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Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings 

Though we have not been able to scout players in this strange and difficult spring, there is still plenty to talk about here in Ontario when it comes to baseball.

After a couple of talented PBR events this winter and new information, video, conversations, calls, etc.. all gathered by our scouts with their boots on the ground, we expanded our rankings to 200 players. Along with some talented newcomers, the rankings also see some big risers throughout.

Four of our top 10 players were with the Junior National Team for their spring training trip to Florida and there are plenty of players who had an opportunity to add to their stock who came out to our events in February.

The new 2021 rankings  are here, and we hope we can expand and continue to adjust, as that would mean we are outside and being able to watch the province on a baseball field again………

and we will!

We take a look below at the top of the rankings, some newcomers and risers as well few names to pay attention to from our 2021 group of prospects in Ontario. Check it all out below.

NUMBER 1

Mitch Bratt LHP / OF / Newmarket, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 77 / POS: 14 Report: No change at the top of the 21’ rankings with left-hander and Florida State commit Mitch Bratt holding onto his number 1 spot. Bratt was very good in his two outings this past March in Florida with the Canadian junior national team. He had two starts, one in an inter-squad and the other against a strong Philadelphia Phillies minor league lineup. Bratt pitched with tempo and energy, throwing strikes and showing off his best pitch, his curveball with depth and late downward action with 12/6 shape. The fastball sat in the 87-88 range with deception and late action, picking up plenty of swing and miss in his two appearances. Bratt will be a key piece for the staff on the National Team and has experience and success to work from.

TOP TEN

There was some movement within the Top 10, with big jumps by Brando Leroux and Drew Lawrence after their time with the Canadian junior national team last month in Florida.

Brando Leroux SS / 2B / St Augustine, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 3 Report: Leroux was solid in all capacities on the trip. Small in stature, that did not stop him from making an impact as he put together tough at-bats all week, stole bags, made plays in the infield and did not look out of place versus professionals, especially with it being his first time in an environment of this nature. His big game came on the biggest stage in Dunedin vs. the Blue Jays. He had 3 hits, a double, and made plays in the field.

Drew Lawrence OF / RHP / H.B Beal Secondary, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 2 Report: Lawrence was another player that impressed on the trip as the outfielder was in many of at-bats and showed he can handle velocity, was able to find barrels and put together good swings early out the gate for a nice first impression with the National Team.

Spots two and three stay the same with Elijha Hammill and Core Jackson holding it down, the only difference is both these players are now committed. Hammill is off the board as he just committed to the University of Utah and left-handed hitting Jackson well be off to Nebraska to be a Cornhusker.

Right-handers come in back to back at 4 and 5 with VCU commit Virot Siharath and uncommitted Turner Spoljaric respectively. Both have live and athletic arms, and are a part of the same staff as the top ranked Mitch Bratt in what could be a very special rotation over the next two years.

Catcher and newly committed Kaden Gray, Mason Dobie, and uncommitted left on left outfielder Tanner Almond make up the rest of the top ten. Dobie and Almond were mainstays, and Gray makes a jump to see himself slide into the number 8 spot between Dobie and Almond.

SOUTHPAW CENTRAL

Looking for left-handed pitching? Welcome to the 2021 class of Ontario. There is depth throughout the list and you can find present talent, guys to dream on and guys from the left-side with projection and high ceiling. Take a look at these 4 uncommitted lefties to pay attention too.

Will Droll LHP / OF / St. Ignatius, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 2 Report: The number 11th ranked player in the 21’ class, the separator for Droll is the curveball. It works in the 72-74 range with tight spin and near 12/6 shape. There is late action to it and the sharpness acts as a putaway pitch and can really work off his fastball well.

Adam Shoemaker LHP / 1B / St. Benedict, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 3 Report: Talk about someone to dream on, the 6-foot-5 lefty has always been clean and easy with the ability to throw strikes. The velo has been in the low 80’s but reports this off-season has the velo ticking up and it’s no surprise. Don’t forget about this arm once we get back to baseball season.

Nick Woodcock LHP / OF / Henry Street, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 5 Report: A recent 2020 grad, Woodcock made the switch to the 21’ class and we think it will be a smart decision for the left-hander. Woodcock was a T12 standout, working in the 83-85, T-86 while displaying a sharp, downer curveball that locked hitters up. There is a lot to like here with Woodcock and although the command wasn’t his sharpest this February at our event in Kitchener, there is no denying the stuff and what he can be.

