2024 Overall Rankings Update
December 21, 2021
Continuing on the road to the 2022 PBR Future Games in July, this young group of sophomores finished the fall emphatically leaving scouts and recruiters eager to get out and see them again in the spring. Meanwhile, internally, PBR’s ground forces feverishly buzzed about the exciting potential of the class, as news/notes/video poured in from coast-to-coast from events, games, and workouts. There are sure to be even more players who ascend on the list whether with winter advancements or especially as spring standouts, and PBR remains committed to being there every step of the way.
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Nevertheless, as winter strength/speed/velo programs kick into high gear, the 2024 Overall Rankings update is here. Below, a look at the top 25:
| RANK | NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| 1 | Bryce Rainer | CA | Harvard Westlake | 2024 | SS | UCLA |
| 2 | Theo Gillen | TX | Westlake | 2024 | SS | |
| 3 | George Wolkow | IL | Downers Grove North | 2024 | 3B | South Carolina |
| 4 | Derek Curiel | CA | Orange Lutheran | 2024 | OF | |
| 5 | Jack Frankel | TX | John Paul II | 2024 | RHP | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Blake Larson | IA | Dowling Catholic | 2024 | LHP | Texas Christian |
| 7 | Chase Mobley | FL | Plant City | 2024 | RHP | Florida State |
| 8 | Jackson Sanders | AL | Valley | 2024 | LHP | Auburn |
| 9 | PJ Morlando | SC | Summerville | 2024 | C | Mississippi State |
| 10 | Owen Paino | NY | Roy C. Ketcham | 2024 | SS | Mississippi |
| 11 | Chris Newstrom | AZ | Chaparral | 2024 | SS | Tennessee |
| 12 | Dylan Fien | CA | Great Oak | 2024 | C | UCLA |
| 13 | Garrett Shull | OK | Enid | 2024 | SS | Oklahoma State |
| 14 | Talan Bell | FL | Hagerty | 2024 | LHP | Florida State |
| 15 | Drew Graham | OH | Avon Lake | 2024 | LHP | |
| 16 | Casan Evans | TX | St. Pius X | 2024 | RHP | |
| 17 | Cade Arrambide | TX | Tomball | 2024 | C | Florida |
| 18 | Henry Allen | AL | Auburn | 2024 | 3B | Mississippi State |
| 19 | Drew Sofield | GA | Towns County | 2024 | LHP | Auburn |
| 20 | Ty Southisene | NV | Basic | 2024 | SS | Tennessee |
| 21 | Manuelle Marin | FL | Elite Squad Academy | 2024 | SS | Tennessee |
| 22 | Zach Edwards | UT | Riverton | 2024 | RHP | Oregon State |
| 23 | Michael Mullinax | GA | North Cobb Christian | 2024 | OF | Georgia |
| 24 | Slade Caldwell | AR | Valley View | 2024 | OF | Mississippi |
| 25 | Bryce Clavon | GA | Dutchtown | 2024 | SS | Oklahoma |
The top 10 sees two new entrants as the first six remain the same, including top overall player, ATH/RHP Bryce Rainer (Harvard Westlake HS, CA), a UCLA recruit, whose premium upside is seen with each look…even when playing games in SoCal in December.
Got a chance to see a couple top '24s for @hwbaseball today. IF/RHP Bryce Rainer showed off a pretty swing with strong hands from the left side. Backside double and single up the middle in this video. No. 1 prospect in the country. @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/0z0fHQIfkO
— Nathan Rode (@NathanRode) December 11, 2021
Stepping into the top spot in Florida, is the east coast’s version of Rainer, RHP/OF Chase Mobley (Plant City HS, FL). The 6-foot-5, 185-pound Florida State recruit holds a pristine frame that oozes athleticism in all that he does. His bat and agility leavy plenty to dream on, but it is the electric right arm and power stuff on the mound that might ultimately raise him even higher in the class. In a state that churns out elite prospects yearly, Mobley leads the way for the Sunshine State and comes in at #7 overall.
‘24 SS Owen Paino (NY) is a favorite in the class & was highly impressive in a quick look.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) November 21, 2021
Balanced/athletic w/ heavy barrel & strong wrists/quick hands that provided consistent loud contact.@OleMissBSB recruit continues an upward trend. Plenty of projection.@PBRNewYork pic.twitter.com/Hzo6snxVha
Continuing a steady climb, SS Owen Paino (Ketcham HS, NY), bumps up to #10 in the class. The square-shouldered, 6-foot-3, 180-pounder is hardly new as an uppereschelon talent in the class, but the strides that he has made, and the continued upward trajectory already makes him an exciting prospect. An Ole Miss recruit, Piano’s uber-projectable frame packed on some more strength, and it has shown up at the plate where one of the purest strokes in the class saw a boost in power, and there is reason to believe that the left-handed hitter will find even more in coming years.
