Prep Baseball Report

Oklahoma Class of 2021 Rankings Update


Andy Urban
OK/MO/KS Executive Scouting Director

The PBR Oklahoma 2021 Class Rankings have been updated after a baseball packed summer. Through loaded events and talent rich tournaments at our new Creekside facility and Lakepoint where many OK teams traveled to compete, we were able to get our eyes on more prospects more times than ever before. Check out the top prospects, risers, newcomers, and fully expanded rankings, below. 


The Top- For the first time in a few years, we have a shakeup at the top of the rankings which now features three arms getting lots of pro attention, even with the shortened draft.

Jackson Jobe RHP / Heritage Hall, OK / 2021

The athletic right-hander made an impressive jump on the mound this summer as his added size has translated to big velo. At the beginning of the summer, Jobe came out hot sitting 91-93 at the PBR OK Top Senior Games, filling up the zone in a controlled scrimmage. The Ole Miss commit also showed off his now famous slider at over 3000 RPMs (Trackman) and a solid changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed. Later in the summer, Jobe was reported to be flashing 94-95 mph. The once two-sport standout has decided to focus on baseball and could rocket farther up draft boards as he works to prove that he can pitch consistently in those upper velocities.  


Gray Thomas RHP / Heritage Hall, OK / 2021

When it comes to pure stuff and deception, Gray Thomas is elite by any measure. Ranging 90-94 T95 from a uniquely low slot and 20+ inches of run according to Trackman, the 6-foot-4 right-hander gave up very little hard contact this summer while playing the circuit. The TCU recruit pairs his electric fastball with a plus slider (2700 RPM per Trackman) and flashes a swing and miss changeup. As Thomas continues to polish his game and command the zone, he could find himself towards the top of draft lists come June. 


Drew Blake LHP / Stillwater , OK / 2021

A meteoric riser this summer was the left-hander out of Stillwater. Blake had a solid showing at last year’s Future games where he was up to 86, but after making some mechanical adjustments and adding strength, he was his velo shoot into the upper 80s and low 90s. Not only has the Oklahoma State commit seen a jump in velo, but his mid 70s curveball has added sharpness on its way to becoming a plus pitch. 

 

Top Newcomers- The summer of 2020 saw a flood of new talent make a name for themselves. These three below led the way with some impressive performances, jumping into the top 25.

Brooks Fowler SS / RHP / Jenks, OK / 2021

The arrow is pointing straight up for this two-way prospect, especially on the mound. A lean, athletic, and projectable 6-foot-2 175-pound frame with much more room to add size and strength. On the mound, the right-hander attacks the strike zone with three pitches, commanding both sides of the dish with the fastball in the mid-upper 80s and touching 90 mph. The breaking ball shows tight spin at 74-77 mph. The Cowley County commit is no slouch as a position player posting a sub 7 60, near 90 mph across the diamond, and an 93 mph exit velo at the PBR Sandlot Scout Day. 


Cade Stephenson SS / OF / Kingfisher, OK / 2021

The physically impressive and athletic 6-foot-2, 190-pound Stephenson is the top uncommitted player in the state. The dynamic outfielder put up eye popping numbers at the OK Summer open including a 6.57 laser 60, 90 mph OF velo, 96 top exit velo in BP, 91 mph ave exit velo, and 359 ft. max distance all according to Trackman. A multi-sport standout, the sky's the limit for Stephenson at the next level when he can focus solely on baseball. 


Naton Herchock RHP / OF / Marlow, OK / 2021

Oklahoma is famous for having late blooming arms that burst onto the scene and Naton Herchock is another stirling example. The right-hander featured a fastball/slider combo that he pounded the zone with. The fastball sat 85-86 T87 and averaged over 2100 RPM. The slider sat 75-76 mph with spin at 2150 and late 10/4 bite. 

 

The Risers-As with every season that goes by, many players take major leaps physically and developmentally. Below are some of the biggest risers since our last rankings.

Keaton Ruthardt RHP / OF / Deer Creek, OK / 2021

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-hander has made a jump in velo and still oozes projection with more velo to come as he continues to fill out. The recent Cowley College commit features a downhill fastball sitting 86-88 and reported up to 90 this summer. He pairs it with an overhand curveball with 12/6 shape. Commanding the strike zone with his advanced stuff, Ruthardt had an impressive summer, throwing up consistent 0s.


Ryan Smith C / RHP / Mustang, OK / 2021

Few players have ever made jumps as big as Smith did in this edition of the rankings. The two-way prospect wowed on both sides of the ball at the OK Top Senior Games, and was especially impressive on the mound. The right-hander attacked hitters with a fastball at 85-87 T88 and some late life. The recent Cowley College commit also showed a sharp breaking ball at 76-66 and a fading changeup at 66-67. Behind the dish, Smith used his arm strength to post pop times of 1.96-2.02. 


Mason Pennington RHP / 3B / Owasso, OK / 2021

Up nearly 50 spots is the 6-foot-2, 190-pound is the right-hander Mason Pennington. A recent Northeastern Oklahoma State A&Mcommit, Pennington saw his velo jump into the mid 80s at the beginning of the summer and has been reported up to 90 late in the summer. He pairs his fastball with a near 12/6 swing and miss curveball in the low 70s, both of which he commands the zone with.  


Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Jackson Jobe OK Heritage Hall 2021 RHP Mississippi
2 Gray Thomas OK Heritage Hall 2021 RHP Texas Christian
3 Drew Blake OK Stillwater 2021 LHP Oklahoma State
4 Ian Daugherty OK Kingfisher 2021 C Oklahoma State
5 Brody Green OK Owasso 2021 3B Texas Christian
6 Payton Tolle OK Bethany 2021 LHP Wichita State
7 Morgan Lunceford OK Edmond Santa Fe 2021 RHP San Diego
8 Cayden Brumbaugh OK Edmond Santa Fe 2021 SS Oklahoma State
9 Wallace Clark OK Holland Hall 2021 SS Oklahoma
10 Carson Benge OK Yukon 2021 3B Oklahoma State

 

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