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Updated Class of 2021 Player Rankings (September)

In 2020 we have had a year unlike any other ... No Spring HS season, uncertainty all summer with tournaments and showcases and the same can still be said this fall. But that hasn't stopped us from searching far and wide throughout the state to find the best prospects we can, to help them get to college and to help colleges find prospects that fit their culture.

Despite the tumultuous summer, many names came off the board to some of the top programs around the nation, many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene, and many prospects improved their game.

That being said, we have had the pleasure of seeing a number of solid players this past year. Prospects are popping up left and right, making velocity jumps, improving 60-yard dash times and showing more power with the bat.

Below we will take a look at “The Risers”, "The Newcomers”, "Uncommitted Tools" and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.

Coming soon ... We will have the Class of 2021 Rankings Positional Breakdown, which you will be able to view by clicking here.

Coming Soon ... To view the Uncommitted Positional Breakdown, click below:
RHP | LHP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C

To view the entire rankings, please click here.

The Risers

Michael Conte RHP / 3B / Walnut Hills, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 47 / POS: 14 Report: Central Michigan got a good one with the commitment of Michael Conte, RHP out of Walnut Hills. 6-foot-3, physical presence on the bump that showed qualities that could potentially land him in a starting rotation. Delivery is easy and he has command of three pitches led by a fastball that touched 89 mph. The velocity jump combined with proving he can carry pitchability from bullpens we saw into game action was the recipe for his jump up the rankings.

Johnathan Kulich OF / RHP / Massillon Jackson, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 4 Report: We throw around the term “DQs” during the summer which stands for Dude Qualities and two-way prospect Jonathan Kulich (Jackson HS) has more than a few of those. Physically imposing athlete at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with mid 90s exit velocity, 93 mph arm strength from the outfield, 6.7 speed and he can also hop on the mound and show you 87 mph with a hammer. Whoever gets this guy could be looking at an absolute steal at this point.

Harrison Barnes OF / LHP / Sycamore, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 79 / POS: 13 Report: One of the top performances of any summer event came from outfielder Harrison Barnes out of Sycamore HS. Simply put the dude can flat out swing it. Polished stroke from the left side who takes a professional BP and is a barrel machine in game. Squared up quality arms throughout the day at SOTP, recording multiple extra base hits. Ran a 7.06 60-yard dash but plays faster than that. Recently committed to Eastern Kentucky.

Steven Jones RHP / 1B / Brookville, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 70 / POS: 21 Report: A guy still left on the board who put together several standout performances this summer is Steven Jones, RHP out of Brookville HS. A 6-foot-2 prospect who has continued to get better/made huge jumps over the past few months. Velocity has climbed to where he will sit in the mid 80s and has touched 89 mph. Jones has also showed one of the better breaking balls we saw this summer that was filthy stuff wise with spin rates in the 2400s.

Michael Sprockett C / 1B / Lakota East, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 74 / POS: 9 Report: Michael Sprockett put on an absolute offensive display at this year's SOTPG. The advanced physicality allows him to generate lower effort yet explosive pop. Along with the jump he can create he also consistently spun the ball naturally. His impressive day culminated with a no doubt bomb in game. Also showed a well above average arm behind the dish. Recently committed to Akron.

Carter Rust 3B / OF / Lakota West, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 8 Report: Another guy who improved his stock this summer is Carter Rust, third baseman out of Lakota West. The size/tools jump off the board at 6-foot-3, 97 mph exit velocity and 89 mph arm strength across the infield. We’ve also seen the swing translate into game action with him depositing multiple home runs while we were in attendance this summer. A lot to work with here.

Other Notable Risers

Jackson Lewis SS / 2B / Hamilton, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 127 / POS: 21 Report: LHH infielder who can really defend and ran a sub 6.8 60-yard dash. Prototype top of the lineup bat/middle skill set with the glove. Very cerebral player.

Logan Murphy C / Fairfield, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 187 / POS: 26 Report: Currently uncommitted. 6-foot-3 backstop who stood out for catch/throw abilities at Central Ohio Top Prospect Games. Also shows upside with the bat.

