Updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings (September)
September 9, 2022
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Updated Class of 2023 Player Rankings (September)
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 "The Risers”, "The Newcomers", "Top Mound Traits Still Available", "Top Positional Traits Still Available", and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.
To view the entire rankings, please click here.
Risers
Every year at Top Prospect Games we have prospects who prove they deserve to be higher rated amongst their peers. This year was no different as we had several players who followed the progression from under the radar > to standout performer > to accepting college offers.
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Trevor Zeigler RHP / SS / West Clermont, OH / 2023Report: Cincinnati commit Trevor Zeigler (West Clermont) continues his ascension up this list. The power throwing right-hander has some of the more electric stuff in the state. Not only did he make the East Coast Pro roster there were reports of him touching 95mph. Combine that with a slider that has swing and miss potential he is a guy who could see early innings for the Bearcats when he gets to campus. |
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Cameron Allen RHP / OF / Ellet, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 16
Report: The recent Wright State commit was flat out electric at the Top Prospect Games. Positionally he was 91mph from the OF and 100mph off the bat but it was what he did on the mound that really turned heads. His elite rotational capabilities / fast-twitch he shows in the box, translates to the mound. The most explosive delivery we saw of the event. Stuff is already there but the ceiling of what it could be is almost unlimited. |
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Nate Hill C / SS / Medina, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 6
Report: Hill is a guy who has been on our radar for a while as we’ve seen him perform several times and we’ve always been high on the bat. Physical dude w/quick hands and run producer upside. However it was what he did behind the dish at Prasco that boosted his grade from collegiate prospect to D1 prospect. Showed an advanced skill set across the board back there that not only caught our attention but several schools before he committed to Toledo. |
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Brandon Lucek OF / OF / Strongsville, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 96 / POS: 14
Report: There wasn’t a single scout in attendance that didn’t notice Lucek at this years’ Top Prospect Games. Not only was the production there, earning MVP honors of his session….but the way he plays is so fun to watch. Plays the game 100mph, flying around the field in all phases. He’s a guy we had pegged in the mid 100s but he proved that he needed to be much higher. Recently committed to Toledo. |
The Newcomers
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Trey Barkman RHP / Waynedale, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 74 / POS: 30
Report: There’s no bigger stage for a high school baseball player than the state tournament. Not only did we get our first real look at Trey Barkman on this stage…we watched him excel on it. The recent Ohio University commit was dominant in his outing, helping lead Waynedale to the DIII state title. The fastball was consistently in the mid 80s (T88), the breaking ball was sharp, and he showed advanced feel for the zone. The Bobcats got a good one here.
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Aidan Kiessling RHP / 3B / Defiance, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 106 / POS: 40
Report: 6-foot-2, 170-pound lean lengthy build. Low-¾ arm angle and a compact arm action with quick arm speed. Drop-and-drive slow-tempo type pitcher. Downhill shoulders. Fastball sits in the mid-to-upper-80s, touching 90 mph. Heavy fastball that shows control down in the zone and running action. Compliments the fastball with a low-70s, tight 11/5 curveball and a mid-70s change with gradual fading action. |
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Jonathan Spiess SS / RHP / Bexley, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 115 / POS: 19
Report: Jonathan Spiess (Bexley HS) is a perfect example of why our spring coverage is so vital / as he went from completely off our radar to attending Top Prospect Games after a monster spring. A legit two-way prospect that has a run producer profile from the left side and can run it up into the upper 80s consistently on the bump. He’s a guy we can’t wait to get another look at when he represents the North at our State Games this fall. |
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Dylan Wimbs OF / 3B / Lake Catholic, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 154 / POS: 23
