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On a yearly basis our initial player rankings for those in their freshman year of high school is released following the completion of the high school baseball season. While most freshman spend their first year in a high school uniform as members of their school's freshmen or JV rosters, some get the privilege of dawning a varsity uniform. An even smaller percentage actually have the opportunity to affect the outcome of varsity games in their initial year of high school.

With highly talented underclassmen making college announcements earlier and earlier, we have decided to begin the process a bit earlier for the Class of 2021. Following we take a look at a handful of freshmen statewide that are likely to make a name for themselves this spring. We will make our next update to the 2021 rankings following the Preseason All-State Showcase in late January and will then follow up with an additional update after the completion of the high school season.

An update to the current PBR Class of 2021 overall rankings is due before the end of the year.

Wagner Tops the Initial Rankings

While he has yet to play a high school game, Red Land LHP/1B Cole Wagner has garnered more than his fair share of attention on the national stage through youth and travel baseball. The 6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitter and thrower broke onto the national scene as a 13 year old while leading the Red Land Little League team to a United States championship. Wagner has continued his physical maturation, currently sitting in the mid-80s while running his fastball up to 87 mph. The No. 5 ranked prospect in the PBR Class of 2021 overall rankings continues to showcase advanced power and is a legitimate two-way prospect. Wagner announced his commitment to Georgia earlier this fall.

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Cole Wagner	PA	Red Land	2021	LHP	Georgia
2	Nick Bitsko	PA	Central Bucks East	2021	RHP	Virginia
3	Nick Kurtz	PA	Manheim Township	2021	LHP	Wake Forest
4	Joe Jaconski	PA	Springside Chestnut Hill	2021	SS	North Carolina
5	Sam Contacos	PA	Penn-Trafford	2021	C

Team Pennsylvania

The PBR Future Games is the top event in the country for uncommitted rising juniors every summer. While it is not uncommon for a few rising sophomores to dot the rosters representing the various PBR states at the event, it is not the norm. This year's Team Pennsylvania roster is in the infancy stages of its development, but if past history repeats itself, a number of Class of 2021 prospects will be included on the final roster. 

The Future Games is an event for the top uncommitted prospects in the country which means that four of the current Pennsylvania prospects ranked in this class will not be up for consideration. A full lineup of winter events will play a major role in sifting through the top underclass prospects in the state over the coming weeks and months.

First Look This Winter

Following is a look at prospects from the Class of 2021 currently registered to participate in a winter PBR event in Pennsylvania. This list will grow significantly over the coming weeks leading up to the bulk of the scheduled events in January.

PBR Measurables & Evaluation Showcase - 12.30.17

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS
Michael Cunningham	PA	Spring-Ford HS	2021	RHP
Dylan DuCharme	PA	Spring-Ford	2021	OF
Brady Faust	PA	Blue Mountain	2021	3B
Luke Holman	PA	Wyomissing	2021	RHP
Zack Kramer	PA	Cumberland Valley	2021	OF
Gavin Neal	PA	Palmyra	2021	2B
Ethan Phillips	PA	Red Land	2021	3B
Chase Renner	PA	Brandywine Heights	2021	RHP
Asa Wilson	PA	Exeter Township	2021	C

Preseason Preview - 1.13.18

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS
Landon DiBeradin	PA	Norwin	2021	C
Jack Price	PA	Spring-Ford	2021	RHP
Tim Quinn	PA	Franklin Regional	2021	2B

Preseason All-State Showcase - 1.27.18 & 1.28.18

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS
Ben Chase	PA	Octorara	2021	SS
Brian Finn	PA	Springside Chestnut Hill	2021	SS
Eric Genther	PA	The Haverford School	2021	C
Jack Giovenco	PA	Parkland	2021	C
Peter Kern	PA	Malvern Prep	2021	OF
Andrew Muraco	PA	Franklin Regional	2021	SS

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