Ohio Insider: Initial Class of 2021 Player Rankings (September)
September 14, 2017
By Jordan Chiero and Dylan Hefflinger
Ohio Director of Scouting / Editor in Chief/Scout
Ohio Insider: Initial Class of 2021 Player Rankings (September)
The Class of 2021 is just getting their feet wet in the high school scene. However, this summer prospects in the 2021 class were well represented at summer tournaments and showcases, helping us get an eye on this great group of prospects.
For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2017 spring/summer season visit the 2017 Ohio Spring Scout Blog by clicking here and the Summer Scout Blog by clicking here.
Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.
Bruni Separates Himself As Top Prospect
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Gavin Bruni OF / LHP / Alliance, OH / 2021Rankings State Rank:1 POS:1
Bruni sits at top of the rankings after being the youngest player to ever suit up for Team Ohio at the PBR Future Games. The 6-foot-2 prospect very easily could be considered a DI prospect as a position player if his abilities on the mound were not so advanced. Bruni shows all the signs of being an elite frontline starter at the next level and ranks among the top prospects the state has produced in recent memory when it comes to potential. The southpaw features a fastball that has been up to 87 mph and will sit in the 82-85 mph range. Looks to have more velocity in there as he matures physically with two playable secondary offerings. The Alliance product did more than hold his own against the nation’s top prospects, most of whom were a full two years older than him. |
Middleton's Tools Earn Him The No. 2 Spot
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Jace Middleton RHP / OF / Olentangy, OH / 2021Rankings State Rank:2 POS:1
It’s rare to have a prospect who has yet to play a high school baseball game that can touch 85 mph off the mound or hit a homerun 400 plus feet at Bill Davis stadium. Olentangy’s Jace Middleton has shown the ability to do both. Middleton is very physical prospect at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds and has a tool set that is far advanced for his age. A high upside prospect on the mound and a must see at bat when he steps in the box. Middleton is the son of Matt Middleton, who played at Ohio State and later served as the head baseball coach at Upper Arlington. |
Louisville Snags First 2021 Commit In The State
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Kurtis Reid SS / RHP / Hamilton , OH / 2021Rankings State Rank:3 POS:1
Kurtis Reid became Ohio’s first 2021 prospect off the board when he committed to the University of Louisville. He is an exceptional athlete with advanced measurables for his age. Reid looks the part in the infield and projects as a well above average runner, posting a 6.84 at our Top Prospect Games. At the plate, he has a simple approach and natural tools show in swing. Reid looks to be the clear cut top position prospect in the class. |
DeMell Comes In At No. 4
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Ben DeMell RHP / SS / Gilmore Academy or St. Edwards, OH / 2021Rankings State Rank:4 POS:2
DeMell is another two-way prospect with big upside. He is 6-foot-4 with long limbs and a frame to support added strength. On the mound he has a lower effort delivery and a fastball that will range anywhere from 81-85 mph. When he steps in the box, he creates easy gap pop with some natural loft power from the left side. DeMell moves well in the infield with shortstop hands and a third baseman’s frame. His future looks to be bright as a position player and off the bump. |
Lybarger Rounds Out The Top 5
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Brayden Lybarger RHP / SS / Elida, OH / 2021Rankings State Rank:5 POS:3
The Elida product stands 6-foot-4 and his very thin frame has a ton of room to fill out. Looks to project more on the mound where he has an easy delivery and clean arm action. He is a good athlete for his size who projects for much more velocity. Currently, he sits 78-81 mph, touching up to 83 mph with his fastball. Lybarger is polished for his age with feel for all three offerings. Out of all the right-handed pitching prospects in his class, he may have the most upside as he fills out frame and adds velocity. |
On The Cusp
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Sergio DeCello SS / C / Badin , OH / 2021A switch hitting middle infielder that impressed at this year’s TPG. Handles the bat well and looks the part in the infield. Action are smooth and he has the hands to stay up the middle. |
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Peter Levin 1B / 3B / Shaker Heights High School, OH / 2021A high upside bat from the right side. His 6-foot-3 frame is very projectable with room to add strength. Stood out for his combination of strength and bat speed at the Future 50. Already generates mid-90s exit velocity and projects for more with physical maturity. The top raw power threat we’ve come across in the 2021 class. |
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Blake Buzzeo SS / RHP / St. Edward, OH / 2021Possesses advanced tools at the plate for his age and has shown the ability to leave the park in game. Stood out amongst the state’s top prospects in the 2021 class at the Future 50. Projects to be a middle of the order bat who should be able to stay in the middle infield. |
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Kobe Hill OF / RHP / The Linsly School, OH / 2021Another prospect who really impressed at the Future 50. Smaller frame currently but looks to be an above average athlete on the bump. Arm works and he generates well above average arm speed. Fastball will sit 80-82, with heavy cut. Showed some of the most fastball movement we saw all summer, regardless of class. |
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Spencer Tammaro OF / 1B / New Albany, OH / 2021A lefty bat that patrols the outfield well. His in game speed stands out. He took bag after bag with ease when we saw him in game and at our UC Games. Projects as a top of the order bat who fits best in left or center field. |
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Dominic Chiavaroli LHP / 1B / Upper Arlington , OH / 2021Best days are ahead of him as he is still growing into his 6-foot-3 frame. On the bump the southpaw has a mid to high 70s fastball that has topped at 80 mph. An interesting prospect to follow as he matures physically. |
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Ryan Miller C / SS / Dublin Jerome, OH / 2021A left-handed hitting catcher that looks to be one of the top pure hitters in his class. Really impresses with approach and knowledge of the strike zone. Finds plane well and he has obvious feel for the barrel. Should grow into easy gap pop with a present line drive swing. |
Other Top Performers To Keep An Eye On
- Joshua Qualls, SS, Amherst Steele
- Jacob Moeller, Olentangy, RHP/OF
- Gavin Henry, RHP/3B, Gahanna Lincoln
- Andrew Patrick, SS/C, Hilliard Darby
- Jack Fecko, LHP, Aurora
- Logan Maxwell, OF, Lima Shawnee
PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2020 TOP 5
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Gavin Bruni | OH | Alliance | 2021 | OF | |
| 2 | Jace Middleton | OH | Olentangy HS | 2021 | RHP | |
| 3 | Kurtis Reid | OH | Hamilton | 2021 | SS | Louisville |
| 4 | Ben DeMell | OH | Gilmore Academy or St. Edwards | 2021 | RHP | |
| 5 | Brayden Lybarger | OH | Elida | 2021 | RHP |
***** To view the entire top 5, please click here.