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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - This summer season has been unlike any we’ve seen before. With the restrictions in place throughout the state due to COVID-19 players were often forced to travel out of state to play in tournaments. At PBR California we were able to host about 10 events during that time allowing us to see players up close and personal. Our team of scouts also traveled throughout the state and outside of it to see players and continue the evaluation process on them. 

As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works.  

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. As such, the previous rankings has been scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and certainly not for the last time.

Having had the opportunity to see the players on the field, sometimes with each other at a showcase and other times playing against each other in competition vs other elite competition, we present this ranking with an apples to apples perspective

The new rankings show a shift in the Top 10 as some players impressed throughout the summer and have seen themselves jump up the rankings. These updated rankings see the list grow from 150 to 200 players in total. 

After much deliberation, we present the updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings.

THE TOP FIVE

No. 1: No change in the top spot as centerfielder Tyree Reed of American Canyon HS (Oregon St. commit) holds down the first position in the rankings.  A left-hand hitting centerfielder with plus defensive tools, plus speed, and hit tools that are rounding into form, Reed is an electric talent. He's been a contributing player on multiple Team USA medal-winning squads and last August he flashed all the tools at the underclass portion of the Area Code Games. He was just starting to tap into his power potential as the spring season came to a halt. To sum it all up, he sticks in centerfield, hits left-handed and runs, while the hit tool has shown up vs premium competition and we feel there will be considerable power in due time.

No. 2: Shortstop Marcelo Mayer of Eastlake HS (Southern Cal commit) remains in the No. 2 spot. While the shutdown has impacted his ability to play on a national level, he’s getting plenty of work locally where he continues to impress with his above average defensive skills and his newfound strength. The smooth left-handed swing already possesses extra-base hit ability and oozes projectability with physical maturity. Defensively shows the ability to stay at short with the necessary tools to make him a plus-defender. We feel that his confidence and feel for the game coupled with his extra-base hit ability and defensive prowess suit him well as one of the safest bets in the 2021 class. 

No. 3: Right handed pitcher Tonko Susac of Jesuit HS (Arizona commit) moves up five spots to No. 3. It's not terribly complicated for what makes "Tonk" a prospect... fastball up to 94, flashes of a potential 60 (maybe 70?) power slider, and over the last year, the development of what will be (is?) an above average change-up. All of that will stand out in a video or seeing his raw numbers. Seeing him in person, well, that cements the whole profile. His energy, passion to compete, 'teammate-ness' and general overall love of the game of baseball shines through on him as palpably as any player a scout will come across. Oh, yes, then there are the family bloodlines, cousins Andrew Susac (big leaguer) and Daniel Susac - and frankly, they are more like brothers than cousins.

No. 4:Shortstop Cody Schrier of JSerra HS (UCLA commit) has had the type of summer you would come to expect from one of the top players in the state. He’s proven that his developing power is no fluke and is showing it more consistently. He’s a premium defender at a premium position with an arm that is the envy of his peers. Schrier possesses both power and speed, making him a dynamic talent with multiple ways he can impact the game, along with the energy and intangibles found among the top tier prospects. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds he is no longer the projectable body type, he's now showing the size and physicality that lends to a clear vision of the player he is capable of being.

No. 5: Second baseman/Outfielder Roc Riggio of Thousand Oaks HS (Oklahoma St. commit) rounds out the Top Five. The hitting talent is the carrying tool with Riggio who is the type of pure left-handed hitter that is valued by the industry. Riggio put on a show at the SoCal ProCase where he registered some of the highest exit velocities, distances, and barrel consistency as measured by Trackman and Blast Motion. His performances vs quality pitching is a big reason that even if projected as a 2nd baseman at the pro level (though also a more than capable outfielder), he's evaluated as an elite prospect. Add to that his attractive style of play, like always going hard out of the box and taking the extra base, and he's a player who is also just plain fun to scout.

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6-10:

No. 6 OF/1B Nick McLain - Beckman HS (UCLA commit)

Big time performance at the SoCal ProCase where he clocked a 6.85 60 and showed the type of power at the plate that makes him one of the best pure hitters in the class. 

