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Ohio Insider: Updated Class of 2020 Player Rankings (December)

The 2020 class has the makings of one of the strongest classes the Buckeye state has seen. Throughout the year we have traveled across the state to showcases and games. The spring/summer have proved valuable for many 2020 prospects, with many names coming off the board to some of the top programs around the nation. This fall followed suit and we were able to spot numerous other talented prospects within the class. Below we will take a look at “What’s New At The Top”, "The Risers", "The Newcomers" and "The Sleepers".

To view the entire list of 75 prospects please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2017 spring/summer season visit the 2017 Ohio Spring Scout Blog by clicking here and the Summer Scout Blog by clicking here.

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What's New At The Top

Although Ohio State commit Mackenzie Wainwright (St. Edward) keeps his top spot in the class, there was some shuffling inside the top 5.

Chad Rogers RHP / 1B / Mentor, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 Scouting Report: Moving his way up to No. 2 is RHP Chad Rogers (Mentor). Rogers has been in the top 10 of the 2020 rankings since the first rendition. In the summer we saw Chad at 80-84. Fast forward to this fall and he showed off an 84-87 mph fastball, dominating hitters in front of a crowd of scouts. His performance was impressive enough to garner attention from power 5 schools across the country before deciding on Penn State. At 6-foot-4 with some physical projection left, Rogers is a high upside prospect that shows all the signs of a future power arm.

Jack Steibel RHP / 3B / Moeller, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 3 Scouting Report: Moving from No. 7 to No. 4 is arguably the highest upside arm in the class, RHP Jack Steibel (Moeller). At 6-foot-4, 160-pounds Steibel has a ton of room to add strength to his frame. To go along with his projectable frame, the Moeller product has a clean arm and a mid-80s fastball. Expect velocity/pitchability to improve as he matures. The sky's the limit for the Miami FL commit.

The Risers

Every summer we are blessed to be able to scour the great state of Ohio finding new talented prospects from each corner of the state. Below we look to highlight a few of the newcomers into the Class of 2020 Player Rankings.

Calvin Bickerstaff RHP / OF / Steubenville, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 5 Scouting Report: The biggest riser in the class was RHP Calvin Bickerstaff, making his way from No. 43 into the top 10. We saw a small glimpse of Bickerstaff in a bullpen this summer and the upside was obvious. After seeing him multiple times this fall, it was apparent he needed to move up in the rankings. The Steubenville product will sit 83-86 mph with the fastball and show an above average secondary arsenal. Expect the Kent State commit to only get better over the next few years.

AJ Rausch OF / SS / Olentangy Liberty, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 7 Scouting Report: Another guy who continues to get better is OF AJ Rausch (Olentangy Liberty). Rausch started to make a name for himself this fall by running a 6.65 60-yard dash while competing for Bo Jackson Elite at our fall program. To go along with his elite speed tool, Rausch also looks the part of a top of the lineup bat. In game he shows an advanced approach with the ability to work counts and get on base regularly. A line drive type that is starting to show sneaky pop as he continues to add solid weight to his athletic frame. Defensively, he projects as a well above average defender in the outfield that can play the infield if need be.

The Newcomers

This fall we were blessed to be able to scour the great state of Ohio finding new talented prospects from each corner of the state. Below we look to highlight a few of the newcomers into the Class of 2020 Player Rankings.

Alex Streitenberger 2B / 3B / Gahanna Lincoln, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 1 Scouting Report: Alex Streitenberger was a standout this fall and proved he belonged amongst the state’s best in his class. The Gahanna Lincoln product will show well in a showcase but in game is where he really stands out. We’ve seen a ton of in game at bats and very rarely does he miss the barrel. To go along with his feel for the barrel his combination of loud natural tools and ability to create acceleration with body/barrel at swing decision allow him to make late decisions without sacrificing batspeed. Sees spin well and has shown the ability to really drive the baseball. Very impressive hit tool in general. Defensively, actions looked most natural at second base. Moves very well laterally and has a reliable glove. Limited viewing with him at third base but he looks to have the athleticism and skill set to play the corner if need be.  Plays summer ball for the loaded Cincinnati Flames team.