Andrew Clouse C / 3B / New Albany, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 185 / POS: 25 Report: One of the top hit tools we saw at Southern Ohio Top Prospect. Offers an impressive combination of burst and feel. A guy who could do consistent damage while maintaining a higher average.

Brock Tibbitts C / New Albany, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 42 / POS: 4 Report: Brock Tibbits is a 6-foot-4 catcher out of New Albany HS who used a big summer to garner D1 attention across the Midwest before committing to Indiana. The backstop leaves little left to be desired physically with size, well above average athleticism for the position profile, and mid to upper 90s exit velocity off the bat. Indiana commit.

Ashton Schroeder RHP / 3B / Oak Harbor, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 23 Report: We saw two outings from him this summer and he shoved both times. One of the top performers at a loaded Top Prospect Games. 6-foot-3 RHP up to 88 mph with the ability to really spin his breaking ball.

The Newcomers

Ryan Gilbert OF / OF / Kenston, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 2 Report: Every year we have a prospect or two that come out of nowhere to rank amongst the state’s top prospects but few have as unique a story as Ryan Gilbert out of Kenston HS. Prior to this year Gilbert thought his future would be on the mound but after a winter arm injury he made the switch to a full time position player. Well let’s just say that decision paid off for him. The 6-foot-4 outfielder stole the show at this year’s Northern Unsigned Senior, consistently recording 100 mph+ exit velocities in BP, topping out at 104 mph while depositing several balls over the fence. He’s far from just a BP star as he had multi hits in gameplay at this event and stroked 9 home runs this summer. After the event he heard from schools across the country before committing to Indiana University.

Nick Falter RHP / 1B / Olentangy Liberty, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 159 / POS: 49 Report: A guy who had an outstanding offseason, showing big jumps to his repertoire is Nick Falter, RHP out of Olentangy Liberty. He’s continued to grow and is now up to 6-foot-4 and with the physical maturation has come a velocity jump. Falter hovered around 80 mph this winter and has now made the leap up to 86 mph and we don't’ think he’s going to stop there. Combine the frame, low effort delivery and ability to control three offerings and you could be looking at a starter type at the collegiate level.

Erik Witherspoon SS / 3B / St. Charles Preparatory School, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 186 / POS: 32 Report: Another position guy that made an outstanding first impression on our staff was INF Erik Witherspoon out of St. Charles HS. Athleticism jumps out at you on both sides of the ball from a burst and functional standpoint. A middle skill set as a defender who can cover a ton of ground and really pick it. Offensively he profiles at the top now but wouldn’t be shocked at all if he ends up being a run producer type stick as he spends time in a college weight room. Talented player.

Uncommitted Prospects With A Tool That Stands Out

Nicholas Weyrich RHP / SS / Urbana, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 13 Report: Upside/velocity ceiling would be what landed this prospect at the top of this list. One of the top performances this summer from a guy still on the board came from Urbana HS product Nicholas Weyrich. He’s 6-foot-4, sat 89-90 mph throughout his outing with fastball spin rates in the 2400s, showed feel for a changeup and was also 100 mph off the bat as a position guy. On the bump he’s even a more difficult matchup for hitters considering the arm comes through a ¾ slot. Size, fast-twitch actions, and endless projection left on frame point to him throwing very, very hard someday.

Matthew Giberti OF / C / Saint Ignatius, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 3 Report: Can’t teach speed and St. Ignatius OF Matt Giberti has that and then some after running a 6.52 on a traditionally slow track. Although speed is the tool we are highlighting here the hit tool is impressive as well. Athletic left-hander who we saw backspin the ball in game to both gaps against quality arms this summer. Going to be a good one.

Caleb Jenkins RHP / SS / Hilliard Bradley, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 22 Report: There are a few very talented two-way prospects still left on the board but you have to put Caleb Jenkins near or at the top of that list. The Hilliard Bradley product is a high engine/power guy with the bat and on the mound. One of the standout performers at Southern Ohio Top Prospect Games who was up to 89 mph on the mound and 101 mph off the bat. Also had a multi-hit day and showcased the ability to spin a well above average breaking ball on the mound. A scholarship level prospect who will be getting his fair share of recruiting attention.

