Our premier winter event, the Preseason All-State Games took place on Sunday, January 28th at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, home of the Arizona State Sun Devils. The event featured top prospects from the 2019-2021 classes with a roster assembled on an invite-only basis. Today, we continue our top overall prospect lists with the sophomores. Due to the size and quality of the event we will rank the position groups with all classes combined, then do a top prospect list for 2019, 2020 and 2021 separately. Complete video, data, pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information. 

Colten Keith claims the top spot on the list after standing out as the top overall player at the event as the top pitcher and hitter in attendance. The second spot was a tight race between shortstops Daniel Davila and Hunter Haas, with Davila's slightly superior tools and ability to contribute on the mound earning him the nod. After the top group there were a number of D1 prospects in tight contention with a number of players who performed well just missing the list, including Will Maxey, Kenneth Jimenez, Tyler Moore, Brock Peery, Kai Taylor and others.

TOP 2020 PROSPECTS:

Colten Keith 3B / RHP / Verrado, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 43 / POS: 5 The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has an athletic frame with wiry strength throughout, and looks like he will pack on much more muscle in the future. He began the day by running an impressive, 6.71 60-yard dash to show off his speed, and later threw 89 mph across the infield and produced an exit velocity of 94 mph. However, it was his work in the game that stood out to me. At the plate, Keith features a large leg kick with his hands held high and work down and back throughout a load before working quickly uphill to the ball with advanced strength for his age. Especially at his young age, it can be difficult to time up a leg kick that big, but Keith is athletic enough to make it work. Even when falling behind in the count, he was able to get his foot down on time against some quality pitching. Because of this, I think he will be able to make the necessary adjustments, in the future, as he continues to face higher level arms. His strong arm will give him a chance to stick on the infield, likely at a corner spot where he will be sure-handed. With his speed, Keith may also have a chance to shift to an outfield spot. Either way, his bat should play, and there is likely even more power coming soon. Making himself an even more valuable recruit, Keith sat 86-88 with a fastball that rode through the zone. He exhibits a quicker, strong arm, and shows the ability to throw strikes. Though still very early in the season, Keith also featured a slurve-type breaking ball at 72-73 that had tight rotation and took more 10/4 shape. The pitch has a chance to be a swing and miss offering in the future as he continues to refine it. Additionally, he showcases a knuckleball (68-69) and changeup (79-81). Overall, the prospect of getting two players (pitcher/position) in one should make Keith a highly coveted recruit moving forward.

Daniel Davila SS / RHP / Flowing Wells, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 306 / POS: 78 Davila’s clean actions on the infield with smooth, confident hands should allow him to continue a consistent progression as his frame continues to mature. Standing 5-foot-10, 160-pounds with more to come, Davila showcased fluid actions at shortstop combined with a loose arm with the ability to throw from all angles. At the plate, the right-hander’s hands work fluently down and back with a knee-knock leg hang that allows him to build some momentum going forward. He has a flat path through the zone with a loose finish, and was relaxed at the plate throughout. Davila will be greatly aided by more strength in the future which should provide even more bat speed. On the mound, he worked 83-85 with a medium-sized arm swing, and quick hand speed out front. Delivering out of a ¾ slot, Davila pounds the zone with his fastball, and demonstrates advanced feel for an 11/5 curveball at 67-69 along with a changeup at 74-75. Because of his overall athleticism, Davila has a chance to make a big jump as he continues to grow, and coaches will want to be locked in to see how he progresses in the spring/summer.

Hunter Haas SS / 2B / Corona Del Sol, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 308 / POS: 80 Haas, an Oregon St. recruit, had some of, if not the, best hands at the event, and his overall approach and aura was advanced beyond his years. Standing 6-foot, 170-pounds with some strength in the lower-half of what is an all-around athletic frame, Haas was confident in every play that he made on the day. The type of player you want a ball hit to at any time during the game, Haas also produced accurate throws. He demonstrates the ability to play any infield position, and should give coaches multiple options moving forward. At the plate, the right-handed hitter features a compact stroke with a direct path. Setting up in an athletic stance he has a shorter stride with minor hands movement before working fast through the zone. He produced a strong, 91 mph exit velocity off the tee and worked line drives in his batting practice round. However, I was most impressed by his approach at the plate during the game. He confidently faced some impressive pitching, and always appeared to be in control along with having a plan. His skills play up in game, and he appears to be a player that you like the more and more you watch him compete.

