By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

Much has changed since our last update to the Class of 2017 rankings as new players have emerged, and others have made significant improvements in their game. Thus, we release our updated Class of 2017 player rankings with the knowledge that much will still change with this class as we continue to see new players while others make strides that move themselves up the rankings. The rankings will be revisited again after our fall events if updates are needed.

The top of the class remains unchanged as Jordon Adell (RHP/OF, Ballard HS), Ben Jordan (RHP, West Carter HS), and Gavin Sullivan (LHP, Eastern HS) occupy the No. 1-3 spots respectively.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Adell established himself as the No. 1 ranked prospect in the class in the spring. While he showed inconsistent velocity and command at times, he pitched mostly in the low-90’s while running his fastball up to 95. In addition to the velocity, Adell features a power 75-79 mph curveball and has the ability to lock hitters up with it. The caveat, however, is that Adell received most of his attention this summer as an outfielder with the Evoshield Canes. He possesses true centerfield speed and glides with ease in tracking down balls to the gaps. Adell put his big power on display as well and was one of only two rising juniors selected to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field last month. Two questions loom for Adell. Is he a pitcher or position player at the next level, and what will the next level entail, a trip down the road to the University of Louisville, or a trip to professional baseball as a high-round draft selection in June 2017.

The 6-foot-9, 210 pound Jordan bounced back this summer after an ankle injury suffered late in the basketball season cost him significant time on the mound in the spring. His velocity was down a notch when he came back in late April, but Jordan regained his high-80’s fastball and ran it up to 90 mph again this summer for Kentucky Baseball Club. With his size and arm, very few pitchers in the country offer as much upside as Jordan, and while he remains uncommitted, he has several offers on the table. Expect Jordan to issue his commitment in the very near future, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where he will end up. Like Adell, Jordan has the potential to be a high-round selection in the June 2017 draft. The combination of the two could give Kentucky its best high school draft since 2013 when Hunter Green and Clinton Hollon were both selected in the second round.

Sullivan, a 6-foot-1, 195 pound Louisville commit, has been the top-ranked lefty in Kentucky since his performance at last year’s PBR Future Games as a member of Team Select. He emerged at our Underclass Games at the University of Kentucky last July, and while the Team Kentucky roster was already full, Team Select was still in need of a few arms, and Sullivan didn’t disappoint. He committed to Louisville shortly after the event and features an 84-87 mph fastball and solid 68-70 curveball.

TJ Graves (RHP, Nelson County HS) debuts in the rankings at No. 4. The lanky 6-foot-4, 180 pound right-hander emerged at the Top Prospect Games in June with a fastball that touched 89 mph while showing a 71-73 mph curveball that has big potential. Despite some occasional command issues, Graves escaped major damage at the PBR Future Games and proved he belongs as one of the top arms in the state. His fastball touched 90 mph on multiple occasions, and his upside is obvious.

Cam Hill (OF, Scott County HS) rounds out the top five. Hill, a 5-foot-10, 170 pound, left-handed hitting outfielder is a bundle of athleticism with high energy and a passion for the game. Hill still holds the PBR Kentucky record for outfield velocity at 95 mph. His athleticism and arm strength also make him an intriguing prospect as a shortstop as well. Hill committed to Kentucky late in the spring.

Enough reading about it. Here is a look at the updated Class of 2017 top ten.

CLICK HERE to view the entire Class of 2017 rankings.

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Jordon Adell	KY	Ballard	2017	RHP	Louisville
2	Ben Jordan	KY	West Carter	2017	RHP
3	Gavin Sullivan	KY	Eastern	2017	LHP	Louisville
4	TJ Graves	KY	Nelson County	2017	RHP
5	Cam Hill	KY	Scott County	2017	OF	Kentucky
6	Cameron Masterman	KY	North Oldham	2017	SS	Louisville
7	Jack Schneider	KY	Daviess County	2017	OF
8	Trip Lockhart	KY	Lexington Catholic	2017	RHP
9	Maddex Richardson	KY	Owensboro Catholic	2017	RHP
10	Brody Heil	KY	Trinity	2017	LHP