PBR Week in Review
May 15, 2017
A look back at what happened at the Prep Baseball Report the week of May 8-13. National Supervisor Nathan Rode updates his PBR Draft Top 100 Rankings. Shooter Hunt takes a look at valuable uncommitted 2018 prospects. New Recruiting Essentials answers frequently asked questions. New PBR Podcast, updated state rankings, draft blog and much more..
PBR DRAFT 100 UPDATE
By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
The 2017 Major League Baseball Draft is less than six weeks away and there has been plenty of movement in the high school class, reflected in the latest update to the PBR Draft 100.
The PBR Draft 100 ranks the top high school prospects eligible for the upcoming draft, including players outside of Prep Baseball Report’s coverage area of 35 states. This list is compiled after months of seeing games across the country and conversations with scouts and college recruiters.
Holding on at No. 1 is RHP/SS Hunter Greene (Notre Dame HS, CA). The UCLA recruit is a strong candidate to be the first overall pick and has touched triple digits this spring. Interestingly, he is no longer pitching this spring. Citing his development plan, he will only throw bullpens while continuing to play shortstop and hit for his high school team.
THE HOTLIST: PBR DRAFT 100 RISERS AND NEWCOMERS
By Nathan Rode and PBR Staff
The PBR Draft 100 was updated Tuesday and while many of the names at the top are familiar, there were plenty of big risers and newcomers. Listed below are some of the prospects that climbed boards this spring and solidified themselves as top draft prospects.
RISERS
Austin Beck, OF, North Davidson HS, NC
Beck quickly climbed boards this spring with scouts getting their first serious look at him. The North Carolina missed last summer and fall with an ACL tear, but has shown he’s back to full strength and his games have been heavily attended by high-level scouts. Beck has loud tools, showing plus bat speed that produces plus power. He’s an above-average runner with a plus arm and provides quality defense in center field. He takes big, aggressive hacks at the plate and hasn’t faced much in the way of competitive pitching this spring, so there are questions about how much he’ll hit for average. He is now ranked No. 9 in the country.
ON THE HUNT: VALUABLE 2018 UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS
By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker
With the Major League Baseball Draft less than a month away, the class of 2018 is less than 30 days from being “on the clock” for next year’s draft. While many of the 2018 players are committed to schools, there are still some valuable pieces to recruiting classes left uncommitted, and searching for the right situation and school. Of the six players featured this week in, On the Hunt, four list themselves as two-way players with one each being a pitcher-only and an infielder. Prominently featured are three players from Minnesota, including two from the same, stacked school. Also featured are players from Missouri, Virginia, and Connecticut. Each showcases the ability to make an impact at the next level, and given the right situation could thrive.
RECRUITING ESSENTIALS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting
The re-boot of Recruiting Essentials is off and running and seems to be a success. As a baseball coach turned writer, I am always working to make sure the information that is being presented is current, relevant, and fits a need for players and families as they are navigating the recruiting process. Part of that process, on my end, will be an occasional column addressing emails, submissions, and questions for those working through their college decisions.
When should I commit?
This is a common question that I have received as I am getting to know some of the younger players in North Carolina. The quick and simple answer is you can commit anytime you would like. But I know that most are looking for more depth to the answer than a turn of phrase.
PBR PODCAST: 2017 PBR DRAFT 100 UPDATE
Nathan Rode and Sean Duncan discuss the draft and PBR Draft 100 rankings...>>
2017 DRAFT BLOG
Draft reports on top prospects in one place...>>
FL INSIDER: UPDATED 2017 RANKINGS
Seise takes over the top spot in the updated 2017 rankings...>>
NC INSIDER: BEHIND THE NCHSAA BRACKETS
A look at seeding and teams to watch in the coming weeks......>>
ILLINOIS CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS RELEASED
A trio of Louisville commits sit near the top...>>
LA CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS RELEASED
Shapen, Carmouche, Meche & Morgan top the list...>>
UPDATED MARYLAND CLASS OF 2018 RANKINGS RELEASED
Expand to 150 in this installment...>>
NY INSIDER: UPDATED AND EXPANDED 2018 PLAYER RANKINGS
2018 rankings expand to over 225 players; 18 players out of top 25 are D1 committed...>>