Ontario Insider: Updated Class of 2017 Player Rankings (May)
May 2, 2017
By Chris Kemlo and PBR Staff
Ontario Scouting Director
Ontario Insider: Updated Class of 2017 Player Rankings (May)
With the 2017 spring season getting underway this week in Ontario, we move our attention to the updated 2017 rankings and expanded our list to 155 players. With all the events and workouts we saw over the winter, there has been some shuffling through the list with some players taking the next step in their game or physical appearance among other things.
At the top, we have a new number one with right-hander and Texas commit Landon Leach taking over the top spot. Leach has had a strong first month to his season as has been on two trips with the Junior National Team already, and his last outing was three innings versus Toronto Blue Jays minor leagues where his fastball was reported at 92-96 for the outing while mixing in an improved slider with a few quality changeups. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has created quite a stir with professional scouts with all of his appearances being well attended. Leach is the top amatuer arm in the country and looks to be an early pick in this June’s MLB draft.
Another player that has taken off in the rankings is switch hitting outfielder Rashad Collymore. The Indian River commit has overcome some injuries to his knee and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. The speedy outfielder has above average speed while he can play all three outfield spots with his range and arm strength. The strength and bat speed is there at the dish and is a menace on the bases.
One of the players making moves up the ladder is left-hander Alex Jones who will be off to Niagara University in the fall. Jones doesn’t stand out on paper at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds, but on the ball field he plays like he is 7-feet tall. Works in the mid-80s, three pitch guy who commands the zone and can also jump in and play the outfield and contribute with his left-handed bat.
Below we take a look at "What's New At The Top", "The Risers", "The Newcomers" as well as the top uncommitted prospects.
To view the entire list of 150 prospects please click here.
What’s New At The Top
The biggest movers into the Top 20 were a couple of left-handed bats in David Mendham and Luke Turino, while right-hander Jordan Marks moves up.
Matt Turino, OF, Birchmount Park, 2017
Previous Ranking - 20
Updated Ranking - 43
Scouting Report: Left-handed hitting outfielder with strength and speed to his game. Off to Jefferson College in Missouri in the fall, lots of bat speed, gap to gap power with more to come. 6.85 runner with above average arm, primed for a big 2017 season.
David Mendham, C, Catholic Central, 2017
Previous Ranking - 17
Updated Ranking - 30
Scouting Report: Left-handed bat with size and strength to 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. Looseness in hands at the plate with bat speed and power potential. Moves well behind the plate, arm continues to improve as well overall in defensive areas behind the plate, hard nosed player who competes and gets after it the right way. Still uncommitted.
Jordan Marks, RHP, 2017
Previous Ranking - 25
Updated Ranking - 16
Scouting Report: Right-hander with reports of him in the upper-80s now with fastball. Always shown pitchability and knack for throwing strikes with three pitches. Off to USC-Upstate in the fall, will be a workhorse for club team this summer as he has the ability to eat up innings while keeping pitch count down.
The Risers
There were several players who made significant jumps as well. Being able to get a look at players through our events and indoor workouts were vital to helping identify players who took their game to the next level.
Jack Liddell, RHP, 2017
Previous Ranking - 64
Updated Ranking - 31
Scouting Report: Liddell really took a leap in late February this year as being somewhat relatively new to the mound, the 6-foot-4 Connors State commit was easy mid 80’s with his fastball while showing the ability to spin the ball and pound the strike zone. The arm is easy and clean, and the secondary stuff is there for him to be one of the better arms in the province, as well be ready to compete at Connors is the fall for a starting spot in the rotation
Jonathan Henry, RHP, Brooklin HS
Previous Ranking - 95
Updated Ranking - 58
Scouting Report: Came out at our first event of 2017 with much improved body at a strong and solid 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. Henry was consistently 84-85 mph with sharpness to his breaking ball and a high ceiling with more to come. Not to long after the event, Henry inked a deal with Muskegon CC and is looking to head into the fall with his stuff and opportunity to jump in the rotation as a freshman.
Evan Kiser, RHP, Robert F. Hall, 2017
Previous Ranking - 94
Updated Ranking - 39
Scouting Report: New to the mound, Kiser has progressed quickly and his fastball was in the mid-80s at the end of fall 2016 with reports this winter of him in the upper-80s which isn’t hard to believe. As he continues to get reps and innings, Kiser will have a chance to be one of the top arms in his league this summer at the 18u level.
Austin Young, RHP, Clarke Road Secondary, 2017
Previous Ranking - 82
Updated Ranking - 52
Scouting Report: The frame with wide shoulders and ability to throw strikes makes Young an intriguing prospect for colleges as he is still uncommitted. The right-hander at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds should make a big jump this year and will be leaned on from his club team to be a reliable starter on the 18u staff.
The Newcomers
Maxwell Dennison, RHP, Bill Crothers HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 5-foot-11 right-hander with room to add size and strength to frame. Came out this new year with life in his arm, an 84 mph fastball that had late action and a slider in the upper 70’s with tilt and bite to it. More to come out of Dennison and should be on college coaches radars.
