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Updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings (April)

April 28, 2022
PBR Ohio Staff

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Updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings (April)

2022 has given us a little bit more normalcy in life, and the high school baseball scene is no different. We crowned four state champions during the spring and enjoyed a full summer of summer ball with tournaments and showcases throughout the state. We have searched 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.

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 Newcomers", "The Sleepers", and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

To view the entire rankings, please click here.

New Inside the Top 10

Colton Hartman LHP / OF / Lebanon, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 262 / POS: 39

Report: For the 1st time since our initial release we have a new No. 1. In our minds we now have a 1A and 1B considering Auburn commit Colt Emerson (John Glenn) has done nothing to relinquish his top spot, it’s more of what Louisville commit LHP/OF Colton Hartman (Lebanon) has become. Hartman stole the show at this years’ ProCase. The future Cardinal showed up noticeably more physical which translated to both sides of the ball. Three pitch southpaw who ran it up to 95, showed mid 90s exit from the left side of the plate w/wood, ran a sub 7.0, and was 94mph from the OF. Hartman has now positioned himself in the conversation of top two-way prospects in America.

Luke Vaughn C / 3B / Elder, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 437 / POS: 42

Report: When it comes time for Pro Scouts to turn the page to 2023s, one of the top tools in discussion will be the catch/throw ability of UCF commit Luke Vaughn out of Elder HS. It’s been a while since the Buckeye state has seen an arm like that behind the dish. Not only is it mid 80s out of the hand he also has shown pinpoint accuracy. We saw it on back to back days at an Elite Hitting group and the ProCase. At the Elite Hitting group he had current professional players mind blown by the arm talent.  In game he has also shown above average receiving capabilities, the ability to translate the arm accuracy, and a hit tool that continues to progress positively/shows run producer potential.

Jacob Bean RHP / OF / Cardinal, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 1

Report: ‘23 RHP and future Golden Flash Jake Bean (Cardinal HS) is another guy who had multiple electric showings this winter. From a tools standpoint, he has physical traits few can match. 6-2, athletic, plus arm speed, w/a FB up to 93mph and the scary thing is there is still more in the tank. Candidly, he could have been higher on this list but we haven’t seen him throw in game since the velo jump. If he can prove to hold the velo, spin it like he can, be in the zone, he will be a guy who puts pro scouts in the stands.

Risers

Brock Amelung RHP / OF / Olentangy Liberty, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 15

Report: Velocity is far from the only thing that matters when evaluating pitchers, however a certain amount of velocity is a job requirement to throw at the next level. One of our favorite types of prospects is an arm that develops velocity late, because their entire career they’ve had to figure out how to get outs without just blowing hitters away. Uncommitted RHP Broc Amelung (Olentangy Liberty) is one of those guys. Last year at the same Triple Crown Scout Day he sat in the low 80s. Fast forward to the present we’ve seen him both in showcase/game show upper 80s velocity T90 and the ability to locate secondary he most likely harnessed prior to the velocity. Considering the athleticism/movement profile he likely has more in the tank. This is a D1 arm and a low risk/high reward prospect in our opinion.

Brennan Hileman 3B / RHP / St. Xavier, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 4

Report: A guy who should be at the top of college coaches list to go see this spring is Brennan Hileman (St. Xavier HS). In a world of #s / tools, production still matters and few are as productive as Hileman. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he is hitting .700 when we’ve been in attendance over the past two springs. Currently has the 2nd highest batting average in likely the state’s toughest conference. Also has shown two-way capabilities on the mound. Very talented player.

Landon Brandt RHP / OF / Wapakoneta, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 54 / POS: 19

Report: Another uncommitted arm that has risen his stock over the winter/early spring is RHP Landon Brandt (Wapakoneta HS). From a raw stuff standpoint, not sure there is an uncommitted arm in the class that can match what Brandt offers. T91mph, real changeup, and two well +avg/high spin breakers. A name that continues to climb up this list/college coaches are well aware of.

Newcomers

Bennett LaPalm LHP / OF / Bellbrook, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 7

Report: Dayton commit Bennett LaPalm (Bellbrook) tossed one of the more impressive bullpens we saw from a southpaw this winter at the Canes Scout Day. Showcased a live fastball, T89, cruising 86-88mph w/+avg spin. Secondary was also quality. As impressive as the showing was, even more impressive was the jump he made the previous year. Almost exactly 365 days earlier we saw LePalm, T82mph, so in a calendar year he added 7mph and drastically improved both breaking balls and the CH.