No. 7 SS Max Muncy - Thousand Oaks HS (Arkansas commit)

Hit the games only home run at the SoCal ProCase after showing consistent power during BP. Possesses elite hands speed in the box. Above average range and arm on the dirt.  

No. 8 RHP Luke Jewett - JSerra HS (UCLA commit) 

It’s apparent now that Jewett’s future is on the mound where he’s been up to 95 mph his summer with more in there. Smooth, repeatable delivery with quality secondary stuff.

No. 9 LHP Gage Jump - JSerra (UCLA commit)

Jump is one of the hardest pitchers to face in the state with his rising fastball that has touched 94 mph this summer paired with his average to above secondary stuff. 

No. 10 RHP Eric Silva - Laguna Beach (UCLA commit)

With a fastball above 95 mph and a hard, snappy curveball Silva has shown improved command of both and development of a third pitch too. Talented SS as well.  

NOTABLE RISERS

No. 12 RHP/C Josh Randall - Capo Valley Christian HS (Arizona commit) 

Legitimate two-way player; Up to 93 mph on bump; big time power at the plate.  

No. 13 RHP Evan Yates - King HS (Fullerton commit)

Long, lean, strong projectable body with loose whippy arm action. Stuff really plays when on. 

No. 14 SS/RHP Carson Williams - Torrey Pines HS (Cal commit)

Flashes five tool potential while touching 94 mph on the mound. Easy to dream on. 

No. 33 RHP/3B Tucker Bougie - Tamalpais HS  (Cal commit)

Easy, clean mechanics w/repeatable delivery. Sits 87-90 mph with more coming. High IVB. 

No. 42 RHP Izeah Muniz - Bishop Amat HS (Cal State Fullerton commit)

Perhaps nobody has had more helium this summer. Won’t turn 18 until four months after 2021 draft.

No. 43 RHP Henry Manfredonia - San Marcos HS (UC Santa Barbara commit)

Stood out at the SoCal ProCase where his Trackman metrics were amongst the best in every category. 

No. 49 C Blake Penso - Huntington Beach HS (UC Irvine commit)

Possesses the power, athleticism, skill and durability to stay behind the dish long term. 

No. 58 SS Zander Darby - Palo Alto HS (UC Santa Barbara commit)

One of the biggest standouts at NorCal ProCase where his Blast Motion metrics were off the charts.  

No. 69 1B Cole Howarth - Chino Hills HS (Uncommitted)

Has all the tools you want from a 1B - power, athleticism, and high level baseball instincts. 

No. 79 RHP Anthony Silvas - Moreno Valley HS (Cal Baptist commit)

Has the makings of a frontline college starter with above average command of three pitch mix.

COMMITS BY POSITION

*Based on primary position listed in player profile

C: 27; 1B: 9; 2B: 5; 3B: 11; SS: 43; OF: 40; LHP: 11; RHP: 54

COMMITS BY SCHOOL

*Based on commitment listed in player profile

53: UNCOMMITTED

12: UCLA

11: LONG BEACH STATE

10: SAN DIEGO STATE

9: UC SANTA BARBARA

8: CAL

7: CAL STATE FULLERTON, UC IRVINE

6: ARIZONA, STANFORD

5: CAL BAPTIST, SOUTHERN CAL

4: CAL POLY, OREGON

3: OREGON STATE, SAC STATE, SANTA CLARA, UC SAN DIEGO, USD, WASHINGTON STATE

2: ARIZONA STATE, ARKANSAS, COLUMBIA, CSUN, FRESNO ST., LMU, ST. MARY’S, TEXAS TECH, USF, WASHINGTON

1: BIOLA, DUKE, GONZAGA, GRAND CANYON, KANSAS, KANSAS ST., NEVADA, NORTHWESTERN, NOTRE DAME, OKLAHOMA ST., PEPPERDINE, SAN JOSE ST., TENNESSEE, UC DAVIS, VANDERBILT

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

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