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Updated 2022 Ontario Rankings

November 13, 2020
PBR Ontario Staff
PBR Ontario Scouts

 

Ontario Insider: Class of 2022 Player Rankings 

An exciting class to say the least, the 2022’s in Ontario are starting to make some commitments, but needless to say committed or not, this is going to be a very strong class for the next two years. 

We do have a lot of “true” 2021 graduates in our rankings, but to clarify, we are putting players in their respective class in which they are planning to attend post-secondary school. Obviously things can change between now and then, but for the  time being this is how we are adjusting our rankings in Ontario. 

The great thing about this list is that we were able to lay eyes on the majority of these players, and with the 2020 season we’ve all experienced, it was tough to do.

The rankings have been expanded, as we bring to you our Ontario 2022 rankings below, and with a new No. 1. 

New number one

With this class, you can have five different voices in the room, and all can come with their own number-one ranked player. The top 10 players bring their own qualities and tools, but the top player separated himself from the pack just a bit. 

We have determined that our new top-ranked player in the 2022 class is Cameron Gurney, a left-handed hitting catcher out of the Fieldhouse Pirates. He was one of the most productive, and consistent players in 2020, which merits him as our new No. 1-ranked prospect.

A quick side note - he is uncommitted. 

Gurney has always had the makings of a smooth and pretty swing from the left side and a frame that suggests he was going to play second or third base in the infield. But a move behind the plate, where he showed feel for the position, allows the bat to play up even more. There were some struggles with Gurney defensively this summer, which is fine and to be expected when jumping to a new position (he’s only been catching for less than a year). That suggests he’ll be able to stick there and look to follow in the path of other left-handed hitting catchers we’ve seen come through in the past on Team Canada, as well as in the Draft. 

The Committed

The 2022 class is talented and deep. We could write about these players all year and still have guys to talk about. Here is a group of guys outside the Top 10 you need to make sure you’re familiar with.

Out of the Top 10, five of the prospects are already committed to schools. Our 3rd-Ranked prospect, Nate Ochoa, and 10th-ranked prospect Carter Krawchuk are both off to Purdue. 

Ahead of Krawchuk at No. 9 is recent Bowling Green commit Carson Lumley, and VCU commit Colby Ariss checking in at No. 8. Each has potential to be two-way players, with Lumley potentially having the opportunity to pitch, as well as play the outfield. Ariss is a smooth-hitting, up-the-middle type player who can stay on the dirt or in center-field, and we’ve also seen him jump on the mound and excel with clean actions. 

Rounding out the Top 10 committed list is recent Xavier-commit Luis Pimentel Guererro at No. 5. The switch-hitter has shown he can find success from both sides of the plate, while also showing he can excel defensively at shortstop or in the outfield.

UNCOMMITTED TOP TEN

Along with Gurney, there is some real talent in the top ten with five uncommitted players. 

The top uncommitted arm is Turner Spoljaric, checking in at No. 2. Spoljaric really came on strong over the last two months of the year, seeing the velo climb up to 91, while the secondary became more consistent and trustworthy for him. As a player who is only going to benefit from the extra year in high school, it becomes an interesting process to see where he ends up.

Following Spoljaric, Cameron Chee-Aloy comes in at No. 4. A member of the Jr. Future Games team that went to Georgia last summer, we’re fans of the way he plays the game and all his tools were on display at the CPBL Showcase. He had a weekend to remember, with a couple of home runs and getting on base frequently over a three-game stretch. The arm and speed play in-game, and don’t be surprised to hear a lot from Chee-Aloy in 2021. 

The last two uncommitted players in our Top 10 are Great Lake Canadians teammates David Alvarez and Dylan O’Rae.

The bat projects well for Alvarez, and we believe there is going to be some thump that really translates into his game over the next two years. He has a lot to add from a size and strength perspective, but he’s got time. He profiles as a corner outfield bat with arm strength and will run the bases. 

O’Rae is a spark plug who floats around the ball field as speed is a big part of his game. He’s a legit 6.6 runner, and this translates well to the game. The bat is more line-drive and gap-to-gap, looking to spray the ball and he has shown he can be a pest for opposing pitchers with tough at-bats. When his team scores, he’s usually involved. Defensively, he’s a shortstop who has a chance to stick, but can make the shift to second base if needed (but we’re a long way from that, as he has the ability to be a 2023 as well). Either way it’s a high baseball IQ with athleticism, and he has the ability to be a game-changer.

