John Cackowski
State Director 

In the fall of 2014 PBR Colorado released our first ever 2017 rankings which consisted of 40 players. In the past two years Prep Baseball Report Colorado has had the opportunity to cover amateur baseball like no other organization has ever been able to do before in the state of Colorado. Between scouting numerous games in the summer and fall from our last 2017 rankings posted in July, and having a great opportunity to see more 2017 grads at the Unsigned Senior Games and Colorado Fall Prospect Games, and recently our Preseason All-State we were able to move our 2017 ranking list from 200 to 220 players.

Staying at No. 1 is RHP and Texas Christian commit Caleb Sloan of Regis Jesuit. Recently committed to Texas Christian, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound right hand pitcher stands tall and stays tall through his delivery.  He gets good lower leg drive and extension out front on his pitches.  Body stays in-line and stays square on his follow through.  Arm is over the top with good speed on all pitches. Sloan has been on the national summer circuit which included a performance in the Under Armour All-American Game in Wrigley, the Area Code Games in California, and recently pitching in the Wood Bat Championship in Jupiter, Florida. Sloan has a strong frame with a developed upper half and his fastball this summer and fall has been consistently 92-93, touching 95 late in the summer. 

Staying at No. 2 in our rankings is switch hitting catcher and Arkansas commit Casey Opitz of Heritage High School. A 5-foot-11, 170-pound switch hitting catcher. Playing for the Midland Redskins out of Ohio this summer, Opitz is the top catching prospect in our state. At the Preseason All-State last march Opitz ran a 7.13 60. From the left side he stands open with a short stride to come square.  Level swing path with good extension.  84 MPH exit velocity.  From the right side he is square with a good level path to the ball with same exit velocity.  Behind the plate he shows quick actions on balls in the dirt and soft hand while receiving.  He showcased a 79 mph accurate arm with pop-times of 1.81-190. 

Our No. 3 ranked 2017 is one of the big risers in the 2017 rankings, New Mexico commit RHP/SS Jacob Hilton of Heritage. 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Hilton was very impressive on the mound at our Preseason All-State Event, and his 6-foot-4, 225 pound frame is menacing. Hilton's fastball was consistently 90, touching 91. Change was even more impressive with some late sink at 81-82 mph. No one in our state has jumped this quickly in the last year. Big time riser for sure. This spring could open up more options. 

Staying at No. 4 is RHP and Arizona State Commit Drake Davis of Raltson Valley. 6-1, 190 pounds. Davis mechanics are really cleaned up since the first time we saw him over a year ago. Comes from modified stretch/windup delivery which is more effortless then before. High 3/4 arm slot. Fastball was consistently 90-91 but played faster. Arm is quick and loose and works well with lower half. Change up came in at same fastball arm speed at 82-83 mph with sink. Curve was sharp with late break at 83 mph. Potential draft prospect. 

At No. 5 is Texas Christian Commit and RHP James Notary of Broomfield. 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. Notary has good mechanics with a square, in-line over the top delivery that brings a 88-89 mph fastball.  Good led drive towards home that produces  good down angle and extension. Notary had a good fall in moments we had a chance to see him. Also flashes a sharp 12/6 breaking ball at 71-72 mph. 

Moving to No. 6 is Virgina commit and RHP Blake Rohm of Broomfield. 6-foot-5, 195 pounds. Has perfect frame for a pitcher. From high 3/4 arm slot was consistently 89 mph touching 90 and has nice down angle. Everything was down. Had a great 3 pitch mix. All for strikes. Change was same arm speed at 78-79 mph, and curve had tight 11/5 spin at 82 mph. Not many people know him in our state due to not pitching last spring. Came on strong on the summer circuit. 

Here is a sneak peak at the Top 15 in which 14 of the 15 players are committed to Division 1 colleges. To see entire list Click Here

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Caleb Sloan	CO	Regis Jesuit	2017	RHP	Texas Christian
2	Casey Opitz	CO	Heritage	2017	C	Arkansas
3	Jacob Hilton	CO	Heritage	2017	RHP	New Mexico
4	James Notary	CO	Broomfield	2017	RHP	Texas Christian
5	Drake Davis	CO	Ralston Valley	2017	RHP	Arizona State
6	Blake Rohm	CO	Broomfield	2017	RHP	Virginia
7	Conner Nantkes	CO	Cherokee Trail	2017	LHP	Washington State
8	Liam Eddy	CO	Brighton	2017	RHP	Wichita State
9	Tyson Hays	CO	Grandview	2017	C	Illinois State
10	Matt Givin	CO	Rock Canyon	2017	2B	Xavier
11	John Sorensen	CO	Rocky Mountain	2017	SS	Kansas State
12	Joey Salvato	CO	Mullen	2017	SS	Coastal Carolina
13	Sam Colehower	CO	Cherry Creek	2017	RHP	Northern Colorado
14	Jack Winkler	CO	Chatfield	2017	SS	San Francisco
15	Carter Akerfelds	CO	Dakota Ridge	2017	RHP	Iowa Western CC