OK Rankings Update: Class of 2021

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As scrimmages are already underway and the regular season just weeks away, PBR OK takes another in-depth look at the 2021 class as they prepare to make their second campaign for their high school teams. At the top, RHP Gray Thomas has currently edged out his peers with elite arm strength on the mound, while the rest of the top 10-12 players are separated by very little thus far. While there have been no newcomers to the list jump into the top 25, there have been some huge jumps up the list already included in our last rendition. Below we look at the top 3 prospects, some of the biggest risers, and a few of the top ranked newcomers to the list.  

Top 3

Retaining the first spot in the rankings is Texas Christian commit RHP/3B Gray Thomas (Heritage Hall). Thomas has a 6-foot-4, 190-pound long limbed frame with some strength. On the mound, the right-hander features a fastball that sits 90-92 mph with heavy arm side run and sink when down in the zone. Thomas also features an advanced changeup and a slider that varies in shape, but at times shows late depth. As he continues to command his rhythm and delivery, the young right-hander will likely see improved command and more velocity in the future. Thomas is also a capable hitter with some pop from the right-side.

Maintaining the second spot is athletic RHP/SS Jackson Jobe who also attends Heritage Hall. Jobe is a solid athlete whose biggest tool is his arm strength which he not only shows off across the infield at 90 mph and on the mound at 85-87 mph, but also on the football field as a state championship winning quarterback. It is still unclear whether Jobe will make his biggest impact on the mound, with the bat, or both at the next level, but he will surely make a big difference for someone.

The third spot in the rankings continues to be held by Oklahoma State commit, C/RHP Ian Daugherty (Kingfisher). The sophomore has a durable 6-foot-2, 190 pound frame with some strength throughout. With a strong and very accurate arm (1.94-2.07 pop times) and advanced receiving and blocking skills, Daugherty could currently handle most college pitching staffs and control college running games without much trouble. Offensively, the right-handed hitter shows barrel control with some pop to all fields.

Risers

Over the last four months, a few players have shown impressive growth and have shot up the list. Below are a few of them.

Tate Wilkins, OF, Duncan HS
Tate Wilkins has a muscular 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame with advanced strength throughout. He climbed nearly 60 spots largely due to the addition of strength and speed as evident in his 6.82 60 and 94 mph exit velo.

Chance Condit, C/RHP
Chance Condit has a 6-foot-2, 220-pound durable fame. Whit his added size and strength, he has made a big jump forward on the mound and in the rankings as well. The right-hander pounded the zone with a fastball that sat 81-83 and touched 84 mph. He also showed three off-speed pitches for strikes including a swing and miss splitter. Condit is also a switch-hitting catcher with near two second pop times and pop from both sides of the plate.

Carson Lee, C, Yukon HS
A 6-foot, 185-pound frame with some strength throughout, Lee rises in the ranking due to the addition of size and strength which has led to an improvement in every measurable category, including a sub two second pop time.  Lee also shows consistent flat and hard contact in BP with a clean right-handed swing.

Newcomers

The PBR Oklahoma staff is always out on the lookout for talented players across the state, and we pride ourselves on constantly evaluating and discovering new players. Below are three new players that made a big splash this fall and winter.

Jared Sleeper, C, Jones HS
Making his debut in the top 50 thanks to a clean left-handed swing is 6-foot 175-pound Jared Sleeper. The sophomore produces consistent barrels in BP with some lift and pop to the pull side. 

Jett Tucker, OF, Owasso HS
Another player joining the list in the top 50 is the long framed, long limbed outfielder, Jett Tucker. He shows advanced arm strength (84 mph) and speed (7.03 60) for his age. As he continues to polish his swing he could become a power threat at the dish with his long levers, strength, and natural lift. 

Jesse Lopez, RHP, Piedmont HS
A very lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame, Jesse Lopez makes a splash in the top 50 featuring a fastball that sits 79-83 mph. His fastball plays up even high due to lots of deception in his delivery. Lopez could likely add even more velo in the near future with the addition of some strength.