We're set for takeoff! The sounds and smells of baseball are back, as we've reached the day we've been waiting for.. Opening Day. PBR Arizona has been hosting events, scouting games, and gathering info from coaches as we approached this day so we could guarantee you our best effort while covering the high school season. Each week, the P25 rankings will be updated along with Player of the Week recognitions and standout performances. 

If you have any info worth sharing, please keep PBR Arizona Staff updated with video/comments. The more information we can collect from different sources the better. We are always open to your opinions and appreciate any feedback.  

 

Week 1: Top 25

On The Bubble

Rank	School	Classification
-	Perry	6A
-	Shadow Ridge	6A
-	Poston Butte	4A
-	Mountain Pointe	5A
-	Walden Grove	4A
-	Brophy	6A
-	Mountain View	6A
-	Verrado	5A
-	Pinnacle	6A
-	Desert Ridge	6A

-

Alhambra

6A

-

Desert Vista

6A

What To Watch For

#1 Hamilton (6A)

• Depth: This is a deep lineup/pitching staff with threats across the board. Multiple Division 1 commits and 8 players ranked in PBR's top 10 from the 2022-2024 classes. 
• Experience: Lead by upperclassmen that have been a part of multiple post-season runs. With some talented youth mixed in, they will have an opportunity to learn from the upperclassmen and carry the torch in coming years. 
• Coaching: Coach Woods and his staff have seen/coached a lot of baseball, and know how to manage and win the big game. 

 

#2 Red Mountain (6A)

• Talent: This is a loaded roster with D1 arms and D1 bats. Mixture of veteran leadership and skilled youth. 
• Versatility: Red Mountain can beat you in many different ways. They have the offensive fire power to win the high scoring slugfest, as well as the low scoring pitchers duel with high level defense. 
• Experience: Upperclassmen led team that will be able to slow the game down in big moments, and not let the pressure of the situation get to them. 

 

#3 Mountain Ridge (6A)

• Athleticism: Skilled group of players that can do it all. Mountain Ridge has a bunch of athletes that can play all over the diamond, with a balanced offensive attack. They will rely on multiple two-way players to give them quality innings on the mound. 
• Experience: Veteran led team. This group has played at a high level together for some time now, and it's time they put it all together. 
• Transfer: Mountain Ridge picked up a Nationally Ranked transfer from California in Grand Canyon commit C Zachary Yorke (2022). He slides into the #2 ranked player in AZ's 2022 class. This gives them a leader behind the plate, and a big presence in the middle of the order. 

#10 Canyon View (5A)

• Returning Players: Canyon View being a new school, has yet to have a graduating class. They return all players this year with contributors from all classes. 
• Pitching: Pitching and defense wins ball games they say.. Canyon View will not be short of pitching this year. They return 5-6 arms that will win them a lot of ball games. 
• Chemistry: This group of players stay together year-round. They've spent countless hours on the field together over the years and know how to play together. 

 

#14 Basha (6A)

• Pitching/Defense: Basha has two D1 arms in their rotation, and some other solid options on the mound. They'll be backed by a group of athlete that play clean defense, along with one of the top defensive catchers in the state in 2023 Jordan Vigil. 
• 2023 Class: Basha has a very strong junior class that we will see a lot of production from this year and next. 
• Key Additions: Basha recently added two transfers in Arizona St commit LHP Bradyn Barnes (2023), and INF Gavin Smith (2024). Two players that will be instant impact guys for them. 

 

#16 Chandler (6A)

• Aggressiveness: This group of players attacks the game, and will not waiver at any opponent. Aggressive in the box and on the mound. They play with confidence and passion, expect some fun games from this group. 
• Battery Mate: Chandler's pitching staff is full of experience and talent. Pitchers that pound the zone and let their defense work. And their backstop Mattix Meade (2023) knows how to command the game and work with a pitching staff. 
• Strength: This is a strong group of guys that will be sure to get their swing off. Expect a high Slugging% from this lineup in 2022. 

 

Bubble Teams

1. Brophy (6A): These guys took a hit with some key players lost, but have some expectations after performing at a high level this fall. Could be a fun team to watch.
2. Perry (6A): This team will play tough competition all year with some players that are up for the task. Their strength should be pitching, with some skilled arms on the mound. 
3. Walden Grove (4A): We've seen some talent come through our preseason events that belong to Walden Grove. They have athletes on the field with some arms that will compete and get out against any lineup. 
4. Pinnacle (6A): This team will have a steady lineup made up of versatile athletes with strength, size, and speed. Also some high level arms on the mound that can keep them in ball games. 
5. Desert Vista (6A): DV has a good group over there with first year coach  Patrick Herrera at the helm, who is going to have them playing hard. They have a very solid pitching staff, along with a skilled defensive infield. If DV can score some runs, they will win games. 

 

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