Inside the 2024 Rankings: Risers
August 29, 2023
TEXAS - The busy summer season has officially come to an end for high school baseball prospects across the country, which means it's time for an update to our state rankings. We spent the summer evaluating prospects at our events, and we also kept close tabs on their performances for their respective summer teams. In this update, we three new players in the Top 10, and we've also expanded the list from 200 players to 250 players in total. The 2025 class in Texas has turned out to be a really quality group at all of the key positions on the diamond and we are looking forward to seeing them continue to develop in their senior season. Today, we take a closer look at some of the players that improved their stock in this update.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS
Risers
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Cooper Williams LHP / Alvin, TX / 2024The Texas A&M commit has been dominant this summer, and on some of the biggest stages. He was one of the top arms in California for the Area Code Games, and then he followed that up with a dominant outing at the Team USA Trials. Williams has gotten more physical and the stuff continues to tick up. He will be a big follow this fall and spring for big league clubs.
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Braylon Payne OF / Elkins, TX / 2024Payne has been one of the fastest risers in the country, and part of that is because of his game changing speed. The future Houston Cougar is one of the fastest players in the 2024 class; pair that up with a plus hit tool and developing power and Payne will be one of the most followed players in the state coming this fall and spring.
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Jason Flores SS / Naaman Forest, TX / 2024Flores is another one that has really burst on the scene this summer, and he has done it in the two way variety. Flores has been up in the mid 90’s this summer with an athletic delivery and electric arm speed. Flores is the top uncommitted player in the state right now.
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Bryce Navarre LHP / 1B / Montgomery, TX / 2024Navarre is another future Aggie Lefty from the Houston area that absolutely dealt this summer. Navarre was so good in San Diego, he took home MVPitcher honors for the Area Code Games. He can really spin the breaking ball from the left side, and shows the ability to command his full arsenal.
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Jackson Burns RHP / Southwest Christian School, TX / 2024When you think of the prototypical hard throwing righties from Texas, Burns fits that description. At 6’5 215, Burns has the starter’s build and a fastball to go with it. He has been up in the mid 90’s this summer with a fastball that has some life on it. He can also rip a high spin breaking ball that has a chance to be a real weapon for the future Red Raider.
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Marc Barnhard RHP / 3B / Grand Oaks, TX / 2024Barnhard has continuously seen his velo rise over this year and now he is getting up to the mid 90’s and has a quality breaking ball to go with it. Barnhard is part of a loaded staff this year at Grand Oaks, and the future Aggie looks poised for a monster senior season.
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Jonnie Gifford C / 1B / West Plains, TX / 2024There aren’t many catchers that have the athleticism of Gifford. Gifford looks like he could play B12 linebacker, but he can also run a sub 7 60. He produces triple digit exit velo’s and should be able to stick behind the plate. The Pepperdine commit has all the tools and I am excited to see him up close at next month’s State Games.
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Hudson Ellis SS / 2B / Round Rock, TX / 2024The DBU commit from Round Rock was a personal favorite of mine this summer. He played in our Summer Championship at Rice and played with a bounce that was just different than everyone else. Has the range and athleticism to stay at short, and barreled baseball's all summer. Ellis is another one I am excited to see next month at the State Games.
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Cooper Powell LHP / Colleyville Heritage, TX / 2024Rankings StateRank: 40 / POS: 7
Powell has seen his stock soar the back half of the summer. Powell opened his recruitment at the beginning of the summer, and he has seen velo continue to rise ever since. He has been up to 93 recently and earned himself a commitment to the University of Texas. An athletic arm that continues to raise his game.
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Jaden Barfield LHP / Pearland, TX / 2024Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 8
Barfield has pitched as many big innings in the state this year as anyone. The Pearland lefty really came on early in the spring and has continued his ascent ever since. He isn’t the tallest, but has a strong, sturdy frame that produced a fastball that crept up to 94 late in the spring. He really knows how to pitch and is the top uncommitted LHP in the state.
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CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Texas State Games (Invite-Only) | TX | 09/22 | Texas Christian University |
| Central Texas Fall ID | TX | 09/30 | Salado High School - Salado, TX |
| San Antonio Fall ID | TX | 10/01 | Cornerstone Christian HS - San Antonio, TX |
| San Antonio Fall Rising StarsID (2028's & 2029's) | TX | 10/01 | Cornerstone Christian HS - San Antonio, TX |
| North Texas Senior Games | TX | 10/08 | Tyler Junior College (Mike Carter Field) - Tyler, TX |
| DFW Fall ID | TX | 10/21 | Weatherford College - Weatherford |
| DFW Fall Rising Stars ID (2028's & 2029's) | TX | 10/21 | Weatherford College - Weatherford |
| Houston Fall ID | TX | 10/22 | Rice University - Reckling Park |
| Houston Fall Rising Stars ID (2028's & 2029's) | TX | 10/22 | Rice University - Reckling Park |
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