Prep Baseball Report

2023 Overall Rankings Update


Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting


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Cameron Johnson (February 2023)

Optically, this 2023 Overall Rankings update might appear to be negligible in movement, but the subtle changes seen throughout the list of 500 of the top prospects in the class are much louder than that. Most notably, LHP Cameron Johnson (IMG Academy, FL) jumps up to the #6 spot that has him as a direct challenger to be the top prep arm to come off the board in July. The imposing LSU recruit possesses the most explosive and outlier fastball in the class with the athleticism to repeat a delivery that releases from a low slot to go along with a big, 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame.

 

+ Click for Top 500

Beyond Johnson, there were a slew of notable risers in the Top 100. Below take a look at 9 to Know:

Notable Top 100 Risers:

Ralph Velazquez 1B / C / Huntington Beach, CA / 2023

 

Colt Emerson SS / C / John Glenn, OH / 2023

 

Landen Maroudis RHP / SS / Calvary Christian, FL / 2023

 

Cole Schoenwetter RHP / 1B / San Marcos, CA / 2023

 

Adrian Santana SS / 2B / Doral Academy, FL / 2023

 

Blake Wolters RHP / OF / Mahomet Seymour, IL / 2023

 

Caden Sorrell OF / LHP / Marcus, TX / 2023

 

Jacob Gholston RHP / Flower Mound, TX / 2023

 

Bishop Letson RHP / 3B / Floyd Central , IN / 2023

 

Boots-On-The-Ground Report


RHP Garrett Lambert, Parkview HS, GA
This king of the in-zone swing and miss is the unquestioned ace on one of the most talented pitching staffs in the country, much less the state. The 6-foot-2, 200 pound Mercer Commit is high waisted with an extremely well built lower half and long, seemingly elastic arms. Recognized by PBR Georgia as a “Pick 2 Click” last October for the upcoming 2023 draft, there are many qualities that brought us to picking him as a potential helium guy. Lambert’s rarest trait is the top 1% of MLB extension (8+ ft), playing his FB up at all times no matter if he has his best stuff on a given day or not. The pitch typically works in the 90-93 range with late cut, and creates a riding effect due to pitch shape. This FB gets the most in zone whiffs in the state. Grabbing some 94’s and 95’s in recent weeks on big stages, he continues to build off the decision makers watching his teammate and day 1 projection, SS Colin Houck. With some tweaks in the delivery that have improved body control and sequencing, he’s added a dynamic SL (2600+ RPM) in the 80-83 range that has flashed A/AVG. By the end of spring, Lambert could have more helium than a hot air balloon.
-Justin Goetz
RHP Andrew Dunford, Houston County HS, GA
When talking about Dunford as a draft prospect, you have to start with the unteachables.At 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, there is nobody in the area with this trio of size, athleticism, and projection (if any). What’s even more shocking is that he’s able to control 3 pitches for strikes with a naturally fluid delivery and a faster tempo. He maintains direction just as well as RHP’s much shorter than him and it’s always been this way. Before this spring, his heavy running FB worked in the 89-92 range. This is now a distant memory, as Dunford is working with ease in the 91-94 range touching 95. Due to his L3/4 arm slot and upright posture, this physical specimen creates a unique combo of angle and steep plane, playing up his entire repertoire. His FB and SL start off behind RHH, and they both look nowhere near the zone out of hand to LHH. This produces just as many freeze K’s as it does swing & miss. His 80-83 CH looks very similar to the FB and both secondary pitches are good bets to be consistently useable pitches at the professional level. Also a Pick 2 Click for us last October and a Mercer Commit just like Lambert, opposing SoCon teams are absolutely praying they don’t make it to campus.
-Justin Goetz

RHP Brandon Olivera, Miami Springs HS, FL
A Miami recruit, Olivera’s athleticism has always helped carry his upside on the mound, and it has helped him to emerge as a must-follow Draft talent this spring. Showcasing electric stuff in PBR Florida’s Preseason Classic, the quick-armed right-hander was up to 94 mph with advanced feel for his secondary offerings. The curveball (76-78 with two-tier break), firm slider (83-84, 2500+ rpm), and angry changeup (85-88, 1538 rpm) all possess above average upside with real swing-and-miss potential. A competitor who also shows some promise at the plate, Olivera has a chance to rise even higher throughout the spring.

IF Cal Sefcik, Marist HS, IL
The Indiana commit may have entered the Super 60 as somewhat of a “sleeper”, but his name should now be known among the scouting community. Sefcik has transformed himself into one of the more physical, if not the most physical, right-handed bat in the state. The 6-foot, 205-pound, muscle-bound, right-handed hitter, stole the show during BP, putting together perhaps the most impressive rounds of the day as he led the event in average exit velocity (101.9) and max exit velocity (107.1 mph), to go along with a max distance of 390’. Sefcik peppered the middle of the field with loud backspin and lifted contact, remaining on-time consistently throughout his rounds. The right-handed hitter starts with an open setup, striding long while hanging his foot to stay in rhythm, tipping his bat slightly while landing into foot-strike with hand-separation. His path stays through the zone and flat seemingly forever, creating all kinds of backspin and rise to his up-the-middle barrels. Sefick swings with controlled aggression and quick, ultra-strong hands (26.0 mph max; 24.8 mph average) with notable bat-speed (79.5 mph max; 74.9 mph average) to create eye-opening power. His round of defense was also quite impressive, as he showed off his range laterally to pair with quick/soft hands and an athletic, crisp double play turn. As a 6.90 runner in the 60, Sefcik proved that he is more than capable of staying on the infield, and should be closely followed by scouts moving forward.
-Drew Locascio

