With the opportunity to see a number of 2022 prospects this winter, a big expansion in the 2022 rankings has become necessary. Some players made jumps this preseason from where we had seen them previously, while others that we were seeing for the first time left lasting impressions.

As always, when you are ranking high school sophomores, these rankings will continue to change and expand significantly over the next few years as players continue to develop and new players emerge. For now, we have ranked the top 80 players we have seen to date.

Trinity OF Korbyn Dickerson remains the top-ranked player in the class. The Louisville commit issued his commitment to the Cardinals prior to his freshman year. Dickerson possesses premium athleticism and bat speed and projects to hit for both average and power. He started in LF for the Trinity varsity team last spring, a rare feat for a freshman in one of the top programs in the state.

Paducah Tilghman LHP Justin West, another early Louisville commit, occupies the No. 2 spot. The 6-foot-3, 160 pound lefty is just scratching the surface of how good he will be as he fills in his frame. West can really pitch, showing pinpoint command of his fastball/curveball mix. The hand speed on his curveball that produces 2300-2400 RPM spin rates is an indicator that additional velocity is just around the corner for the top lefty in the class.

Lawrence County LHP Bryce Blevins, who committed to Kentucky early last summer, is in the No. 3 spot. Blevins has run his fastball up to 86 mph and possesses a swing-and-miss 72-74 mph breaking ball to go along with feel for a mid-70’s changeup.

Danville RHP Jack Simpson checks in at No. 4 after a strong showing at the Preseason All-State Showcase that saw him make a big jump in velocity. At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Simpson has an ideal pitcher’s frame and routinely sat 87-88 mph T89 in his bullpen. Add to that a solid 70-73 mph curveball and 75-77 changeup and Simpson has vaulted himself into the top-ranked right-hander in the class. Simpson is currently uncommitted.

Franklin County RHP Bennett Myers rounds out the top five. The 6-foot-3, 194 pound righty pounds the strike zone with an effective three-pitch mix. His fastball has topped at 86, and the curveball, which has always displayed good depth and spin, has gotten harder at 67-69. Myers also shows good feel for his 73-75 mph changeup. Myers is currently uncommitted.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW THE COMPLETE 2022 RANKINGS