OK Rankings Update: Class of 2022

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As scrimmages are already underway and the regular season just weeks away, PBR OK takes another in-depth look at the 2022 class as they prepare to make their first impacts for their high school teams. Though there has not been a lot of movement up and down the list, there has been some very notable additions, including a few in the top 10. This rendition of the rankings expands the list from 50 to 60 of the top players in the class. Below we take an in-depth look at the top three prospects in the class, some of the top ranked newcomers, and biggest risers in this edition of the 2022 rankings.

Top 3 Prospects 

Remaining at the top of the freshman class is the physically advanced Oklahoma commit SS/RHP Caden Powell (Clinton HS). An impressively strong 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, the right-handed hitter already shows one of the top exit velos in the state, 95 mph, with enough barrel control to turn it in to elite level production. Recently, at the OK Preseason All-State Powell produced the most impressive round of BP with nearly every ball finding the back of the cage on a line headed for the gaps. Defensively, Powell will likely have to move to third base as he continues to develop with size and strength, but will likely have the hands and arm strength to stay there. Though more currently advanced with the bat, Powell’s size and arm strength serves him well on the mound as well. Powell has shown the able to command the strike zone in a pressure situation at 82-84 mph.

Filling the second spot in the initial rankings is another physically advanced prospect, C/RHP Reese Ratchford (Sulphur HS). Easily the most muscular frame in the class at 6-foot, 180-pound. The quick twitch athlete is listed as a catcher first due to elite 1.94-2.20 pop times, but is just as capable at any other position on the field, including the middle infield. Offensively, the right handed hitter has bat speed and pop to all fields with some lift, hitting multiple balls out during his round of BP at the Junior Future Games Trials. On the mound, Ratchford sits 83-86 mph with the fastball backed up by a sharp slider in the low 70s and a fading changeup. Hit and miss with his command at times, Ratchford has shown the ability to find his rhythm and over-match very good teams on the mound.

Another Oklahoma commit rounds out the top three spots. RHP/OF Bauer Brittian (Shawnee HS) currently shines brightest on the mound where he shows a three pitch mix, featuring a fastball that sat 84-86 mph at this year’s Junior Future Games and has been reported up to 87 at times this fall.  Brittian also mixes an advanced slider and a solid changeup, and throws all three pitches for strikes consistently. Most recently Brittian showed well at 84-85 against a potent Westmoore offense in the first scrimmage of the year. Brittian’s strong arm and lean and athletic 5-foot-11, 150-pound frame also allows him to stand out defensively, especially in the outfield where he has a knack for making web-gem type catches and produces accurate and strong throws at 88 mph.  

Newcomers

The PBR Oklahoma staff is always out on the lookout for talented players across the state, and we pride ourselves on constantly evaluating and discovering new players. Below are three new players that made impacts during the fall and winter.

Kaden Wright, OF/RHP, Bixby HS
At a lean 5-foot-10, 156-pound frame, Wright may not be as physically advanced as other players in the the top 10 of the young 2022 class, but his measurables are still well advanced. Of Wright’s tools, his arm stands out the most showing 89 mph from the outfield and 83 mph from the mound at the OK Preseason All-State Showcase.

Gabe Brown, C, Stillwater HS
With a physically impressive and muscular 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame, Brown stands out as soon as he gets off the bus. Brown uses his strength to produce load contact in BP when he impacts the baseball. He also shows above average speed and arm strength for his age. As Brown continues to polish his game, he could shoot up not only the state rankings, but the overall national rankings as well. 

Colyn Mcnair, RHP/3B, Blanchard HS
A lean 6-foot-2, 170-pound physically advanced frame with room to add size and strength. Though he flashes some big pop in the box, Mcnair currently shines brighter on the mound with a fastball that sits 79-81 mph and advanced feel for both the changeup and curveball.  

Jesse Tisdell, 2B, Choctaw HS
While others in the early rankings for the 2022 stand out due to size and strength the 5-foot-9, 140-pound Tisdell shows advanced skill and body control with both the bat and the glove. In his round of BP at the OK Winter Open, Tisdell barreled all but one ball. Defensively, he showed well advanced hands, feet, and arm strength across the diamond.

Risers

Over the last four months, a few players have shown impressive growth and have shot up the list. Below are a few of them.

Eric Thompson, OF/RHP, Bishop Kelley HS
Thompson has seen most of his measurable increase to some of the best in the class, and his long, lean, and athletic 6-foot-1,165-pound frame only suggest they will continue to go up as he adds size and strength. It is sill unclear weather Thompson will soar higher as a pitcher or position player, but his ceiling remains high for both.

Braden Harper, C, Noble HS
Harper has been steadily progressing in both strength and skill set, jumping 20 spots in this edition of the ranking. Harper’s round of BP and catching defense at the Preseason All-State solidified him as one of the top players in the class.

CLICK HERE for the complete 60 player list. Below is a sneak peak at the top 10.