With hardly any players in the 2023 class able to make an impact at the varsity level before the COVID shutdown, the summer season became the proving ground for this young class, and PBR was there, wherever games, bullpens, or at-bats were being had, to see the action. There is sure to be change to this list in the future as the uniqueness to the current landscape of play continues to unfold, but you can count on Prep Baseball Report’s boots-on-the-ground to cover it all the while.

Thanks to the summer season, which culminated in the prestigious PBR Future Games, the 2023 Overall Rankings expands to 400 players from all across the country (within the states that PBR covers intimately).


**CLICK HERE FOR THE TOP 400**


Storylines:

 

Thomas White

1. Southpaws continue to dominate

Number one overall player, LHP Thomas White (Phillips Andover HS, MA), has not slowed down, and continues to build towards his high ceiling. The 6-foot-4, 192-pounder dominated, once again, in his second trip to the PBR Future Games where he earned MVP honors by striking out five in two innings while running his fastball up to 93 mph.

But White is not alone as there are seven other left-handed pitchers in the top 25. New to the top 10, LHP Toby Twist (Graces Memorial HS, CA), an Oregon recruit, jumps up the list thanks to a quick arm, athletic frame, and swing-and-miss stuff. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder also shows some feel at the plate, but it is his 86-89 fastball, and especially his sharp breaking ball, that continue to raise his stock.

2. Position Player Excel

In such a young class, the pitching tends to rise quicker, but a full summer slate of action provided a glimpse at some of the top bats in the class. Following White at number one, the next three players are ranked highly for their positional value (each also shows immense upside on the mound, and would be considered in the top 10 as pitchers only).

Max Clark OF / LHP / Franklin, IN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 2 / POS: 1 Clark, a Vanderbilt recruit, made the most of his summer, and explodes up the rankings to number two. His high-waisted, 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame holds elite athleticism that combine with confident glove skills, speed (6.82 60-yard dash), and a strong arm (he has been up to 91 mph on the mound) to give him a chance to be a premium defender in centerfield. At the plate, the left-handed hitter stands out for his ability to change planes on one of the smoother strokes in the class while producing high exit velocities to all fields. His balance, pitch recognition, and approach are all well-advanced for the class, and make him an immediate prospect to follow. Add to all that his competitive drive, and there is lots to like about his future potential.

Aidan Miller 3B / RHP / JW Mitchell, FL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 3 / POS: 1 Miller is the premier right-handed hitter in the class, and continues to elevate his game with each viewing. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is quickly becoming more physical which has aided in what is sure to be eventual power to all fields, and presently allows him to drive the ball ease to both gaps. The bat speed is obvious, but his ability to turn a heavy barrel is even more prominent as he whips it through the zone. Miller also showcases elite pitch recognition having the ability to remain balanced throughout an aggressive stroke, and is comfortable hitting in all counts. A consummate competitor, Miller also runs his fastball up to 92 mph on the bump where he is usually handed the ball in the biggest games.

Cam Collier SS / RHP / Mount Paran, GA / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 4 / POS: 1 Collier, a Louisville recruit, shines on the field for his ability to slow the game down. The physical, 6-foot-1, 205-pound left-handed hitter sits relaxed at the plate with the hands flowing freely down and back with a short stride before striking the barrel through the zone with great force. There is minimal effort to the stroke, which works short-to-long, and he demonstrates natural ability to cover the plate while peppering the whole field. Most intriguing about Collier’s upside is the power potential as his low-effort stroke produces higher exit velocities, and there is a chance he taps into even more power in the future. Only adding to his upside, Collier also boasts a low 90s fastball with imposing stuff on the mound.

3. Big Risers:

Blake Mitchell C / RHP / Sinton, TX / 2023 Rankings  OverallRank: 9 / POS: 1 Mitchell takes over the top spot in the Lone Star State thanks to his premium defensive abilities behind the plate, and highly projectable left-handed bat. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has loose, flexible hips with soft hands that allow him to receive quietly while also producing impressive pop times thanks to a strong throwing arm and quick release. Interestingly, Mitchell also runs a fastball into the upper 80s on the mound which only enforces the athleticism that he has and the likelihood that he will continue to make progressions in the future.

Addison Smith SS / RHP / Liberty, MO / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 33 / POS: 6 The twitchy, switch-hitting shortstop was stellar all summer before shining at the PBR Future Games, and ultimately committing to play at Texas A&M. Still very much filling out a wiry-athletic 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame, the twitchy shortstop possesses present gap-to-gap strength with the ability to get on plane early while delivering quality rotational acceleration. His ability to stick at shortstop long term is a separator, and his soft, confident hands and quick release should allow him to do so. Smith’s upside is considerable,  and each viewing sees him showcase even more to like.

Colt Emerson SS / C / John Glenn, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 37 / POS: 8 Emerson’s ability to shine in all aspects of the game, and at multiple positions, stands out right now. The athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitter is keenly aware of his swing pattern, and utilizes a sweet stroke to cover the plate, and drive the ball to all fields with some pull side power present. He is balanced and fluid throughout, and the ability to slow the game down at the plate is highly advanced for the class, and should allow him to continue making quick advancements in the future. Handsy on the infield with athletic actions, Emerson also flashes intriguing upside behind the dish, and he likely can play any position on the diamond. A recent Auburn commit, his in-game production continues to amplify the upside that his tools present.

Andrew Duncan OF / RHP / Bishop McLaughlin , FL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 56 / POS: 10 En route to giving a commitment to Florida State this summer, the former Junior Future Game participant shined as a two-way prospect with considerable upside at both. At 6-foot, 160-pounds there still appears to be more physical growth to come, and especially more strength added to a highly athletic frame that already produces a 6.7 60-yard dash time and a fastball that ran up to 89 mph in June. The ball jumps out of the hand at 87-88 up to 2300 RPM, and his aptitude for both a curveball (low 70s) and slider (76-77) should give him a chance to excel even more in the future. Duncan’s short, direct path at the plate provides line drive strength to all fields, and his speed stands out on the base paths.

Paul Wilson LHP / 1B / Lakeridge, OR / 2023 Rankings  OverallRank: 69 / POS: 12 Wilson, an Oregon State recruit, excelled at a July Procase in Oregon where he stood out against many of the Pacific Northwest’s top 2021 MLB Draft prospects. Uber-projectable at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds with wide shoulders and long limbs, Wilson confidently pumps the strike zone with 86-88 fastball from a near ¾ slot, and should see a velocity jump as he continues to add strength. Adding to his projection on the mound was an eye-opening round of batting practice that featured multiple home runs from the right side and showcased his all-around athleticism. Wilson’s confidence and competitiveness stand out right now, and should only help to guide him towards approaching a high ceiling in the future.

RELATED CONTENT: