Updated Class of 2021 Rankings
August 14, 2020
After a summer packed full of events (and players), a significant update was needed for the Class of 2021 rankings. As our staff sifted through players, one thing was apparent – this class is loaded with arms. In fact, it’s the deepest class of arms I can remember in my 8 years of running PBR Kentucky. How deep? A total of 21 of the top 25 ranked players are pitchers, and all but three of them have committed to Division I schools. It doesn’t stop there.
There are six more arms ranked from No. 30-40. At No. 30 lefty Sam Thompson became the latest pitcher to commit to a Division I school when he announced his commitment to Marshall yesterday. And then there are pitchers ranked in the 30’s like lefty Carson Myers, and right handers Joshua Tucker, Jake Gulley (injury), and Jake Faherty. Myers is just growing into his body, and he was lights out this summer with a fastball up to 85 and a big-time curveball. He has gained a whopping 10+ mph on his fastball since last summer. Tucker has been up to 89 and was flat dominant at our Top Prospect Games Event in June. And then there’s low-90’s righty’s in Gulley (injury) and Faherty (command issues) who could very well see their stock on the rise again soon. Oh, and checking in at the No. 40 spot is RHP Grant Stone, who although is what you would consider underized, has an extremely quick arm and made a jump into the high-80’s this summer while maintaining the pitchability that made him a key factor in Tates Creek’s 2019 state championship. I’ve never had a high-80’s arm ranked No. 40 before that I can remember, but that just speaks to the depth of this 2021 pitching class. With several of these players uncommitted, there is a very significant amount of talent still left on the recruiting board.
CLICK HERE to view the entire Class of 2021 rankings
As for the top 5, it’s no secret who the top player in the class is after a summer in which he hit top arm after top arm in the country on the big stages of East Coast Pro and Area Code Games. In fact, PBR National Supervisor Nathan Rode had this to say about Daylen Lile (Louisville commit) at the Area Code Games.
OF Daylen Lile led the game off against Carter and promptly squared up 94 for a single. Lile finished the day 5-for-6 with a triple. He has my vote for best pure hitter in the country. #mlbdraft @PBRKentucky pic.twitter.com/JYTB17PCCL
— Nathan Rode (@NathanRode) August 11, 2020
The rest of the top 5 is rounded out with premium arms. Will Koger (Louisville commit) is a super-athletic 6-foot-2 RHP with a fastball up to 93.
— Prep Baseball Report Ohio (@PrepBaseballOH) July 18, 2020
Will Kroger @LouisvilleBSB commit has been dominant today 5 IP 0 runs
Sits 90-92 with multiple 93’s on the day.
Elite 3 pitch mix throwing some behind the count CH @PBRKentucky #PBR17UNat @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/YMqtItOlpJ
Travis Smith (Kentucky commit) is a 6-foot-4 RHP who has been up to 92 with a big breaking ball
Kade Grundy (Louisville commit) is a bulldog on the mound and also pitches in the low 90’s. This tweet was from June 2019.
With the based loaded and two outs, Somerset 2021 RHP Kade Grundy gets this K on a 91 mph FB to escape the early jam. Super quick arm, FB 89-91, 75-77 breaking ball. Louisville commit. @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/2cRa255PIB
— PBR Kentucky (@PBRKentucky) June 1, 2019
Kruise Newman (Tennessee commit) is a 6-foot-3 RHP/OF who has a legitimate shot to be a two-way guy at Tennessee with a fastball that tops at 93 and big power from the left side.
2021 Kruise Newman on the bump closing for @MidlandBraves
— PBR Ohio Tourney Coverage (@PBROhioT) July 19, 2020
FB: 90-93
CB: 78-80 #SCWS @Flames_Tourneys pic.twitter.com/Xybhr18CqH
Here is a look at the top 10
1 | Daylen Lile | KY | Trinity | 2021 | OF | Louisville |
2 | Will Koger | KY | Bardstown | 2021 | RHP | Louisville |
3 | Travis Smith | KY | Walton Verona | 2021 | RHP | Kentucky |
4 | Kade Grundy | KY | Somerset | 2021 | RHP | Louisville |
5 | Kruise Newman | KY | Madison Southern | 2021 | RHP | Tennessee |
6 | Ethan Wood | KY | Danville | 2021 | RHP | Louisville |
7 | Mason Moore | KY | Rowan County | 2021 | RHP | Kentucky |
8 | Jaxson Davis | KY | Lexington Christian Academy | 2021 | RHP | Louisville |
9 | Christian Howe | KY | Danville | 2021 | RHP | Kentucky |
10 | Isaac Milburn | KY | Lexington Catholic | 2021 | LHP | Kentucky |