PA Rankings Update: Class of 2025
August 31, 2022
As we phase into the fall from an action-packed summer of high profile events across the state, the PBR Pennsylvania 2025 Class Rankings have been updated. The 2025's are shaping up to be a deep, talent-rich group with four quality two-way prospects within the Top 10 and many more included in the Next Five, Risers, and Newcomers highlighted below.
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THE TOP 10
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David Shields LHP / OF / Mt. Lebanon, PA / 2025A chance to be a special athlete at 6-foot-1, 185lbs, Shields attacks with a loose three-pitch mix, utilizing a full arm-swing to extend down the slope. The southpaw last popped up at #NPI2022 and was every bit of 86-87, T88 mph with life, adding a diving 78-79 mph CH from the same window that got multiple swing/miss. There’s room to throw plenty harder yet, while innate confidence carries over to the offensive side with a compact swing (switch-hitter); Miami recruit.
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Kaden Hathaway 3B / RHP / Trinity, PA / 2025Both a standout measurables and in-game performer, Hathaway hasn’t even broken the seal of what he can be in a 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. The West Virginia commit owns a leveraged approach at the plate, up to T95 mph exit velocity and 361 feet at the PA State Games. Then took the mound with a mid-80’s FB and regular effort, T86, mixing an above-average two-plane curveball for strikes. Loose, timed up actions; plus defender at the hot corner.
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Coy Allman C / RHP / Donegal , PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
When talking about premium defensive catchers in the state, Allman immediately comes to mind with the receiving skill set and catch/throw footwork to draw major attention. The #PBRFG22 Team PA invitee popped consistent 1.88-1.99’s with a 79 mph arm from the crouch and wasn’t really tested during gameplay. Improved offensive production continues driving his stock upwards, standing in comfortably vs. some top arms at Lakepoint; delivered an RBI single vs. 88-90 mph, uncommitted.
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Ty Kaunas SS / 2B / Nativity BVM, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1
Still developing physically with high-end barrel-control and twitch from the right side, Kaunas had a successful 2021 summer before verballing to Virginia Tech. The 5-foot-9, 145-pounder picks it in the middle with natural instincts on the dirt, running it up to 81 mph across the diamond in our last look. Makes all the plays with ability to change angle on the run and projects to be a top of the order bat once the strength starts arriving.
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Ben Peterson C / OF / Canon McMillan, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 2
One of the biggest winners from last summer’s Jr. Future Games, Peterson came back this winter stronger and more refined, posting personal bests in exit velocity (94 mph), distance (327 feet), sweet spot rate (50%), and hand-speed (23.4 mph). The right-handed hitter starts and stops well in the box with above-average intent, which should translate to future power output. There’s more to be excited about defensively with plus 81 mph arm-strength from the crouch out of a quick-triggered release; North Carolina recruit.
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Derek Smail 1B / RHP / Clarion Area, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 1
Few stack up against Smail’s raw pound-for-pound strength at 6-foot-1, 228lbs, driving the ball with early connection from the right side for extra-bases. Big pull-side approach that does most of its’ damage when working short to long back through the LCF gap (93 mph exit). Commands a two-pitch mix out of a compact delivery on the bump, mid-80’s with heaviness to both sides and short, lateral 69-71 mph SL. Quality feel for the game; uncommitted.
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Jason Fultz 3B / RHP / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 2
The well-developed 6-foot-1, 200-pound two-way prospect remains a fast climber in the rankings, up at least one spot in the top 10 each of the past couple releases. Continues making measurable jumps across the board with now 90 mph arm-strength positionally and the bat-strength to almost reach triple-digit exit velocities. Was an impactful contributor this past spring as a true Frosh. for Cathedral Prep and even ran it up into the mid-80’s with life on the mound; uncommitted.
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Ajonte Bullock OF / RHP / Gettysburg Area, PA / 2025Another premium athlete with some rawness around the edges, Bullock collected two hits this spring when we were in attendance, both on the inner-half of the plate. The 6-foot, 165lb center fielder is an intriguing mover, set with both the footspeed and burst to make a splash at the next level, and has seen power output increase over the past 4-6 months. Lightning-fast hands and balanced approach vs. the offspeed give him the opportunity to be a true leadoff hitter down the road; uncommitted.
