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New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - A year ago everything became more challenging for everyone. For scouts, coaches, and baseball players, that was no different. Fortunately, the high school season was able to get off without much interference if any allowing these freshman to show their wares on the varsity level. Additionally, we were able to run events through March 2021 that allowed us to see many players, some new to us and some we'd not seen in quite awhile. As the season concludes in many parts of California, we are all very excited to present our Class of 2024 State Player Rankings.

As always, the evaluation process is fluid but by having had an opportunity to see most all of these players at least a couple times we feel this is the deepest rankings for this class. It's obvious these player have worked extremely hard and were ready to show their improvement this spring. For some, we've seen that improvement already and it's reflected in the rankings.

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. As such, the previous rankings have been scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and certainly not for the last time. 

After much deliberation, we present the updated Class of 2024 Player Rankings.

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

THE TOP FIVE: 

No. 1 RHP/INF Bryce Rainer - Harvard Westlake HS - UCLA Commit

Unquestionably the top player in the nation with his combination of pitching and hitting ability that both show present and future projectable skills. On the mound he’s a low-90’s sinker, cutter pitcher with a swing-and-miss slider. At the plate he’s a left-handed hitting shortstop with quick hands that creates present lag in the zone with developing power. The polish on the mound and the ability with the bat make him the top player in his class in the nation. 

 

No. 2 OF Derek Curiel - Orange Lutheran HS

Unquestionably the top position player in his class, Curiel is a treat to watch hit with his advanced approach that looks to do damage the other way with the ability to put some juice into pulled balls. But the bat isn’t the only noticeable tool, Curiel’s speed on defense and ability to make plays in the gaps sets him apart from his peers. Takes fantastic routes that allow him to position himself perfectly for strong throws. 

 

No. 3 RHP/INF Matthew Champion - JSerra HS - Arizona State Commit

In all of our spring viewings of Champion this year he was limited to pitching and the occasional pinch hit/DH assignment not giving us recent views of him defensively. But if the restructured body and performances on the mound are any indication, Champion will be just fine when he gets his chance. Working mid-to-upper 80’s with the fast ball and two average at-worst secondary offerings, Champion and his loose, whippy arm action should be next in a long line of arms at JSerra. 

 

No. 4 OF/RHP Tatum Marsh - Valley Christian HS - Stanford Commit

Marsh, now a Stanford recruit, wow’d in the fall at a PBR California event in NorCal thanks to elite tools and athleticism, and has shown the ability to put both to good use in-game this spring. The freshman has had an impact at the varsity level - both at the plate and on the mound - with his ability to hit top pitching stands out right now. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Stanford recruit matches his talent level with plenty of energy on the diamond, and his lightning-quick hands produce impressively loud exit velocities.

 

No. 5 OF/INF Ben Reiland - Orange Lutheran HS 

Reiland possesses the type of present bat speed and consistent approach at the plate that makes him a highly sought after recruit. He’s as polished a hitter as you’ll find in this class. Defensively he can play left or center field along with second base and do them all very well. But it’s his ability to hit, and get the bat on the ball and just put balls in play, that really stands out with Reiland whose run tool continues to improve.

 

 

RANKINGS BY POSITION

*Based on primary position listed in player profile

C: 7; 1B: 2; 3B: 2; SS: 14; OF: 11; LHP: 3; RHP: 11

COMMITS BY SCHOOL

*Based on commitment listed in player profile

32: UNCOMMITTED

4: UCLA

3: ARIZONA, STANFORD

2: OREGON STATE, SAN DIEGO STATE

1: ARIZONA STATE, LONG BEACH STATE, OREGON, USC

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Northern California ProCase	CA	06/08	McBean Stadium
State Games ID - NorCal	CA	06/22	Islanders Field
SoCal ProCase	CA	06/22	Hart Park
Rising Stars Showcase (N CA)	CA	06/22	Islanders Field
NorCal Academic Games	CA	07/14	Islanders Field
California State Games	CA	07/16-07/18	Islanders Field
PBR Future Games (CA Invite)	CA	07/28	LakePoint Sports (GA)

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