GET TO KNOW THEM

The 2022 class is talented and deep. We could write about these players all year and still have guys to talk about. Here is a group of guys outside the Top 10 you need to make sure you’re familiar with.

Kurt Barr RHP / SS / St. Anne Catholic, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 4

Report: It’s loose, easy, and with a ton of upside. The delivery and arm action works, he shows feel for the strike zone with some ability to spin it. He’s one of the arms we’re excited to see this spring after spending a winter in the gym. 

 

Sam White SS / C / Aurora, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 4

Report: Sam White hits. Whether he’s an infielder, or potentially even a catcher, is yet to be determined. But the bat plays, there’s a lot of contact, and it’s more athletic than people may give him credit for. White is a guy who does a lot of things right when the puck drops, he’s just a gamer.

 

Parker Burgess RHP / 1B / St. Peters Catholic, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 5

Report: Remember this one. We saw Burgess early in February and he looked the part then. He has continued to grow, make strides and looks to be someone who is going to take massive strides in 2021. The long and lanky righty has a chance to be a guy.

 

Colin Cymbalista C / 1B / St Mary Catholic Secondary School, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 2

Report: He’s made big strides from the work he has put in over the last year. The feet and transfer are some of the quickest around, there’s arm strength with carry and the bat has a chance. As always with most young catchers, there is room to polish up the glove but Cymbalista has the makings and look of a legit catch-and-throw guy at the next level.

 

Blake Simpson SS / 2B / Pickering High School, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 6

Report: Give him time as he gains strength and begins to fill out but this is a left-handed bat that is going to play on the dirt. Really like the stroke and another who will benefit from a big winter in the weight room. 

 

Keegan O'Hearn OF / 1B / O'Neill CVI, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 36 / POS: 6

Report: The bat and the left-handed swing are something to take note of. We’ve seen him in game and he found barrels, and it works. There are some unorthodox actions to the setup, but we like what he’s shown us and think he’s going to be someone who comes out firing in the new year.

 
DON'T SLEEP ON

Trent Hill 3B / 1B / Georgian Bay Community School, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 1

Report: Actions, the bat, and the body are all going in the right direction. Chance to un tap some juice here and Hill is going to play corner infield and be someone that could hit in the middle of the order at some point. 

 

Dylan Oborne 3B / RHP / Westmount C.I., ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 3

Report: Up to 89 on the mound, he will also see time at the hot corner, as he showed some pop in BP. We like it on the mound as it works with life and gets on guys quickly. As a 2022 there is more time to figure out with Oborne but there is present strength with aggressiveness on both sides of the ball.

 

Taeg Gollert RHP / SS / Humberside, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 8

Report: Smooth on the mound and in the box, we saw Gollert excel at Tigers Scout Day and there is room for him to make some serious jumps in both aspects. Lots of barrels and the actions and feel to pitch on the mound showed us why Gollert can easily follow in his brother's footsteps (Austin Peay).

 

Cole Iantomasi 3B / 1B / All Saints, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 6

Report: We’ve known Iantomasi for some time now and he really came out after the break and was swinging the bat like we envisioned he would. He’s strong, can hit the ball out the park, and there’s lots to like with the swing.

 

Manny Alberto SS / 2B / Dr.G .W Williams , ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 9

Report: Alberto is someone who you just stop and watch take ground balls. He’s athletic, moves well side to side and will make plays. The 6-foot shortstop, who we believe will continue to grow, should play up as he adds strength. He’ll be fun to watch and develop going forward.

 
NEW FACES

Jack Ferguson RHP / 3B / Thomas A Stewart Secondary, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 16

Report: Feguson caught our attention this summer with the arm speed and whip he showed at the Futures event. Mix that with feel for a curveball and athletic frame that works, and he profiles fairly well. Ferguson is an interesting arm and very deserving to be on this list. 

 

Luke Torrance OF / Maxwell Heights Secondary , ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 81 / POS: 13

Report: We really liked the bat at his team’s scout day and the left-handed bat, and two-sport athlete, makes Torrance very intriguing. He’s a guy who we think is going to hit and has room to get more physical, and add strength. 

 

 

Ben Petersen 2B / RHP / SDCI - Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, ON / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 110 / POS: 5

Report: It’s raw right now with Petersen. The arm works on the mound, and with a few mechanical adjustments, and the ability to clean some things up, we think Petersen can be a climber and make some noise here in Ontario.