KS Rankings Update: Class of 2022

The 2022 rankings received a major overhaul last November. During the winter showcase season, we were able to get our eyes on numerous young and talented prospects and have since updated the 2022 Kansas Rankings. We expanded this list from 65 to 85 with multiple additions in the top 20. The newcomers and risers on this list come from the looks we got at the three Kansas winter events including the very talented MOKAN Preseason All-State Showcase.

As evidenced by an impressive 6 players in Overall Rankings, the top of this group continues to make a name for itself on the national scene, with Karson Schaunaman and more building a strong case to jump onto the list in the future. Below, the PBR Kansas staff takes an in-depth look at top 3 prospects, each of which are in the overall top 150, as well as the top newcomers, risers, and a glance at the top 10. 

Click here to check out our ranking process.

Top 3 

Holding the No. 1 spot in the state and in the top 20 in PBR’s Overall Rankings is Arkansas commit Ben Bybee (Blue Valley Southwest). The uber projectable 6-foot-6, 205-pound right-hander shows exceptional feel for his delivery that is rarely seen in young arms with comparable frames. As impressive as his frame and clean delivery are, his fluid and easy arm action coming through a high-¾ slot may be even more remarkable. All of this considered, we should continue to see Bybee’s velo continue to rise from the reported 88-90 T92 he is already producing.  

Still at No. 2 in KS and in the top 75 in the PBR Overall Rankings is Tennessee commit Caden Marcum (Paola HS). Another physically impressive and projectable frame, Marcum stands 6-foot-5, 155-pounds with a ton of room to add strength to his lean and athletic frame. On the mound, the right-hander has already shown the ability to run the fastball into the low 90s with much more to come in the near future. Offensively, the right-handed hitter shows he is a true two-way prospect to this point with an advanced right-handed swing flashing pop.   

Maintaining the 3rd spot in the Kansas Rankings and in the top 150 of the PBR Overall Rankings is another Vols commit OF Dylan Dreiling (Hays). Dreiling weights in at 180-pounds with a 6-foot and broad shouldered frame with advanced strength throughout. The left-handed hitter shows polish and pop (94 mph exit velo) beyond his years with a middle to pull side approach. Defensively, shows clean and confident action in the outfield with an above average arm that could land him in right-field at the next level.   

Newcomers

Karson Schaunaman, RHP/OF, Piper
Schaunaman enters the rankings in the top 5. He is a physically advanced 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame with advanced strength. On the mound is where this two-way prospect shines the brightest. He features a fastball at 85-87 T88 with power arm-side run. Schaunaman also shows an elite changeup at 79-80 mph that falls off the table late. At the dish, the right-handed hitter shows very easy pull side pop with consistent lift, 94 mph off the tee. 

Tyler Buchman, C, Blue Valley West
Jumping into the top 20 is the proportional 5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher with advanced actions behind the dish. Buchman really stands out with his fast footwork, short arm stroke, and overall efficiency on throws down to second. He produced showcase pop times in a consistent window of 1.96-2.06, nearly all on the bag, without cheating out of the crouch early or scooting too far up in the box. Offensively, the right-hander shows a clean and efficient swing consistently hitting line drives to all fields.  

Risers

Blake Reeder, 3B, Shawnee Mission Northwest
The physically impressive 6-foot-3, with strength throughout, Reeder jumps nearly 15 spots in KS and into the PBR Overall Rankings after seeing all of his numbers take a leap. The right-handed hitter barreled nearly every ball in his round of BP with some pop at the MOKAN Preseason All-State Showcase. Defensively, the big bodied third baseman moves surprisingly well with advanced hands and feet. 

William Jones, OF, Blue Valley
A long, lean, and projectable 6-foot-4, 178-pound frame with athleticism and a ton of room to add size and strength. Jones’ numbers bettered in every category, most impressively, he posted an event best 6.71 60. Offensively, the right-handed hitter already shows an 84 mph exit velo using some of his leverage and will likely see that number make another big jump as he continues to polish and add strength.  

Top 10

Check the complete 85 player rankings, here.