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Updated Class of 2025 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.

With many names be noted and talked about by some of the most prestigious programs in the nation. Below we will take a look at The Top 20.

To view the entire Class of 2025 rankings, please click here.

THE Class of 2025 Top 20

Luke Pappano LHP / OF / St. Xavier, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 31 / POS: 5 Report: One of the premier two-way talents in the state keeps his top spot. Already factoring in for one of the state’s perennial powers as a freshman with the bat and on the mound. Papanno can run it up to 87mph, has 6.6 speed, and run producer traits in the box.

Zion Theophilus RHP / OF / Moeller, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 94 / POS: 17 Report: The Duke commit accomplished that feat last week that few Freshman have done in Moeller history as he stepped on the mound for the Moeller Varsity squad. He als impressed,  never dipping below 88mph and striking out two in an innings. We’ve seen it up to 90mph, quality secondary and don’t sleep on the position profile either. Dynamic bat from the left side/will contend for the top spot in this class

Hunter Richardson LHP / OF / Butler, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 88 / POS: 10 Report: Another one of the 4-headed monster at the top of the class that has potential to be No. 1. There’s still a lot of season left but Richardson is off to one of the most dominating starts we’ve seen from a freshman in recent memory. The Kentucky commit is 5-0 on the bump, has 51K’s in 32IP, and has a 0.000 ERA…yep you read that right. Advanced stuff/pitchability on the bump showing the ability to consistently locate the mid 80s FB and well + avg secondary. He’s also an everyday guy in a very talented lineup,  hitting .320.

Taylor Belza C / 3B / Elyria Catholic, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 58 / POS: 4 Report: One of the interchangeable guys at the top of this class. The state’s premier hit tool in class/leaves little left to be desired offensively and it comes from the left side. He’s physical, fluid, efficient and cerebral in the box. Type of bat the projects to hit for more than occasional power and high average. Also has shown advanced abilities behind the dish and more than serviceable skillset as a corner infielder. West Virginia commit.

Harper Lann RHP / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 Report: An uncommitted arm that will put college coaches in the stands regularly this summer. Looks the part at 6-foot-2, 210-pound well-put together / even the most seasoned scout wouldn’t guess you were looking at a freshman on the mound. Ball jumps out of the hand, cruising in the mid 80s and up to 88mph when we’ve been in attendance. Complements fastball w/a firm CB spun at 2300 rpms and a more than serviceable CH.

Andrew Karhoff RHP / OF / Archbishop Hoban, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 98 / POS: 19 Report: Uncommitted. Potential top of the class, two-way power type prospect that is factoring in on both sides of the ball for the defending state champs. 6-foot-3, physically imposing dude that is a threat to leave the yard and can run it up to 86mph.

Carter Christenson SS / RHP / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 Report: One of the big stock risers this winter / very complete, well-rounded prospect. Smooth/athletic mover in the infield that can profile at multiple skill spots. The hit tool is advanced with both tools and efficient patterns that allow for him to stay in the zone forever. Rakes every time we see him.

Cooper Gilkerson RHP / 3B / Hilliard Darby, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 4 Report: Very early, but shows all the physical traits of a weekend guy at the next level. Size, bloodlines, stuff is all there. FB will sit in the low 80s presently (T84) but expect the radar gun to look much different by the time his senior year rolls around w/his athleticism/efficiency. Also has shown the ability to command two secondary offerings and although he may be further ahead on the mound he has a ton of tools in the box as well. Is a key contributor for Darby as a freshman both w/the bat and on the mound.

Jordan Kievman OF / LHP / Hoban, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 1 Report: Kievman is already garnering D1 attention which isn’t surprising considering the skill set provided. 6-foot-1, 170-pounds already somewhat physical and could add 40-pounds by the time he steps on a college campus/has a chance to be a monster physically. The lefty swinger is fluid, yet explosive, showing mid 70s bat speed, mid 90s exits, and every time we’ve seen it in game this year he’s found consistent barrels. Love the combination of present product and offensive ceiling here. It’s tough to crack the lineup at Hoban, and to be an everyday guy as a freshman is even more impressive.

Preston Zumwalt 3B / SS / Tippecanoe, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1 Report: Put all the top bats in this class in the cage, and Zumwalt would be the smart pick to put up the top exit velocity. We’ve seen it up to 95mph w/consistent reports of triple digit output. As we all know hitting is much more than just exit velocity, and Zumwalt has the in-game production/track record to prove he can bang in games as well. One of the top bats for Team Ohio at the JR Future Games last year and is putting up eye popping numbers for Tippecanoe, hitting .415, w/9 2Bs, and a bomb so far. Also is getting it done on the mound.

