Michigan Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (August)
August 16, 2017
By Aaron Wilson and PBR Staff
PBR Michigan Director of Scouting
Michigan Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (August)
With the spring season and summer showcases coming to a close, Prep Baseball Report Michigan takes a look at the 2018 rankings. Many new prospects come into the rankings while many prospects have made jumps, some drastically. Below we will take a look at “What’s New At The Top”, “Rising Prospects”, and some of the top uncommitted prospects.
To view the entire list of 275 prospects please click here.
Interested in attending a PBR Michigan event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.
WHATS NEW AT THE TOP
As we bring our summer events to a close we have seen a number of talented ball players as they enter their senior year. John Malcom (Vanderbilt commit) and Spencer Schwellenbach (Nebraska commit) have had a seesaw battle for the state’s top player since their freshman year. This time Malcom comes up as #1 after a brilliant summer season racking up numerous accolades, Schwellenbach has been very impressive recently touching 94 mph off the mound. Detroit Western’s William English RHP/OF, Salem’s RHP Jacob Seipenko (Michigan State commit), and Holt’s RHP Burrell Jones have joined the top ten.
English is a 6-foot-2, 185 pound two-way prospect with big time athleticism. English is hands down the top player in the city of Detroit and one of the best in the state. In the OF he has speed that allows him to play CF with a sneaky pop in his bat. On the mound has an electric arm that has been up to 91 with easy get up.
Seipenko is a 6-foot-6, 210 pound RHP pitching prospect with an excellent frame. He burst onto the scene with a strong performance at the Top Prospects Games and solidified his ranking with another strong showing at the Procase. Works easy on the mound with a fastball that has touched 91 mph.
Jones is a 6-foot-3, 200 pound power pitching prospect who features a three pitch arsenal. On the mound throws a heavy ball powering the ball down in the zone. Fastball has been up to 91 mph. He made up one of the top 1-2 punches in the state last season with Jesse Heikkinen.
The Risers
We saw quite a few had strong performances this summer shaking up our rankings. Two guys left lasting impressions catapulting them up the rankings. Brighton’s OF/RHP Rudy Ramirez may be one of the hottest players in the state. Possibly was the most impressive player at the Summer Top Prospects Games. Moved to 11th overall. Birmingham Brother Rice backstop Gabe Sotres recently committed to Michigan State, moved up to 28th overall after going on a hit parade this summer and a strong summer showcase.
Ramirez is a 6-foot-, 180 pound athletic two way prospect has a shot to compete at the next level either on the mound or in the field. Fastball has been clocked as high as 89 mph with loose arm action. While showing impressive athleticism in the OF throwing 90 mph.
Sotres is a 5-foot-10, 175 pound strong framed catcher was most impressive this summer with his bat. Consistently placing the barrel on the ball with violent intentions. Solid catch and throw guy has popped as low as a 1.90 down to 2B.
Top Uncommitted Prospects By Position:
- Top Right-Handed Pitchers: Burrell Jones, Brandon Smith
- Top Left-Handed Pitchers: Cameron Tullar, Garrett Navarra
- Top Catching Prospects: Jake Heilman, Chase Mendendorp
- Top Corner Infield Prospects: Darryn Davis, Brett Upton
- Top Middle Infield Prospects: Noah Miller, Connor Hnilo
- Top Outfield Prospects: Reese Trahey, Caleb Jackson
- Top Two-Way Prospects: William English, Gaetano Vallone, Spencer Vainavicz
PBR Michigan Class of 2018 Top 275
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
1 | John Malcom | MI | Country Day | 2018 | 1B | Vanderbilt |
2 | Spencer Schwellenbach | MI | Saginaw Heritage | 2018 | SS | Nebraska |
3 | Miko Rodriguez | MI | Forest Hills Central | 2018 | OF | Texas A&M |
4 | Cole Daniels | MI | Saline | 2018 | LHP | Kentucky |
5 | Mason Minzey | MI | Bishop Foley | 2018 | C | Texas Tech |
6 | William English | MI | Detroit Western International | 2018 | OF | |
7 | Jacob Seipenko | MI | Salem | 2018 | RHP | Michigan State |
8 | Burrell Jones | MI | Holt | 2018 | RHP | Wabash Valley JC |
9 | Jacob Erickson | MI | Allen Park | 2018 | SS | Michigan State |
10 | Cameron Tullar | MI | Brighton | 2018 | LHP |
***** To view the entire top 275, please click here.