An exciting fall season provided a chance for PBR’s boots-on-the-ground forces to get out and scout players all across the country. In doing so, information from more than 100 scouts nation wide paved the way to expanding the 2023 Overall Rankings to 500 players. While the top 10 remains intact, a plethora of new talent has been added to the list.

***CLICK FOR TOP 500***

TOP 100 RISERS:

Nolan Stevens LHP / 1B / Franklin, CA / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 47 / POS: 11 Stevens ended the summer with a strong showing at the Underclass Area Code event where his 6-foot-3, 205-pound wide-shouldered frame provided for eye-opening power from the left side along with a fastball that ran up to nearly 90 mph with heavier sink. The NorCal product stands balanced at the plate, slowing the game down with an ability to work to all fields. His present power provides for majestic shots high into the air, and he projects for power to all fields with an easy, rhythmic load and aggressive use of the lower-half. Though the bat might ultimately be too valuable to give up, there is a real chance that he continues as a two-way player at the next level given his arm strength and competitive nature.

Steven Milam SS / 2B / Centennial, NM / 2023 With his talent becoming too hard to ignore, and the majority of his gameplay happening at Lakepoint throughout the summer, Milam was able to open the eyes of PBR’s scouting staff all summer, much as he has already done in high school in New Mexico in just a little over a year. The LSU recruit is listed at just 5-foot-8, 150-pounds, but plays much bigger than that size, and has a confident aura that helps to elevate his game. Gifted with quick hands both on the dirt and in the box, Milam profiles as one of the better defenders in the class while also showcasing an ability to cover the plate from both sides with line drives to all fields.

Kevin McGonigle SS / 2B / Bonner-Prendergast, PA / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 216 / POS: 51 McGonigle, an Auburn recruit, saw the biggest rise of any player in this rendition of the overall rankings. His bat was well-known throughout the Keystone State prior to the fall, and he utilized the national stage at Lakepoint during the Underclass World Series to leave no doubt as to his prowess from the left side. Free flowing throughout the load with loose wrists and featuring a reverse toe-tap, McGonigle syncs up well, and delivers uphill swings that deliver high exit velocities thanks to some controlled aggression. He has a knack for finding barrels against all pitching, and has a chance to stick at shortstop long term, although the bat will be valued at any spot on the dirt.

Landon O'Donnell 3B / SS / Inspiration Academy, FL / 2023 O’Donnell, a Florida recruit, oozes projection thanks to a lean, 6-foot-3, 194-pound frame that is still adding considerable strength. Athletic with the speed of a shortstop (6.74 60-yard dash), his power potential (94 mph exit velos) will allow him to stick on the left side where his smooth hands and strong arm (87 mph) could shine. At the plate, he requires minimal movement to produce hard contact, and sets up with a wider base before getting minor separation and quickly working through the zone with a semi-pronounced uphill approach. There is some lag from the barrel which should allow him to continue covering the plate, and his gets on plane early with an ability to turn the barrel. As the frame continues to fill out, expect O’Donnell’s athleticism to continue to provide for advancements, and as the power keeps trending up, he could shoot even higher.

Wes Mendes LHP / OF / Jesuit, FL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 110 / POS: 19 Mendes continues to trend up, and given his athleticism, it is easy to see why. The 6-foot, 160-pounder is a 6.67-runner with an easy stroke from the right side that continues to develop power (up to 97-plus mph exit velocities). Moving well in the outfield with confident hands, Mendes shows off impressive arm strength (91 mph) with the ability to play any outfield spot. That arm talent carries over to the mound where he recently worked 89-89 with 2400+ RPM, and demonstrated aptitude for spinning a sharper breaking ball that profiles well. Mendes’ ability to compete on the diamond only helps enhance his present athleticism, and college coaches are likely to be glued to his progress moving forward.

ILLINOIS HEAT:

Parker Detmers RHP / Glenwood, IL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 109 / POS: 27 Detmers has one of the more polished deliveries in the class thanks to an innate understanding of the movement patterns that his big, 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame produces, and remains compact throughout with a shorter arm stroke and consistently finds his high ¾ slot. The youngest brother of 2020 Angels 1st round pick, Reid, he is also headed to Louisville, and sports similar aptitude and confidence in his breaking ball. He effortlessly runs the fastball into the upper 80s with obvious feel for a swing-and-miss breaking ball that currently works in the mid 70s. Both pitches are more than likely to trend up in the spring, and while his frame already presents itself as physical, there is still some development likely on the way. Overall, the pitchability is already high, and given the effortless, elite stuff, look for Detmers to continue trending upwards over the next two-plus years.