Shane Erickson C / 3B / Ironwood Ridge, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 356 / POS: 38 Stocky 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. On this day it became even more clear that Erickson’s future is at the catcher position. With improved footwork and transfer behind the plate, he was able to post a 1.99 best pop time, despite some arm soreness and significantly less velo (73 vs. 78 mph) than we saw previously. Erickson projects for at least average raw power as the ball flies of hiss barrel and shows an impressive ability to be on time in game action. Posted 88 mph exit velocity. Improving on 7.71 60-yard dash will only further elevate his status as a D1 caliber prospect.

Noah Nithman OF / OF / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 2 Nithman does two things very well, hit and run. An impressive athlete (6.89 60-yard dash) in a solid 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame with some present strength and more to come. There's very little question about his offensive ability with a powerful, fast-twitch swing that finds the barrel in game action. A natural mover in the outfield, if he can improve his arm action and strength, it would go a long way towards helping reach his ceiling as a prospect.

Andrew Calloway LHP / 1B / Sabino, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 1 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. Long limbs. Body has matured some since the fall with much more to come. Shows rare ability for a young pitcher of his size to pound the strike zone. Clean ¾ arm action. Repeats delivery well. Lack of strength in lower half doesn’t allow him to get out over his front side and causes some recoiling action. Worked 80-82, T83 with his fastball that showed some arm side run. Arm speed has increased since we last saw him in the fall. 66-67 mph curveball and 73-74 mph changeup are developing with neither a true out pitch yet. Did show ability to keep hitters off balance by throwing them around the zone. Pitched off his fastball. Has a chance to become high-end prospect with continued physical development and refinement of secondary offerings.

Tyler Davis RHP / OF / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 376 / POS: 96 Arizona commit. Looks bigger than listed 6-foot, 175-pound frame with some broadness in his shoulders. With a slower tempo delivery and late hand break, arm strength is Davis’ calling card as he worked 84-88 with his fastball, touching the higher numbers early in his outing before settling in on the lower end of that range. Davis’ fastball jumps out of his hands and shows impressive riding life. Despite somewhat erratic command on this day, it’s easy to see why hes an early high-D1 commit with the potential to be a late inning reliever at the next level. Davis flashed a big 12-6 curveball at 70-71 mph the showed tight rotation on occasion. The 68-71 mph changeup comes out of his hand naturally from his very high overhand arm slot. Continuing to improve his control and refining his secondary offerings will be the key to maintaining his elite prospect status.

Kyle Ponzo RHP / 1B / Hamilton, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 353 / POS: 91 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame with long limbs. Velo was down from previous PBR event as he was in the middle of basketball season and visibly not in throwing shape. Showed same clean arm action and projects to throw hard. Creates downhill plane with shoulder tilt. Glove side was lower than previous look. Worked 81=84 with his fastball on this day. Pitches exclusively from the stretch. Best secondary offering was short 71-75 mph slider with 10-4 shape and tight rotation. Has feel for 74-75 mph changeup, which he tended to bury. Softer mid-60’s curveball is more of a show me pitch. Excited to see more from this young arm this spring/summer.

Ben Meyerson LHP / 1B / Scottsdale Christian Academy, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 2 Thin 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame. Some broadness in shoulders with room too add strength/bulk. Looks comfortably on the mound and shows feel for three-pitch mix. Arm slot appears to have dropped some since last look, causing him to lead with the elbow and work underneath the baseball at times. This also made his fastball flatter. Worked 77-79, T80 with his fastball that still showed some arm side run but lacked the sink we have seen previously. Changeup continues to be best pitch at 69-72 mph with fading action. Showed ability to throw sweeping 65-69 mph curveball in zone with proper rotation. Strong follow as he matures physically and works to get on top of the baseball again.

Ben Staiger SS / RHP / Cienega, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 7 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame with present strength. Impressive sophomore prospect showed well in first PBR event. Hits from balanced, athletic setup with short stride and easy rhythm. Uses short hand load and fires lower half and hands at same time without great separation. Will likely show even more power with better sequencing. Made hard line drive contact to the middle of the field during his round of BP with very little effort/violence in swing; 90 mph exit velocity. Moves comfortably on defense, with a longer windup to get rid of the baseball; 81 mph infield velo with solid carry. Likely profiles best to 3B at the next level where his bat should play. Posted 7.34 60-yard dash.