Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

New England Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (March)

March 21, 2017

Follow @pbrnewengland

By Dennis Healy, Trevor Brown and PBR Staff
Co-Director of Scouting

Interested in attending a PBR New England event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

New England Insider: Updated Class of 2018 Player Rankings (March)

In our third player rankings of the 2018 class we take a look at the top 360+ players in the New England Region. We have seen numerous prospects over the fall and winter at PBR events, local workouts and games from across the region, and a lot of time and thought put in from our staff with these updated rankings.

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

The top of the rankings hold true with Grant Lavigne from Bedford (NH) holding down the #1 spot as he is a big left-handed banger headed to Wake Forest. Patrick Winkel is another left-handed hitter out of Amity (CT), ranked #2. The southpaw shows above average catch and throw tools with a plus bat. Winkel is head to UConn  Bryce Reagan is ranked #3, headed to Texas. Reagan is a switch-hitting corner infielder with a ton of potential as a hitter and defender. Ryan Cusick, ranked #4, is a high level right-hander out of Lincoln Sudbury, arm is electric. Doesn't hurt that he is 6-foot-5. He's headed to Wake Forest as well. Shane Smith, ranked 5th is a big and long right-hander with power stuff, who is headed to Wake Forest as well.

Grant LavigneGrant Lavigne, 1B, Bedford, 2018
Ranked: #1
Scouting Report: A big and athletic left-handed hitter. Showed serious ability with the bat in batting practice. A spread out set up and even hand set up. The path of the bat is direct and flat through the ball. The ball jumps off the bat and he shows power potential and plate coverage to boot. The frame is excellent at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds with some room for growth. The arm works at first, throwing 74 across the diamond and the he moves well, running a 4.5 down the line. Tee exit velocity was 87, advanced for his age. His footwork around first is good and he provides infielders with a big target. High level prospect and certainly a pro guy as he ages. 

Patrick WinkelPatrick Winkel, C/3B, Amity, 2018
Ranked: #2
Scouting Report: (UConn commit) 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, athletic build, wiry strong, with plenty of room to fill out. Ranked second in New England, a left-handed hitting catcher, scouts dream. Offensively, it’s a simple approach, slightly open stance, balanced throughout the swing. The hands are loose and really work. He makes solid contact, driving the ball from gap-to-gap. He generates advanced bat speed and his tee exit velocity was 93 mph. Defensively, a top level defender, the setup is balanced and relaxed. Mechanically is sound, has soft hands and gets out of the chute quick and is in a straight line to second. Clocked at 80 mph from the crouch, the arm is short, quick and on time with everything. Pop times of 1.89-1.97, on the bag. The glove front side could stay firmer. Runs a 7.25 60-yard dash, moves very well for a catcher, athletic, good flexibility. Should be a high draft in two years.

Bryce ReaganBryce Reagan, INF, Souhegan, 2018
Ranked: #3
Scouting Report: Switch-hitting third baseman, who we have seen a number of times this past summer. The frame is ideal as he will fill out and get stronger. The glove is plus, more than likely, could play a number of infield positions, but loves third. The arm works, threw 85 mph across the diamond. Gets off the ball very well and runs well, 4.3 down the line from the left side. The bat path from both sides is flat and direct. The bottom half is stable and under control. Needs to spread the field at the plate to help his game. Tee exit velocity of 86 mph from the right-side and 77 from the left-side of the dish.

Ryan CusickRyan Cusick, RHP, Lincoln Sudbury, 2018
Ranked: #4
2016 Spring Season Report: We had a chance to see Ryan pitch during his spring campaign, and he is developing nicely. Bumped his velocity to the upper-80s, touching 90/91 mph numerous times. Showed the makings of a plus slider as well. The changeup is a work in progress. The frame projects and if he stays on this path, he will be a good draft out of high school.

Shane Smith, RHP, Governors Academy, 2018
Ranked: #5
Shane SmithScouting Report: Big and physical right-handed pitcher. The delivery is clean and the arm swing is long on the backside. Has a ton of leverage and downhill to his fastball, it touches 87 mph. The breaking ball has improved, the shape is better this year, it sat at 72 mph. There could be a jump in the breaking ball velocity with more fastball hand speed. The changeup needs a spin fix, as its cutting, sat at 78 mph. Slight closure to the body at foot strike is causing extension issues but very cleanable. Big time arm, love the projection and the arm speed.
2016 Spring Season Report: Developing nicely as he is consistently 87-89, touching 90 mph. The breaking ball has power to it, and should be formidable at the next level. Shows the ability to handle the minus pitch. Command of all three pitches has to improve but he is a guy to keep an eye on for the MLB draft in two year.

 

THE RISERS

Over the winter, we saw some nice development from numerous prospects, we are going to highlight three risers in the rankings. Bryce Reagan jumped up a couple spots to #3 as he continues to impress at a high level. The switch-hitter will have a significant decision coming this June as he will more than likely be a good draft pick. Mike Vasil, a legit right-hander head to Virginia shows electric stuff and we love the pitcher’s frame on this guy. Steven Hajjar, out of Central Catholic and headed to Michigan made a velocity jump this fall. The long and lanky left-hander is a good looking prospect.