2nd 👀 at @MarstenDuncan this winter. Had him 88-90 3 weeks ago and yesterday he was 90-93 T94. 2 scoreless innings collecting 4ks. Excited for what HW is going to unleash on the southern section with their staff next spring. @PBR_California @LesLukach @Jacked_23 @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/pxEjN5sITn
— Joey Cohen🧢 (@JoeyCohen20) December 20, 2021
Another big arm coming out of the “prospect factory” that is Harvard-Westlake in California, RHP Duncan Marsten (Harvard Westlake HS, CA), a Stanford recruit, is already looking like a strong bet to continue the elite lineage of the Wolverine program. The sturdy right-hander was effortlessly up to 91 mph late in the fall with feel for a downer breaking ball, and looks the part of a future workhorse arm that could continue rising in coming years.
Rising elsewhere in the top 100, consummate performer, 3B Anthony Tralongo (American Heritage HS, moves up after a fall spent terrorizing opposing pitchers. The 6-foot, 175-pound Auburn recruit carries a loud stick with some present pull side power. Also making a jump, OF Drew Downs (Wesleyan Christian HS, NC), a Vanderbilt recruit, brings a sweet stroke from the left side along with a 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame that is sure to carry more. His innate barrel accuracy and ability to change planes stand out.
Shooter’s Spotlight:
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Devin Fitz-Gerald SS / RHP / Stoneman Douglas, FL / 2024Fitz-Gerald, who was part of a strong Team Florida at the PBR Future Games in July, looked even more impressive this fall culminating in an excellent showing at the PBR Florida Sophomore State Games. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound switch-hitter is NOT scared, and plays much bigger than his listed size on the diamond. Fluid from both sides of the plate with the lower-half and hands working in sync, there is present bath speed with a slightly uphill path, and the ability to find consistently firm contact that includes current exit velocities north of 100 mph. What could help separate him in coming years, along with the bat, is the lateral quickness he displays defensively with advanced glove-to-hand ability and a strong arm (89 mph) arm across. Fitz-Gerald carries himself with some moxie, and given the tool set, expect college coaches to be locked in moving forward.
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Austin Laughlin RHP / OF / Cardinal Newman, SC / 2024Laughlin’s wide-shouldered, 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame is dripping with projection and equipped with some elastic athleticism, especially his right arm. The big right-hander was up to 87.8 mph in a PBR South Carolina bullpen in October, and there are strong signs that the velocity will continue to tick up. Though long-limbed, Laughlin has an impressive understanding of his movement patterns that allow him to repeat the delivery while finding a consistent near over-the-top slot. The fast ball jumps out of the hand and at the plate, and he flashes the ability to tunnel a near 12/6 breaking ball (72-75) that he exhibits aptitude for now, and could see great strides in the future. Even more intriguing, he also demonstrates an ability to kill spin on the changeup (76-79, 1928 RPM). As more strength is added to the frame, expect Laughlin to get much more use out of the lower-half, and for a significant jump to be seen. Intensifying his upside as an athlete, Laughlin also swings a heavy barrel from the left side with significant power potential, and is sure to be followed in all facets of the game moving forward.
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Parker Day RHP / OF / Trousdale County, TN / 2024Day might be on his way to headlining another talented Team Tennessee squad at next summer’s PBR Future Games as he clearly checks all the boxes with present stuff, projection, and a starters’ profile. The athletic, 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander creates some downhill plane on a fastball that works 88-89 (2424 RPM) with some late life, and gets quality extension after completing a smooth delivery. Even more exciting than the quick arm and projectable frame are Day’s advanced aptitude for a slider and changeup. The slider (78-81, 2673 RPM), an out-pitch in the making, is ripped off with fastball intent, and he exhibits an innate ability to manipulate shape. The changeup profiles well off the fastball with some arm side life at 78-82. Overall, Day is likely to bring considerable interest next summer, and might only be scratching the surface as to his potential.
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Kenton Unruh OF / 1B / Staley, MO / 2024Unruh stacks the stat sheet with an impressive line that is only outpaced by his in game production. Carrying elite athleticism that includes a 6.8 60-yard dash time, eye opening bat speed, and present power (99 mph exit velocity), the naturally strong, 6-foot, 180-pounder leaves plenty to like for recruiters. The right-handed hitter has a simple approach with quick hands and strong wrists producing big bat speed that enables loud contact with nearly every swing. The balance and rotational acceleration provide for some controlled aggression in the box, and the upside as a future run-producer is clearly there.
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Hudson White LHP / OF / Holy Heart of Mary, NL / 2024Rankings OverallRank: 338 / POS: 34
Amongst the plethora of upside arms that Team Canada rolled out at the PBR Future Games, White might have been the most intriguing. Sturdily built with some natural strength on a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that still suggests, the big southpaw was up to 87 mph at the event with much more in the tank. A shorter arm stroke combines with quality extension and use of the lower-half to provide a tough look for hitters with the ball jumping on the plate. While the fastball presently produces swings and misses, there is also upside to a firm, tightly spun breaking ball (75-77) that should continue to see quick advancements in coming years. Overall, White is an arm that is sure to garner plenty of attention from college recruiters moving forward.
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