PA Rankings Update: Class of 2024
August 24, 2022
After an action-packed summer of high profile events across the state, the PBR Pennsylvania 2024 Class Rankings have been updated. The 2024’s are shaping up to be one of the more intriguing groups in recent memory, with an even balance of frontline arms and productive power bats littering the board. In this launch, we will highlight the Top 10, Next Five (11-15), Risers, and Newcomers.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP 220
THE TOP 10
 |
Tague Davis 1B / LHP / Malvern Prep, PA / 2024Tooled up with plenty of bat-speed at 6-foot-3, 205lbs, the L/L created big leverage at the front of the plate in one of the top BP rounds of the year last August (Inter-AC Scout Day). Davis deposited 5 home runs over the RF wall including a T105 mph exit velocity up into the 402 foot range. Vice President Shooter Hunt saw the physical southpaw on the bump a couple weeks ago at 88-90 mph for whiffs, adding an advanced 3000+ breaking-ball to the dead zone of RHH. Feel for three pitches including fading low-80’s CH and could handle true two-way capabilities at the next level if offered the chance.
|
 |
Tegan Kuhns RHP / SS / Chambersburg, PA / 2024Look up the phrase “high ceiling arm” and Kuhns is depicted, reaching back for a FB into the low-90’s with plenty of pace in the delivery, settling more 88-90 mph. The 6-foot-3, 165-pounder has grabbed the attention of scouts with a plus curveball ranging from 77-81 (3000+) and consistently lands a deceptive CH at arm-speed for strikes. A lower breakpoint in the hands gives him a full takeaway while manipulating tilt on the lead shoulder towards the plate; pitches with an edge. |
 |
Owen Yarussi LHP / OF / Seneca Valley, PA / 2024A Junior Future Games alum, Yarussi recently bumped up in velocity to pair with the pitchability and mound presence to log quality innings earlier rather than later. The 6-foot, 173lb lefty spins it at 2500rpms and moves a mid-to-upper 80’s FB (T89 mph) around the plate with increased command. The CH impressed us most in our last look, dropping off the table with arm-side fade out of a similar window, and don’t count out his two-way skill set, turning the barrel from the right side. |
 |
Dawson Smail OF / 1B / Clarion Area, PA / 2024The 2021 Future Gamer put his advanced bat-to-ball skills on display for Team Select a summer ago, and has since seen an arrow-up on strength and power numbers at 6-foot-1, 180lbs. A situational hitter (L/R) who can put the sweet spot on any pitch, Smail produced a 77 mph bat-speed in June with regular effort during batting practice at the PA State Games. The corner outfielder dropped .4 seconds off his 60-yard dash, now down around 7.00 with the quick-twitch and athleticism to keep his coveted bat in the lineup.
|
 |
Kross Howarth 3B / RHP / Methacton , PA / 2024Longer and projectable with much more to come in a 6-foot-4, 195lb frame, the Tulane commit touches 90 mph out of a ¾ slot, mostly 86-89 mph (2400). Gets on top of batters using a faster-paced delivery with late extension down the slope, creating some crossfire at footstrike. An upper-60’s to low-70’s slurve has shown the makings of a useful secondary offering, spinning above 2300 often with two-plane shape. Though the ceiling remains attached to the arm-talent, the two-way prospect generates significant power with barrel-whip at the point of attack, registering a 99 mph exit velo this past February.
|
 |
Jeff Lougee SS / 2B / Mechanicsburg, PA / 2024It’s been a steady climb up the rankings over the past year and a half for the Duke recruit with noticeable all-around improvements to his game. The 6-foot, 175lb shortstop matches plane from a quiet setup (L/R), able to square the ball with some twitch through both gaps for extra-bases. A high two-handed finish gives him the ability to hit for average at the next level and develop future power, already settling in at a 95 mph exit velocity. Enjoyed one of the more productive high school seasons in the state as the arm-strength continues trending north at 83 mph.
|
 |
Luke Costello 3B / RHP / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2024Few have made similar physical changes to Costello, now standing a muscular, more vertical 6-foot-2, 200lbs with heavy hands from the right side. The young corner infielder competed admirably against a much older crowd in February at the “Northeast Procase,” registering a 97 mph exit velocity with wood. A wider base allows him to connect to the ground with natural rotational power to the pull-side and the plate coverage to battle with two strikes. Picks it at the hot corner with active, choppy footwork and 86 mph bullets on the front side.
