Inside the 2022 National Rankings: Newcomers
September 15, 2020
TEXAS - In the latest installment of the 2022 National Rankings this Texas class showed that the state will once again have a strong influence on the national stage as well as housing the No. 10 overall ranked prospect in Arkansas recruit 3B Jayson Jones. The state as a whole had a total of 58 players in the list of 500 with 16 inside the top 100. There were many players who made their way into the National Rankings after strong summers, and today we look at those 14 newcomers in the class. There were plenty of players that put together a strong summer circuits and many that we could potentially see continue to rise come spring time.
Stay tuned as State Rankings will be updated and released on this week, with plenty of movement within the Top 50 and an expanded list.
NEWCOMERS
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Sean Fitzpatrick Concordia lutheran, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 120 / POS: 1
Arkansas recruit, 6-foot-2 long loose frame made big jumps over the summer. Seemed to clean up the delivery some and allow him to pound the strike zone repeatedly with a mid 80’s FB. Fitzpatrick lives off his FB and throws it to both sides of the plate as well as getting swings and misses at the top of the zone. The off speed is used in spots, flashing a quality CH here and there, but he primarily pitches off the FB.
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Jalin Flores 2B / RHP / Brandeis , TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 122 / POS: 1
The Texas recruit jumped on our radar early this summer and quickly established himself as one of the top middle infielders the state has to offer. Flores is a high-waisted & athletic framed player that plays with a bounce. Still adding strength but there is some sneaky pop in the barrel and quick hands at the plate.
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Pierce George RHP / SS / Lake Travis, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 128 / POS: 37
George’s arrival in the 2022 Overall Rankings comes by no surprise after his outing at the PBR Future Games. The Texas recruit is a extremely projectable long loose arm out of a 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame. With George’s extremely high upside on the mound a continued rise in rankings can be expected.
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Viggo Lopez OF/ psja, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 165 / POS: 2
Lopez another Texas recruit that makes his way into the Overall Rankings coming in at No. 165. A multi-sport athlete that has a simple and easy left-handed swing that will profile with added strength. Lopez is a high-ceiling athlete that we could continue to see rise.
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Christian Smith-Johnson OF / richland, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 233 / POS: 41
A true two way player right now and may actually be able to play on both sides of the ball at the next level. Smith-Johnson is a twitchy 6-foot RHP/OF that shows his natural athleticism doing both. On the mound shows a quick arm up to 90 and feel for multiple pitches as well. In the field he is a rangy OF that has quality approach at the plate. Showcases a flat swing and feel for the barrel allowing a lot of success all summer.
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Rocco Garza-Gongora OF / 1B / JB Alexander, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 242 / POS: 44
An Oklahoma recruit that jumped onto the scene the summer and quickly established himself as one of the left-handed bats in the class. An athletic setup at the plate flashing good lower half explosion. Level bat path hitting line drives from gap to gap, flashing power to the pull side.
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Max Grubbs RHP / Arlington Martin, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 259 / POS: 75
Grubbs came onto radar early in the spring and has just continued to impress each time we see him. An uncommitted arm that is likely to have him closely followed by college coaches throughout the next year. A lean athletic frame that projects for more strength. Loose, continuous arm stroke with some quickness out front.
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Rashawn Galloway C / 3B / Boerne , TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 272 / POS: 20
The Texas State recruit came into the summer as one of the biggest sleepers in the class and is leaving as the No. 272 ranked prospect. Seems to always be in control of the game or the pitcher on the mound. Galloway also has a unique ability to communicate with others on his team. Physically he moves well behind the dish, receiving and blocking well. Will be consistent with his pop time between 1.85 and 2.00 with accurate throws. Does things a little unconventional from a mechanics standpoint behind the dish and in the box, but it works well for him and produced all summer long.
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Brenner Cox OF / RHP / Rock Hill, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 356 / POS: 64
A Texas recruit that exploded onto the scene this summer and was one the more exciting Texas prospects to watch this summer. A high-ceiling athlete from left side of the plate featuring a simple approach with a quick swing that packs some big power potential to the pull-side. As he continues to develop, look for the power to grow at the plate. Cox has a bright future ahead of him as a ball player.
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Kolby Branch SS / 2B / Lovejoy , TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 361 / POS: 76
The Baylor recruit was everybody’s favorite player to watch this summer and after Branch’s performance at the Future Games he makes his way into to the National Rankings at No. 361. Competes and plays up in-game. Big fan of the setup and the quick hands provide for firm contact off the barrel. An absolute gamer has the ability to be a pest at the top of any lineup. Athletic actions in the field.
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Coldon Kiser OF / RHP / Frenship, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 365 / POS: 65
Kiser another Texas State recruit who is just an absolute ballplayer that continuously impressed our staff each time we saw him. Kiser is a twitchy athlete that plays centerfield like a safety in football. Shows great instincts in the field with quality jumps as well as routes to the ball. In the box he will grind out the AB until he is able to drive the ball. Kiser shows the ability to handle the bat in situational hitting as well as drive in a runner with an extra base hit.
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Tristan Duke 1B / Flower Mound, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 367 / POS: 13
Duke an uncommitted left-handed pitcher that was late summer surprise at the USA Prime Scout Day. A Projectable high ceiling arm from a 6-foot-4, 205-pound athletic frame. Natural tempo to delivery with a clean, easy arm. Fastball worked 83-85 T86 with natural late cut. Curveball at 71-73 with 2636 avg spin topping 2750. Duke is an intriguing arm that is likely draw interest from college coaches and one we will certainly look forward to seeing more from.
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Adrian Najar RHP / SS / South Grand Prairie, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 416 / POS: 117
Another recent Texas State recruit that just continued to put together dominant showings each time we saw him. A real competitor on the mound with a fastball sitting 89-91 with some arm side action and paired it with a changeup at 83 with good arm speed and deception. Najar showcases his strike throwing ability with all 3 pitches.
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Charlie Bower LHP / 1B / Lake Travis, TX / 2022Rankings OverallRank: 464 / POS: 58
A Baylor recruit who stood out this summer. A 6-foot-8 LHP up to 88 this summer. Long loose arm path, another with an extremely high upside as he continues to develop. Breaking ball is still improving but was able to flash a few quality changeups with arm side action over the summer.
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