Rankings Update: Oklahoma Class of 2021

It has been four months since the Oklahoma class of 2021 rankings were updated. The summer and first half of the fall has presented a quality evaluation period for this class as PBR Oklahoma was constantly out at games, practices, and showcases. With more time spent evaluating this class, we have been able to expand our list by more than double to include 100 players. Though it is not easy to replicate the immense talent that the 2020 class has shown, there are strong performers emerging from the 2021 class.

Click here to see the complete list of the expanded top 100 player in Oklahoma’s 2021 Class.

Top 3

Maintaining the No. 1 spot is the long-limbed and still developing 6-foot-4, 190-pound RHP/1B Gray Thomas (Heritage Hall HS). The right-handed two-way player had a solid summer with the bat but really stands out on the mound. The Texas Christian commit features a fastball sits 85-88 with late and heavy sink in the strike zone from a low-¾ slot. Just as impressive as the fastball is Thomas’ advanced feel for his slider which has 10/4 shape with late depth at 70-76 mph. His changeup flashes heavy sink and fade at 79-81 mph, thrown with near full arm speed.

Appearing for the first time in the rankings is recent move RHP/SS, Jackson Jobe (Heritage Hall HS). Jobe enters in the No. 2 position thanks to a breakout performance at this years Future Games. Jobe’s raw athleticism is what makes him jump off the page. Though not yet an advanced runner, the middle infielder shows elite arm strength across the diamond (89 mph) and bat speed (91 exit velo) for his age, and he has only just begun to fill out. As good as he is as a position player, Jobe is farther along and may have a higher ceiling on the mound. The right-hander has shown the ability to fill up the zone with an upper 80s fastball, 11/5 breaking ball, and fading changeup. With a clean arm action and athleticism, Jobe will likely continue to make big jumps forward.  

Filling the third slot in the rankings is a physically advanced C Ian Daugherty (Kingfisher HS). A 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame with some strength throughout. Defensively, the recent Oklahoma State commit has cemented himself in with the other elite catchers in his class across the country with strong and quiet hands, high baseball I.Q,  and the ability to consistently put the ball on the bag with showcase pop times between 1.96-2.08. Offensively, the right-handed hitter often finds barrels and produces some pop with a simple swing.

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 of the many new players that burst onto the scene recently and made their rankings debues in the top 20.

A very lean 6-foot, 140-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength, SS Wil Joplin (Roff HS) may not have eye popping tools yet, but his skill set is far advanced. Defensively, at shortstop, Joplin already shows clean, confident, and  smooth actions taking good angels and consistently getting rid of the ball quickly and accurately. Offensively, Joplin shows a simple and short left-handed swing that consistently finds barrel and produces occasional lift.

A quick twitch athlete, OF/LHP Chance Cox (Mustang HS) is already showing explosive actions and advanced tools on both sides of the ball. Cox biggest tool is currently his arm strength at 84 on the mound and 89 from the outfield along with a 6.79 60 and an 85 mph exit velo. As he continues to develop his skills set, the young left-hander could make  a lot of noise this spring.

A raw athlete with a projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame, SS/RHP Zade Cisneros (Clinton HS) has started to shows the tools it takes to be a high end two-way prospect. On the mound, the right-hander has a fastball that sits in the low 80s to go along with a big 12/6 breaking ball. Offensively, he shows some pop with an 86 mph exit velo and runs a 7.13 60.

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.

A still developing 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame, OF Larry Edwards (Metro Christian Academy). The athletic outfielder takes the biggest jump in these rankings, moving up 21 spots thanks to the addition of strength, speed, and a more polished skill set. As he continues to put on size, Edwards continues to prove he is a prospect to watch.

With the addition of some strength and some polish to his game, OF Simon Goehler (Owasso HS) climbs up 8 spots. Goehler recently improved all of his measurables at the OK Fall Underclass Games while also showing he is one of the best outfielder defenders in the class.  With a lean 6-foot, 170-pound frame, the young athlete has room to add more size and strength and continue to bump his numbers.

Top 10