Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (April)
April 14, 2021
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Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (April)
In 2020 we have had a year unlike any other ... No Spring HS season, uncertainty all summer with tournaments and showcases and the same can still be said in the fall. But that hasn't stopped us from searching far and wide throughout the state to find the best prospects we can, to help them get to college and to help colleges find prospects that fit their culture.
Despite the tumultuous year, many names came off the board to some of the top programs around the nation, many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene, and many prospects improved their game.
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 Sleepers”, and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.
Coming soon ... We will have the Class of 2021 Rankings Positional Breakdown, which you will be able to view by clicking here.
Coming Soon ... To view the Uncommitted Positional Breakdown, click below:
RHP | LHP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C
To view the entire rankings, please click here.
What's New At The Top
Not much new at the very top as our top two guys LHP Gavin Bruni (Ohio State commit) / INF Will Cook (Louisville commit) turned in standout performances at the Super 60 and OF Logan Maxwell (TCU commit) is considered one of the top in game bats in the country (already has 7 home runs through 7 games). However we did have a name jump into the top 5.
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Ryan Gilbert OF / OF / Kenston, OH / 2021Report: Kenston OF Ryan Gilbert (Indiana commit) continues his impressive rise up the rankings, landing at the No. 4 spot. A draft helium candidate that has a chance to rise up draft boards if he can prove his massive tools translate to the game. Gilbert resembles a created player on a video game; standing 6-foot-5, runs a 6.6, is 89mph from the outfield, top exit velocity of 112mph w/an AVERAGE of 100mph while producing tape measure shots. |
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Andrew Patrick SS / RHP / Hilliard Darby, OH / 2021Report: Another name that is starting to get buzz from professional scouts is UTL Andrew Patrick (Wright State commit) out of Hilliard Darby HS. Patrick offers a huge athletic ceiling at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds and ran a ridiculous 6.42 laser time at the ProCase on a traditionally slow track. Aside from the freaky athleticism Patrick’s added strength over the past year has translated to juice in the bat and arm. At the end of the day you’re looking at a high end athlete you can throw all around the field defensively, has run producer potential at the plate and is starting to become very interesting on the mound. |
Risers
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Brennan McCune RHP / 3B / Dover , OH / 2021Report: The ProCase is one of the most anticipated events of the year and we always see some of the state’s top prospects take jumps. A guy who really rose his stock this year was Brennan McCune, Toledo commit out of Dover HS. 6-foot-5, physical/could easily be confused with a D1 tight end commit. Fastball lived at 93mph and I wouldn’t be shocked in the least bit if he tops that once the weather turns. He’s always been a high velo guy so that alone wasn’t the sole reason for his jump. The right-hander also showed improved command and a much sharper slider than what we’ve seen in past. Expect him to make an early impact for the Rockets. |
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Blake Barker LHP / OF / Chardon, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 64 / POS: 10
Report: A guy that burst onto the scene with a huge winter showing is OF Blake Barker out of Chardon HS. Built like Zeus with an upper 80s fastball from the left side, 100+ exit velocity, and sub 6.6 speed. If the tools translate this dude has a chance to be a monster. Very low risk prospect still looking for a home. |
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Noah Tincher LHP / 1B / Badin, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 90 / POS: 13
Report: Another guy that has made big jumps has been LHP Noah Tincher out of Badin HS. When we had eyes on him last summer there was a lot to like with pitchability, size, and athleticism. Basically the southpaw checked all the boxes other than velocity. His work with Alpha baseball in Cincy has obvious paid off as he made a jump there, college coaches came calling and he found a home at the D1 level with St. Joseph. |
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Brayden White C / RHP / Westerville South, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 4
Report: A guy who we already had rated highly but continues to make jumps up the list is Toledo commit, C/RHP Brayden White. White has an absolute hose that shows up behind the dish/on the mound. Rivaled Matty Graveline (Ohio State commit) as the top catch/throw guy at the ProCase this winter. We got a chance to catch him in game this spring and he showed elite defensive abilities in game while also sending a no doubter over the left-center field wall. When he does hop on the bump he will show you an upper 80s fastball with a hammer of a slider. |
Sleepers
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Trevor Conley C / 2B / West Clermont, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 38 / POS: 5
Report: I’m not sure he’s a sleeper anymore after the spring he is having but since he’s currently uncommitted we will throw him on this list, catcher Trevor Conley out of West Clermont. We’ve seen the talented backstop multiple times this winter and the combination of natural ability, intangibles, and baseball IQ are rare. A gritty/grinder player who’s personality absolutely fits the catcher position. Skill set wise he’s an advanced receiver, willing blocker and well + avg catch/throw guy. Offensively he has the tools to hit in the middle of the lineup with the strike zone knowledge/ability to work at bats to be a high on base guy as well. It’s hard to watch Conley play live and not walk away impressed.
