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An Inside Look at PBR Plus: 2017 Player Rankings

November 3, 2015

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

The Prep Baseball Report website offers a wealth of information and daily articles that allow a player, parent or the average fan of amateur baseball free content to devour. For those that want more, a PBR Plus subscription allows for even more content, video analysis and inside recruiting information.

During the course of the fall we will introduce the general public to all of the benefits afforded to those with a PBR Plus subscription. Today we take an inside look at player rankings, a staple for college recruiters nationwide and an interesting conversational the average fan.

A set of rankings of the most talented prospects in each class are updated four times a year in each state that PBR operates. Additionally the top prospects in a given state have an opportunity to find themselves in the PBR combined rankings for a class. This process begins with an initial set of rankings for a class of prospects following the conclusion of their freshman season of high school baseball. The number of players ranked grows accordingly over the four years of high school for each class as PBR scouts have an opportunity to see players perform and develop.

The most recent update to the WV Class of 2017 rankings are being released today with 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher Conner Nurse from Washington High School continuing to hold down the top spot. Nurse, a Liberty University commit, saw significant velocity gains over the course of the summer, moving No. 90 in the combined Class of 2017 rankings. The physical righty sits 85-87 with above average tilt to his fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot. Nurse touched 90 at several stops during an aggressive summer schedule playing with the Richmond Braves. Secondary offerings lag behind at this point, but his slider has a chance to be a quality second offering.

Following is a look at the top 10 prospects in today's update. Those with a PBR subscription have access to view the entire list of 60 players ranked in the class.

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Conner Nurse WV Washington 2017 RHP Liberty
2 Kirk Jennings WV Cabell Midland 2017 3B
3 Philip Hoffman WV Wahama 2017 RHP
4 Josh Petit WV George Washington 2017 SS
5 Drew Hefner WV Bridgeport 2017 C
6 Ben Arthur WV George Washington 2017 OF
7 Chris Bailey WV Chapmanville Regional 2017 C
8 James (Austin) Bulman WV Jefferson 2017 RHP
9 Brett Linton WV Musselman 2017 LHP
10 Abe Stearns WV Point Pleasant 2017 RHP


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