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During the summer season we gleaned more information about the players in the 2022 class, many of whom are poised to be significant contributors to their varsity teams during their sophomore season. Within our expanded 2022 rankings (now up to 100 players), there are over two dozen included in the national PBR Top 200 class rankings. That's an IMPRESSIVE percentage coming from the Golden State.

We scouted over 600 high school games in the spring season and then added to our depth of knowledge during the summer season. It used to be that the junior season was the BIG season for players and their recruitment, but those times are gone. In the current recruiting environment, it's safe to say the sophomore season has become the most significant, and if that isn't entirely so, it sure feels that way.

After scouting and evaluating these players, we feel this represents the most comprehensive set of player rankings for the 2022 class in the State of California. Remember, this list will expand to 200 players by the time this class is seniors. As such, we have identified many of the top 2022 grads in the state, but not all of them quite yet, and beyond that, there is still SO much growth and development that will take place for players in this class. Rankings are fluid, which reflects the growth and development of the players themselves.

There has been some shuffling within the Top 5, including a new member of the group. All five of the players hail from Southern California...for now. Three of them are pitchers, with the other two players being a shortstop and a catcher. Two of them are presently, as of this post, uncommitted.

As players develop we do our best to reflect that in our rankings. Some of the top ranked players in this ranking made contributions to their varsity programs as freshmen, while others are still awaiting their first varsity experience this coming spring. Regardless, at this precocious age, we are looking to identify talent and tools and there is a significant amount of projection we assign to many of the players. However, there are also players who have shown high skill level at an early age and they still have plenty of time to physically develop and enhance their tools.

Being ranked in the state of California is obviously a big time positive for each player. In fact, even being considered for a ranking is an awesome early achievement for a young player. Our published rankings are only the tip of the iceberg in regard to how deep our player lists go. Just because a player doesn't yet appear in a ranking, that is not an indication that we haven't considered the player. After much discussion, our scouting staff has agreed on our updated 2022 Top 100 Player Rankings for the state of California, presented below.

In addition to the evaluations of players with our own eyes, our scouts (those in California and nationally) have had many discussions with each other to review player lists and make adjustments based on what we've collectively seen.

Without further ado, we present the updated Class of 2022 player rankings.

THE TOP FIVE

Santa Margarita Catholic HS RHP Matthew Porchas (Texas commit) has ascended to the No. 1 spot. To go with a sturdy 6-foot-3 body, Porchas possesses present day stuff that rates with the top pitchers in any class. He's already been up to 92 mph and he gets there with an easy arm action. His lower body provides stability and allows him to repeat and to manipulate the ball at release point, giving him feel of the curveball and change-up. Headed into his sophomore campaign, the sky is the limit.

At No. 2 is C Luke Davis of Cypress HS (USC commit), ranked No. 1 in the previous two rankings that were published. A switch-hitting catcher with present day usable power, particularly from the left side, Davis also possesses the arm talent to impact games. He has the ability to pop in the 1.90-2.00 range with on the bag accuracy and has confidence in his arm. Also of significance is his penchant for coming up big in big moments, which he has routinely done during his brief high school career.

Uncommitted C/P Karson Bowen of Orange Lutheran HS checks in at No. 3, holding down that spot from previous rankings. He's a strong/compactly built two-way player with impressive athleticism given his thick/developed proportions. Offensively he's got a compact swing that produces power from gap to gap, behind the plate has an 84 mph arm and on-the-bag accuracy (also capable in the OF), while on the mound he's got a full repertoire, with a fastball up to 88 and sharp 11/5 curveball.

Holding steady at No. 4 is SS Ryan Ward of Coronado HS (Arizona commit). Ward is a smooth swinging left-handed hitter with more polish than usually seen of players his age. At 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, Ward has plenty of physical gains to make as he matures, which will only enhance the present day tools. Presently a shortstop, he's also shown well at 3rd base, with a strong arm and soft hands. However, it's that left-handed swing, with barrel control and consistent path that carry him.

Making his debut in the Top 5 is uncommitted RHP Jaden Noot of Sierra Canyon HS. Getting on our radar last January, Noot has steadily made quite a name for himself. With a fastball that peaked at 90 mph at the recently completed Area Code Underclass Games, he also possesses a sharp curveball and what looks at times like a future plus change-up. The delivery is simple and the arm is quick. With a lean 6-foot body type, there is plenty of development ahead of him with physical maturity gains.

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6-10:

No. 6 SS/P - Cutter Coffey - Liberty HS-Bakersfield (Arizona)

Everything seems to come naturally to him. The swing happens with ease and the power potential is quite significant. Gets rid of the ball quickly at SS and on the mound has feel and a sharp curveball.

No. 7 RHP - Tyler Gough - Heritage HS-Romoland (Oregon State)

At 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, has the type of frame that isn't difficult to project as he physically matures. Hides ball well with short backside and can repeat. Has a sneaky fastball and sweeping breaking ball.

No. 8 RHP - Toran O'Harran - Rocklin HS (Stanford)

One of the better all-around athletes in the class, O'Harran got into the upper-80s this summer and with his athleticism and feel for what he is doing, his ceiling remains as high as any 2022 in California.

No. 9 SS - Mikey Romero - Vista Murrieta HS (Arizona)

Fitting the description of a projectable shortstop, Romero (L/R) is well-regarded as a slick fielder and though still wiry thin, he's got bat speed and runs quite easily. Watch out when maturity takes place.

No. 10 SS - Andrew Walters - Corona HS (uncommitted)

Known as a strong defender up the middle, it's the offensive talent he possesses that has him among the top players in the state. The ease of his swing and his mechanics suggest BIG things are ahead.

>>>CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST>>>

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