The Fall baseball season has come to a close and with the seasons greetings we welcome the updated 2020 Tennessee Rankings.  The 2020 board welcomes 15 newcomers to expand the class from 265 to 280 prospects across the state.  Only one change to the top 10 players, as Colin Ahearn jumps from 11 to 9 after a strong fall with the Royals Scout Team.  Over the last few months, there have been a plethora of commitments across the board; however, there are still some talented prospects, who will be ringing in the new year uncommitted.  Below we take a look at the top 10, the four uncommitted prospects of top 50, and ten players of interest for the 2020 season.  

To view the entire list of prospects please Click Here.

 

TN Class of 2020: Top Ten

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Robert Hassell III	TN	Independence	2020	OF	Vanderbilt
2	Ryan Hagenow	TN	Farragut	2020	RHP	Kentucky
3	Blake Money	TN	Summit	2020	RHP	Louisiana State
4	Gage Bradley	TN	Rossview	2020	RHP	Vanderbilt
5	Lukas Cook	TN	Hardin Valley	2020	SS	South Carolina
6	Blade Tidwell	TN	Loretto	2020	RHP	Tennessee
7	Reuben Church	TN	Maryville	2020	3B	Kentucky
8	Hunter Ensley	TN	Huntingdon	2020	OF	Tennessee
9	Colin Ahearn	TN	Baylor School	2020	LHP	Tennessee
10	Cade Elliott	TN	Daniel Boone	2020	LHP	Tennessee

Uncommitted in Top 50

Luke Bradshaw OF / RHP / Lebanon , TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 10 The number one available player in the TN 2020 class. 6-foot-2, 180 pounds; strong lower-half. Solid athlete with quick-twitch in everything he does. Gathered extra base hits in bunches this fall. The left-handed OF uses a gradual, controlled load and very fast hands through contact. A good runner who has been a 6.82 runner at previous PBR events.  The former Tennessee recruit looks to find a place to make a big impact.

Christian Martin 1B / OF / Baylor, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 1 The physically imposing first baseman just wrapped up his season on the gridiron, serving as a dual threat TE and helping Baylor to a 9-1 regular season and a playoff appearance.  Now, Martin looks to jump back into the swing of things and maintain his status as the number one first baseman in the class. One of the premier power bats in the class with strong performances this summer will play crucial role again for Baylor in 2020.

Conner Murphy OF / RHP / Blackman, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 12 The 6-foot-1, 200-pound two-sport standout has made quite the impact on the gridiron after a strong summer circuit on the baseball diamond. Murphy was recently named a Tennessee 6A Mr. Football Finalist after totaling 110 tackles, 25 for loss, 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles while leading Blackman to an 8-4 record and run to the TSSAA Quarterfinals On the diamond, Murphy projects as true center fielder with great range and advanced defense. He stood out at the TBCA showcase this summer making several web gem plays in the outfield and impressed at the plate w/ several extra base hits.  Regardless of field, the two-sport prospect utilizes great instincts and burst to make impactful plays.

Gabe Sibert 3B / RHP / Clarksville NW, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 3 Former PBR Future Games participant is the number one available prospect for the hot corner.  Shows good feel for the barrel and ability to spray the ball to all fields w/ gap to gap power.  6-0, 200-pounder features a medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength, some physical projection.  Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, upright stance w/ hand rhythm into leg kick and short hand load.  Generates above average bat speed through the zone. Defensively, moves well on the IF, projects best at 3B or 2B, will depend on how the arm comes back into next spring, as he pitched 84-86 this spring.

 

Ten 2020 Players of Interest

Blake Cooper LHP / OF / Heritage, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 70 / POS: 9 The southpaw finds himself as the number one available arm in the 2020 class. Fills up the zone with his 85-88 mph fastball. Low-effort delivery and easy out of the hand, the fastball seemed to sneak up on hitters. He also shuffled in a highly effective power slurve that flashed depth and tight spin (up to 2500 spin, per Trackman), occasionally back-footing right-handed hitters. Shown promise as a LHH outfielder as well, making him a viable two-way prospect.

Chase Birdwell C / RHP / Lebanon, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 58 / POS: 5 After a summer working mostly behind the dish, Birdwell up’d his resume w/ a strong outing on the mound this fall at the Adidas Three Stripe Classic.  Uncommitted. 5-foot-11 185-pounds, two-way prospect, muscular, athletic build. Arm works short and clean to a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive, stays tall, working on-line. Fastball played up to 86, sitting 83-85. Good feel for his offspeed as well. As a catcher he possesses advanced tools with a strong arm and the grittiness to get dirty. Offensively has consistently shown the ability to drive the ball.