|
 |
Erick Diaz OF / 2B / Perkiomen , PA / 2024Broad-shouldered with compact athleticism at 5-foot-10, 185lbs, Diaz has flashed numerous times on the national scene with a simple, repeatable swing offensively. The switch-hitter produces equally well from both sides, staying on the baseball for a backside approach early in counts while using his 6.83 footspeed to put pressure on the defense. There’s more power projection as a LHH, lifting on occasion for a 320 foot distance at T93 mph exit velocity. The uncommitted outfielder is capable of handling any of the three positions defensively with clean reads off the bat and live 86 mph arm-strength.
|
 |
Logan Harelson LHP / 1B / Hempfield , PA / 2024The ultra-projectable southpaw is still very green at 6-foot-4, 175lbs, mostly legs, filling up the strike zone with longer moving parts. Gets down the mound with a purpose from H ¾, striding on top of the hitter with late hand-speed out in front. Makes for an uncomfortable at-bat when landing the FB at 83-85, T86 mph (2400) and developing 70-74 mph CH to the same side of the plate. Still gaining feel for an upper-60’s breaker that backdoors at times with depth. Additional velocity expected soon due to arm path/athleticism.
|
 |
Tyler Brashear RHP / OF / Owen J Roberts, PA / 2024A strikeout specialist with ability to close the gap using a lightning quick arm, Brashear was another “need-to-know” name this winter before committing to East Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 170lb righty operates under a cool demeanor, pitching effectively to the top of the zone into the upper-80’s for swing/miss. Slightly deceptive finish off of the first-base side of the rubber generates weak contact and awkward swings on a low-70’s SL with tight cut across. Starter’s appeal as he continues filling out the build; high compete level. |
THE NEXT FIVE
 |
Jack Hurda OF / 1B / Episcopal Academy, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 3
The Maryland recruit is also a running back for the football team at 5-foot-10, 195lbs, translating advanced lower half strength to the diamond in a LH power profile. A direct leg-lift stride and short, connected turn over the rear hip gives him the launch necessary to do damage to the pull-side of the field. Really handles the low and in pitch with authority, able to get off efficient bat-speed when facing velocity. |
 |
Ben Ryan C / 3B / Indiana Area, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 1
One of the more imposing hitters in the state, Ryan blew the doors off of February’s Flood City Elite scout day with an eye-popping 110 mph exit velocity and 100 mph average via Trackman. The right-handed hitter utilized a strong-wristed approach with clean separation into slot, driving multiple balls over 350 feet while anchoring the backside over the right knee. Does it work in game action? The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder hit .467 this spring with 4 HR and a team-leading 28 hits. Tools are there to find a home defensively with sub-2.00 pop times and 88 mph INF arm through some rawness.
|
 |
David Rodriguez Jr RHP / 3B / Father Judge , PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 3
Stocky-framed with plenty of ceiling at 6-foot-2, 220lbs, Rodriguez, Jr. makes for deception with matched arm-speed on the FB/SL combo. Stays balanced over the mound in a compact delivery, working surgically under the hands of RHH with a FB that has flirted into the low-90’s, comfortably 86-88. Some crossfire available, really spinning a mid-70’s SL that gains empty swings on a lateral tilt and occasional, killed 80-82 mph CH; strike thrower. |
 |
Mason Clark C / OF / Malvern Prep, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
A projectable athlete who shows next-level bat-speed and rotational strength at 6-foot, 185lbs, Clark enjoyed a loud offensive summer on the national scene. The Boston College commit utilizes a barrel-tip at the top of the load (RHH) to spray hard contact to the gaps, accelerating with regular intent through a short-to-long path. Recorded a 94 mph exit velocity a year ago at the PA State Games with additional hip mobility in the crouch, popping consistent 1.98-2.08’s into the mid-70’s.
|
 |
Troy Dressler RHP / 1B / Mifflinburg, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 4
The next big power arm out of the Keystone state, Dressler recently announced his commitment to Wake Forest, leaning on a thunderous 88-90 mph FB with good carry through the zone. A lower 4.2 foot release height and violent lead leg block at footstrike creates some rare movement when elevated, mixing a hard-thrown 74-77 mph CB with some stiffness out in front. Able to consistently kill spin on a faded 81-82 mph split CH with quality feel for the zone.
|
THE RISERS
 |
Joey Spano Jr. SS / RHP / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 10
Fresh off the heels of back-to-back noteworthy performances at the PA State Games and Future Games, Spano Jr. jumped up to #50 in our rankings and #10 positionally. The Cathedral Prep product shaved his 60-yard dash down to a 6.74 while smoothing out the offensive movements and flashed his ability to repeat in the box. One of the standout defenders on workout day at Lakepoint, the primary shortstop ranged to either side with an immediate trigger and 87 mph arm-strength across; also notched two hits during gameplay; uncommitted.
