 class. It’s been since the fall since we last updated the Class of 2020 Rankings. We’re due for an update. With that, let’s look at the revamped top-10 prospects.
To take a look at the full list Click Here
At the top, retaining his No. 1 spot for the 3rd consecutive time, is Jack Moss (Cherry Creek High School; Virginia commit). The left-handed hitting Moss has emerged as one of the top hitters in our state, and is off to a torching start to 2019. Moss is pacing the Bruins with a .526 batting average to along with 8 doubles leading Cherry Creek to a 8-4 start. The 6-foot-4, 190 pound first baseman has a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact, fluid, repeatable swing, creates bat speed, consistent hard contact and gap to gap power; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, moves well left and right. Great presence and footwork in the field and around the bag.
Jack Moss, June 2018
Staying at No. 2 for the 3rd consecutive time is outfielder Colby Shade (Fort Collins High School; Virginia commit) Another Virginia commit out of Colorado in the 2020 class, Shade is one of the main reasons Fort Collins is out to a 10 and 3 start to the season. The athletic outfielder is currently hitting .436 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, and a homerun to go along with 20 runs and 12 stolen bases. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound right hand hitting outfielder ran a 6.60 60 at the 2018 Colorado Top Prospect Games, and also showcased a strong arm from the outfield at 86 mph. Simple, balanced set up at the plate. Slow load to the back side and weight fires through the zone. Exit velocity was 93 mph from a tee. Hit several balls hard to the right center gap during the live BP round. In the field he is fundamentally sound and shows excellent anticipation. Still can't forget the play he made in the District Playoffs last spring with 1 out and the winning run at 3rd in the bottom of the 7th inning against Douglas County that preserved the tie in a game that Fort Collins would eventually win in extra innings.
Colby Shade, 2018 Colorado Top Prospect Games
Staying in the No. 3 spot is Jenner Kehe. (Lakewood High School; Virginia Tech commit). Another 2020 Colorado commit headed to the state of Virginia, Kehe last summer came off an impressive Future Games for Team Select striking out the side in his first outing with an athletic delivery and loose arm. His fastball lived 85-87, and created a buzz in the stands with Virginia Tech watching. With his thin, wiry frame at 6-foot-1, 145 pounds, everyone can see how much more there is to come. His curve sits 71-72 mph, and throws an impressivechange with same arm speed as fastball at 74 mph with late fade. Expect Kehe to help Lakewood finish the year strong because the talent on the mound plays.
Jenner Kehe, 2018 Future Games
Staying at No. 4 is Declan Wiesner (Valor Christian High School; uncommitted. Wiesner had a successful 2018 Future games last summer. An athletic catcher at 6-foot, 190 pounds, Wiesner has advanced bat speed offensively, which was evident at the Future Games with a 94 mph exit velo. Wiesner, does a good job controlling the game behind the dish. Wiesner has soft hands receiving behind the plate with good ability to block from both sides. Also demonstrates the ability to be a good field general. Arm velo down to 2B is 80 mph. Also impressed with a 6.98 60 time for a catcher at the Future Games. Currently Wiesner is hitting .387 in Valor's first year of 5A competition with 3 homeruns It's a matter of not if but when Wiesner chooses from multiple options to go D-1
Declan Wiesner, 2018 Future Games
Moving up from 8 to 5 is Case Williams (Douglas County High School; Santa Clara commit). 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Williams is one of the main reasons the Huskies are off to a 11-1 start by posting video game numbers on the mound in the toughest league in the state at the 5A level. Currently Williams is 4-0 with a 0.62 ERA. In 23 innings, Williams has only given up 9 hits while striking out 42. Williams fastball sits 90-91 consistently through the game. Williams hides the baseball very well and makes it difficult for opposition hitters to pick up the ball early and recognize the differences in his 90 plus fastball to his 75 mph breaking ball with good command.
Case Williams, 2019 Preseason All-State
Newcomer to the top ten rankings coming in at No. 6 is Jacob Thompsen (Regis Jesuit High School, uncommitted. Thompsen is leading a loaded Raiders pitching staff which has helped the team get out to an 11-1 mark this spring. 6-foot, 150 pounds. Have had Thompsen at past events before, but velo has really jumped since then. In game we saw against ThunderRidge, Thompsen had a firm fastball, whichedlived 88-89 the first inning, and eventually settled in at 86-87. Arm has some wrap-back, slight pause in delivery then is quick through the zone from a high 3/4 arm slot, inline and square to the plate. Curve was thrown for strikes with 11/5 shape. Was a swing and miss pitch at 72-73 mph. In this game Thompsen threw 5.1 innings giving up 2 hits while striking out 6. Thompsen has more room to fill out and add velo for sure. Projects as a Upper D-1 pitching prospect. Starts at shortstop when not pitching.
Coming in at No. 7 is another Raiders pitcher Chase Allen (Regis Jesuit High School; Michigan commit). Standing in at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Allen dominated 3A competition last spring for Colorado Academy going 8-0 with a 0.62 ERA. In 45 innings pitched Allen struck out 81 batters giving up 23 hits. Transferring to Regis Jesuit this year, Allen joins a loaded pitching staff at Regis, but has had to sit out half of the season, and will be making his debut for the Raiders on the mound this week. Allen has a strong, durable frame. Hiding the ball well, Allen comes from a high 3/4 arm slot, and throws a fastball that lives between 88-90 mph. Good extension to the plate with command.
Another newcomer to the top ten and coming in at No. 8 is Ethan O'Donnell (Regis Jesuit High School, uncommitted). Bats left, throws right. 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Hitting clean-up for Regis, O'Donnel is a 5 tool player who has projects as a solid D-1 prospect. The left-handed swing plays, and has power to both gaps. Slow pick up and put down striding on line, hands move back and elbow slots, bat gets on plane early, and finishes with uphill tilt. Lower half finishes completely with aggression and maintains balance in the swing. Feet were active and aggressive on approach playing behind the ball in the OF with nice glove presentation to catch. Aggressive baserunner. Another top ten player for the Raiders, O'Donnell recently ran a 6.85 laser timed 60 at the Preseason All-State while also showing bat with with a 94 mph exit velocity, and an 88 mph arm from the OF. He is currently hitting .412 with 1.219 OPS.
Moving into the top ten for the first time and coming in at No. 9 is Cameron Hassert (Silver Creek High School, Villanova commit). A 6-foot-1, 160-pound left hand hitting MIF who ran a 6.90 laser timed 60. Smooth load and long stride on the pitch. Swing is fluid with an uphill path to the ball. Lower half drives on the pitch. Exit velocity was 90 mph off the pitch with pull side power. . Active feet on approach with solid glove presentation. Clean exchange to a longer arm action throwing from a three-quarter arm slot at 76 mph across the infield. Hassert transferred from Niwot high school to Silver Creek high school this year, and is just getting going. Last spring Hassert hit an impressive .429 with 22 RBI's, 7 doubles, and 1.097 OPS.
Finishing out the top ten is Brady LeJeune-Deacutis (ThunderRidge High School; Texas Tech commit). On the mound the projectable LHP On the mound, delivery repeats, tall and fall type, loads lift to back side, coiled at top, lands square and stays on line and balanced. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, 85-87 mph, with ability to command. Curveball has 1/7 shape, and bite with spin and shape,73-74 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 75-76 mph. In 14 IP, Brady has a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts.
Brady LeJeune-Deacutis, 2018 Preseason All-State