Mike Vasil, RHP, Boston College High, 2018
Ranked: #8
Scouting Report: Athletic right-hander with a projectable frame and size. The slot is slightly above 3/4 and the arm is quick and fast out front. The delivery is on-line and he does a good job of controlling the glove side to home. Tracking of the shoulders is done well for a young man at his age. The frame can take on added weight, as this guys ceiling is sky high. Saw him pitch in late spring of 2016. The fastball was up to 89, with arm side run. The breaking ball had an 11/7 shape to it, an out pitch at the next level. Showed a good feel for the changeup.

Steven HajjarSteven Hajjar, LHP, Central Catholic, 2018
Ranked: #14
Scouting Report: 6-foot-4, 190-pound, long and lengthy frame. The arms and hands are very long, has plenty of room for future development. On the mound this left hander, works from a high-¾ slot, with arm action slightly longer and a clean path. When is he is on time and stays back he pitches downhill and the ball gets on the hitter quick. In his three innings of work fastball sat at 82-84 mph, pitched to both sides of the plate with it, and got great extension on finish. The breaking ball has some slurve break to it at 68-69 mph, spin could get slightly tighter. The changeup is a work in progress, hasn't had to use it much up until this point. Ceiling is extremely high, look for velocity to climb.

 

THE NEWCOMERS

We want to take a look at four newcomers to the rankings. Cabot Maher out of Barrington in Rhode Island is a legit arm on the bump and shows thunder in the barrel. High level guy for colleges. Aidan Park is a big and athletic left-handed hitting first baseman. Plus leverage with the bat, and jumps on the bump, showing all 3-pitches for strikes. Cole Roland out of Thayer shows us a plus breaking ball at 79 mph, huge upside to this arm. Nick Assad, out of Medway is a legit under the radar pitcher. The arm is extremely fast and his body/frame is excellent.

Cabot MaherCabot Maher, 3B/RHP, Barrington, 2018
Ranked: #15
Scouting Report: 6-foot, 205-pound right-handed pitcher out of the Newport Jr. Gulls Baseball program. Slot is slightly higher than ¾ and quick. This guy fits the profile as an end of the game guy in college. Athletic lift, coil and go to the plate. The direction of the feet are appropriate. There is a hard glove pull on the front side as he goes to the plate, causing his to come off target. The arm has power and quickness to it. Fastball touched 87 mph with heavy sink and action to it. The spin pitch has a chance to be legit with a tweak. It is currently a slurve, sits at 73 mph. Shortening it to a slider, could be a devastating pitch out of that slot. The changeup used is a split, sitting at 81 mph. Big follow as a pitcher, legit high-level arm.

Aidan ParkAidan Park, 1B/RHP, BB&N, 2018
Ranked: #17
Scouting Report: 6-foot-5, 235-pound left-handed hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher. This guy was impressive. Tee exit velocity of 101 mph, which you don't see at the high school level very often. The swing is under control. Sets up with his feet slightly open and even. Closes down as the ball approaches and really gets the barrel through the ball. The path is flat with leverage, very dangerous with the bat. Ran a 4.38 thirty. Showed a solid glove at first with appropriate feet. Threw 78 mph across the diamond. On the mound, clean plus ¾ delivery with good alignment and direction. It is repeated and on time. Fastball touched 84 mph with arm side run. The spin pitch is good, sitting at 70 mph. The changeup has the right direction and fade, sitting at 78 mph. Excellent looking two-way prospect at a high level.

Cole RolandCole Roland, RHP, Thayer Academy, 2018
Ranked: #21
Scouting Report: 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander from the Boston Prospects program. The delivery is online with his feet, pitches out of a slightly above ¾. The arm works well and it’s extremely quick. The lift is athletic and on time, small pull of front shoulder off target prior to foot strike. The frame is projectable and strong. The fastball touched 85 mph with arm side action. The velocity should pop this coming summer as the arm projects to be a 90 mph arm. The spin pitch is filthy, hard and sharp breaking ball at 79 mph. The changeup has the right spin, sitting at 78 mph. High level prospect on the mound.

Nick AssadNick Assad, RHP, Medway, 2018
Ranked: #25
Scouting Report: 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-hander with a ton of upside out of Northeast Baseball. The arm is extremely quick, the quickest at the event in my opinion. The delivery is athletic and repeated. Small coil at the top of the lift and then glides into foot strike. Comes off target a bit but is improving immensely on staying in his delivery. The fastball touched 84 mph with life. The slider is 74 and a work in progress as he switched from a breaking ball to a shorter spin pitch about a month ago. The changeup is a work in progress, sits at 75 mph. Big time arm based off what I am seeing.

 

2018 TOP UNCOMMITTED BY POSITION

Theo McDowellPitchers:
2-Way Prospects:
Matthew Killian
Outfielders:
Infielders:
Max WalkerCatching:

 

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 Connecticut
3 Bryce Reagan NH Souhegan 2018 3B Texas
4 Ryan Cusick MA Lincoln Sudbury 2018 RHP Wake Forest
5 Shane Smith MA Governors Academy 2018 RHP Wake Forest
6 Dillon Lifrieri CT Wilton 2018 OF South Carolina
7 Cody Morissette NH Exeter 2018 SS Boston College
8 Mike Vasil MA Boston College HS 2018 RHP Virginia
9 Michael Burrows CT Waterford 2018 RHP Connecticut
10 Brendan Tinsman ME Cape Elizabeth 2018 C Wake Forest


***** To view the entire Top 360, please click here.