Tanner Shiver SS / 2B / Maryville, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 75 / POS: 15 5-foot-10, 150-pound, RHH has advanced approach and intriguing all-around tools package.  Medium, athletic frame w/ high-waist, some well-proportioned lean strength, projectable. An advanced defender featuring soft hands and good footwork, enough tools to stay at SS, but athletic enough to play all three infield positions. Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into leg kick and short hand load. All fields approach w/ lot of line drives.

Caleb Jones LHP / 1B / Cheatham County , TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 82 / POS: 10 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed pitcher, broad shoulders on top of a lean frame, will add more weight as he continues to mature. Arm works clean and loose to a ¾ slot, shows some on the back-side, quick arm speed. Tall and fall delivery, keeps everything on line landing square and finishing athletically. Fastball sat 83-85, touched 86 early in his outing. Manipulated his breaking ball between 12/6 and 2/8, 71-73. Used a 12/6 more frequently against left-handed hitters and would go inside with a 2/8 to right-handed hitters.

Kevin Okins C / OF / First Assembly Christian School, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 9 The 5-foot-11, 185-pound 2020 backstop has showed plethora of tools throughout the Fall season. During Memphis Tigers Scout Day, Okins logged top 5 performance in all workout metrics. Displayed good burst and speed w/ 6.81 time (2/3/19: 6.93), Good pop at the plate w/ 89 exit velo, and 76 mph from behind the dish paired w/ 1.97-2.03 pop time. Medium athletic frame w/ good proportional strength. Quiet, simple load at the plate spraying balls gap-to-gap. A prospect who has climbed up the rankings, would be great get this time of year.

Samuel Poindexter LHP / 1B / Collierville, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 88 / POS: 11 6-foot-4, 225-pound lefty w/ tall, sturdy frame.  Full rock and fire delivery w/ quick arm from 3/4 slot. Fastball sat 83-85, up to 86 this summer circuit at Lakepoint.  FB has some arm side action, tends to lose some velo (80-82) with more action.  Shown ability to command 3-pitch mix w/ burrowing curveball (70-72) and sinking changeup (72-73).  Excellent student and 2020 southpaw arm.

Ross Pendergrass RHP / OF / Rhea County, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 90 / POS: 22 6-foot-3, 190-pound physical right hander has been limited on the mound in recent past, but Pendergrass is preparing for a strong senior season at Rhea County.   Prototypical pitcher frame, tall, athletic frame w/ present lower half strength, some physical projection. Quick arm w/ some downhill plane.  Throws a heavy fastball in mid-80s, up to 86 w/ tight downer breaking ball (71-74).  Intriguing to see where Pendergrass will be in early 2020, but a high ceiling candidate for the top uncommitted righty.

Jake Ferguson LHP / Lebanon, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 104 / POS: 14 Uncommitted. 6-foot-3 188-pound left-handed pitcher, proportional build with room for filling out. A bit unorthodox in his delivery with a coil at balance point and swing gate stride, repeats well. Arm works continuously to a ¾ slot, gets down the mound with good extension. Fastball sat 82-83, touched 85, controlled the zone with. Highly competitive, attacks the zone and forces contact. Shown good feel for sweeping slurve at 72-74.

Houston High RHP / C / Lipscomb Academy, TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 119 / POS: 28 Another two-sport prospect after garnering interest on the gridiron as TE this fall. 6-foot-5, 215-pound, RHP has tall, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned lean strength throughout, super projectable.  Works from the stretch w/ H 3/4 slot, gets downhill well.  Fastball was up to 85 last Spring, paired w/ downer breaking ball (71-74).  A high ceiling follow for the dual-sport athlete.

Justin Scheitel RHP / 3B / Blackman , TN / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 146 / POS: 39 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Slim, projectable frame with room for more. Had a very impressive fall season.  Threw a complete game no-hitter for Old Hickory at PBR Fall Open. FB sat 82-84, T85 out of H3/4 slot. An athletic arm that throws FB with confidence on both sides of the plate. Showed feel for 72-74 tight, downer curveball.

 

To view the entire list of prospects please Click Here.

Coaches needing more information contact Tennessee Director of Scouting Colton Provey ([email protected]).