|
 |
Sal Mineo OF / Slippery Rock, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 67 / POS: 13
An easy choice to fill the list, Mineo seems to take massive leaps each time we lay eyes on him. The 5-foot-10, 175lb primary outfielder is a power/speed threat (L/L), setting personal bests in 60-yard dash time (6.68), outfield velocity (86 mph), exit velocity (94 mph), bat-speed (75 mph), and rotational acceleration (32.8 G’s). Confident actions carried over towards in-game success with big baseball background/bloodlines and one of our favorite pure swings in the class; arrow-up, uncommitted.
|
 |
Anderson French C / OF / Red Land, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 19 / POS: 3
The taller, projectable 6-foot-4, 200lb primary backstop owns a professional body and made waves this summer with what one of our midwest state directors called “top of the class barrel-skills.” The left-handed hitter begins from an open setup with plenty of looseness in the arms, using early hand-rhythm and a short leg-lift stride as an efficient timing mechanism. Lofts the ball for distance when getting extended on the front side after stretching into footstrike, big power output; Duke recruit. |
 |
Dylan Hansen RHP / OF / Downingtown East, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 24 / POS: 10
Since our last update, Hansen switched his commitment from Maine to Coastal Carolina and has commanded numerous shutdown outings in tournament ball this summer. Longer levers at 6-foot-3, 215lbs while operating with pace down the slope from a drop/drive delivery, mostly upper-80’s, T90 mph that sinks in on RHH hands. Turns over a sharp mid-70’s SL with advanced feel out of a disappearing low ¾ release; starter type or premium backend bullpen ability. |
 |
Micah Wells RHP / Germantown Academy, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 14
An upside arm with a power repertoire at 6-foot-1, 195lbs, Wells exploded onto the scene this summer for the Philly Bandits, grabbing a 90 mph at our #16uNat on June 23rd in Georgia. The highly effective athlete works with pace in the hands as he makes his forward move towards the glove, gaining above-average hip/shoulder separation on the way through. Not hard to see velocity spiking even more in coming months while improving a short, two-plane 70-73 mph CB with 11/5 shape; St. Joseph’s commit. |
THE NEWCOMERS
 |
Zach Boland RHP / 1B / Franklin Area, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 178 / POS: 46
Standing a wiry 6-foot-5, 195lbs with plenty left to go, Boland was hard to miss in uniform at the PA State Games, especially due to his doubly impressive two-way performance in-game. The right-handed pitcher touched 82 mph (2451) with 6.3 feet of extension over top of the batter, landing a sweeping 69-72 mph CB for strikes. If that wasn’t enough, the RHH cleared the left field wall by over 30+ feet in his second AB for a no-doubt home run (99 mph exit velo). |
 |
Moises Gonzalez OF / Northern Lebanon, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 131 / POS: 30
The biggest winner from our Summer Open: East to start the summer, Gonzalez recorded a 99 mph exit and posted a 6.98 60-yard dash in a 5-foot-10, 210lb football player’s build. More impressively, the hulking right-handed hitter generated a T85 mph bat-speed (83 mph AVG) during BP with a connected first move, just giving a small glimpse of the raw power he can create in a short window.
|
 |
Trevor Johnson OF / 3B / Bellefonte Area, PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 114 / POS: 23
We had a fun look at Johnson earlier this winter at the Preseason All-State Central, whipping the barrel towards a high two-handed finish with ability to start/stop on the ball. The lefty showcased a 93 mph exit velocity and has been a hot name to follow over the past couple months while playing for US Elite Georgia with lengthening pull-side power. The frame tells us more is coming (6-2, 195lbs) with a muscular lower half underneath.
|
 |
Ethan Nagy RHP / SS / Loyalsock , PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 128 / POS: 39
Commanding a starter’s frame with low mileage to this point at 6-foot-2, 185lbs, Nagy was one of the breakout mound performers at the PA State Games, into the strike zone often with two above-average pitches. Mixed the FB and CB evenly on a 50/50 split, holding 81-84 mph while dodging barrels with 65-70 mph breaker (2400+), manipulating tilt. Fell off hard to the first base side, high effort. |
 |
Brady Myers RHP / SS / Central Mountain , PA / 2024Rankings StateRank: 163 / POS: 42
Every bit of 6-foot, 163lbs with a bulldog mentality on the bump, Myers dominated hitters during his 10 batter-outing in June, creating riding life on an 84-86 mph FB. The right-handed pitcher began from the stretch-only, separating outwards before closing the gap with a flexible, full arm-action. Buried a 73-74 mph SL in advantage counts for strikeouts, setting up as a useful secondary offering. Buying plenty of stock due to length, movements, and compete level.
|
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: West | PA | 10/09 | Historic Pullman Park |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: East | PA | 10/15 | Millersville University |
| 2022 Last Chance Open: Central | PA | 10/29 | Liberty Arena |