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Updated Class of 2020 Player Rankings (March)

The fall/winter have proved valuable for many 2020 prospects, with many names coming off the board to some of the top programs around the nation. Throughout the year we have traveled across the region to showcases and games.

That being said, we have had the pleasure of seeing a number of solid players this past year. Prospects are popping up left and right, making velocity jumps, improving 60-yard dash times and showing more power with the bat.

Below we will take a look at "What's New At The Top", “The Risers”, "The Newcomers”, "The Sleepers" and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

To view the Class of 2020 Rankings Positional Breakdown, click here.

The view the Uncommitted Positional Breakdown, click below:
RHP | LHP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C

To view the entire list of prospects please click here.

What’s New At The Top

Mackenzie Wainwright OF / St. Edward, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 71 / POS: 15 HS Draft 100Rank: 71 / POS: 15 Report: OF Mackenzie Wainwright has held the top spot in Ohio’s 2020 class since it’s initial release and he further cemented that status of his performance at the Super 60. The Ohio State commit was labeled as one of the “biggest winners” of the event according to our National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt. Take a look at the numbers Wainwright put up... 6.93 60-yard dash, tossed it 91 mph from the outfield, was 104 mph off the tee, 106 mph BP exit velocity and estimated BP peak distance of 415 feet. What makes his elite combination of athleticism/physicality even more impressive is he is a full calendar year younger than the typical 2020.  Wainwright’s national stock has sky-rocketed since the event, as he is now a top 100 ranked high school draft prospect.

Kade Kern OF / RHP / Archbold, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 412 / POS: 71 Report: Another Ohio outfielder that put on a show at the Super 60 was Archbold’s Kade Kern. The physical tools are obvious as Kern runs a 6.61, has 94 mph arm strength from the outfield and has triple digit tee/BP exit velos. If you want to get an even better idea of the athleticism head to his twitter where you can find videos of him jumping over cars...literally. If Kern and Wainwright make it to campus, the Buckeyes should be set in the outfield for years to come. Already a top 10 prospect, Kern lands himself at the No. 7 spot on the updated list.

Josh Timmerman RHP / SS / Licking Heights, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 9 Report: One of the more intriguing prospects in the state of Ohio is RHP Josh Timmerman. Timerman came out of nowhere late last summer and has continued to polish up this offseason. The Licking Heights product has been up to 92 mph and with an even higher velo ceiling considering his athleticism/mobility out there on the hill. The upside on the young right-hander has caught the attention of power 5 schools across the country / professional scouts and enough to vault him into the No.15 spot in our 2020 class.

The Risers

Cole Zak OF / LHP / Mayfield, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 6 Report: A guy who has continued to improve his stock over the past few seasons is University of Pittsburgh Cole Zak. The Mayfield HS standout has always had one of the purest strokes in the state and his obvious physical development has turned him from smooth to dynamic across the board. The lefty swinger was one of the biggest winners at this years’ Preseason All-State, reaching a top BP exit velocity of 99 mph while also running a 6.72 and showing mid-80s arm strength from the outfield.

Connor Hinerman LHP / 1B / Newark Catholic, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 4 Report: It’s been a great few months for Conner Hinnerman out of Newark Catholic. Hinnerman has gone from relatively unknown to D1 commit (Dayton University) with professional upside if everything comes together. It’s hard to ignore the ceiling as the 6-foot-6 southpaw has feel for the zone and fastball up to 89 mph. A now top 30 prospect in the state who will likely continue to trend upward.

Sebastian Alexander SS / 2B / Mayfield, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 6 Report: Preseason All-State is our most prestigious event of the winter and arguably the biggest winner of the event position player wise was Sebastian Alexander. The Kent State commit entered as an under the radar guy but that changed as he wow’d scouts with his combination of physicality and elite tools. Alexander started his day by running a 6.61 followed by tossing the rock across the diamond at 91 mph and tool an electric BP. The raw bat speed registered above major league average according to blast motion and it was obvious to the naked eye as well. Alexander comes in at the No. 38 spot.

The Newcomers

Ben Paugh RHP / 3B / Whetstone, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 82 / POS: 33 Report: A guy that literally came out of nowhere was recent Akron commit Ben Paugh. The last time we saw the RHP out of Whetstone HS he was 81-83 mph with an average breaking ball. Well whatever he’s been doing development wise is working because his performance at Akron’s camp was impressive enough for them to commit him on the spot. Paugh was reportedly up to 91 mph with a wipeout slider. Should be a great, late addition for the Zips.