SS Blake Wilson, Santa Margarita HS, CA
Blake Wilson is a dynamic athlete like we've become accustomed to seeing around SoCal. A sub 6.8 runner, Wilson spends his fall as an All-CIF safety for the Eagles football team. He could very well have been able to play Division I football in college. He's hitting close to .600 and scoring runs while also driving them in. It's a short, compact and very explosive swing. Has present power to get over the fence with more coming from a high hand start. High aptitude for hitting even after layoffs for football. Manipulates the barrel through the zone very well. Defensively can play anywhere. Literally anywhere. Shows enough athleticism to play shortstop. Could be a power hitting second baseman. Could be an above average third baseman. Could be a defensive wizard in the outfield with a 92 mph arm. The projection at multiple positions, along with his bat, are what separates Wilson from many of his peers.

-Les Lukach

RHP Chase Stryker, Ashley Ridge HS, SC
Stryker is one of the top arms in the state and consistently proves that with each outing.  The Coastal Carolina commit has an athletic frame at 6’0 180 pounds, and has leaned out a bit after putting in considerable off-season work that now is paying dividends in game play. Using a shorter takeaway out of the glove, the right-hander has a higher elbow in the back with obvious deception based on the uncomfortable swings. Exploding out of the hand, the fastball is up to 93 mph, sitting 90-92 with good life and movement to it including 2400+ rpm. However, the separator for Stryker is his innate ability to spin two distinct breaking balls. Steadily approaching 3000 rpm, his curveball (76-78) shows two-tier break with swing-and-miss characteristics. Beyond the pure stuff and upside, Stryker’s unmistakeable competitiveness is what will ultimately drive his upside. Craving the ball in big situations, the talented right-hander is not only a player who loves to win, but one who hates to lose.
-Sammy Esposito           


RHP Cam Flukey, Egg Harbor Township HS, NJ
Coastal Carolina commit. Flukey’s 6-foot-6, lean, wiry stature is what scouts dream on for a pitcher, especially a guy who’s that lanky and can still find a consistent release point and generate elite velocity. The long-limbed right-hander has skyrocketed up draft boards over the last 12 months, especially given his strong preseason performances in front of northeast area guys. His fastball generates carry in the low 90s and has been 94-96 in preseason bullpens with the potential to climb even higher. What’s interesting about Flukey is his release point combined with his extension. Flukey's extension is between 6'6-6'7 coupled with a release height 6'1 makes the fastball appear even harder than it is. of  A longer strider, Flukey utilizes a near over-the-top slot to create a downward plane while appearing to touch the glove and getting elite extension out front, and ultimately causing the fastball to jump on hitters. He offers a solid slider and an interesting look at a splitter with some armside movement at 84-86.
-TJ Hunt

OF Donovan Lasalle, Barbe HS, LA
Lasalle is in his 3rd year as a starter for perennial power Barbe, and it seems that everything is starting to come together for the Oklahoma State recruit.  Athletic and lean 6’2” 190 lbs. frame, it’s evident that he spent some time in the weight room this fall, and there’s still some room to tack on more physicality.  He manned the second base position his first two years for the Bucs, but has returned to his home in CF, where he’s played the position well this spring.  Offensively, however, is where Lasalle has really started to turn heads this spring.  Through 17 games, he’s hitting at a .600 clip with 3 HR, 9 2B, and 2 3B with 26 R and 20 RBI, while also swiping 13 bags.  Lasalle has also only struck out twice in 40 at-bats, while drawing 9 walks.  The in-game production has started to catch up with the tools, and when you combine that with his A+ character and makeup, it’s easy to see why he’s gained draft helium down in the Bayou State this spring.
-Alex Armand

SS Josiah Seguin, Deep Run HS, VA
The 6-foot-3 shortstop is a late bloomer with real tools that are loud and still have room to add polish. Switch hitter with high end bat speed from both sides and probably a bit more raw power and in game power from the left side. Seguin, a William & Mary commit, is a slightly above average runner with the lateral range and a big arm that will allow him to stay on the left side. It is an elite arm (94 mph) that plays in game and not just in a workout/showcase. He comes forward really well and can throw from any slot with carry on throws. The bat has some power tendencies, but because there is not a long track record of him facing elite arms on a regular basis, he will need to clean up swing decisions and the bat to ball rate. This is a player that will have a chance to develop for a few years at the college level, potentially contribute early, and could make a big splash on draft day in a few years.
-Jason Burton


RHP/OF Caden Bogenpohl, Jackson HS, MO
A major riser over the past year Bogenpohl, a Missouri State signee, is one of the more interesting talents to have an eye on this spring. A good athlete with a 6 foot 6 inch 230 lb frame and the ability to run a 6.8 60, it is not hard to see the obvious upside in the senior right hander. This winter was seen in multiple bullpens stilling 93-95 with a low 80’s slider that showed good shape. Bogenpohl has a clean arm action but has a rawness to his delivery leaving plenty of room for potentially velocity gains. At the plate the left handed bat shows plus power with lots of leverage in his swing, posting the states highest exit velocity (108.7 mph) and farthest hit ball (405 ft) for the past year.
-Kevin Moulder


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