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Alberta Insider: Initial Class of 2020 Player Rankings (June)

We are proud to release our first edition of the 2020 Alberta rankings. PBR Alberta scouts have been working hard these past few months to see as many players and have a presence province wide at Baseball Alberta games and tournament play. Now, with two major Open ID events successfully completed along with several ‘scout days’ featuring Alberta academies/programs we feel confident in our assessment of the province’s 2020 class that is full of potential including some high profile commitments near the top of our list.

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At The Top

Levi Abbott RHP / Vauxhall, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 This group of 55+ players is led by Vauxhall Academy’s Levi Abbott. Listed at listed 6-foot-3, 170 pounds, Abbott is one of the top prospects in the province on both sides of the ball. On the mound, Abbott sits in the mid 80’s, and has been up to 87 mph this spring with natural cut. Features a big, hard breaking ball that he has the confidence to use in any count. Has maturity and poise beyond his years with very high pitchability. Has clean, repeatable, minimal effort mechanics throughout his delivery. At the plate, once again Abbott is loose and effortless. Has good bat speed, ball jumps off the bat. Bat bath is very level, which allows him to hit line drives the other way with good backspin. Abbott will be one of the top 2-way prospects to watch over the next 12 months as he continues to gain size and strength.

Dryden Howse SS / C / Foothills Composite, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 397 / POS: 101 At number 3 from the Okotoks Dawgs Academy is Dryden Howse.  6-foot, 170-pounds, athletic build with projectable frame. Athleticism and strength near the top of the list, has shown flashes of plus power from the left side. Good rhythm and timing with load, creates good separation, staying balanced throughout this swing, hits into a stiff and strong front side. Ability to play multiple positions, may eventually move to a corner spot as there is still a lot of room to add size and strength to his current frame.

Ricardo Sanchez SS / 2B / Okotoks Dawgs, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 3 Ricardo Sanchez from the Okotoks Dawgs Academy sits at number 4. Sanchez plays well above his 5-foot-9 stature, featuring versatility at the plate with gap to gap power. Has a smooth, level swing producing line drives. On the infield, Sanchez has great footwork with the arm strength to get the ball across the diamond from the hole. Feet stay under him well while making tough plays. Has a great makeup, plays the game the right way, and will help your team win games. The uncommitted 2020 is without doubt one of the top remaining players in any class, a must follow for college coaches.

Matt Wilkinson LHP / Foothills Composite, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 Rounding out the top five is University of Washington commit LHP Matt ‘Tugboat’ Wilkinson out of the Okotoks Dawgs Academy. Listed at 5-foot-11, 225-pounds, stocky build with strong lower half, shows some athleticism throughout delivery. Showed a good three pitch mix during the Dawgs matchup with fellow Alberta powerhouse Vauxhall Academy, attacking hitters with a mid 80’s fastball, sharp breaking ball and a confidence in changeup when he was behind in the count. Arm action is loose and effortless from a high ¾ slot creating natural arm side run, creates extension out front of his body with stiff front side. With a Little League World Series appearance on his resume, Wilkinson has potential to be an impact player at Washington.

Most Projectable:

Dryden Howse
Report: At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Howse projects to still gain size and strength. Classic lefty swing with natural lift. Stays balanced throughout entire swing. Ability to play multiple positions defensively with his strong arm.

Top RHP:

Chas Wheatley
Report: Listed at 6-foot-6, Wheatley features a low 80’s fastball with nasty movement from a low ¾ arm slot. Free and easy delivery, ball is heavy coming out of his hand. Has long limbs and is very projectable. Has lots of room to add size and strength, along with velocity as he polishes his mechanics.

Top LHP:

Matt Wilkinson
Report: Listed at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, Wilkinson’s fastball sits in the mid 80’s, topping out at 86 mph. Has a loose, easy arm action to go along with a big sweeping curveball from a ¾ arm slot. Has good feel for all 3 pitches.

Top Catcher:

Tom Poole
Report: At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Poole features a top POP time of 2.01. He has a quick transfer and good footwork which allow him to make accurate throws across the diamond. Smooth, simple swing at the plate which allows him to stay gap to gap.

Top Outfielder:

Ben Gagnon
Report: Listed at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Gagnon is extremely athletic, which shows in the outfield with his impressive range. Comes through the ball well and makes good throws. At the plate, Gagnon catches the ball out in front, staying through the ball extremely well. His athleticism shows with is raw power and quick hands through is swing.

Don’t sleep on:

Andrew Yusypchuk
Report: At 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, Yusypchuk still has room to gain size and strength. Yusypchuk features a low to mid 80’s fastball up to 85 mph this spring. Works with former major leaguer Mike Johnson every day on developing his craft. Promising young pitching prospect.

PBR Alberta Class of 2020 Top 55

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Levi Abbott	AB	Vauxhall	2020	RHP
2	Alejandro Cazorla	AB	Foothills Composite	2020	SS
3	Dryden Howse	AB	Foothills Composite	2020	SS
4	Ricardo Sanchez	AB	Okotoks Dawgs	2020	SS
5	Matt Wilkinson	AB	Foothills Composite	2020	LHP	Washington
6	Chas Wheatley	AB	Strathcona	2020	RHP
7	Tom Poole	AB	Calgary Christian	2020	C
8	Ben Gagnon	AB	St Mary's	2020	OF
9	Bentley Carter	AB	Centennial	2020	LHP
10	Tyrese Johnson	AB	William Aberhart	2020	OF

***** To view the entire top 55, please click here.