Follow on Twitter: @PBRTennessee
Follow on Instagram: @pbrtennessee
Follow on Tik Tok: @pbrtennessee
Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Report Tennessee

Interested in attending a PBR Tennessee event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

It won't be long before we're hearing the ringing of high school bats and popping of leather mitts as the 2022 high school season will kick off on March 14th. We've been rolling out preseason coverage with team previews and team/class rankings will be presented in the near future.

At the conclusion of last season, we posted our inaugural PBR TN All-State teams featuring three rosters and 75 total players. Those teams were selected based on a blend of high school stats and also prospect profile as it was a great way to recognize some incredible individual performances from the 2021 season. For this upcoming season, we've decided to put together a PBR TN All-State watchlist in the form of the PBR TN Top 100. To be clear, this is not a top 100 prospect rankings. This list is formed based on a combination of factors: 1. projected production in hitting/pitching 2. player will play an integral role in their school's success 3. simply these are the players that opposing coaches do not want to see on the mound or at bat in big game moments. As we release the list you'll see: Mr. baseball winners/finalist, limited players per high school, some power 5 commits will not included, some D2/Juco commits will be included, and uncommitted players will be included. This list is centered around production and the ability to impact games every single night of the season. 

We can look at it a few ways, so first let's think of it as a 2022 TN high school fantasy baseball rankings. If you were constructing a team, you're gonna want guys who suit up every night and are gonna log a lot of at bats and innings on the mound to maximize stat output. This list features a lot of team's aces and meat of the order hitters, who may play a key position defensively or produce as a two-way. Fantasy sports websites always put out a preseason rankings to help consumers draft and help maximize their season success. The second way to to observe the list, is consider crossing sport lines in comparison to the annual NFL Top 100. For those not familiar, the NFL Top 100 is a preseason publication that honors the top 100 players voted on by the players. They usually roll it out and players give insight on other players abilities, but often fans are fully engaged in dissecting and criticizing the surprises and "snubs." For an example, I think it would be hard pressed to convince anyone that Tom Brady is NOT the best player to suit it up in the NFL, entirely based on his stats, records, awards, championships, etc. However, Brady has only been voted no. 1 three times in the past decade with his last being before the 2018 season. Also, Cooper Kupp was arguably the best wide receiver this past season, racking up nearly 2,000 receiving yards and a Super Bowl MVP, but he wasn't featured on the preseason list. Soooo with that being said sit back and enjoy the list, its purpose is a fun way for players and parents to follow numerous skilled high school kids this season. 

*One more time for the people in the back: This is not a Top 100 prospects list*

Top 100

No. 91-100

No. 81-90

No. 71-80

No. 61-70

No. 51-60

No. 41-50

 

No. 31-40

Nicolas Smith LHP / OF / Alvin C. York Institute, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 2 No. 40: The Missouri commit has been a steady climber on the mound, working up to 88 in 2021. He attacks the zone and has feel for his off speed offerings along with a smooth delivery. He's able to match up with any skilled arm and can neutralize opposing lineups. Not to mention, he can handle the stick and plays a very solid CF. He'll be essential for York's success this Spring.

Ethan Robinson RHP / OF / Donelson Christian, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 66 / POS: 20 No. 39: The number one prospect in the 2023 TN class as he's got a polished delivery and ran the FB up to 92. He'll pair with LHP Andrew Behnke at the top of the pitching staff on top of contributing in the lineup. DCA will be competitive this year per usual, but Robinson is down on this list because he'll proceed with his usual pitch count. He'll throw less innings than others guys, but he can be a dominate presence and win any big games.

Jake Timbes SS / RHP / Dobyns Bennett, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 6 No. 38: The Belmont commit did it all last season for DB, serving as the ace and manning shortstop. He hit towards the top of the order and has good speed with overall tools. We've had him up to 87 and good feel of the breaking ball. Timbes will have some big matchups with opposing district arms, so he'll be crucial to set the series tones this Spring.

Connor Martin RHP / 3B / Goodpasture Christian, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 36 / POS: 10 No. 37: A smaller frame arm but he solidified himself as the ace for a good Goodpasture club last year. He really competes and can mix his offerings, including a FB in the upper 80s. The Wright State commit was consistent and can match up with opposing arms/lineups. He's expected to keep the same role this season and should stack up some good numbers in his Junior campaign.

Jett Johnston 3B / Farragut, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 91 / POS: 8 StateRank: 15 / POS: 1 No. 36: Johnston is a Texas native that moved into the Knoxville area this summer and will suit up for Farragut this Spring. A traditional power who made another run to state in 2021, but lost several key pieces from the lineup and the mound. They'll be sophomore heavy this year, so a big, physical junior two-way will really help bolster their squad with some more experience. The Texas A&M commit has shown some good pop and some velocity on the bump in limited looks, but his first season in TN could be a memorable one.

Connor Cobb SS / RHP / Ensworth, TN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 184 / POS: 43 No. 35: Cobb was a standout at the 2020 Jr. Future Games and TN/KY Border Battle. Last Spring, he really shined as a two-way handling duties on the mound and up the middle. With limited arms, Cobb will play a crucial role as the ace and helping Ensworth compete in the D2-AA. The Vandy commit was a highly recruited prospect this Summer, and he'll look to put together a stellar sophomore season.

Caleb Peterson RHP / 1B / Stewarts Creek, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 7 No. 34: The Redhawks lost no. 1 arm Austin Wooten from the 2021 club, but Peterson was a very reliable number two and we'll slide up to no. 1 this year. He's got a long frame and can mix three pitches, including a FB in the upper 80s. The MTSU commit has feel and can mix all three with good action. They'll return a veteran lineup and Peterson should get the ball for all the big games as they'll look to get past sub-state this year.

Brett Rogers OF / 3B / Silverdale Baptist Academy, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 55 / POS: 8 No. 33: The LHH outfielder was lights out last season as he hit .509 with 17 extra base hits, 30 stolen bases, 54 runs scored, and 33 RBIs, earning third team All-PBR. He followed it up at the Preseason All-State Showcase, showing great athleticism and pop. Silverdale will be a deep veteran club, and Rogers will be a catalyst that oozed production last season.

Hunter High 2B / 3B / Lipscomb Academy, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 1 No. 32: Every time you head out to the park and Hunter High is playing, just get ready for him to find a way to barrel up a baseball. He's an athletic, hard nosed infielder, who swings it from the left side and hit towards the top of the order. Lippy will have a strong club again in 2022 after a final eight finish last year, and the Tennessee commit will set the tone at the top and up the middle.

Brantley Bamberg C / 1B / Riverdale, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 2 No. 31: The Louisville commit handled the catching duties last year and hit in the 3-4 hole last year. He can really bop it around to drive into runs and defensively very solid with great arm strength. He's got the ability to change games on both sides and can handle the pitching staff. Riverdale will be very skilled again and Bamberg will help lead the charge in 2022.

Check out our website for more information on prep baseball in the Volunteer State. 

Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site, including 10,000+ Player Prospect Videos, State and National Rankings, Advanced Data Metrics and much more.

Click HERE to create a free profile.

 

More Content