Report: A guy that jumped on our radar in a big way this summer is OF Dylan Wimbs out Lake Catholic HS. Wimbs showed up to our Northern TPG trials and stood out in all phases. Tools wise he offers a well-rounded skill set at 6-foot-3, w/mid 90s jump off the bat and an 89mph arm from the OF. Everything translated to game where he earned MVP honors of his session following his multi-hit performance. |
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Devon Morris C / OF / Archbold, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 170 / POS: 19
Report: 6-foot, 200-pound athletic backstop, who could move to a corner outfield spot if needed. At the plate, the left-handed hitter raked all spring and summer with his 100 mph exit velo. Begins in an athletic balanced stance with a smooth handsy load, then used a controlled leg kick. Flashes explosive bat speed, loose uphill swing plane and good extension on his balanced finish. While catching, he has consistent footwork, soft hands, and a natural transfer. Showed his ability to throw runners out with an efficient pop time of 1.97-2.03. Some flexibility and quiet setup. Had a high-¾ slot and a quick arm action. The athletic recruit showcases his speed with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.76. Family has football ties, with his dad and uncle both playing Division 1 football. |
Top Mound Traits Still Available
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Elijah Griffith RHP / OF / New Albany, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 78 / POS: 32
Report: Starter Potential - 6-foot-2, + avg athlete who has shown the ability to consistently locate three quality offerings. Fastball has been up to 89mph, spins a heavy slider in the mid to upper 70s, and fades in a CH. Combo of stuff, pitchability, and starter potential make him a candidate for early impact. Will be throwing at the State Games in October. |
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Isaiah Leeth RHP / 3B / Unioto, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 53 / POS: 20
Report: Raw Stuff/Ability to Spin It - Stuff wise he could pitch out of a college bullpen today. We’ve have several reports of the talented right-hander pushing past the 90mph mark, topping at 93mph. The pitch also plays up due to 20+” of induced vertical break and 2300 spin. Secondary wise he can flat out spin it - showing two breakers that have swing/miss qualities with curveball spinning north of 2700rpms at times. If he’s consistently in the zone at the next level he has the stuff to roll out there early in his career. |
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Jake Michalak RHP / 1B / North Royalton, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 73 / POS: 29
Report: Velocity Ceiling - Already a 90mph arm and expect him to continue to climb. 6-3, physical dude w/a very loose arm, easy release, and mobility to lower half. Would not be surprised in the least bit if this is a low to mid 90s guy in college when it’s all said and done. |
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Tre Rex LHP / OF / Harrison Central, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 93 / POS: 7
Report: Buy Stock Now / Upside - The upside here is through the roof. 6-foot-5 southpaw w/a FB up to 86mph and a mid 70s breaking ball. Very good athlete who also is a star on the gridiron as a Wide Receiver. Had a monster spring / summer… can only imagine what it’d look like as he fills out that frame and becomes a baseball only athlete at the next level. |
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Parker Munday LHP / OF / Kenston, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 100 / POS: 8
Report: Sleeper - Keep an eye out for this guy. Had a big spring for Kenston and rolled that into a big summer. He will make his way into the top 100 / we think there’s a real chance he ends up at the D1 level. Mid 80s southpaw who can spin it with pitchability.
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Top Positional Traits Still Available
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Peyton Underwood C / RHP / Bishop Hartley, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 76 / POS: 8
Report: Buy Stock Now / Upside - A 6-foot-3, LHH catcher w/a cannon arm that is 82mph from the crouch, 86mph off the mound, and shows up on friday nights where he is a D1 recruit as a QB. Combination of tools, functional athleticism, and IQ are off the charts here. |
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Eli Henderson OF / 1B / New Albany, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 83 / POS: 13
Report: Power Potential - Unlimited offensive tools for a college coach to utilize. 6-foot-3, 205-pound physical prospect w/an overall pretty pure swing. The combination of strength and some of the top raw bat speed we’ve measured leads to exit velocity that we’ve seen up to 103mph in a BP setting. Dude just looks different in the box. |
