Top 15 Stories Of 2015: No. 3 Initial New York 2016 Rankings Released

December 30, 2015

Preseason All-State Showcase (Invite Only)

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

Over the next few days we will finish highlighting the Top 15 Player Profiles of 2015, and the Top 15 Stories in New York during the 2015 calendar year.

Today, we’ll take a look at No. 3: It comes as no surprise that the release of the initial 2016 rankings back in 2014 (Oct) received the third most views this past year. The rankings have since been updated several times, but this was the initial article put out when the first rendition was released. Take a look for yourself - the No. 3 most viewed article in 2015.

Initial New York 2016 Rankings Released (Oct 2014)

The 2016 class is quickly shaping up to be loaded with high-level prospects across the Prep Baseball Report’s New York coverage area, evidenced by number the of D1 verbal commitments in our Top 50 already. The 2016 Top 50 player rankings reflect the talent these rising juniors have and the comprehensive coverage the Prep Baseball Report has in the empire state.

The class of 2016 in New York is very deep, and there will always be room for discussion regarding who is the best of the best. Not in New York, the No. 1 player in the 2016 class is Jeff Belge (Henninger HS, 2016) who exploded on the National scene this past high school season when the 6-foot-5, 220-pound southpaw squared off with Scott Blewett (2nd Rd Pick by the Royals) in front of 20 plus MLB scouts during a brisk HS game in early spring. Belge left most scouts, including myself, incredibly impressed and blown away with his size, arm strength (91mph that day) and action on all his pitches. He has a towering physical frame on the mound and is built like a linebacker. His fastball has been up to 90-94 this summer with natural arm side run. His curveball and changeup are both plus pitches with late action. Everything this kid throws wiggles and moves making him one of the top prospects in not only the Northeast, but Nationally.

No. 2 player in the 2016 class is (Shenendehowa HS, 2016) Ian Anderson. Built to pitch, at 6-foot-3,170-pounds, with a frame capable of taking on more weight, there is a ton to like about this young pitchers upside. Already the RHP has turned the heat up with the fastball topping 90 mph two times this summer, sitting consistently 85-87 all day. With a smooth clean, loose arm action there's velocity projection to come. Curveball sits 74-77 mph with gradual depth, signs of spin. Next level changeup with fastball hand speed, swing and miss pitch. Committed to Vanderbilt recently, this strike thrower is arguably the best "pitcher" in this class

Daniel Bakst (Poly Prep Country Day HS, 2016) locks down the No. 3 spot in our class of 2016 player rankings. With great physical size at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds and the frame to hold more, Bakst has all the athletic and baseball tools of a next level defender. Smooth baseball actions to the ball, quick funnel, clean transfer, throws from a mid-3/4 power slot with reports up to 90 mph arm strength. Uses quick footwork and plays through the ball toward his target. At the plate he shows powerful hand speed, stays inside the ball, short path, slightly inclined bat plane, extension through the ball, shows pull power and balanced swing. Best MIF package in the 2016 class.

**Here's a sneak peak at the top 10 players in the 2016 class**

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Jeff Belge	NY	Henninger	2016	LHP	St. John's
2	Ian Anderson	NY	Shenendehowa	2016	RHP	Vanderbilt
3	Daniel Bakst	NY	Poly Prep Country Day	2016	SS
4	Kyle Young	NY	Syosset	2016	LHP	Hofstra
5	Anthony Prato	NY	Poly Prep Country Day	2016	SS	Connecticut
6	Ted Sabato	NY	Brunswick	2016	RHP
7	Nick Chiseri	NY	Voorheesville	2016	LHP	Connecticut
8	Frank Vesuvio	NY	Bryam Hills	2016	RHP
9	Jake Burlingame	NY	Horseheads	2016	OF
10	Kyle Strovink	NY	Rocky Point High School	2016	C	Lamar