PA 2025 Rankings Update
December 7, 2022
As the fall comes to a close with a completed 2022 outdoor season, our staff sat down for a modest update to the 2025 class rankings. One of the deeper groups of pitching in recent memory is bolstered with four premier two-way prospects at the top, front-lined by LHP/OF David Shields (Mount Lebanon) and 3B/RHP Kaden Hathaway (Trinity).
Some shuffling occurred inside the Top 10, as recent Clemson commit 3B/RHP Jason Fultz (Cathedral Prep) was crowned 5th overall. Multiple upside names remain on the fringe such as RHP Danny Nelson (Hershey) and RHP Nico Varlotta (North Allegheny), while SS Matthew Robaugh (Trinity) is a bat seasoned enough to make the leap.
Included below is a full list of the 115 ranked, Top 10 in the class, Risers, and an updated Players to Watch list.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP 115 / CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
THE TOP-10
David Shields LHP / OF / Mt. Lebanon, PA / 2025An athletic 6-foot-2, 195lb frame continues to trend up physically with easy arm-speed from the left side. The strike-thrower utilizes a balanced delivery to locate the FB around the plate, into the mid-to-upper 80’s, mixing a razor-blade 73-75 mph SL that generates weak contact. The switch-hitter has also put forth quality at-bats on the national circuit with ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap. Miami commit
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Kaden Hathaway 3B / RHP / Trinity, PA / 2025There’s leverage throughout a wiry, projectable 6-foot-3, 180lb build with two-way upside. Creates some torque in the hips for a T95 mph exit velocity and an XBH approach (361 foot distance) while translating similar power to the mound. The righty maintains angle on an 82-84, T86 mph FB with tight spin on a low-70’s, two-plane CB. It’s easy to like, especially when watching him play defense at 3B. West Virginia commit
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Coy Allman C / RHP / Donegal , PA / 2025Coming off of a big high school season and PBR Future Games appearance for Team PA, Allman has added useful strength, now listed at 5-foot-11, 180lbs. The right-handed hitter matched plane against top pitching in Georgia, delivering a few hard-struck 90+ mph exits to the pull side. Was down to 1.88-1.99 (79 mph) during workout day with one of the quicker releases in the class. Uncommitted
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Ty Kaunas SS / 2B / Northeastern, PA / 2025A member of the ‘21 Junior Future Games, Kaunas features advanced body control in the box with a clean rotational skill set. Still room to fill out a long, twitchy 5-foot-10, 155lb frame that has begun growing into its offensive power potential. The primary shortstop makes tough plays routine and gains momentum over the front side with low-80’s mph arm-strength across the dirt. Virginia Tech commit |
Jason Fultz 3B / RHP / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 2
The biggest mover inside the Top-10, Fultz recently verballed to Clemson and owns a hard-to-miss build at 6-foot-1, 200lbs. There’s raw juice at the plate, but he operates with a slow pulse, evidenced by six hits over three separate scouting trips to Erie this past spring. Measurables on both sides continue pushing upwards, such as a 90+ mph positional velocity. Clemson commit
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Ben Peterson C / OF / Canon-McMillan, PA / 2025Among the favorite ‘22 preseason performances, Peterson was ultra-efficient, hammering the inner-half at All-State East with tight turns and a flat path for a T94 mph exit velocity. Natural feel to start/stop in the box, timing up weight-shift at impact, then popped 1.98-2.05 using an aggressive lower-half. Showed off rare power from the crouch, up to 81 mph. North Carolina commit
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Derek Smail 1B / RHP / Clarion Area, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1
Packaged-up with multiple tools at 6-foot-1, 228lbs, Smail is fully back to 100% after an offseason shoulder issue. The right-handed hitter possesses a high ceiling as a middle of the order type bat who can command the zone. Some depth on the first move, allowing for loft towards the pull-side gap with bad intentions; T99 mph exit velocity, 337 foot distance. Uncommitted
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Ajonte Bullock OF / RHP / Gettysburg Area, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 1
