New England Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (March)
March 31, 2016
By Dennis Healy, Trevor Brown and PBR Staff
Co-Director of Scouting
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New England Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (March)
A fresh start is upon New England, as we have been blessed with an extremely light winter thus far. As the 2016 spring season approaches, we are at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to last years weather. Teams have been outside earlier and more often due to the climate.
Many schools head down south to get the cobwebs off and play in the warm weather while some stay in the Northeastern part of the country in hopes of getting some quality time in on the diamond.
That being said, we have had the pleasure of seeing a number of solid players this past fall and winter. Prospects are popping up left and right, making velocity jumps, improving 60-yard dash times and showing more power with the bat.
Covering six states, New England is a prime area for legit baseball talent and now we would like to bring to you the updated 2018 Player Rankings.
What’s New?
Our 2018 rankings have now been updated and Grant Lavigne, 1B, Bedford (NH), Patrick Winkel, C/3B, Amity (CT) Shane Smith (pictured right), RHP, Governors Academy (MA) and Brendan Tinsman, C, Cape Elizabeth (ME) hold strong at the top of the rankings.
Lavigne and Tinsman are headed to the ACC and Wake Forest.
Winkel is staying home, heading to UConn and Smith just made a bunch of visits to ACC and SEC schools.
The Risers
Every year, we see guys make jumps and develop at a quicker rate than others. This off-season was no exception.
Jake Sanderson (pictured right), RHP, St Johns Prep threw at our 3/9 event in Hudson and showed a jump in velocity and spin efficiency.
Cody Morissette, INF/RHP from Exeter (NH) made a jump in his game, earning himself a commitment to Boston College.
Cole Durkan, C, Wachusett Regional has significantly improved his pop time and overall game.
The Newcomers
Ryan Cusick (pictured right), RHP out of Lincoln Sudbury headlines our newcomers. He threw for us on 3/9 and shows tremendous potential. The arm is ultra quick and long.
Mike Doherty, RHP out of Middlesex (MA) also threw on 3/9 and was impressive. He is long out front with a repeatable and athletic delivery.
Samuel Conte, LHP out of Philips Andover is an impressive two-way player who pitched for us at a recent event. Showed plus athleticsm, good fastball with a spin pitch.
Mike Yarin, INF out of St Johns Prep also jumps into the rankings. The left-handed hitting infielder has been turning head and garnering a ton of interest from colleges.
Jake Noviello, RHP out of Franklin HS (MA) showed well at a Western Mass event. He has plus potential as well.
TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECT BY POSITION
Catchers- Cole Durkan / Tyler Galenski
First Basemen- Alec Burns / Zach Stevens
Middle Infielders- Logan Bravo / Justin Guerrera
Third Basemen- MIke Yarin / Ramon Jimenez
Outfielders- Ben Malgeri / Joe Simourian / Matt Killian
Utility- Dillon Lifrieri / Drew Demartino
2-Way Guys- Theo McDowell / Leif Bigelow
Right-Handed Pitchers- Ryan Cusick / Mike Doherty / Shane Smith
Left-Handed Pitchers- Samuel Conte / Geoff Mosseau
New England Class of 2018 Rankings
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Grant Lavigne | NH | Bedford | 2018 | 1B | Wake Forest |
| 2 | Patrick Winkel | CT | Amity | 2018 | C | UConn |
| 3 | Shane Smith | MA | Governors Academy | 2018 | RHP | |
| 4 | Brendan Tinsman | ME | Cape Elizabeth | 2018 | C | Wake Forest |
| 5 | Bryce Reagan | NH | Souhegan | 2018 | 3B | Virginia Tech |
| 6 | Ryan Cusick | MA | Lincoln Sudbury | 2018 | RHP | |
| 7 | Noah Rubino | CT | Guilford | 2018 | RHP | |
| 8 | Mike Doherty | MA | Middlesex | 2018 | RHP | |
| 9 | Michael Burrows | CT | Waterford | 2018 | RHP | UConn |
| 10 | Michael Yarin | MA | St. John's Prep - Danvers, MA | 2018 | 3B |
***** To view the entire Top 120, please click here.