Zander Mueth RHP / Belleville East, IL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 2 There was no doubting that Mueth would see a velocity uptick when PBR first saw him this fall as the wiry-thin and athletic 6-foot-4, 170-pound right-hander comfortably worked in the mid 80s and had 88 mph whenever he needed it. Dynamic down the mound with elasticity, the delivery is polished and compact with the arm stroke working free and continuous to a loose whip that delivers from a ¾ slot. Working linear down the mound, there is no wasted movement, and Mueth’s impressive extension allows him nearly touch the glove. The uptick in velocity seemed likely to come in the spring, but Mueth gave a glimpse at his immense upside touching 91+ mph in a bullpen setting in late October. Perhaps even more excitingly, the young right-hander demonstrates advanced feel for a tightly spun slider that profiles well off the fastball with spin rates as high as 2509. With so much projection left on the frame, there is clearly lots to be excited about, and given his ability to produce spin on the baseball, look for Mueth to continue taking big strides forward in the future.

 

Uncommitted Deep Dive:

Richard Tejeda III C / 1B / Orange Lutheran , CA / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 290 / POS: 37 Hailing from California powerhouse program, Orange Lutheran, Tejeda is sure to intrigue college coaches moving forward thanks to his stellar defensive abilities and projectable power at the plate. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound backstop was one of the top receivers that I saw all summer with an innate ability to get under the ball to stick the low strike, even with arms that he had never caught before. With the polish of an older catcher, Tejeda possesses loose hips with soft hands and his strong (78 mph) arm plays with carry through the bag with sub 2.0 pop times in-game. A right-handed hitter, Tejeda gets minor separation of the hands while gaining momentum through impact thanks to a narrow/open stance that extends wide through the stride. There is quickness to the hands, and he exhibits the ability to work to both gaps with ease. Overall, the defensive abilities alone are enough for college coaches to lock in on Tejeda, and should the bat continue ticking up, he will likely continue to rise.

Tine Hampshire SS / RHP / Lumberton , TX / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 8 Hampshire turned in a high quality showing at the PBR Future Games as a member of Team Select, and was one of the better “sleepers” at the event. The present lean strength that his 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame carries pales in comparison to what the frame will almost assuredly hold in the future, although the forearm strength right now is noticeable and helps provide for some pull side power at the plate. The left-handed hitter has some rawness to the approach, but it is quickly made up for thanks to quality bat-to-ball ability. Working directly to the ball, Hampshire is able to produce consistent firm contact, and will likely carry much more power in the future. Defensively he can play any position on the diamond as a 7.1-runner, and the 90 mph arm that he utilizes on the infield also carries over to the mound. On the mound he utilizes a short arm stroke that delivers from the ear, and has been up to 86 mph with some feel for both a curveball and changeup. Above all else, Hampshire’s character stands out, and his east-Texan grit and blue-collar approach to the game does not go unnoticed while watching him over a period of time. Also a talented football player who plays on both sides of the ball, look for Hampshire to continue trending up on the diamond in coming years.

Nik Copenhaver RHP / Badin, OH / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 3 At 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, Copenhaver fits the mold of wide-shouldered, athletic players that come out of the state of Ohio, and still holds even more physical projection. The right-hander has been up over 86 mph with spin rates as high as 2322 RPM, and showcases advanced feel  for a sinking changeup (75-76) that profiles well off the fastball and that he demonstrates confidence in. While still developing some, the breaking ball (72-74) is landed for strikes with 11/5 shape, and helps to round out a three-pitch arsenal that should help him continue as a starter moving forward. Copenhaver gets solid use of the lower-half before slinging out of a lower ¾ slot which provides for some deception. Overall, the future physicality combined with feel for multiple pitches is likely to catch the attention of college coaches in the future.

Dylan McCarthy RHP / OF / Vermont Academy, VT / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 6 McCarthy sports some natural strength throughout a 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame, and will likely add more in the future. The right-hander utilizes a continuous arm stroke that leads to a near over-the-top slot with quickness out front. He has worked into the mid 80s with arm side life while driving the ball to the bottom of the zone on a downhill plane. At 72-74, he spins his slider tightly, and it may ultimately develop into a swing-and-miss offering in the future. The changeup is developing, but he shows some feel for it in the zone at 70-74. Overall, with minimal innings under his belt as a Vermont-native, McCarthy holds plenty of upside, and as he continues to gain more experience on the mound, he could make a significant jump in a short time.

 

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