Cade Boxrucker RHP / OF / Hamilton Badin, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 10 Scouting Report: RHP Cade Boxrucker really impressed this Fall with his combination of stuff and feel on the bump. Arm moves through an over the top slot, showing above average arm speed and arm strength. Consistently was in the zone with the the fastball that showed regular arm side run at 80-84 mph. Spins a sharp, 11/5 shaped breaking ball and also showed an above average changeup. A definite arm to keep an eye on over the next year.

Robby Morgan 3B / RHP / Groveport, OH / 2020 Scouting Report: C/INF Robby Morgan (Groveport) already possesses well above average pop for his class, with much more to come as he has a ton of room to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame. The righty swinger has a fluid loading sequence, putting himself in a strong position at swing decision. Does a nice job of creating early barrel acceleration and takes a slightly uphill path to the baseball. Drove the ball well to both sides of the field, producing regular backspin and true ball flight. Put his natural tools on display by registering an exit velocity of 88 mph. Time will tell where he fits defensively but Morgan is very functionally athletic for frame and has shown above average abilities behind the dish and in the infield.

Sleepers

Two-way prospects are coveted in baseball and below we focus on two of the top two-way talents in the class.

Trent Jones RHP / OF / Jackson, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 6 Scouting Report: It’s hard to be considered a sleeper when ranked in the Top 20, but two-way prospect Trent Jones is a guy who’s best days are ahead of him. At 6-foot-3 he will be attractive to college scouts off the bump and at the plate. On the mound Jones shows a clean/on time arm that generates a fastball up to 83 mph. With his frame and athleticism there’s almost certainly more velocity in the tank. At the plate he looks the part of a run producer from the left side. Jones could be the next high profile prospect to come out of perennial power and defending state champions,  Jackson HS.

Jack Sokol RHP / 3B / New Albany, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 55 / POS: 14 Scouting Report: RHP Jack Sokol (New Albany) stands 6-foot-4, with much more physical projection left on his body. Syncs up his delivery surprisingly well considering his age and length of his frame. Physical signs point to him adding much more velocity over the next few years. Presently sits 78-79 mph with the fastball that was mostly true through the zone. His best secondary offering may have been his changeup. The pitch was regularly in the zone with late, arm side life. Also has an 11/5 shaped breaking ball in his repertoire.

John Belli 3B / OF / Gahanna Lincoln, OH / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 3 Scouting Report: Although we’ve had limited viewing of 3B/OF John Belli (Gahanna Lincoln) he has stood out when we’ve seen him. Although the left-handed bat can do damage when he pulls the trigger, what stands out about Belli is his patience and knowledge of the strike zone at such a young age. When he does get his pitch Belli has shown the ability to drive the baseball with authority, lacing multiple extra base hits and even leaving the park to centerfield when we’ve seen him.

PBR OHIO CLASS OF 2020 TOP 10

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Mackenzie Wainwright	OH	Saint Edward	2020	OF	Ohio State
2	Chad Rogers	OH	Mentor	2020	RHP	Penn State
3	Seth Logue	OH	Moeller	2020	RHP	Kentucky
4	Jack Steibel	OH	Moeller	2020	RHP	Miami
5	Andrew Clelland	OH	Harrison Central	2020	3B	Pittsburgh
6	Jordan Stevens	OH	St. Edward	2020	OF	Kent State
7	Brady Emerson	OH	John Glenn	2020	OF	Ohio State
8	Wyatt Hudepohl	OH	St Xavier	2020	RHP
9	Calvin Bickerstaff	OH	Steubenville	2020	RHP	Kent State
10	Patrick Suter	OH	Moeller	2020	LHP

***** To view the entire top 75, please click here.