Ethan Wong OF / Solon, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 123 / POS: 23 Report: Two-sport standout Ethan Wong went from unranked to a scholarship level prospect after his showing at Ohio Elite North’s Scout Day this winter. A functionally athletic guy who holds D1 offers as a Wide Receiver on the gridiron. As a baseball player he has a smooth stroke from the right side and an 89 mph arm from the outfield. The uncommitted outfielder is a must see guy for college coaches when baseball resumes.

Daniel Thomas RHP / 2B / Chardon, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 116 / POS: 45 Report: One of the more impressive bullpens of the winter came from Daniel Thomas, a RHP out of Chardon HS. The Mercyhurst NE commit is a physical presence on the mound with a fastball up to 87 mph and two above average secondary offerings. Thomas has impressive stuff and feel for the zone which should give him the opportunity to compete for a role as a starter at the college level. One of many talented arms we saw at the B2 Scout Day.

Sleepers

Zach Maxey RHP / SS / St. Edward, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 46 / POS: 18 Report: I’m not sure if you can truly profile as a sleeper if you’re a top 50 prospect in the state but since RHP Zach Maxey is uncommitted we will give it a go here. A RHP out of St. Edward who already has an impressive arsenal and shows all the physical signs of more velocity in the tank. Physically, he stands 6-foot-3 with a ton of room to add strength to his long-limbed frame. On the mound he is a good mover with athleticism (6.84 60-yard dash) and a fastball that has touched 88 mph. Father has an extensive background with the MLB in strength and condition so added physical development shouldn’t be an issue here. Very high ceiling.

Kylan Kortokrax RHP / OF / Bishop Hartley, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 184 / POS: 64 Report: Kylan Kortokrax is an uncommitted two-way prospect out of Hartley HS. Looks the part physically at 6-foot-3, 182-pounds with still room to add some strength to that frame. A top performer at our most recent unsigned senior who is just scratching the surface of what he could be, especially on the mound. Kortokrax was up to 81 mph and it was his first time touching a baseball in months as he is also a standout basketball player for Hartley. At the plate he’s left-handed/physical with the ability to produce natural backspin while generating easy, 90+ mph exit velocities off the bat in BP. It’ll be very interesting to see where he’s at after becoming a baseball only athlete who has spent time in a college weight room.

Tyler Bullock 3B / RHP / Roger Bacon, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 211 / POS: 11 Report: Another guy who improved his stock at our Unsigned Senior in December was Tyler Bullock out of Roger Bacon HS. Bullock showed a simple yet efficient stroke at the plate with feel for squaring up the baseball. Type of bat that profiles in the middle of the lineup without a ton of swing/miss in there. Balls were jumping off the bat consistently at velocities over 90 mph with a top distance of 328 feet. Moves surprisingly well in the infield for how physical he is. Smooth feet with above average ball skills that could play at either corner spot. Also quarterback for football team to give you an idea of functional athleticism. Currently uncommitted.

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories for the 2020 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Josh Timmerman | Jack Steibel | Zach Maxey | Logan Niswander | Tyler Hampu

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Patrick Suter | Connor Hinerman | Kaleb Wilkinson (Video) | Zach Miesch | Dillon Masters

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Rontrell Greer | Tyler Mintz | Jake Llaneza | Ethan Wong | Nick Compton

+ Top Middle Infield Prospects: Max Bowman | Gordon Seger | Frank Martin | Kyle Maruna | Johnny Costella

+ Top Corner Infield Prospects: Christopher Hoffmann | Alec Haas | Seth Freeman | Brendan Holley | Zack Williams

+ Top Catching Prospects: Mason Sawyer | Michael Hamrick | Cade Beam | Cort Kramer | Carsten Betson

+ Sleeper Prospects (below 100): Kolton Holloway (Projectability) | AJ Kraus (Projectable Arm) | Malakai Roberts (Two-Way) | Logan Clemens (Gamer) | Carter Burdue (Sleeper)

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2020 TOP 10

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Mackenzie Wainwright	OH	St. Edward	2020	OF	Ohio State
2		Wyatt Hudepohl	OH	St Xavier	2020	RHP	Kentucky
3		Andrew Clelland	OH	Harrison Central	2020	RHP	Ohio State
4		Jack Sokol	OH	New Albany	2020	RHP	Auburn
5		Seth Logue	OH	Moeller	2020	RHP	Kentucky
6		Logan Danzeisen	OH	Sylvania Southview	2020	RHP	Purdue
7		Kade Kern	OH	Archbold	2020	OF	Ohio State
8		Jordan Stevens	OH	St. Edward	2020	OF	Kent State
9		Caden Kline	OH	Defiance	2020	LHP	Ohio State
10		Calvin Bickerstaff	OH	Steubenville	2020	RHP	Kent State

***** To view the entire list, please click here.