Follow @pbrmichigan

Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (March)

The Fall/Winter have proved valuable for many 2021 prospects, with many names coming off the board to some of the top programs around the nation. Throughout the year we have traveled across the region to showcases and games.

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”, “The Risers”, "The Arms", "The Sleepers" and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

To view the entire list please, click here.

What's New AT THE TOP

The 2021 class in Michigan is arguably one of if not the top class in class around the country. Full of college commits and multiple players headed to play in power five conferences. LSU commit Luke Leto is the nation’s third ranked player. Leto is joined by nationally ranked Duke commit Alex Mooney (58th overall), Stanford commit Saborn Campbell (80th overall), Avery Goldensoph (148th overall), Vanderbilt commit C Anthony Migliaccio (187th overall), Michigan State commit RHP Micah Ottenbreit (300th overall), Michigan State commit RHP Ryan Szczepaniak (309th overall) and TCU commit RHP Blaise Wilcenski (310th overall). A pair of lefties round out the top ten with Michigan State commit Aidan Arbaugh, and Sam Bassett-Kennedy a Tennessee commit.

The Risers

Climbing the rankings after breakout performances this winter is RHP Avery Mona (U of D Jesuit), RHP/OF James Geshel (Rockford), OF Johnny Stepek (Walled Lake Northern), and OF Gabe Nazelli (Country Day).

Avery Mona RHP / 3B / U of D Jesuit, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 8 Report: Mona is a 6-foot-2,195 pound right hand pitcher that has transformed his body from when we saw him last summer. Clean arm action on the hill and he continues to develop his off speed pitches. A strike thrower that sat 87-90 during the Preseason All State.

James Geshel RHP / OF / Rockford, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 9 Report: Geshel is a 6-foot-3, 190 pound athletic two way prospect that shined during the Diamonds scout day. Ran a 7.20, while throwing 89 mph from the outfield and hitting 95 mph off the tee. On the hill sat 84-86 mph while touching 90 mph.

Johnny Stepek 2B / OF / Walled Lake Northern, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 1 Report: Stepek is a 5-foot-9, 165 pound quick twitch prospect who was a shining star at the College Connect scout day. Displayed the ability to play both the infield and outfield. 87 mph exit velocity, while throwing 90 mph from the OF and 89 mph from the infield.

Gabe Nazelli OF / RHP / Detroit Country Day, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 46 / POS: 8 Report: Nazelli is a 6-foot-3, 175 pound left hand hitting two way prospect. At this point it is difficult to tell what his best position is however he has a skillset that will peak the interest of college coaches. 7.11 sixty time, threw 91 mph from the outfield, and 94 mph exit velocity. Also was up to 84 mph on the mound.

The Arms

A few arms schools will definitely want to keep an eye on in the class are a trio of right-handed pitchers: John Locker, Jimmy Love and Mason Glennie.

John Locker RHP / OF / Brother Rice, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 5 Report: is a physically developed 6-foot, 195 pound prospect. Attended the Future Games last summer as a two way prospect displaying a wealth of tools. 96 mph from the OF, runs a 6.75 and posted a 96 mph exit velocity. This winter attended the Preseason All State event as a pitcher only displaying a football up to 90 mph and a sharp breaking ball.

Jimmy Love RHP / Birmingham Seaholm, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 11 Report: Love is a 6-foot, 165 pound RHP with a projectable frame that will continue to fill out. One of the biggest surprises this winter on the mound he dazzled with a three-pitch mix. 11/5 shape on his breaking ball, sinking feel on his change-up and a fastball up to 88 mph.

Mason Glennie RHP / Saline, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 12 Report: Glennie is a 6-foot-1, 185 pound RHP that has an above average command of three pitches, and shows clean arm action. Fastball jumped from 81-84 mph last summer to 86-87 mph this winter. High projection prospect that will command the attention of colleges.

The Sleepers

OF Joaquin X. Martinez and SS/RHP Brennen Redding are guys coaches will certainly want to follow back on.

Joaquin X. Martinez OF / LHP / Detroit Western International, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 118 / POS: 17 Report: Martinez is a 5-foot-8, 175 pound natural lefty that shows quick twitch. A gap to gap hitter that sprays the ball posted an 85 mph exit velocity while using a wood bat. Gets clean jumps in outfield, also showed arm strength throwing 85 mph from the OF.

Brennen Redding SS / 2B / Olivet, MI / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 131 / POS: 21 Report: Redding is a 6-foot, 167 pound two way prospect with a high skill set. Clean actions in the field, shows range to both his glove side and back hand. Has barrel control at the plate and a frame that will continue to fill out. Also displayed the ability to command the zone on the mound.

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 | Avery Mona | James Geshel | Jake Keaser | Jimmy Love

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Ben Whiteside | Isaac Toole | Fletcher Whitley | Zach Abbey | Grant Reising

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Trey Lipsey | Logan Hugo | Zach MacDonald | Richard Lu | Gabe Nazelli

+ Top Middle Infield Prospects: Cody Hultink | Johnny Stepek | Ashton Abnet | Jason Arbini | Jacob Anderson

+ Top Corner Infield Prospects: Charlie Branch | Ethan Houghtaling | Brennan Hayes | Kaden Nowak | Linken Hayward

+ Top Catching Prospects: Owen Carapellotti (Video) | Sam Lisiak | Kevin Krill | Joshua (JD) Garman | Noah Bright

Michigan Class of 2021 rankings

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Luke Leto	MI	Portage Central	2021	3B	Louisiana State
2		Alex Mooney	MI	Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep	2021	SS	Duke
3		Saborn Campbell	MI	Detroit Country Day	2021	OF	Stanford
4		Avery Goldensoph	MI	Saginaw Swan Valley	2021	RHP	Michigan
5		Anthony Migliaccio	MI	Detroit Country Day	2021	C	Vanderbilt
6		Micah Ottenbreit	MI	Trenton	2021	RHP	Michigan State
7		Ryan Szczepaniak	MI	Woodhaven	2021	RHP	Michigan State
8		Blaise Wilcenski	MI	Brother Rice	2021	RHP	Texas Christian
9		Aidan Arbaugh	MI	Saline	2021	OF	Michigan State
10		Sam Bassett-Kennedy	MI	Pioneer	2021	LHP	Tennessee

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