Depicted next to the word “smooth” in the dictionary, Bullock was one of Central PA’s most productive Freshman at the varsity level. The talented 6-foot, 165-pounder impressed with advanced burst in our scouting looks while drawing the hands back on the offspeed. Not afraid to steal bases and challenge the defense with a sub-7.00 run either. Uncommitted
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Christian Lucarelli RHP / 3B / Riverside, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
The athletic, seasoned 6-foot, 180lb righty hones a deceptive upper-80’s FB (2430) with elite vertical approach angle at times from a lower release. An improved 70-73 mph breaking-ball flashes short 11/5 tilt, commanding a 75-80 mph straight-CH to the arm-side. Blocks the landing leg properly with finishing ability and was lights out at the PA State Games. Uncommitted
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Ryan Walsh RHP / OF / Bethel Park , PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 2
Also a notable wrestler with competitive fire on the bump, Walsh moves up-tempo using a full arm-swing out of a strong H ¾ slot. Really extended on an 85-87 mph FB that was commanded for strikes, adding hop to the letters, and buried a 69-71 mph CB with tall shape. Feel to fade a 73-76 mph CH, which could be a weapon vs. left-handed hitters. Elastic parts down the slope, more velo to dream on. Penn State commit |
RISERS
Danny Nelson RHP / OF / Hershey, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 3
The Clemson recruit was a winner at the #KeystoneClassic, mostly low effort with a lightning quick arm into the 83-84 mph range. Tunnels the SL out of the same window and has all the pieces set in place to become a top of the class arm. Look for him to be more upper-80’s, low-90’s in short order from a wiry 6-foot-1, 155lb frame. Clemson commit
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Austen Frye RHP / C / Downingtown West, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 6
Popping back up in June at the Summer Open: East, Frye held every bit of 81-83 mph with above-average spin rates (2454). There’s some hip-coil in the stack and late bite to a 69-71 mph CB that works to the glove-side of the plate. Has since seen the FB jump up a couple ticks at 5-foot-11, 185lbs. Uncommitted |
Jager Nailor SS / 2B / Mechanicsburg Area, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 11
Another solid contributor out of the #KeystoneClassic with athletic upside, Nailor bounces around the left side of the diamond and keeps taking major steps forward offensively. The right-handed hitter swings from behind the ball and produces consistent, loud contact towards the middle of the field (88 mph exit velocity). Uncommitted
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Collin Yeager 3B / OF / Canon McMillian, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 34 / POS: 4
Some eye-catching metrics at the PA State Games propelled him to a standout round, only 6-foot-1, 170lbs with a 95 mph exit velocity, 25 mph hand-speed, and 76 mph bat-speed. The lengthy third baseman squared up everything thrown at him, leaving the yard twice to the LCF gap. Uncommitted
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Owen Pinkerton OF / 3B / LaSalle College , PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 56 / POS: 7
The 5-foot-10, 170lb outfielder stays inside the frame with a wider stance that slots the barrel flat during a rotational turn. Metrics on the rise, as exit velocities push into the low-90’s with pull-side success. Plenty of tools to build off of as he enters refinement this winter (84 mph arm). Uncommitted |
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/05 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
2023 Preseason ID: Northwest (20% Full) | PA | 02/05 | Pennbriar Athletic Club / Erie, PA |
2023 Preseason ID: Central (25% Full) | PA | 02/11 | The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA |
2023 Northeast ProCase (Invite Only) | PA | 02/12 | The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA |
2023 Preseason ID: Southwest - Session 1 (70% Full) | PA | 02/18 | All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA |
2023 Preseason ID: Southwest - Session 2 (SOLD OUT) | PA | 02/18 | All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA |
2023 Rising Stars: West (25% Full) | PA | 02/19 | All American Fieldhouse / Monroeville, PA |
2023 Preseason ID: East (SOLD OUT) | PA | 02/26 | In the Net / Palmyra, PA |
2023 Preseason ID: PA Last Chance (25% Full) | PA | 03/04 | The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA |
2023 Rising Stars: East (35% Full) | PA | 03/11 | Keystone State Sports / Manheim, PA |