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Edward Taylor OF / OF / Solon, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 131 / POS: 17
Report: Power / Speed Combo - Also one of the top running backs in the Cleveland area and at an uber physical 5-foot-11, 205-pounds, and 6.5 speed…I don’t envy any defenders that have to bring this guy down. On the diamond his power/speed combo was put on full display at this years’ Top Prospect Games. Taylor registered, ridiculous, 86.5mph bat speed which combo with strength allowed for near triple digit exit velocities. BP was electric, and the swing translated to game where he put multiple balls in the gap and with his speed it’s an automatic triple. |
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Samuel Meyer SS / RHP / St. Ignatius, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 174 / POS: 26
Report: Well-Rounded - 6-foot, well-put together. Recently turned in a standout performance / earned MVP honors at our unsigned senior. 6.5 runner, w/a 90+mph arm across the diamond, defensive versatility, and upper 90s jump off the barrel, and also seen up to 87 off the mound. Can impact the game in several ways. |
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Grant Moore OF / Newark Catholic, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 169 / POS: 26
Report: Speed - This dude flat out FLOATS and it plays up offensively since he swings it from the left side. Straight line wise he ran a 6.5 laser timed 60-yard dash at Top Prospect Games. The Wide Receiver background shows up in the outfield where he runs down balls with ease, considering elite speed and feel for routes. |
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Charlie Scholvin SS / 2B / Olentangy Orange, OH / 2023Rankings StateRank: 90 / POS: 17
Report: Glove - Charlie have been a multi - year starting SS at 95% of high schools but slid over to 2B for the past couple of seasons because Orange had a top 5 overall prospect/Vandy commit at SS. Smooth, athletic, well-coached, and advanced ball skills. Range wise he moves much better laterally than the 60 would indicate. All together we feel he has a legit chance to stay up the middle at the next level. Can also swing it - breakout candidate in 2023. |
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David Jimenez RHP / 3B / Defiance, OH / 2023Report: Gamer - 6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic two-way prospect. Defensively, can play any position on the field, excelling in the infield and outfield. Athletic at the plate, Jimenez begins in a tall open stance with a smooth controlled load, then used a short stride. Has the knack of finding barrels. Line drive approach. As we said, he is a two-way prospect, and on the mound he has been sitting in the upper-80s. Compliments the fastball with e mid-70s curveball and changeup. Threw back-to-back no hitters during the spring campaign in league play. |
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: Isaiah Leeth | Chris Domke | Jake Michalak | Elijah Griffith | Alex Caudill
- Top Left-Handed Arms: Tre Rex | Carsen Cox | Jared Werling | Chase Mayer | Isaac Cooperrider
- Top Two-Way Prospects: Austin Ziance (Video Below) | David Jimenez | Jonathan Spiess | Jonathan Alcorn | Seth Spooner
- Top Outfield Prospects: Rodney Rachel | Eli Henderson | Parker Munday | Micah Geise | Braylen Baker
- Top First Basemen Prospects: Jarrod Mays | Brandon Swope | Jake Barker | Nolan Krekeler | Michael Gawkins
- Top Second Basemen Prospects: Josh Stickel | Dax Heilmann | Andrew Eichenauer | Luca Ricchiuti | Luke Driskell
- Top Shortstop Prospects: Austin Ziance | Jonathan Spiess | Charlie Scholvin | James Hayek | Nolan James
- Top Third Basemen Prospects: A.J. Havrilla | Kyan Barnes | Hansen Huth | Dominic Fullen | Hudson Wesney
- Top Catching Prospects: Peyton Underwood | Camren Vessels | Will Kocher | Tyler Huff | Devon Morris
***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.
PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2023 TOP 10
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment | |
1 | ![]() |
Colt Emerson | OH | John Glenn | 2023 | SS | Auburn |
2 | Colton Hartman | OH | Lebanon | 2023 | LHP | Louisville | |
3 | ![]() |
A.J. Ewing | OH | Springboro | 2023 | SS | Alabama |
4 | ![]() |
Jacob Bean | OH | Cardinal | 2023 | RHP | Kent State |
5 | Mason Eckelman | OH | Walsh Jesuit | 2023 | C | Ohio State | |
6 | Luke Vaughn | OH | Elder | 2023 | C | Central Florida | |
7 | ![]() |
Tommy Skelding | OH | Marlington | 2023 | RHP | Kentucky |
8 | Lucas Moore | OH | Badin | 2023 | OF | - | |
9 | ![]() |
Ryan Piech | OH | Walsh Jesuit | 2023 | RHP | Xavier |
10 | ![]() |
Nik Copenhaver | OH | Badin | 2023 | RHP | Washington State |
***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.
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