Noah Kubasky LHP / 1B / Lake, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 3 Report: A lot to like here. 6-foot-3 southpaw that has a ton of projection left on frame. FB sits in the 82-85mph range, CB has late bite on a near 12/6 plane, and CH may be his best secondary offerings. Limited viewing or he could even be higher on this list.

Grant Jolly SS / RHP / Wapakoneta, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 2 Report: This is a guy who has a chance to consistently raise up this board/could be higher if we had seen him more often. Turned in one of the top freshman bullpens we saw all winter. Good athlete, easy/efficient delivery, overall quality movement patterns. Fastball was up to 87mph, came out easy, showed feel for spin and a CH w/good sell.

Tavien St. Clair RHP / SS / Bellefontaine, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 5 Report: NCT’s (Non Coachable Traits) means athletic qualities that can’t be taught…..Tavien St. Clair oozes NCT’s/maybe the best athlete in this class. 6-foot-3, 185-pound impressively built prospect who is also a D1 recruit as a QB where he had a big year for Bellefountaine. On the baseball field he has room to clean things up but has shown a FB up to 86mph and run producer qualities in the box. If it all comes together you could be looking at a two-sport star.

Landon James C / SS / Carrollton, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 2 Report: All the tools to be a premier defensive backstop/his arm strength behind the dish (80mph) is one of the top tools in this class. At 6-foot-1 w/athleticism not only can he stand back there and catch/throw with the best of them but he’s also a refined receiver and has advanced lateral mobility when it comes to blocking. At the plate he has run producer upside, showing mid 70s bat speed and 95mph exit velocity.

Zach Swartz RHP / 3B / West Clermont, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 6 Report: A winter standout that is off to a quality start to his high school career. Power stuff from the 6-foot-1 RHP, led by a FB that can top at 87mph. Also shows a hard slider in the low to mid 70s and a CH w/good sell. All signs point to velocity continuing to climb.

Charlie Hoagland LHP / OF / Chaminade Julienne, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 4 Report: A 6-foot, athletic southpaw that has a very high ceiling. Low 80s FB, that is complemented with maybe the top CB in the class. Maintains armspeed on the offering that hisses through the zone at north of 2600rpms and 17” of horizontal action. The CH is also a quality offering. Expect velo to continue to rise w/maturity and don’t be shocked if this is an upper 80s southpaw w/three-pitch capabilities before he steps on a college campus. So far he’s tossed 23 innings, averaging over a K per inning, w/a sub 1.0 ERA for Chaminade Julienne.

Alec Halter C / OF / Dayton Christian, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 3 Report: Right now he’s right there w/James as the top receiver and catch/throw guy in the state The feet/release are so quick, leading to ridiculous pop times. This winter the bat really came along/making significant, quality adjustments that have led to more pop and more consistency. Already receiving D1 interest.

Joshua Mommers 2B / SS / Rocky River, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 1 Report: A Team Ohio alumni at JR FG last year that has shown to be one of the top infielders in the state. A two-sport athlete that is already making an impact for his varsity squad in his first season. Left-handed hit tool that profiles at the top of the lineup, w/sneaky pop and all field capabilities. Moves well in the infield w/quality lateral mobility and advanced ball skills.

Joey Buchanan LHP / 1B / Milford, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 5 Report: One of many standouts at our 5-Star MW Scout Day. He took a really quality BP, and we asked him why he was listed as a primary pitcher… then he hopped on the mound and answered our question relatively convincingly. Good athlete, smoother delivery, arm works. We’ve seen it up to 83mph w/a high spin breaking ball and a fading CH. At the beginning stages of physical maturation / expect consistent jumps. Getting varsity innings in his 1st season at D1 Milford.

Braylon Schneider RHP / 3B / Fremont Ross, OH / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 7 Report: Shows all the signs of a high velocity right-hander at a young age. 6-foot-1, physical, well +average arm speed/strength combination. A member of Team Ohio at JR FG last summer who progressed nicely into the winter where he showed out at the Demand Command Scout Day. Tosses a heavy, mid 80s FB that plays up due to high spin/high IDV. Also has shown aptitude for spin/a playable CH.

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

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2025 TOP 10

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Luke Pappano	OH	St. Xavier	2025	LHP	Kentucky
2		Zion Theophilus	OH	Moeller	2025	RHP	Duke
3		Hunter Richardson	OH	Butler	2025	LHP	Kentucky
4		Taylor Belza	OH	Elyria Catholic	2025	C	West Virginia
5		Harper Lann	OH	Walsh Jesuit	2025	RHP
6		Andrew Karhoff	OH	Archbishop Hoban	2025	RHP
7		Carter Christenson	OH	Archbishop Moeller	2025	SS	West Virginia
8		Cooper Gilkerson	OH	Hilliard Darby	2025	RHP
9		Jordan Kievman	OH	Hoban	2025	OF
10		Preston Zumwalt	OH	Tippecanoe	2025	3B

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

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