Rhys Montgomery LHP / OF / Our Lady of Mount Carmel, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 6 Report: We got a nice look at Montgomery in February at the Terriers pro-day and he looked ready and primed to make a big jump this year. The actions have always been fluid and clean, and Montgomery just lacked strength early on. He’s seemed to add size to his 6-foot-5 frame and the bullpen we saw was very crisp, strikes to both sides with his fastball, secondary for strikes and looked very polished.

 

TRENDING UP

Sebastian Khan RHP / SS / David Suzuki, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 42 / POS: 15 Report: We were able to get multiple looks at Khan this new year and the velocity and stuff have definitely taken a step in the right direction. Khan has always had a feel for the mound and he looks more determined than ever to keep getting better. The 6-foot righty has been more sharp in his mound work, with more quality strikes and the secondary has been polished. Khan will be someone to pay attention too this summer.

Brodie Mackay SS / 2B / Garth Webb, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 6 Report: The bat has always been intriguing and Western Kentucky thinks so as well as Mackay recently committed over the past month. We’ve always liked the swing and Mackay just looks the part as there is feel in the box and on the defensive side. Look for him to make noise this summer and really put his name into the mix of top prospects in the province.

Lucas Bolin OF / 3B / Thomas A.Stewart, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 5 Report: An interesting player with quick arm and bat, Bolin is a player who is 10-15 pounds away from really taking off. The bat works quick through the zone with a flat path that works gap to gap. He can play all three outfield spots and the athleticism will really play moving forward.

Luke Berni OF / 1B / Bishop Allen, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 63 / POS: 10 Report: Berni was one of the top performers at the Canadian College Showcase, showing a more balanced swing with an uphill path and quickness that really helped him launch balls during his BP session. Berni is poised to take his game and become an offensive performer who will be a middle of the order bat for his Ranger team this summer.

NEW FACEs

Connor Theal RHP / A.N Myer Highschool, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 12 Report: Theal jumped out to us at the New Year open with a loose and quick arm out-front that sat 83-85 while he mixed in his breaking ball with a tight 11/5 shape and room to his frame that is only going to get stronger as we move forward.

Malcolm Shirley OF / NA, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 4 Report: Shirley took off at the Canadian College Showcase with his ability to run, a compact and short swing from the left side and actions that will play from the outfield. He profiles as a centre-fielder and Shirley will be someone who can impact the game with his legs, but the bat and arm are nothing to sleep on. A welcome addition to the 21’ rankings.

Jonathan Stables 1B / OF / Christ The King, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 60 / POS: 2 Report: 99 mph exit velocity. That was Stables at the New Year Open in February. It is a 6-foot-3 frame with present strength and has room to carry more as he matures. There is looseness in the swing and rhythm to get the hands and bat head started. Its more of a pull oriented approach at the moment, but there is no denying that there is juice and we look forward to seeing it translate into game action this year.

Josiah Stairs LHP / OF / St. Benedict Secondary School, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 7 Report: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-hander really opened eyes in February as Stairs was loose and easy from a tough low-¾ arm slot that does not look like an uncomfortable at-bat for anyone. He flashed feel for his breaking ball and the fastball, which will trend up as he adds strength and worked in the low 80’s while topping out at 85 mph. Look for Stairs to continue to make moves up the rankings and we are excited to see him outside in game action.

PBR ONTARIO CLASS OF 2021

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Mitch Bratt	ON	Newmarket	2021	LHP	Florida State
2		Elijha Hammill	ON	Holy Trinity	2021	SS	Utah
3		Core Jackson	ON	Lambton Central	2021	SS	Nebraska
4		Brando Leroux	ON	St Augustine	2021	SS
5		Virot Siharath	ON	Bill Crothers	2021	RHP	VCU
6		Turner Spoljaric	ON	National High School	2021	RHP
7		Mason Dobie	ON	Georgian Bay Community	2021	SS	Dayton
8		Kaden Gray	ON	NA	2021	C	Cowley County CC
9		Tanner Almond	ON	Georgian Bay Community	2021	OF
10		Drew Lawrence	ON	H.B Beal Secondary	2021	OF

 

***** To view the entire list, please click here.