Updated Class of 2022 Player Rankings (April)
April 10, 2020
Updated Class of 2022 Player Rankings (April)
The fall/winter have proved valuable for many 2022 prospects, with many names coming off the board to some of the top programs around the nation. Throughout the year we have traveled across the region to showcases and games.
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”, "The Sleepers" and some of the top uncommitted prospects by position.
To view the Class of 2022 Rankings Positional Breakdown, click here.
The view the Uncommitted Positional Breakdown, click below:To view the entire rankings, please click here.
The Risers
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Cole Pauley RHP / SS / Lexington, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 3
Report: Usually when you get a phone call about a guy indoors topping at 89 mph a scout thinks “Well hopefully he’s at least 85 mph”. However, when you get three calls all confirming the same thing you start to believe it. RHP Cole Pauley proved those calls were true after he put his electric stuff on display at this winter’s Preseason All-State. There’s a lot to like here aside from just the fastball on the verge of 90. Pauley is athletic, the arm is so fast, and the breaking ball shows potential. Expect his starts to be heavily attended once baseball resumes. Pauley makes the jump up from No. 29 to No. 13 in this update. |
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Luke Schlimm LHP / LHP / LaSalle, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 1
Report: LHP Luke Schlimm was ranked right next to Pauley at No. 29 last time around, and I guess he wanted to keep it that way moving up to No. 14 with a lights out at the Preseason All-State. Leaves very little left to be desired movement/stuff wise on the mound. Velo has jumped up to 87mph and is complemented by a near plus breaking ball. From a projection stand point there is little doubt he has more in the tank with the athleticism and efficiency shown in movement patterns. Whenever we start playing again he will be a “can’t miss” start when he’s on the hill. If he can prove he can be in the zone consistently he will be off the board in a hurry as he has checked just about every other box. |
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Ben Zink RHP / OF / Northmont, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 4
Report: Recruiting/scouting isn’t all about numbers ... not by a longshot ... but it doesn’t hurt when you’re 88 mph off the bump, 88 mph from the outfield, 98 mph off the bat in BP, can carry the ball 340 feet in BP, and are an above average runner. The guy I’m referring to is Ben Zink, Wright State commit that put on a show at the Canes Scout Day. He was already on our radar (ranked in the top 40 last update) but took his game to another level, proving he needed to make a jump. Zink cracks the top 15 in this addition of our 2022 class. |
The Newcomers
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Cooper Robinson RHP / 3B / Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 7
Report: Preseason All-State was loaded with talent as usual and an arm that was one of the top performers was Cooper Robinson. The right-hander out of CHCA is physical with a very high velo ceiling. The ceiling is high but the present isn’t too shabby either..already up to 89 mph with a power breaker and a playable changeup. Much like these other 2022s arms getting talked about he will have to prove he can be in the zone in game but the physical stuff is very intriguing. |
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Nate Shaw RHP / SS / Canfield, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 22 / POS: 6
Report: Another arm that can’t help but come to mind when talking about some of the top bullpens of the winter is Nate Shaw, RHP out of Canfield HS. Checks all the boxes of a guy with more velo to come as arm works, it’s easy, he’s on time, movement patterns are efficient with mobility. Fastball roams around that 84-86 mark, topping at 88 mph but wouldn’t shock me if he’s higher than that this summer. To go along with the potential velo he also has feel for two above average secondary offerings and has a confident presence to him out there. I don’t say this about a ton of arms at the high school level, but my money is him being a starter at the college level. |
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Landyn Vidourek SS / RHP / Badin, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 34 / POS: 12
Report: One of the top two-way guys we saw this winter was Landyn Vidourek, RHP/INF out of Badin HS. A guy I was very excited to get out and see this spring. Lefty bat, versatile defender with a big arm, and to top it all off he will also hop on the mound and run it up to 87 mph. Very functionally athletic/smooth with everything he does. The type of athlete who is only going to get more explosive with maturity. When it’s all said and done you could be looking at a run producer who can play multiple positions and be a 90 mph arm on the hill. |
The Sleepers
It's tough to call any players inside the top 100 a “sleeper” so we will use this to give you guys candidates who we think still have another jump left in them.
