Prep Baseball Report

Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (April)


Aaron Wilson and PBR Michigan Staff
PBR Michigan Director of Scouting

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Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (April)

In 2020 we have had a year unlike any other ... No Spring HS season, uncertainty all summer with tournaments and showcases and the same can still be said in the fall. But that hasn't stopped us from searching far and wide throughout the state to find the best prospects we can, to help them get to college and to help colleges find prospects that fit their culture.

Despite the tumultuous year, many names came off the board to some of the top programs around the nation, many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene, and many prospects improved their game.

That being said, we have had the pleasure of seeing a number of solid players this past year. Prospects are popping up left and right, making velocity jumps, improving 60-yard dash times and showing more power with the bat.

Below we will take a look at "What's New at the Top", “Who's at Number On", The Risers”, "The Sleepers”, "Don't Sleep on these Arms", and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

Coming soon ... We will have the Class of 2021 Rankings Positional Breakdown, which you will be able to view by clicking here.

Coming Soon ... To view the Uncommitted Positional Breakdown, click below:
RHP | LHP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C

To view the entire rankings, please click here.

What’s New At The Top

2021 ushers in a new year with high school baseball returning.  The 2021 Michigan class is one of the deepest and most talented recruiting class in the country top to bottom. Several players made the national top 500 player list.  

Sam Bassett-Kennedy LHP / 1B / Pioneer, MI / 2021

Report: LHP Sam Bassett Kennedy (Ann Arbor Pioneer) is a Tennessee commit that joins the top ten. This high school season he will feature a new jersey from the last time we saw him however he is still one of the most dominant arms in the class. Running his fastball up to 90 mph throwing downhill he is an imposing match up standing 6-foot-6 with a long lanky frame.

Number One

Alex Mooney SS / 3B / Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep, MI / 2021

Report: Staying in the top spot is SS Alex Mooney (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) a Duke commit who will have a big decision to make come July if he continues at the rapid pace he has set opening the high school season. In less than 8 games Mooney already has 5 home runs displaying an element of his game that is not always featured. He’s a plus bat to ball guy that has tools and a plus baseball IQ. Alex has pro scouts flocking to the state of Michigan to see the 12th ranked player in the National Rankings.

The Risers

Charlie Branch RHP / 3B / North Muskegon, MI / 2021

Report: Physical framed RHP that has transformed his frame over the past two years. A legitimate two way prospect packs major thunder in his bat from the left side of the plate and can play the corner infield as well as pitch. His fastball has been clocked up to 91 mph. Committed to Lincoln Trails Junior College.

Sean Knorr RHP / SS / Ann Arbor Pioneer, MI / 2021

Report: A long slim framed RHP that has a fast whippy arm. Knorr has baseball bloodlines as his older brother played college baseball as well. A highly projectable arm that has a four pitch mix. Will attend Kellogg CC in the fall.

Brandon Escobar 2B / SS / West Bloomfield, MI / 2021

Report: Compact built middle infielder with a left hand bat is a spark plug to any line up that has sneaky power posting a 95 mph exit velocity. . Electric guy that puts pressure on defenses either at the plate or on the base path running a 6.62 sixty time. Arm is strong enough to play both middle infield spots along with a sure glove. Lansing CC commit.

The Sleepers

Caleb Williams SS / RHP / Cheboygan, MI / 2021

Report: 6-foot-2, 198 pound strong framed two way prospect is one of the best uncommitted players in a loaded 2021 class. Big time pop at the plate with a line drive approach posted a 96 mph exit velocity early this winter while running his fastball up to 88 mph. A 6.94 runner that is athletic enough to play both in the middle infield as well as outfield.

Reese Rinna OF / OF / Richmond, MI / 2021

Report: 5-foot-11, 195 strong compact built prospect was a pleasant surprise at one of the last events of the winter. Has a quiet set up at the plate, however that changes as soon as he lifts the bat off his shoulder. Absolutely barrelled balls with loud contact from the left side of the plate. Has a swing that translates well to game action. 95 mph exit velocity.

Don’t Sleep On These Arms

Cole Heikkinen RHP / 2B / Holt, MI / 2021

Report: 5-foot-10 180 pound right hand pitcher was one of the most successful arms in the state last summer. Has a true understanding of how to mix up pitches and keep hitters off balanced. Has plus command and a fast arm that signals a velocity jump is not far away. Baseball bloodlines, his brother is a pitcher for Michigan State.

Ian Dixon RHP / OF / Detroit Catholic Central, MI / 2021

Report: 6-foot-1, 155 pound RHP made big strides since we last saw him and became easily one of the better arms we saw this winter. His mechanics were in sync as he showed a mid 80’s fastball paired with a curve and change up.

Top Uncommitted Prospects By Position:

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories for the 2021 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Right-Handed Arms: John Locker | Spencer Andrzejewski | Xander Morris | Bryce Wetzel | Aidan Eichman

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Isaac Toole | Hunter Neeley | Anton Ricumstrict | Luke Aguilar | Landen Harris

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Gabe Nazelli | Reese Rinna | Benjamin Tjernlund | Nick Traficante | Nathan Cain

+ Top First Base Prospects: Blake Bard | Joseph Botello | Nick Ford | Parker Wilson | William White

+ Top Second Base Prospects: Aaron Hughes | Michael Keoleian | Jake Willerer | Billy Malecki | Brady Alverson

+ Top Shortstop Prospects: Caleb Williams (Video below) | Ashton Abnet | Luke McLean | Brandon Ford | Bailey Palmer

+ Top Third Base Prospects: Brett Arseneau | Brennan Hayes | Nicholas Folwell | Camden Smith | Matthew Kostuch

+ Top Catching Prospects: Connor McKee | Ezekiel King | Ryan McClellan | William Shannon | R. Steven Mathews

Michigan Class of 2021 rankings

Rank   Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1   Alex Mooney MI Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep 2021 SS Duke
2   Luke Leto MI Portage Central 2021 SS Louisiana State
3
Micah Ottenbreit MI Trenton 2021 RHP Michigan State
4 Anthony Migliaccio MI Detroit Country Day 2021 C Vanderbilt
5   Saborn Campbell MI Detroit Country Day 2021 OF Stanford
6   Avery Goldensoph MI Saginaw Swan Valley 2021 RHP Michigan
7 Trey Lipsey MI Birmingham Groves 2021 OF Ohio State
8 Korbin Griffin MI Gull Lake 2021 LHP Auburn
9   Ryan Szczepaniak MI Woodhaven 2021 RHP Michigan State
10 Sam Bassett-Kennedy MI Pioneer 2021 LHP Tennessee

***** To view the entire list, please click here.

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