Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

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It’s been a busy four-plus months since the last update to the Class of 2018 rankings. As we have worked our way through the summer and fall, both on the state and national levels, more light has been shed on this talented and deep class. There has been plenty of shakeup throughout the list, which has now been expanded to 75 players. Here are some highlights in the update...

+ A Louisiana State recruit, RHP Landon Marceaux (Destrehan) retains his No. 1 slot after an impressive performance in Jupiter. A Mississippi recruit, C CJ Willis (Ruston) checks in at the No. 2 slot. The 2018 catcher has also been a fast riser on the national stage and will certainly be one to keep an eye on this spring.

+ Louisiana State recruits, IF Gavin Dugas (Houma Christian), and RHP/IF Will Ripoll (John Curtis) check in at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. Dugas showed explosive athleticism at the Preseason All-State Games in October, posting a 6.58 60-yard dash and an eye-opening 95 mph exit velocity. Ripoll had an outstanding summer pitching for the Louisiana Knights, recording two saves, including the championship game, at the Under Armour Classic. A legitimate two-way prospect, Ripoll flashed offensive firepower at the Future Games, recording four hits, and reaching base seven times in nine plate appearances.

+ The biggest riser in the rankings is undoubtedly OF Basiel Williams (Ponchatula). Williams has exploded onto the scene this fall with perhaps the most appealing toolset of any player in Louisiana. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound outfielder has a lean, athletic and projectable frame. A former high school quarterback, he displayed explosive athleticism at the Preseason All-State Games, posting a 6.68 60-yard dash. After a recent move to the outfield, Williams shows quality defensive ability with a long, loose arm action, carry on throws and a positional velocity of 86 mph. In addition, Williams is a switch-hitter with a simple setup, strength at contact, present pull power, and he posted an 89 mph exit velocity.

+ There are several newcomers to the rankings including SS Connor Simon (Lafayette), Tulane recruit SS Collin Burns (De La Salle), C Patrick Silvia (Newman), 3B/RHP Joey Blanchard (Zachary), 2B/RHP Jacob Lamkin (St. Thomas More), C Conner Wyly (Neville), IF Kanin Dodge (Teurlings Catholic), IF/RHP Rhett Hebert (Zachary), C Caden Piper (St. Amant), and RHP/IF Jordan Loving (Riverside).

Below is a look at the top 10, click HERE for the entire Class of 2018 rankings.

Rank

	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Landon Marceaux	LA	Destrehan	2018	RHP	Louisiana State
2	CJ Willis	LA	Ruston	2018	C	Mississippi
3	Gavin Dugas	LA	Houma Christian	2018	SS	Louisiana State
4	Will Ripoll	LA	John Curtis	2018	RHP	Louisiana State
5	Basiel Williams	LA	Ponchatoula	2018	OF
6	Zane Zeppuhar	LA	St Amant	2018	OF
7	Cade Beloso	LA	John Curtis	2018	1B	Tulane
8	Logan Stevens	LA	John Curtis	2018	OF	Tulane
9	Chance Stone	LA	Sulphur	2018	3B
10	Jordin LaBruzza	LA	John Curtis	2018	SS

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