Manny Nager RHP / OF / University School, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 145 / POS: 46 Report: There’s no doubt size, velocity and spin rates can get you in the door but the ability to fill up the zone is a separator as well and Manny Nager, RHP out of University HS does just that. Albeit a bitter undersized, Nager has the stuff and command to be a scholarship level arm. A fastball/breaking ball guy that will throw either in any count. Dominated some of the top hitters in the state out our Northern Ohio Top Prospect Games. Although his pitchability is the top tool we are talking about he also is a very high spin rate guy with filthy stuff.

Garrett Kubitz 3B / SS / Brecksville Broadview Hts, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 87 / POS: 5 Report: Still left on the board is a guy with some of the most raw power in the state, Garrett Kubitz (Brecksville Broadview Heights). The third baseman has been up to 106 mph off the bat and hit majestic shots 360ft plus at this years’ Northern Ohio Top Prospect Games. The offensive upside is already incredibly intriguing and becomes even more so if the two-sport (football/baseball) high school standout becomes a baseball only athlete at the next level.

Gavin Sunderman RHP / 3B / West Clermont, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 184 / POS: 57 Report: If you’re a college looking for a guy who can really catch/throw behind the dish then Gavin Sunderman is a good place to start. We had to pull out three stopwatches to confirm the pop times he was putting up at the Northern Ohio Top Prospect workout. Sunderman consistently popped in the 1.8 range according to all three with accurate, 80 mph arm strength.

Hunter Kauser C / RHP / Paulding, OH / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 278 / POS: 34 Report: Pop times are important but it is much more common to see a sub 2.0 guy than a guy who can throw with consistent accuracy. We saw around 15 throws from Hunter Kauser (Paulding HS) at the Central Ohio Top Prospect Games and almost everyone was straight on the bag. It didn’t matter whether it was in game, between innings, showcases, or too which base; he consistently dotted infielders gloves right on the money.

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2021 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Nicholas Weyrich | Daniel Crissman | Jackson Hauck | Kevin McKinley | Garit Krupp

+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Erik Stern | Blake Barker | Mike Beckman | Jameson Supinski | Dominic Chiavaroli

+ Top Outfield Prospects: Matthew Giberti | Johnathan Kulich | Tommy Barth | John Panstares | Eric Colaco

+ Top First Basemen Prospects: Nathan Adelman (Video) | Scout Zaas | Caleb McGee | Aaron Urban | Dane Robinson

+ Top Second Basemen Prospects: Maddox Pennington | Jacob Scherette | Alex Stegman | Casey Leddy | Ricky Berrios

+ Top Shortstop Prospects: Joshua Qualls | Eli Brown | Clay Badylak | Aidan Grabowski | Jackson Lewis

+ Top Third Basemen Prospects: Patrick Ciccantelli | Garrett Kubitz | Matthew Campbell | Camden Colman | Carter Rust

+ Top Catching Prospects: Trevor Conley | Andrew Horvath | Dawson Pierce | Eric Coode | Spencer Rodriguez

PBR Ohio Class of 2021 Top 10

Rank		Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1		Gavin Bruni	OH	Alliance	2021	LHP	Ohio State
2		William Cook	OH	Miamisburg	2021	3B	Louisville
3		Kurtis Reid	OH	Hamilton	2021	SS	Louisville
4		Ryan Miller	OH	Dublin Jerome	2021	C	Tennessee
5		Brayden Lybarger	OH	Elida	2021	RHP	Michigan
6		Brandon Golubski	OH	Tallmadge	2021	LHP	Kent State
7		Logan Maxwell	OH	Lima Shawnee	2021	OF	Texas Christian
8		Jacob Gehring	OH	South Range	2021	RHP	Ohio State
9		Jace Middleton	OH	Olentangy	2021	RHP	Ohio State
10		Lauden Brooks	OH	Archbishop McNicholas	2021	SS	Kentucky

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.