Updated Class of 2020 Player Rankings (April)
April 7, 2020
Updated Class of 2020 Player Rankings (April)
Though we have not been able to scout players in this strange and difficult spring, there is still plenty to talk about here in Ontario when it comes to baseball.
After a couple of talented PBR events this winter and new information, video, conversations, calls, etc.. all gathered by our scouts with their boots on the ground, we expanded our rankings to 200 players. Along with some talented newcomers, the rankings also see some big risers throughout.
Six of our top 10 players were with the Junior National Team for their spring training trip to Florida and there are plenty of players who had an opportunity to add to their stock who came out to our events in February.
We have also 3 players in our National Overall Rankings that came out last month, and still with many uncommitted players available, a lot of new opportunities and ways to look at the collegiate leagues, rosters, and seasons, this is a list with a lot of intriguing names and pieces.
The new 2020 rankings are here, and we hope we can expand and continue to adjust, as that would mean we are outside and being able to watch the province on a baseball field again………
and we will!
We take a look below at the top of the rankings, some newcomers and risers as well few names to pay attention to from our 2020 Class of prospects in Ontario. Check it all out below.
OUTFIELDERS LEAD THE WAY
Nothing changes with the 1-2 as we were able to get a look at Caissie and Calabrese while they were with Team Canada for Spring Training. Always an interesting look with Team C coming right out the indoor batting cages, minimal to none live BP, and facing professional arms and hitters, while both were wearing the CANADA across their chest for the first time.
Each had their moments, their positives, their challenges, but what is so cool about the National Team program is what they get to learn about themselves at the highest level at such a young age. Nobody really gets the amount of opportunity for professional looks and professional competition that the Team Canada high school player does every year.
They are neck and neck but with different tool sets who impact the game in multiple ways, the top two position players in the country as we head into some form of MLB draft this year.
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David Calabrese OF / St. Elizabeth CHS, ON / 2020Report: Calabrese made adjustments offensively throughout, showed the hands and bat speed we know, and saved his best at-bats for our last day at Dunedin, staying on 96-98 mph fastballs with competitive at-bats, and being one of the fastest players on the field.
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Owen Caissie OF / Notre Dame, ON / 2020Report: Caissie displayed his best tool the same day in Dunedin as he took a 94 mph fastball straight-away off the batter's eye for a solo shot. Again, improved in the box over the week, became more aggressive and showed off his arm throwing two guys out from right-field.
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TOP TEN
Not much movement amongst the Top Ten. Pro-day looks and events helped us get an early idea of where guys are at and Ziegler was the top mover, sliding into the number 3 spot after his two impressive outings in Florida with the Canadian Junior National Team. The fastball was up to 93 mph and worked in the 90-91 while holding his velocity for his 3 innings of work in both outings while he showed a feel for the secondary with more strikes than in the past.
Pitchers Connor O’Halloran, William Watson and Drew Howard all stay in the top ten with appearances in Florida while victory lap seniors Bryce Arnold and Austin Gomm rest comfortably in the top ten.
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Tyler Hinrikus 3B / SS / Resurrection Catholic, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
Report: We’ve added Tyler Hinrikus, the Ball State commit and power bat from the right side to the top ten to round it out and the commitment list really starting to fill out and see a lot of guys continue to go off the board in the early signing periods.
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RISERS
Teammates Ayden Wood and Cameron Lugtenburg of the Ontario Yankees are two risers who benefitted from their performance at the New Years Open.
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Ayden Wood OF / LHP / Courtice, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 22 / POS: 5
Wood has two-way ability as a left on left athlete who runs well with a short and quick stroke at the plate while he was up to 87 mph on the mound with the ability to spin a curveball.
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Cameron Lugtenburg OF / RHP / St. Stephens Catholic School, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 37 / POS: 9
Lugtenburg in another left-handed bat with a live arm from the outfield who stood out in February. It’s 90+ from the outfield and the swing had a level path and found lots of barrels. The body projects and there is athleticism and actions to build on. |
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Darius Armorer OF / RHP / Sinclair, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 3
Another riser, who just committed to Boosier Parish is two-way player Darius Armorer. The arm is the biggest tool as it’s plus from the outfield. Reports of him being on the mound this winter have been encouraging and unfortunately we were unable to see him live off the bump.That said, it's easy to see why there has been excitement to see Armorer and the athlete in him makes it a must for college coaches to stay on him very closely.
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Simon Grinberg C / 3B / St. Mary's, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 2
Simon Grinberg, the left-handed hitting catcher made a jump after his pro-day workout. The Crowder commit has really looked to put in work this winter while the swing has become quicker and Grinberg has added size and strength to the frame. |
DON’T SLEEP ON
It is important to make sure you don’t sleep on these uncommitted prospects. There are athletes with tools all over the board.
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Justin Carinci SS / 2B / Pickering, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 4
Justin Carinci is a toolsy infielder who can hit at the top of the order with minimal swing and miss while he runs well, finds lots of barrels and can be a versatile defender as an above average athlete.
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Tanner Dawe RHP / AB Lucas, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 6
Tanner Dawe is a physical right-hander at 6-foot-2, 207-pounds. He has been 85-87 mph, maxing out at 88 mph during the 2019 season. There’s some feel for a slider that has upside, and the pitch plays well off of his fastball. |
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Joel Suraganan SS / 2B / Dunbarton, ON / 2020Rankings StateRank: 38 / POS: 6
Infielder Joel Suraganan is a guy who has made jumps over the past year and is one to keep close tabs on as he rises in the 2020 rankings. There’s always been athleticism, and he has begun to refine his game, evolving as a player. There’s looseness to a quick, short stroke at the plate. He has the toolset to bounce around the field and do so comfortably. There’s quickness, and in the infield, rhythm, the hands work, and accuracy with an adjustable slot.
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PBR ONTARIO CLASS OF 2020
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment | |
| 1 |  |
Owen Caissie | ON | Notre Dame | 2020 | OF | Michigan |
| 2 | |
David Calabrese | ON | St. Elizabeth CHS | 2020 | OF | Arkansas |
| 3 | Calvin Ziegler | ON | St. Marys | 2020 | RHP | Connecticut | |
| 4 | Bryce Arnold | ON | Blessed Trinity | 2020 | SS | Campbell | |
| 5 | |
Austin Gomm | ON | Port Credit | 2020 | SS | San Jacinto JC |
| 6 | Connor O'Halloran | ON | St. Martin | 2020 | LHP | Michigan | |
| 7 | |
William Watson | ON | David Suzuki | 2020 | RHP | Kansas State |
| 8 | |
Drew Howard | ON | All Saints | 2020 | RHP | Chipola College |
| 9 | |
Tyler Hinrikus | ON | Resurrection Catholic | 2020 | 3B | Ball State |
| 10 | |
Nicholas Thibodeau | ON | Notre Dame Catholic | 2020 | C | Howard JC |
***** To view the entire list, please click here.