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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - Our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff is constantly on the road evaluating players through the entire year. From the high school season into the  summer travel ball circuit through to fall and winter games, along with our own events, our aim is to be your number one source for amateur baseball scouting news in the state of California. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in California. 

Today we present the updated and expanded California Player Rankings for the Class of 2023. We will take a closer look at the Top Five that features a new No. 1 and some movement among those positions. We’ll be diving a lot deeper in the coming days as we'll break down the rankings further as roll out a looks at commits by school, commits by position, biggest risers, and a deeper look at the Top Ten.

 Be sure to follow along. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS

THE TOP FIVE

No. 1: There’s a new No. 1 in the state and it is power hitting SS Gavin Grahovac of Villa Park HS (Arizona St. commit) who has left no doubt that he’s the top bat in the class in the state, and one of the best in the country. He impacts the ball to all fields with advanced quickness in the hands and the potential for power to all fields is present. His hands allow him to profile at multiple positions on the dirt, but his overall athleticism could also project in the outfield. Grahovac plays with the confidence of a player much older than him and a 6-foot-3 195-pounds he has the physicality that stands out immediately. 

No. 2: Holding down the No. 2 spot is 1B Nolan Stevens of Franklin HS who is beginning to separate himself as the premier left-handed bat in the class. While also a left-handed pitcher in high school, his value as a power-hitter might ultimately make his strong left arm and pitching ability less important in the end. Each swing is done with intent to do damage on a slightly uphill plane, and the hands work in sync with a medium-sized leg kick before showcasing impressive rotational acceleration and obvious immense power. There is a “look” to the way that he stands in the box, and already one of the top prospects in the class, Stevens continued to raise his profile with his performances this summer. 

No. 3: Shortstop Will Burns of Trabuco Hills HS is arguably one of the most sought after prospects in this class thanks in part to his defensive prowess at shortstop, but mainly for his ability to impact the game at the plate where his bat stands out with the ability to hit it out. There’s present lag through the zone as he works short-to-long with fast hands allowing him to catch up to velocity. The right-handed hitter has plus-bat speed and power potential, and gets on-plane early with impressive rotational acceleration that should provide for quick adjustments and advancements in the future. He’s twitchy in all phases of the game, but the bat has the makings of a middle-of-the-order type guy, even if he is forced to move off of shortstop in the future. 

No. 4: Moving up a spot is right-handed pitcher Landon Stump of Live Oak HS (Oregon commit) who immediately stands out thanks to the ability to command the fastball. Working 88-91, the long-limbed right-hander confidently drives the fastball downhill and commands to the glove side at will. There’s some deception to the segmented delivery while the hands work quickly through the ball with extension out front. The slider profiles well off the fastball at 78-81 and plays up thanks to Stump’s command and ability to land the pitch for strikes. Stump’s mound presence stood out in this quick look, and there is strong likelihood that he continues to make quick advancements in the future.

No. 5: Coming in at the No. 5 spot in the state is Toby Twist of Garces Memorial HS (Oregon commit) who continues to show the type of development and progress that keeps him amongst the top prospects, and the No. 1 left-handed pitcher, in the class. Twist shows a quick arm, athletic frame, and swing-and-miss stuff. The 6-foot-2, 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. 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
North Bay Open	CA	09/04	Borman Field
NorCal Uncommitted Games	CA	09/11	Islanders Field
NorCal Underclass Games (Invite Only)	CA	09/18	Islanders Field
SoCal Upperclass Games (Invite-Only)	CA	09/18	Biola University
SoCal Underclass Games (Invite-Only)	CA	09/25	University of San Diego
Northern California Academic Games	CA	10/16	Menlo College
Unsigned Senior Games	CA	10/17	Hart Park

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