After a busy summer and fall across the Empire State and on the National scene, the staff at Prep Baseball Report - New York is happy to announce their initial Class of 2023 rankings along with a "Players to Watch" list.

As with any underclass rankings, please understand that there will be changes. A slide in the rankings is rarely a reflection of the player but more so due to the addition of other players. A player ranked 25th today could be 125 by their junior year due to the expansion and addition of the rankings as more players from their respective class are seen over the years. 

Today we will break down the Top 5, followed by the full list (30 players) and the Player to Watch list:

Top 5 / Class of 2023

Dalton Harper C / 3B / Maryvale, NY / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 The Western NY resident features a strong, durable frame at 5-foot-8 185 pounds with above average arm strength for his age. The RHH shows a compact, yet explosive swing path with ability to drive the ball through the middle of the field.

Erick Diaz OF / 2B / Middletown , NY / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 Diaz hails from the Hudson Valley region. The switch-hitter showed repeatable efforts from both sides of the plate with a slightly more fluid swing from the left side. A 6.83 runner, the right-handed throwing OF, shows a quick transfer with accurate arm and developing arm strength.

Casey Vaughn RHP / OF / CBA - Syracuse , NY / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 Vaughn, a CNY product, was the staff ace at the Junior Future Games this past August in Georgia. Works 79-82 with tremendous depth to his CB which he can also spot and expand with. Adequate defender with offensive potential but his "right now" skillset shines from the mound.

Thomas Russo RHP / 3B / Royalton-Hartland, NY / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 Another WNY product, Russo can pound the ball to both gaps while showing a steady glove at 3B with enough arm in the early stages to stick at that position. Showed feel for 3 pitches recently during a blustery event recently in Niagara Falls.

Christian Alicea C / RHP / William Floyd , NY / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 Alicea, a Long Island product (who was loaned to Massachusetts for the Junior Future Games), is of similar frame/build to both Harper and Russo and can pack an offensive punch from the right side of the plate. Short, quick bat into the zone with acceleration through contact. Behind the plate, the footwork is efficient and the transfer is quick, once they are all in sync he will be a tough one to run on.

Class of 2023 Rankings

For a complete look at the top 30 players in the Empire State; CLICK HERE

Players To Watch

Although these players did not make the initial Top 30, it won't be long before they find their way into the Rankings. To view the "Players to Watch"; CLICK HERE (then the Class of 2023 tab).

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/02	The MAX - McCook, IL
2020 Preseason All-State - Southern Tier	NY	02/14	434 Sportsplex
2020 Preseason All-State - Hudson Valley	NY	02/15	Paul Gerry Fieldhouse
2020 Preseason All-State - WNY	NY	02/17	Total Sports Experience (Gates)
2020 Preseason All-State - CNY	NY	02/18	Accelerate Sports
2020 Preseason All-State - Capital Region	NY	02/19	All-Stars Academy
2020 Preseason All-State - Long Island	NY	02/20	Long Island Sports Complex
2020 Jr. NYS Games Trials - Downstate	NY	02/21	Warriors Baseball Academy
2020 Preseason All-State - Downstate	NY	02/21	Warriors Baseball Academy
2020 NJ/NY/PA Committed Player ProCase	NY	02/23	Keystone Baseball Academy
2020 Jr. NYS Games Trials - Upstate	NY	03/01	434 Sportsplex