Jordan Kazen, RHP, Notre Dame HS, 2017
Scouting Report: Uncommitted senior who sat consistently 84-85 this winter while throwing all three pitches for strikes. Stocky and strong, has a track record of winning while eating up innings and pounding the zone.
David Bruinsma, RHP, Woodland HS, 2017
Scouting Report: Impresses at our recent Toronto Elite Prospect Showcase in Mid April. He works from side-arm slot where he sits low 80’s with run and sink on ball. Deceptive while being able to work all three pitches out of same arm slot, will be tough on guys in league this year while the right college program could make him and an important piece of their staff.
Kyle Cattrysse, SS, Chatham-Kent HS, 2017
Scouting Report: Shortstop with soft hands and loose arm with carry across the infield, comfortable and confident defensively while the bat from the right side shows line drive swing with bat speed and gap to gap power. Uncommitted player with tools and compete level.
Scott Dowell, C, Sir Wilfrid Laurier HS, 2017
Scouting Report: Left-handed hitting catcher who has had a strong winter, improved his swing and bat speed while the defensive actions and arm behind the plate are starting to come together. Still room to develop, Dowell shows the size and strength to be ready for the next level in fall of 2017 to go along with the bat.
Sleeper Prospects
Kurt Dawkins, OF, J.Clarke Richardson, 2017
Scouting Report: Elite runner with one of the best falls out of anyone in the province in 2016. Adequate defender in the outfield while the right-handed bat is short with lots of contact as he uses his speed well and knows how to get the most out of his tools. Surprisingly uncommitted and one that could get scooped up quickly as we begin our season.
Liam Hicks, C, Lawrence Park Collegiate, 2017
Scouting Report: Left-handed bat with easy stroke at the plate. Added good 15 pounds over winter with muscle and size to upper half. In good shape before 2017 season begins and is swinging the bat really well indoors. One of the top uncommitted bats left in 2017 class.
Jordan Bahnuk, RHP, College Avenue, 2017
Scouting Report: Right-hander with easy, quick arm from loose, ¾ arm slot. Body moves well down the mound, hides the ball well and gets bot breaking ball and changeup over for strikes. Life in the arm and more to come once he matures physically.
Jeremy Schouppe, 1B, Elma District Secondary, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2 first baseman with left-handed bat that shows chance to have power down the road as he matures and continues his development. Barrels balls up with power to pull side, bat has improved every year and is a middle of the order bat for his club team.
Aidan Massad, RHP, Cardinal Carter, 2017
Scouting Report: Small right-hander who uses his body well, was an easy 83 mph last year with tight overhand curveball at the Ontario Youth Tryouts. Now member of the Windsor Selects, Massad should be able to log innings and rack up strikeouts with his ability to spot up and use his curveball as a put away pitch.
Brock Ryan, RHP, St. Benedicts HS, 2017
Scouting Report: 6-foot-2, 192-pound right-hander who missed time last season. Fastball was up to 84-85 mph and could spin the breaking ball which showed depth with promise. Don’t be surprised to see Ryan get off to a good start in 2017 and could climb back up the rankings in the early stages.
TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION
Below we look to name the top 3-5 prospects in specific categories for the 2017 class. Beyond the top 3-5, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity. Our 2017 class is one of, if not the deepest classes we’ve had. There are number of players still on the board that could help out a college program in some capacity. Here are some of the top uncommitted guys at each position.
+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Seth Chauvin, Jordan Bahnuk, Austin Young
+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Dean Christidis, Tyrell Hebert
+ Top Catching Prospects: David Mendham, Liam Hicks, Brett Corbeth
+ Top Corner Infield Prospects: Bryce O’Farrell, Jake Ervin, Garrett Miller
+ Top Middle Infield Prospects: Andres Gonzalez, Daniel Warkentin, Thomas Grilli
+ Top Outfield Prospects: Lucas Parente, Tyrell Hebert, Kurt Dawkins
PBR Ontario Class of 2017 Top 155
| Rank |
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Landon Leach | ON | Pickering High School | 2017 | RHP | Texas |
| 2 | Adam Hall | ON | AB Lucas Secondary | 2017 | SS | Texas A&M |
| 3 | Dondrae Bremner | ON | Bill Crothers Secondary | 2017 | SS | Cincinnati |
| 4 | Cooper Davis | ON | St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary | 2017 | OF | Vanderbilt |
| 5 | Noah Skirrow | ON | Cardinal Newman C.S.S. | 2017 | RHP | Liberty |
| 6 | Mitch Osborne | ON | Father Leo J. Austin High School | 2017 | C | Polk State JC |
| 7 | Harley Gollert | ON | St. Michael's College School | 2017 | LHP | Austin Peay |
| 8 | Lucas Parente | ON | Notre Dame High School | 2017 | OF | |
| 9 | Jacob English | ON | Great Lake Canadians | 2017 | RHP | Dodge City CC |
| 10 | Owen Jansen | ON | Iriquois Ridge Secondary | 2017 | SS | Purdue |
To view the entire list of 155 prospects please click here.