Hansen Huth 3B / RHP / Medina Senior, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 81 / POS: 6

Report: It seems every year we have prospects either come out of nowhere or make huge jumps at the IVL Scout Day. This year we had two. We already talked about Jackson Phelps in the 2022 article, and a ‘23 that really stood out was RHP/SS Hansen Huth (Medina Senior). Starting off on the mound the righty showed loud stuff, showing an upper 80s FB (T89) at 2300rpms and a CB that offers present swing/miss. Also took a run producer BP and showed his functionally athleticism in the infield.

Jack Jacobs LHP / OF / Berkshire, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 90 / POS: 8

Report: Another arm that added his name to the top 100 is uncommitted LHP Jack Jacobs (Berkshire HS) after a standout showing at this years’ B2 Bulls Scout Day. Jacobs is an above average athlete w/a live arm and impressive stuff. Ran the heater up to 85mph, spins a sharper 1/7 shaped breaking ball, and wraps up the arsenal w/a deceiving changeup. Although present stuff is already quality, expect him only to raise his stock as he adds physicality to frame.

Sleepers

All three of these guys are prospects we’ve invited to our prestigious Top Prospect Games.

Adam Buerger SS / OF / Gahanna Lincoln, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 165 / POS: 26

Report: A guy who is quickly ascending is Gahanna’s Adam Buerger. Buerger made the most of his off-season and has gone from outside the rankings/off the radar to a no doubt collegiate prospect w/a scholarship hit tool. This dude can flat out swing it/is one of the state’s leaders in batting average right now, hitting a ridiculous .664 thus far. Aside from the hit tool he is also a 6.8 runner w/defensive versatility.

Brady Rice RHP / 3B / Eaton, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 30

Report: Another guy college coaches need to know about until this winter is RHP Brady Rice (Eaton HS). Looked the part this winter, at 6-foot-4, up to 83mph but showed classic signs of a guy who was going to throw harder as the season progressed. Well he proved us right…so far this spring he’s been mowing hitters down w/a FB up to 88mph and feel for secondary offerings.

Trevor Vojtkofsky C / 2B / CVCA, OH / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 135 / POS: 14

Report: The last guy we’re going to mention here is C Trevor Vojtkofsky (CVCA). Very solid, well-rounded player who only gets the “sleeper” tag because he isn’t the biggest dude in the world. A versatile defender who has a quality skill set both behind the dish and up the middle of the infield. Can handle the bat, showing an efficient sequence and impressive feel for contact. Reminds us a ton of Lake Erie commit Mitchel Szymcak.

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 2-5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2023 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Michael Murphy (Video Below) | Brock Amelung | Chris Domke | Alex Caudill | Blake Hauenstein

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Jack Jacobs | Jared Werling | Carsen Cox | Luke Senften | Tre Rex

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Max Palinski | Rodney Rachel | Alejandro Covas | Pauly Mancino | Evan Bottone

+ Top 1st Base Prospects: Conner Peer | Karl Ferber Jr. | Jarrod Mays | Brandon Swope | Dominic Costello

+ Top 2nd Base Prospects: Carter Potts | Nicky Sackett | Brandon Lucek | Gino Lazzari | Dax Heilmann

+ Top Shortstops Prospects: Drew Denham | Austin Ziance | JP Peltier | Kevin Hilton | Giovanni Holmecki

+ Top 3rd Base Prospects: John Simecek | Hansen Huth | Kyan Barnes | Hudson Wesney | Zach Halligan

+ Top Catching Prospects: Dominic Brancel | Camren Vessels | Will Kocher | Seth Yacobucci | Peyton Underwood

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

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2023 TOP 10

Rank
  Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Colton Hartman OH Lebanon 2023 LHP Louisville
2   Colt Emerson OH John Glenn 2023 SS Auburn
3 Mason Eckelman OH Walsh Jesuit 2023 C Michigan
4 A.J. Ewing OH Springboro 2023 SS Alabama
5 Luke Vaughn OH Elder 2023 C Central Florida
6 Jacob Bean OH Cardinal 2023 RHP Kent State
7   Clayton Burdette OH Moeller 2023 SS Ohio State
8   Lucas Moore OH Badin 2023 OF Kentucky
9   Tommy Skelding OH Marlington 2023 RHP Kentucky
10   Andrew Edrington OH Princeton 2023 RHP Clemson

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

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