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Evan Whiteaker RHP / OF / Lakota East, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 2
Report: A 6-foot-3 RHP, who sits 87-90 mph, doesn’t sound like much of a sleeper does he? Well in this case it may apply. Evan Whiteaker is out of Lakota East, and due to him being a two-sport athlete (hockey) combined with our current coronavirus situation he hasn’t been able to show his recent velo jump to college scouts. From all accounts the right-hander also has no issues with the zone and has the type of demeanor of a guy that coaches want to have the ball. Whiteaker is a must see once baseball resumes. |
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Benjamin McCallum RHP / OF / Jackson, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 11
Report: A guy we believe has a big ceiling out of Jackson HS, is two-way talent Benjamin McCallum. He’s big/physical at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds and has a high ceiling as an arm / middle of the order bat. On the bump it’s easy, arm’s loose, and he has an above average arsenal across the board. Up to 82 now but with some minor tweaks and physical maturity that radar gun is going to look much different for him down the road. As a bat he destroyed balls at Lake Erie Warhawk scout day, showing mid 90s exit velocity and carrying balls 320+ with ease. Love it on the mound, the bat is very intriguing ... depending on what level he ends up at you could see him doing both. |
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Johnathon Allen LHP / 1B / Wadsworth, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 8
Report: Another guy who isn’t near his physical ceiling is Johnathan Allen, LHP out of Wadsworth HS. The sky's the limit for Allen if he can add physicality to frame. The ¾ lefty has an uber loose arm with advanced pitchability and can flat out spin it. The weight room will be the key factor on how big of a prospect he becomes ... if he adds strength I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a mid to upper 80s lefty with a banger. |
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Austin Sizemore 3B / RHP / Olentangy, OH / 2022Rankings StateRank: 46 / POS: 1
Report: A guy who is on the sleeper list just because his numbers don’t “jump off the pag” is Olentangy RHP/3B Austin Sizemore. The measurables are respectable ... he will sit 82-84 mph on the mound, drives balls 90+ off the bat in BP, and has a more than capable arm as a defender. However, he is the type of player college coaches will be drawn to the more times they see him because he fits the “gamer” bill. Simply put ... he throws strikes, makes plays, and finds barrels. Really solid player. |
TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION
Below we look to name the top 2-5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2022 class. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.
+ Top Right-Handed Arms: Evan Whiteaker | Cole Pauley | Nate Shaw | Cooper Robinson | Colin Skolaris
+ Top Left-Handed Arms: Luke Schlimm | Aaron Blum | Luke Krouse (Video) | Noah Samol | Zachary Tizzano
+ Top Outfield Prospects: Kaden Saunders | Will Harding | Connor Gromen | Braden Reed | Keelan Daniel
+ Top First Basemen Prospects: Lucas Day | Dylan Thatcher | Caden Crawford | Andrew Kirkpatrick | Connor Preisel
+ Top Second Basemen Prospects: Patrick Fultz | Jack Wells
+ Top Shortstop Prospects: Andrew Hendrickx | Samuel Slodic | Matthew Thompson | Landyn Vidourek | Billy Adams
+ Top Third Basemen Prospects: Austin Sizemore | Nolan Fogg | Shea White | Pierce Bauerle
+ Top Catching Prospects: Matthew Graveline | Jared Teke | Dylan Gamber | Ryan Jackson | Samuel Battles
PBR Ohio Class of 2022 Top 10
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Jacob Miller | OH | Liberty Union | 2022 | RHP | Louisville |
| 2 | Devin Taylor | OH | LaSalle | 2022 | OF | Indiana |
| 3 | Matthew Wolfe | OH | Olentangy Orange | 2022 | SS | Vanderbilt |
| 4 | Gabriel Nard | OH | St. Ignatius | 2022 | SS | Duke |
| 5 | Andrew Jones | OH | Brush | 2022 | SS | Ohio State |
| 6 | McKay Whitaker | OH | Worthington Kilbourne | 2022 | 1B | Indiana |
| 7 | Henry Kaczmar | OH | Walsh Jesuit | 2022 | SS | Michigan |
| 8 | Payton Ebbing | OH | Cincinnati Country Day | 2022 | C | Tennessee |
| 9 | Shawn Parnell | OH | Archbishop Hoban | 2022 | SS | Cincinnati |
| 10 | CJ Carmichael | OH | Bloom Carroll | 2022 | SS | Penn State |
***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.
