Updated and Expanded Class of 2021 Rankings

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - A year ago everything became more challenging for everyone. For scouts, coaches, and baseball players, that was no different. Fortunately, we were able to run numerous events last summer and through the fall, continuing through February 2021. That allowed us to see many players (though not as many as we'd have normally seen), some new to us and some we'd not seen in quite awhile. As the season is underway in many parts of California, we  are all very excited to get out and once again see the players in game competition. 

As always, the evaluation process is a fluid but without as many looks at players as we'd have in a normal year, that evaluation process was a little less fluid for this ranking. Some players have moved out of state, some have suffered injuries, some have had their development stall due to inactivity. However, others have worked extremely hard and are ready to show their improvement this spring. For some, we've seen that improvement already and it's reflected in their rise in the rankings.

In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in California and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. As such, the previous rankings has been scrutinized, picked apart, reorganized... and certainly not for the last time.

The new rankings show a shift in the Top 10 as some players impressed throughout the summer and have seen themselves jump up the rankings. These updated rankings see the list grow from 200 to 250 players in total. 

After much deliberation, we present the updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings.

THE TOP FIVE

No. 1: Shortstop Marcelo Mayer of Eastlake HS (Southern Cal) rises to the top spot. The shutdown impacted his (and many others') ability to play on a national level, but he got plenty of work locally and continues to impress with his above average defensive skills and newfound strength. The smooth left-handed swing already possesses extra-base hit ability and oozes projectability with physical maturity. Defensively he shows the ability to stay at short with the necessary tools to make him a plus-defender. We feel that his confidence and feel for the game coupled with his extra-base hit ability and defensive prowess make him one of the best bets in the 2021 class. 

No. 2: The shutdown greatly affected scouts ability to see much of Tyree Reed of American Canyon HS (Oregon St.). Fortunately we were at his last high school game of 2020. A left-hand hitting centerfielder with plus defensive tools and hit tools that continue to develop, Reed is an electric talent. He's contributed on multiple Team USA medal-winning squads and flashed his prodigious tools at the underclass portion of the 2019 Area Code Games. He was just starting to tap into his power potential when the spring season came to a halt and if that tool continues to blossom, it elevates his overall profile as one of the nation's most intriguing and dynamic talents.

No. 3 Shortstop Max Muncy of Thousand Oaks HS (Arkansas) hit the game's only home run at the SoCal ProCase after showing consistent power during BP. Possesses elite hand speed in the box. Above average range and arm on the dirt. A look across the entire profile, including Blast Motion metrics, Muncy shines, adding to what we've seen in game action and workouts. He's a 6.80 runner, with INF velocity up to 87 and exit velocities over 100+ and ability to make that type of hard contact on a consistent basis. His ability to not only swing the bat with plus bat speed, but to do so while utilizing an efficient and on-plane swing, puts him among the elite MIF prospects in all the country.

No. 4: Second baseman Roc Riggio of Thousand Oaks HS (Oklahoma St.) bumps up a spot. The hit tool, more than any other, gets the industry's attention and Riggio is pure left-handed hitter. Riggio put on a show at the SoCal ProCase where he registered some of the highest exit velocities, distances, and barrel consistency as measured by Trackman and Blast Motion. His performances vs quality pitching is a big reason that even if projected as a 2nd baseman at the pro level, he's evaluated as an elite prospect. Add to that his aggressive style of play, like always going hard out of the box and taking the extra base, and he's a player who is also just plain fun to scout.

No. 5 Right-handed pitcher Eric Silva of JSerra HS (UCLA) possesses a fastball that reaches above 95 mph, which is impressive on its own. He's also got a hard, sharp biting curveball and perhaps more important than the raw stuff, he's shown improved command of both and development of a third pitch as well. Part of his profile and status as an elite prospect is his athleticism, displayed when he's playing shortstop when not pitching. He's also a mainstay in a loaded JSerra lineup that includes Division I hitters up and down. Silva attacks hitters, has a mound presence that exudes confidence, which rounds out one of the top prospect profiles for the 2021 draft.

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

A LOOK AT NUMBERS 6-10:

No. 6 OF/1B Nick McLain - Beckman (UCLA)

Big time performance at the SoCal ProCase where he clocked a 6.85 60 and showed the type of power at the plate that makes him one of the best pure hitters in the class. 

No. 7 LHP Gage Jump - JSerra (UCLA)

Jump is one of the hardest pitchers to face in the state with his rising fastball that has touched 97 mph this summer paired with his average to above secondary stuff. 

