Prep Baseball Report

2021 Washington Rankings


Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

After a full Spring & Summer of scouting high school baseball, travel tournaments, invite-only events and showcases...it’s time to release our first edition of player rankings for the 2021 class in Washington. The initial list of 50 players is sure to expand in the future as we remain committed to scouring the Evergreen State for players throughout the year, but already shows impressive strength and talent.

Since its inception in 2005, the Prep Baseball Report has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services, with a singular focus of providing comprehensive year-round coverage in every state we are in. The mission of the Prep Baseball Report is to scout and promote amateur baseball - high school, junior college and college - and, ultimately, help athletes achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the next level. With more than 150 scouts, we have the largest baseball scouting infrastructure across all levels of amateur baseball in the country. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state.  While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

The initial look at Washington’s 2021 class is impressive in both its elite frontend talent and overall depth. There are premium athletes with high-ceilings, power-armed pitchers, and projectable prospects who will likely make big jumps in the future.

For the full rankings with the Top 50 prospects, click HERE

 

Top 10 Prospects

UPDATED ON SEP 10, 2019


RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Malakhi Knight WA Marysville-Getchell 2021 OF Oregon State
2 Max Debiec WA O'Dea 2021 RHP Washington
3 Nate Leibold WA Ballard 2021 RHP  
4 Antonio Guerrero WA Fife 2021 3B Washington
5 Kyle Fossum WA Eastside Catholic 2021 OF Washington
6 Nathan DeSchryver WA Central Kitsap 2021 RHP Gonzaga
7 Jake Larson WA Kentlake 2021 SS  
8 Drake Anderson WA Puyallup 2021 SS Washington State
9 Tommy Brandenburg WA Kalama 2021 RHP Oregon
10 Elijah Hainline WA Mead 2021 SS Washington State

 

 

Knight, Debiec, Leibold establish themselves as the Big 3

 

After exceptional performances at the Underclass Area Code Games, the trio of Malakhi Knight, Max Debiec and Nate Leibold have established themselves as the top 3 prospects in the state for the 2021 class. Rounding out the top 10 are some powerful bats, high upside arms and slick middle infielders. 

 

#1 Malakhi Knight OF / RHP / Marysville-Getchell, WA / 2021

The Most Outstanding Player from the Underclass Area Code Games, Knight put on a breakout performance that should firmly cement him as one of the premium talents nationally in the 2021 class. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he already sports a developed, athletic frame with a balanced combination of physical tools. In game, Knight has impressed with his strike-zone discipline and advanced approach. Keeps things simple in the box with a subtle, controlled load and short stride. Produces easy raw power in BP, especially to his pull-side.  Add in the fact that he has above average speed and has been up to 92 mph on the mound and it’s easy to see why pro scouts love what Knights brings to the table. 


#2 Max Debiec RHP / 1B / O'Dea, WA / 2021

Earlier this Spring we saw Debiec run his FB up to 91 mph on multiple occasions. He’s shown no signs of slowing down since. He worked 87-92 during his Underclass Area Codes performance while also mixing in a CB at 71-77 with improved depth/shape from our previous looks. While the upside on the mound is impressive, Debiec is also a capable hitter with the chance to tap into above average power in the future. His 6-foot-6 frame gives him impressive leverage in the box with plenty of bat speed. 


#3 Nate Leibold RHP / 3B / Ballard, WA / 2021

When we first had eyes on Leibold in late March, he was sitting 81-84 with his FB on a wet, chilly, Pacific Northwest night. Fast-forward to early August and now Leibold us running his FB up to 91 and pitching between 87-90. He pairs the FB with a usable CB at 70-75 and a quality CH that sits between 80-81. The arm works clean and he maintains starter-type effort on the bump. The combination of size, stuff and projection makes Leibold one of the top arms in the PNW and as he continues to develop he could steadily climb the national rankings as well. 




#4
 ‘21 3B/OF Antonio (AJ) Guerrero, Fife, Washington commit
Arguably the best pure hitter in the state. Guerrero has shown a natural feel for the barrel to go with an advanced, disciplined approach in the box. Remains to be seen where he ends up defensively but the bat will keep him in the line-up regardless.

#5
 ‘21 OF Kyle Fossum, Eastside Catholic, Washington commit
Missed a good chunk of time in the spring/summer rehabbing from a lower body injury but is poised to have a breakout junior year. Offers an impressive combination of size, strength and power to go with the athleticism to be an above average outfielder.

#6
 ‘21 RHP/OF Nathan Deschryver, Central Kitsap, Gonzaga commit
Impressed with his arm strength and raw power during the NW Scout Games this summer. Lean, highly projectable frame with the chance to handle more weight. FB has been as high as 89 mph. Pairs with sharp SL at 78-80 that has the chance to be an above average offering.

#7
 ‘21 3B Jake Larson, Kentlake, Uncommitted
Possess some of the best raw power in the entire class. Uphill swing path produces consistent lift at contact. Barrel whips thru zone with impressive bat speed. Physically built with a proportional frame. Moves well at 3B with solid footwork and plenty of arm strength from a compact throwing motion.

#8
 ‘21 SS/2B Drake Anderson, Puyallup, Washington State commit
Natural defender with quick, twitchy actions that should allow him to stick on the dirt long-term. Light on his feet while moving laterally. Maintains body control thru the fielding process with the ability to manipulate arm slot as needed. Contact type of approach in the box with the chance to produce gap-to-gap type power.
#9
‘21 RHP Tommy Brandenburg, Kalama, Oregon commit
Produces mid-to-upper 80’s velocity on his FB with a short, quick arm action. Ball jumps out of hand. Generates downward angle with slight shoulder tilt as he begins forward stride. Spin comes out of hand tight, tunnels well with his FB. Clean, repeatable delivery.


#10
‘21 SS Elijah Hainline, Mead, Washington State commit
Lean, wiry athlete with smooth defensive actions at SS. Stays balanced as he transitions into throwing motion. Clean, loose arm action. Stays tall in the box with a loose, easy swing. Barrel stays flat thru the zone. High finish after contact.


Top 50 Prospects - HERE