PBR Week in Review
February 26, 2018
A look back at what happened at the Prep Baseball Report the week of February 19-25th. PBR launches Draft HQ, your new one stop command center leading up the 2018 draft. Nathan Rode updates the High School Draft 100. High School and College Crosscheck notebooks highlight some of the top prospects from Week 1. Junior winter standouts, updated state rankings, the latest commitment news, and much more..
WELCOME TO DRAFT HQ
Sean Duncan
President
Welcome to Draft HQ, your central hub for all things relating to the 2018 amateur draft. Draft HQ will give you an all-access pass to Prep Baseball Report’s comprehensive scouting coverage at the high school, college and junior college levels. Nowhere will you find more in-depth information on all draft-eligible prospects.
So what exactly is Draft HQ?
At the high school level, it will be business as usual, which is to say unparalleled coast-to-coast prospect coverage with our state-specific and national scouting staffs. National Supervisor Nathan Rode will again be traveling all over the country tracking the top prospects in The Rode Show
The college level is where we will have a big shift in coverage. David Seifert, our Director of College Scouting, will be tracking all the top draft-eligible prospects, traveling across the country every week of the college season.
HIGH SCHOOL DRAFT 100 UPDATE
Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
The spring season has started and the 2018 MLB Draft is less than four months away. With some preseason events and games under our belts, we have an update to the High School Draft 100. As always, there is plenty of time for things to change and they surely will.
Reflecting their respective early performances, OF Jarred Kelenic (Wuakesha West HS, WI) and RHP/C Mason Denaburg (Merritt Island HS, FL) each bumped up a couple spots to Nos. 2 and 3 respectively.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSSCHECK: WEEK 1
Nathan Rode and PBR Staff
Merritt Island HS, FL, and the PBR Florida Preseason Classic was the center of the draft universe last Thursday. With RHP Carter Stewart (Eau Gallie HS, FL) and RHP/C Mason Denaburg (Merritt Island HS, FL) starting in back-to-back games the day before the college season opened, more than 100 scouts dropped in to see two of the country’s top arms. Stewart had the afternoon game and certainly didn’t disappoint, but Denaburg stole the show the nightcap and faced off against OF Elijah Cabell (TNXL Academy, FL).
A Florida recruit, Denaburg put himself in the conversation for the top half of the first round. He was amped up early, losing control of his fastball while sitting 94-96 mph.
COLLEGE CROSSCHECK: WEEK 1
David Seifert
Director of College Scouting
Winter is my least favorite season, especially in the Midwest where it can get bitterly cold and the wind doesn’t relent. However, one day each December things warm up a bit. No, it’s not Christmas. For me, it’s the day when college baseball schedules are released. That day was Dec. 15. I received an email from Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball and attached was the master schedule for all Division I baseball teams.
My travel plans could now begin. With just 16 weeks in the regular season to see as many of the Top 100 College Draft Prospects as possible, I had to analyze and re-analyze. By the fifth or sixth revision, I finally had my plan …
JUNIOR WINTER STANDOUTS
Nathan Rode and PBR Staff
There have been several preseason events held in the last few weeks and many players stood out in advance of their high school seasons starting. We’re taking the next few weeks to look at some of those players. First, we highlighted winter standouts from the senior class. Next up, we have standout juniors.
Nathan Baez, SS, Ironwood Ridge HS, AZ
Baez has a developed upper body with impressive strength in his forearms and wrists on his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. While he doesn’t possess elite athleticism or arm strength, he can be a factor offensively and his instincts allow him to play above his tools on defense
MAILBAG: RANKINGS QUESTIONS
Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting
As we work to help, educate, and at times guide parents and players through the recruiting process we realize that there are questions. �With each topic we cover, we can uncover areas that players and parents have not experienced, or thought about, within their own process. �To continue to help, we setup our Mailbag email address ([email protected]) so we could address individual questions while keeping our finger on the pulse of the recruiting world.
We are going to dive into the mailbag today. �In an effort to keep the questions coming, we are not going to call out any individuals and we are going to paraphrase some of the emails as several may be working toward the same topic. �Should you have any questions regarding rules or the recruiting process, please feel free to email us and we will work to provide a response in a timely manner.
More Headlines..
PBR Florida Preseason Classic 2018 Standouts
Highlighting the top 2018s from the PBR Florida Preseason Classic
In the Weeds: Uncommitted Infielders & Two-Ways
Six uncommitted 2019 players with the talent to compete at some level in college
The Buzz: Chandler Freeman Transfers To Colleyville Heritage
The latest recruiting news from the Prep Baseball Report coverage area
On The Hunt 2021 Winter Standouts
Six 2021s to follow moving forward who showed well this winter including 3 from Oklahoma
South Texas Scout Blog WATCH: Top Ranked Arms From Opening Weekend
Cole throws Perfect Game, Benevides makes a jump, Menefee and Madden go head-to-head.
Mid-Atlantic ProCase: Final Hits
Wrapping up our early thoughts we looks at Maryland 2019's Riverdale Baptist teammates, Delaware’s lone rep, and one of the top overall athletes at the event.
Arizona Class of 2020 Updated/Expanded Rankings
We have expanded our Arizona 2020 Rankings to include the top 40 prospects in the state
Spring Update: Pennsylvania Class of 2019 Rankings
Addition of 30 juniors brings the current list to 170 heading into the spring high school season.
Spring Update: Pennsylvania Class of 2018 Rankings
Addition of 25 seniors brings the current list to 250 heading into the spring high school season.
FL: Updated Class of 2018 Rankings
We take a look at the top five with video and an expanded 2018 rankings to 200.
Chris Burke Tip of the Week
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