No. 8 C Anson Aroz - Placer (Oregon)

After his standout performance at the Area Code Games, followed by a tremendous showing at the Super 60, the nation is well aware of the all-around game and talent of this switch-hitting catcher.

 No. 9 SS Cody Schrier - JSerra (UCLA)

Premium defender with a big arm, he also possesses power and speed, making him a dynamic talent with multiple ways he can impact the game, along with the energy and make-up intangibles.

No. 10 OF Matty Clark - Damien (Arizona)

With multiple above average to plus tools, the physically imposing Clark breaks into the top 10. He posted the second fastest 60 at the SoCal ProCase while also showing power to all fields.

NOTABLE RISERS

No. 24 1B Justin Trimble - Arroyo Grande (UC Santa Barbara)

When all is said and done, this may not be high enough for this physical and gifted LHH.

No. 46 OF Gavin Tonkel - Heritage (Sacramento St.)

A fall tourney performance in front of many scouts opened their eyes to this toolsy (flies!) player.

No. 69 RHP Sky Jones - Alpha Charter (San Diego St.)

Bulldog with a fastball that sits in the low-90s and a wipeout slider, he's a very uncomfortable at-bat.

No. 73 SS Daniel McElveny - Bonita Vista (San Diego St.)

Outstanding at Preseason All-State, showed multiple above avg/plus tools and can stay at SS.

No. 123 LHP David Case - Notre Dame (Oregon St.)

Left-hander was off to great start in 2020, running fastball up to 89, tilty slider and a change-up.

No. 124 SS/P Aidan Lombardi - Cardinal Newman (uncommitted)

Outstanding defender with arm talent both at SS & on mound (T90), the bat plays vs quality pitching.

No. 150 OF PK Walsh - Serra (uncommitted)

Multiple plus tools, outstanding athleticism, the run tool and power potential are impact talents.

No. 186 C/3B Drake Bicknell (uncommitted) 

High level defender at both C & 3B with bat talent that plays as a run producer in middle of line-up.  

No. 201 RHP Austin Puett (uncommitted)

The big right-hander showed us a fastball up to 92 mph with a max spin of 2436, with an 81 mph SL

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COMMITS BY POSITION

*Based on primary position listed in player profile

C: 35; 1B: 12; 2B: 9; 3B: 16; SS: 41; OF: 48; LHP: 16; RHP: 73

COMMITS BY SCHOOL

*Based on commitment listed in player profile

55: UNCOMMITTED

14: UCLA 

11: SAN DIEGO ST.

10: LONG BEACH ST.

9: UC SANTA BARBARA

8: CAL, UC IRVINE

7: CAL STATE FULLERTON

6: ARIZONA, CAL BAPTIST, SACRAMENTO ST., STANFORD

5: CAL POLY, ST. MARY'S

4: OREGON, SANTA CLARA, SOUTHERN CAL, UC SAN DIEGO

3: CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE, CHICO ST., FRESNO ST., LOYOLA MARYMOUNT, OREGON ST., WASHINGTON ST.

2: ARIZONA STATE, ARKANSAS, COLUMBIA, GONZAGA, GRAND CANYON, HAWAII, HAWAII-PACIFIC, M.I.T., NEVADA, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN JOSE ST., TEXAS TECH, UC DAVIS, UNLV, VANDERBILT, WASHINGTON

1: AIR FORCE, ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM, BAYLOR, BIOLA, CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO, CHAPMAN, COLORADO MESA, DUKE, KANSAS, KANSAS ST., NEW MEXICO, NORTHERN COLORADO, NORTHWESTERN, NOTRE DAME, OKLAHOMA ST., PACIFIC, PEPPERDINE, POMONA-PITZER, PORTLAND, TENNESSEE, UC RIVERSIDE, UT RIO GRANDE, UTAH, WESTERN OREGON, WHITMAN COLLEGE, YALE

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Rising Stars Showcase - NorCal	CA	06/08	Islanders Field
State Games ID - NorCal	CA	06/15	Islanders Field
Rising Stars Showcase	CA	06/22	Hart Park
Northern California ProCase	CA	07/06	McBean Stadium - Lincoln, CA
SoCal ProCase	CA	07/07	Hart Park
SoCal Academic Games	CA	07/13	Hart Park
Norcal Academic Games	CA	07/14	Islanders Field
California State Games	CA	07/16-07/18	Islanders Field

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