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Christian Lucarelli RHP / 3B / Riverside, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
One of the more dominant arms at the PA State Games a few months ago, Lucarelli held 87-89 mph from a power H ¾ slot with an elite vertical approach angle, striking out 7/10 batters faced. Likes to challenge hitters up in the zone early, setting up a low-70’s CB with short-action off the plate in advantage counts. Quick hand-speed and the poise to throw big games from his time playing for Beaver Valley on the tournament scene; future starter’s profile at 6-foot, 179-pounds, uncommitted.
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Ryan Walsh RHP / OF / Bethel Park , PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 2
A breakout this offseason from our winter tour at the Pittsburgh Outlaws scout day, Walsh pounded the zone often with an 85-87 mph FB and low-70’s curve that flashed two-plane strikeout potential. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound two-sport athlete made his commitment shortly thereafter to Penn State, while showing the signs of a frontline arm with an extremely balanced delivery. Stocked with mound presence and pitchability to make a splash, there could be another jump soon.
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THE NEXT FIVE
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Nico Varlotta SS / RHP / North Allegheny , PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 2
Something about those Southwestern PA arms at the PA State Games.. Varlotta cruised through two scoreless innings with a loud frame at 6-foot-3, 180lbs, blowing an 85-87 mph FB by to the glove-side of the plate. A sharp, tilted breaking ball with slider shape settled in around 70-72 mph, drawing a few uncomfortable swings when ahead. Advanced feel to spin the baseball and also turned in a likeable batting practice round up to 90 mph exit velocity as a right-handed hitter; uncommitted
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Matthew Robaugh SS / C / Trinity, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 3
Another offensive producer from the southwest corner of the state, Robaugh possesses next level bat-speed and extends plane through the finish. The right-handed hitter has proven that he can consistently drive the ball gap-to-gap with a high intent lower-half that rarely misses the FB. In just the past year alone, the West Virginia recruit has jumped a total of 25 spots in the rankings, up to 12th today. |
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Colin Lynch 1B / 3B / Central Bucks East, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
Always a fun batting practice round with long arms and the ability to beat the ball to the front of the plate, Lynch left the yard 5 times over 12 swings at Lakepoint. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound first baseman coils early in the move and unloads through a well-sequenced attack that produces natural carry to the pull-side of the field, up into the 101 mph exit range at his peak. Also recorded two hits during gameplay, one a backside RBI double to RCF; uncommitted
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Joshua Toole C / 3B / Hempfield, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 3
The young 6-foot, 175-pounder got plenty of impactful at-bats as a middle of the order stick as a true Frosh. this past spring, which showed versus quality arms at the PA State Games. Toole barreled up velocity three separate times over the week, standing in with a loose-handed approach that clipped a T92 mph exit velocity during the BP portion. An advanced defender, the backstop lived under 2.00 consistently with one of the smoothest releases in attendance (78 mph arm); uncommitted.
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Peter Bozzone C / OF / Malvern Prep, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 4
From a raw power standpoint, Bozzone might eventually find his way towards the top of the class with an uber-physical 6-foot-3, 190lb build and switch-hitting skill set that has flashed on the national scene. Crushed a triple off the right field wall at Lakepoint a month ago with early rhythm in the swing, while also throwing a runner out from the crouch. Posted 24+ mph hand-speed the last time we got eyes on him; uncommitted.
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RISERS
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Kade Sell RHP / SS / Bishop Guilfoyle, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 3
Just looking at the natural athleticism (6.88 runner, 83 mph FB, 94 mph exit velo), Sell deserves a seat at the table amongst the more projectable prospects in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound two-way operates with effortless actions on both sides of the ball, accelerating the hands to the point of attack (RHH), while also showing the ability to spin a lateral upper-60’s breaker on an 11/5 tilt. One of the biggest arrow-up names in the state right now.
