Rankings Release: Updated Class of 2021 Rankings
November 24, 2020
Since March the world has been a different place, creating many obstacles on the amateur baseball scene across the country. Seasons were lost and a lot of baseball was crammed into a window between early July and late October here in New York.
For the PBR-NY staff we were able to see plenty of seniors after July 6th with the kickoff of the NYS Games. The Unsigned Senior Days and plethora of Scout Days helped deepen the class this fall. Nearly a 140 new additions have made the list.
After many staff discussions, we are ready to release our updated Class of 2021 Rankings along with a massive "Players to Watch" list (select 2021 tab).
Let's kick off our updated rankings with a snapshot rundown of the Top 10; the entire 2021 ranking can be found HERE.
NOTE: An updated "date" on the rankings page does not indicate a full update or release. The moving of one player, one spot (or removal/addition), resets the time stamp to the present date. An official release on the website and on social media indicates a complete update.
Please also be aware that with the addition of 140 players, previous players rankings may be adjusted greatly. This is solely due the addition of players, not a "drop" in the rankings.
Upcoming Ranking Releases:
Class of 2022 (before 12/10)
Class of 2023 (before 12/17)
Class of 2021 / Top 10
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Joe Mack C / Williamsville East, NY / 2021The LHH slugger from Buffalo has been atop the list since day one. Regarded as a top MLB draft candidate, Mack has continued to showcase is in-game abilities in front of our National Crosscheckers eyes the last several Area Code events. His ability to handle elite pitching not only behind the plate but in the batter's box no doubt has the Clemson commit atop several draft lists for 2021.
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Casey Saucke II SS / RHP / Greece Athena, NY / 2021Like Mack, Sauke has been a mainstay in the top 10 the last few years. The athletic RHH from the Rochester area possesses an easy effort stroke and will continue to advance his frame physically. The Virginia commit can also offer a mid to upper 80's FB on the mound and will a fun follow this upcoming spring.
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Jack Sullivan RHP / SS / Carmel, NY / 2021Sullivan moves up a couple spots with a strong effort at this past summer's "Call to the Hall" ProCase. The RHP and UCONN Commit from the Hudson Valley features tremendous arm side action to a FB that sat 88-90, T 91 MPH. Nearly 16.2" of horizontal movement, with a an average spin rate of 2429 RPM. Sullivan can offset that movement with a 76-78 MPH swing & miss slider that has late action both vertically (-4.6") and horizontally (-7.8"). Not that those two offerings aren't enough but his change works 79-80 while averaging an eye opening 17.6" of arm side fade.
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Rafe Schlesinger LHP / Sachem East, NY / 2021Schlesinger, like Sullivan, has advanced a couple spots in the latest addition of 2021 rankings. The lean LHP from Long Island features an extremely low, almost side arm slot with quickness out in front. Schlesinger routinely works in the mid to upper 80's and can eclipse the 90 MPH mark on occasion. The Miami commit could have a big time spring that vaults him higher up on some draft lists.
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Chris Sleeper RHP / 3B / Rush Henrietta, NY / 2021The broad shouldered RHP from the Rochester area, like Sullivan, relies heavily on a sinker/slider approach. Sleeper lives in the upper 80's with the ability to clip 90 MPH but his strong suit is the amount of sink and run he gets on his FB while complementing it with a lateral action slider. The West Virginia commit will present tough, early spring challenges for RHH trying to get the barrel out on a cool day.
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Gage Ziehl RHP / 3B / Penfield, NY / 2021Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 3
Ziehl has been up & down the Top 10 rankings since the initial release. The RHP and Miami commit from the Rochester area features an above average slider with a FB that works in the upper 80's, touching 90-91. It could be an exciting time on Interstate 90 this spring between Buffalo and Rochester with 5 of the Top 10 players (Mack, Saucke, Sleeper, Ziehl and Reinke) within a an hour of each other.
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Justine Rodriguez RHP / George Washington, NY / 2021Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 4
Rodriguez toes the rubber with that NYC confidence. The slightly built RHP from uptown can dial it up to 93 MPH with a tilting action slider. Like plenty of arms in the country it will be exciting to see where he comes out and sits velocity wise with another off-season under his belt with limited innings in 2020. Rodriguez is a Florida International commit.
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Carson Cotugno RHP / SS / Amsterdam, NY / 2021Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 5
Cotugno is the so-called "sleeper" in the top 10 with the fact that his highly projectable build and clean arm action will all sync up in the spring of 2021 and potentially catch the eyes of MLB area scouts. The Wake Forest commit lives in the mid-to-upper 80's range and can feature a slider with depth. The greater Capitol Region resident could see major jumps come 2021.
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Owen Wendell-Braly RHP / Millbrook Prep, NY / 2021Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 6
The 6-foot-3 RHP from the Hudson Valley can create a tough downhill angle with his height and elevated arm slot. FB works up to 89 MPH (7/31/19) and is complemented by an old-fashioned 12-6/11-5 CB that he can land for strikes. The Southern California has plenty of sunny days in his futre.
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Brian Reinke LHP / 1B / Honeoye Falls Lima, NY / 2021Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 2
Reinke, a Southpaw from just south of Rochester, possesses some of the best "raw stuff" in the 2021 class. FB can dart in either direction along with some sink in the upper 80's. CB is hard with late bit, dagger like action working down through the zone. Similar to Sullivan and Sleeper, those early spring at-bats in cool weather will be less than enjoyable for hitters in the Empire State.
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