Prep Baseball Report

Updated Class of 2024 Player Rankings (August)


PBR Michigan Staff

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Updated Class of 2024 Player Rankings (August)

The state of Michigan has become a hotbed of talent throughout the country placing numerous players at various levels into colleges as well as multiple draft picks. As we close out the summer and move into fall baseball as well as other fall sports we had the opportunity to see hundreds of prospects throughout the spring/summer and have updated our class rankings.

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.

Below we will take a look at "What's New at the Top", “The Risers”, "The Newcomers", "The Sleepers" and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

To view the Updated Class Rankings, please click below:

To view the entire Class of 2024 rankings, please click here.

What’s New At The Top

Brenson Watters 1B / OF / Rochester Adams, MI / 2024

Report: Brenson continues to climb up the rankings checking in at 8. A bat first prospect that barrels baseballs at the plate producing loud contact. Big time power threat who does not get cheated in the box. Has consistently produced at the plate over the course of 2022. Capped off his year with a strong performance at Future Games with a hit in every game and multiple mid 90+ exit velos.

Joey Broughton LHP / 1B / Northville, MI / 2024

Report: Joey makes a jump up to 10 after a velo jump entering 2022. A standout at both this winter’s ProCase and this summer’s Top Prospect Games, Broughton is a strike thrower on the mound with a projectable frame. Good command of a three pitch mix with a loose whippy arm. Works mid 80’s on the mound and has been up to 88 with more in the tank. Good potential with the offspeed showing a curveball with spin rates up over 2600 and changeup thrown with good arm speed.

The Risers

Chase Van Ameyde SS / RHP / Brother Rice, MI / 2024

Report: Everything clicked for Chase this summer, capping it off being named Michigan MVP at Future Games. Projects on the mound with a 6-foot-5, 180 pound frame. Was up to 88 in a pair of scoreless innings on the mound at Future Games showing the ability to mix arm slots and throw the fastball out of both. Really intriguing out of a low side slot with a sweeping breaking ball. Swung a hot bat at the plate this summer leading Michigan in nearly every offensive category at Future Games (4-6, 2 doubles, 6 RBI, 2 stolen bases). Shows a good feel in the box in addition to his athleticism. Big time upside prospect.

Carson Raether C / SS / Goodrich, MI / 2024

Report: Carson makes a big jump in the rankings after a huge summer. A left handed hitting catcher, Carson has all the makings of a coveted prospect. Has elite catch and throw skills behind the dish with an arm in the low 80’s. Shut the run game down at Future Games throwing 3 of 4 runners out. Peppers the wall out in RF during BP showing a smooth swing with pop. All fields approach in game producing multiple hits at Future Games including an opposite field double.

Matthew Ineich SS / 2B / Detroit Catholic Central, MI / 2024

Report: Matt had a breakout year in 2022 and moves into the Top 25. An All Catholic team player this spring, Matt immediately catches your eye with his play in the field. Fluid in the field making plays look easy with the ability to stick up the middle at the next level. Has a simple line drive approach at the plate and was a top performer at Future Games producing a hit in every game including a multi-hit effort in the second game. On the younger side of the 2024 class and will be a name to follow.

The Newcomers

Cayden Smith SS / RHP / Beal City, MI / 2024

Report: Cayden is the top newcomer in the rankings after bursting onto the scene this spring helping Beal City to a state championship game appearance. At 5-foot-9 shows an electric arm on the mound sitting 87-89 with run and spin rated up over 2300. Works predominantly fastball mixing 4 seam and 2 seam. Flashed a tight breaking ball with spin rates over 2300 and will continue to improve as he refines his arsenal on the mound. Two way player with athleticism.and an arm that plays at SS. Line drive approach at the plate and is an intriguing player to watch moving forward.

Joshua Kasner RHP / SS / Algonac, MI / 2024

Report: Josh enters the rankings at 24 showing off a big time arm on the mound. Strong build running his fastball up to 91 with a number of standout performances at PBR tournaments across the Midwest this summer. Deep arsenal of pitches on the mound showing a curveball and slider that both generate swing and miss while flashing a changeup.

Justin Brown RHP / Northville, MI / 2024

Report: Justin had a breakout summer on the mound with a projectable 6-foot-2, 180 pound frame. Worked a pair of scoreless innings at Future Games with a pair of strikeouts. Fastball was up to 89 paired with an upper 70’s breaker and a changeup. Showed good spin rates up over 2400 with his fastball and curveball. High upside guy on the mound that will continue to get batter as he develops on the mound.

Jack Griffiths RHP / OF / Traverse City West, MI / 2024

Report: Jack is a hard to miss arm standing at 6-foot-5, 205. Was a top performer at Top Prospect Games Trials running his fastball up to 88 with run topping 2400 with spin rate. Breaking ball shows big break at times and has the makings of a good secondary pitch. Another player on the younger side for the class with a lot to like moving forward on the mound.

The Sleepers

Wyatt Ruppenthal RHP / OF / Brother Rice, MI / 2024

Report: Wyatt is an athletic player at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds who worked out as a two-way at Top prospect Games but is a follow on the mound. Works out of a lower slot that can be tricky for hitters. Fastball was 82-84 with more velo in the tank as he adds strength. Compliments the fastball with a low 70’s breaker from the low slot.

Anthony Pesci 2B / RHP / Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep, MI / 2024

Report: Anthony is a 6-foot-4, 185 prospect that is just scratching the surface as he grows into his frame. Projects defensively in the corners but showed athleticism working out at SS and flashed some power at the plate to the pull side. On the mound has a quick, loose arm running his fastball up to 86 and it is easy to see there is more velo to come. Three pitch mix with a low 70’s breaking ball and a deceiving chaneup. Interesting player to follow moving forward with a blend of size and athleticism.

Joshua Tellier 3B / SS / Forest Hills, MI / 2024

Report: Josh is a bat first prospect with ability to improve at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. Standout both this spring and summer at the plate with a line drive approach consistently finding the barrel. Good athlete runs a 6.9 60 and has the ability to play multiple spots on the infield. Good present feel in the box and will be a player to follow as he adds strength to frame.

Top Uncommitted Prospects by Position

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories for the 2024 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

Michigan Class of 2024 rankings

Rank
  Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1   Dante Nori MI Northville 2024 OF Mississippi State
2 Caleb Bonemer MI Okemos 2024 SS Virginia
3   Reggie Sharpe MI University Liggett 2024 SS Michigan
4 Brendon Bennett MI Novi 2024 LHP Clemson
5   Dylan Larkins MI U of D Jesuit 2024 CF
6   Grant Bradley MI Napoleon 2024 RHP Michigan
7 Parker Brzustewicz MI Orchard Lake St. Marys 2024 3B
8 Brenson Watters MI Rochester Adams 2024 1B Notre Dame
9   Brennan Hill MI Grosse Pointe North 2024 LHP
10 Joey Broughton MI Northville 2024 LHP Pittsburgh

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

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