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Alarik Sierra SS / 2B / Austintown Fitch, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 131 / POS: 25
Report: Our Spring Classic at Austintown Fitch High School allowed us to get eyes on several prospects we hadn’t seen yet, and one of the top ones we saw was SS Alarik Sierra out of Austintown Fitch. A no doubt college prospect that has feel for the game in all aspects. Offensively, he’s an ideal top of the lineup type bat that has advanced barrel feel, can move that ball around the yard and is a threat to lay one down at any time for a knock. Defensively he didn’t get a ton of action in game but the actions are there, by coaches accounts he can really play, and he’s playing SS for a very talented squad.
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Aidan Cooney RHP / 3B / St. Ignatius, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 100 / POS: 32
Report: A name that should be on college coaches list to see this spring is Aidan Cooney, RHP out of St. Ignatius HS. A guy that has made huge strides over the past calendar year. Velocity has jumped from low 80s to sitting in the mid to upper 80s w/a top of 89mph. Also complements the heater with a very sharp slider and more than playable changeup. |
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Rodney Petties OF / Canton McKinley, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 226 / POS: 38
Report: Here’s a guy in the top 200 with a skill set that translates to the next level. The name is Rodney Petties and he’s a speed outfielder out of Canton McKinley. A bit undersized but he flat out floats on the baseball field with speed showing up on both sides of the ball. Swing works, and he is very cerebral offensively both in the bunt game/on the bases. Ideal top of the lineup skill set. Colleges who are in a need of a potential leadoff/CF guy with speed that plays right away should take a look here. |
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Colten Waldroff LHP / LHP / Springboro, OH / 2021Rankings StateRank: 143 / POS: 18
Report: 6-1, 180-pound with an athletic frame. Low-¾ arm slot. Explosive delivery. Very impressive showing on April 10th at the HS Classic, where he sat in the low-80s all game, touching 84 mph. Mixes in a solid breaker. An uncommitted senior you need to know. |
TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION
Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2021 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.
+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Jackson Hauck | Brandon Mikos | Mark Luke | Kevin McKinley | Carter Rees
+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Erik Stern | Blake Barker | Mike Beckman | Colten Waldroff | Hunter Dichito
+ Top Outfield Prospects: Johnathan Kulich | Tommy Barth | John Panstares | Kobe Hill | Ronnie Schultz
+ Top First Basemen Prospects: Scout Zaas | Caleb McGee | Aaron Urban | Michael Carpenter | Fletcher Holquist
+ Top Second Basemen Prospects: Michael Kermes | Jacob Scherette | Zach French | Ricky Berrios | Nate Kirk
+ Top Shortstop Prospects: Alarik Sierra | Cade Hamilton | Ethan Muckerheide | Hunter Warner | Mattox Mead
+ Top Third Basemen Prospects: Garrett Kubitz | Matthew Campbell | Austin Fultz | Allen Diaz | Mitchell Porter
+ Top Catching Prospects: Trevor Conley | Josh Cope | Riley Cesnak | Brian Yamokoski | Collin Overholt
PBR Ohio Class of 2021 Top 10
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment | |
1 | Gavin Bruni | OH | Alliance | 2021 | LHP | Ohio State | |
2 | William Cook | OH | Miamisburg | 2021 | 3B | Louisville | |
3 | ![]() |
Logan Maxwell | OH | Lima Shawnee | 2021 | OF | Texas Christian |
4 | ![]() |
Ryan Gilbert | OH | Kenston | 2021 | OF | Indiana |
5 | Kurtis Reid | OH | Hamilton | 2021 | SS | Louisville | |
6 | Brayden Lybarger | OH | Elida | 2021 | RHP | Michigan | |
7 | Brandon Golubski | OH | Tallmadge | 2021 | LHP | Kent State | |
8 | ![]() |
Andrew Patrick | OH | Hilliard Darby | 2021 | SS | Wright State |
9 | ![]() |
Ben DeMell | OH | Gilmour Academy | 2021 | RHP | Penn State |
10 | Jace Middleton | OH | Olentangy | 2021 | RHP | Ohio State |
***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.
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