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Ethan Hotchkiss 1B / 3B / Waynesboro Area, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 26 / POS: 4
A winner from the Dirtbags Prime Scout Day in Maryland, Hotchkiss produced at the highest of levels, including a T97 mph exit velocity and 71% sweet spot rate via Trackman. The powerful 6-foot-3, 185-pound first baseman hits situationally with rare barrel skills at that size, flashing the top end measurables needed to take another leap in the coming months (26 mph hand-speed, 74 mph bat-speed). Will be a must-see this spring when we take a trip southwest to Waynesboro.
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Jackson Walsh LHP / OF / North Allegheny, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 3
The southpaw saw a small velo bump at the PA State Games (81 mph), also commanding three above-average pitches for strikes from an EASY H ¾ release. Going to throw much, much harder with clean mechanics down the mound and could easily be the next lefty arm off the board in the Keystone State. Gets around the SL well at 68-70 mph with the makings of a plus CH (72-74, 1500rpms) with hard fade.
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Jake Yang SS / 3B / Central Bucks South, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 10
Though the frame looks to pack on meaningful physicality at 5-foot-11, 155lbs, Yang produces timed-up movements with 88 mph arm-talent across the diamond. The right-handed hitter lived on the nose during batting practice with a quiet upper-half, delivering consistent head-high line drives where they were pitched. Grabbed a T86 mph exit velocity at the PA State Games while adjusting to the lower quadrant with a vertical path at times.
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Jack Pye RHP / OF / La Salle College High School, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 5
Checking the boxes with both the frame (6-3, 175lbs) and confidence to compete at a high level, Pye enters his sophomore season as an equally talented two-way with extra projection on the mound. The righty still works fairly easily to the bottom of the zone (glove-side) with a low-80’s FB and generates weak contact using a sweeping 62-64 mph SL from the same window. A 69-71 mph CH deadends spin under 1000 rpms, setting up as a quality third pitch in the future.
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NEWCOMERS
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Jake Bauer C / Malvern Prep, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 5
The single biggest splash in the 2025 class came from Bauer, who went from unranked to 17th overall. At 6-foot-1, 215lbs, the righty sat 82-87 mph with power at the PBR 15U National Championship in July and manipulated a mid-60’s curveball. The left-handed hitter stays direct, inside the ball with future advanced power and a heavy barrel; big football player too in Eastern PA. |
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Michael Coleman OF / Bonner-Prendergast, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 80 / POS: 14
Another standout from the PBR 15U National Championship, Coleman barreled an 88 mph FB vs. one of the top 2025 arms in the country for a standup double. Mature approach from the left side with some extra-base hit appeal and fast/accurate hands. More strength to come over the next year, a situational hitter who gets the job done.
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Andrew Pellicciotta SS / 2B / Malvern Prep, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 56 / POS: 13
A consistent force at Lakepoint this summer, Pellicciotta showed off his above-average run tool with a simple swing that produced hard contact around the field. The middle infielder finished his week accruing six hits with an adjustable, sinking back-side knee that allowed him to create ground force through the ball. Chance to hit for average down the line as he continues refinement.
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Aaron Fox RHP / OF / Eastern York, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 7
Only 5-foot-10, 140lbs with the arm-circle and hip/shoulder separation to create life into the mitt, Fox landed an 80-82 mph FB to the glove-side with spin traits and reached back for a low-70’s SL featuring tight cut across the plate. Pitched with a low-pulse and confident stuff while staying within himself intent-wise. A 70-72 mph CH will have a chance too with up to 16.5 inches of fade to the arm-side.
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Noah Heath SS / RHP / Lower Dauphin, PA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 76 / POS: 19
Strong and durable with a top-of-the-line batting practice round at the PA State Games, Heath bumped up 20 spots to #76, and maintains the upside with compact athleticism. The right-handed hitter displayed a 100% sweet spot rate (tops at the event) and pushed into the T88 mph exit velo range, adding useful pace in the middle of the infield. |
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2025 PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: West | PA | 10/09 | Historic Pullman Park |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: East | PA | 10/15 | Millersville University |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: Central | PA | 10/29 | Liberty Arena |
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