Updated Class of 2019 Player Rankings (April)

April 4, 2018
Jordan Chiero
PBR Ohio Director of Scouting

Ohio Insider: Updated Class of 2019 Player Rankings (April)

During the winter, we held numerous showcases and events across the state, which proved valuable for many 2019 prospects, with many names coming off the board to some of the top programs around the nation. Below we will take a look at “What’s New At The Top”, “The Risers”, "The Newcomers", "Velo Section" and some of the top uncommitted prospects.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2018 spring/summer seasons visit the 2018 Ohio Scout Blog by clicking here.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

The Top 5 Remains The Same

***** To view the entire top 305, please click here.

The 2019 class is arguably the deepest class we’ve had in recent memory, especially at the top of the class. At the very top you have three No.1 caliber prospects with Joey Velazquez, Jonathan Machamer, and Jack Frank (Strongsville).

Velazquez’s has been dominant over the past year and keeps his No. 1 spot, edging out the other two. However, keep an eye on this battle at the top as Machamer continues to show signs of a future weekend starter and Frank is the most dynamic player in the class.

Nipping at the heels of these three is power arm Mack Anglin and the smooth swinging Caden Kaiser.

Mack Anglin RHP / Sparta Highland, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 119 / POS: 47

Report: Anglin has shown flashes of electricity, and with his 6-foot-5 frame his physical projection is through the roof. The Sparta Highland ace may have the highest upside in the class and has a chance to make his way to the top of this class if he can consistently show his top stuff.

Caden Kaiser OF / LHP / Olentangy, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 174 / POS: 26

Report: Kaiser’s ability to see the ball and work counts make him one of the tougher outs in the state. To go along with his advanced approach he also has impressive barrel awareness and very little swing and miss. Look for him to have a huge year in 2018, as he is starting to grow into his frame and twitch up. If natural tools continue to progress as expected, Kaiser could emerge as the top pure hitter in this class.

The Risers

As is always the case, a number of players have made big impressions in taking their game to the next level. These prospects elevated their games and are now within the rankings. 60 new prospects entered the new rankings, below we talk about a few of those.

Tyler Kean RHP / SS / Springboro, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 391 / POS: 133

Report: Ohio State commit Tyler Kean moved his way into the top 10 after a standout performance at Preseason All-State. The Springboro ace looked much more explosive, resulting in a velocity jump into the upper 80s. The new found velocity also translated into his secondary stuff as both breaking ball and changeup were sharper than we’ve seen in past outings. The right-hander shows the physical signs and stuff to be a starter at the next level.

Christian Lothes LHP / OF / Lakewood Hebron, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 2

Report: Christian Lothes (Lakewood Hebron) is another guy who used a strong winter to make a nice jump in the rankings. At the Brownlee Lookout Scout Day Lothes sat 86-87 mph and was anywhere from 84-88 mph. Slider was as sharp as we’ve seen it, showing present swing and miss. Look Lothe’s outings the spring/summer to be well attended by college coaches.

Paul Troyer RHP / OF / Lake, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 9

Report: Paul Troyer (Lake HS) really improved his stock over the winter after a standout performance at the Brownlee Lookout Scout Day. The right-hander has some of the best pure stuff in the class led by his 87-90 mph fastball. Both breaking balls were impressive, showing more feel for the near 12/6 curveball. Spins it well, as the offering drops off the table with depth. Playing around with a slider that has a chance to be a lights out offering if he can gain feel for it. The pitch shows late, heavy action across the plate at 84-85 mph.

Here is a full list of prospects who made a noteworthy jump in the rankings:

+ Left-Handed Arms: Christian Lothes | Spencer Marinac | Mitchell Sumner

+ Two-Way Prospects: Jay Luikart | Nick Friedl | Sam Melnyk

+ Catching Prospects: Trey Wright | Braden Durham

+ Corner Infield Prospects: Kody O’Connor | Jesse Kramer

+ Middle Infield Prospects: Brennan Hunt | Brenten Baker | AJ Gaich | Cole Becker | Brendan Cavey

+ Outfield Prospects: Dominic Pilolli | Max Davenport | Adam Rakestraw | Javen Newton

The Newcomers

This winter we saw some prospects who came onto the scene in a big way. Below we list a few prospects who turned heads this fall.

Kyle Klingenbeck RHP / 1B / Cincinnati Elder, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 76 / POS: 29

Report: Kyle Klingenbeck took advantage of our first ever scout day with the Cincinnati Hornets. A strong, physical 1B with D1 tools. Explosive swing with power to all fields from the left side. Also looked very athletic around the bag at first base.

Andrew Welling RHP / Jackson, OH / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 86 / POS: 36

Report: Andrew Welling is yet another intriguing prospect to come out of perennial power Jackson HS. 6-foot-2, 188-pound prospect is a right-hander on the bump with a big arm. Tosses a heavy, 83-86 mph fastball and shows signs of possibly having more in the tank. A bit raw at present but the physicality and arm strength should garner him scholarship attention down the road.

Other Notable Newcomers:

+ Left-Handed Arms: Noah Johnson | Evan Kemp

+ Catching Prospects: Nick Christopher | Tanner Egger | Jack Newman

+ Corner Infield Prospects: Kyle Klingenbeck | Connor O’Donnell

+ Middle Infield Prospects: Anthony DiTomas | John Sherman

+ Outfield Prospects: Morgan Colopy | Craig Roch | Myles Brown

Need Velocity?

Here's a list of 2019 uncommitted arms who ran it up to 85 mph or higher this winter:

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Christian Lothes | Spencer Marinac

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top prospects in specific categories for the 2018 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Christian Lothes | Spencer Marinac | Dylan Gill | Noah Johnson | Trevor House

+ Two-Way Prospects: Kwauve Booker | Spencer Marinac | Clay Brock | Nick Friedl | Sam Seeker

+ Top Catching Prospects: Trey Wright | Emma Lopez | Bryce Cox | Quinton Morris | Mike Williams

+ Top Corner Infield Prospects: Spencer Stanton | Jacob Lezon | Joe Paulick | Cameron Tenhundfeld | Tommy Dilz

+ Top Middle Infield Prospects: Jase Bowen | Mason Montgomery | Brennen Hunt | A.J. Gaich | David Silva Jr

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Rontrell Greer | Morgan Colopy | Dominic Pilolli | Nick Campagna | Hunter Jessee

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2019 TOP 305

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Joey Velazquez	OH	Desales	2019	OF	Ohio State
2	Jonathan Machamer	OH	Massillon Washington	2019	LHP	South Carolina
3	Jack Frank	OH	Strongsville	2019	OF	Michigan State
4	Mack Anglin	OH	Sparta Highland	2019	RHP	Clemson
5	Caden Kaiser	OH	Olentangy	2019	OF	Ohio State
6	Blayne Robinson	OH	Defiance	2019	1B	Louisville
7	Yianni Skeriotis	OH	Jackson	2019	RHP	Ohio State
8	Duncan Hall	OH	Miamisburg	2019	RHP	Louisville
9	Jase Bowen	OH	Central Catholic	2019	SS
10	Tyler Kean	OH	Springboro	2019	RHP	Ohio State

***** To view the entire top 305, please click here.