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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

Grant Ross 1B / LHP / Collierville, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 80 / POS: 4 No. 50: Collierville will have another stout club and right in the middle of the order will be the lefty slugging first baseman Grant Ross. The Union University commit has shown some big time pop and ability to drive in runs in bunches. He's shown some upside on the mound, but the bat will be the key and he'll be a force for the Dragons during their 2022 run.

Patrick Johnson RHP / OF / Baylor School, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 26 No. 49: The MTSU commit was as consistent as they come last year, racking up nine wins for the state champs. He pounds the zone and can pitch it against the best of them. With Jay Dill's graduation, he'll slot more into a traditional ace role and look to replicate (or improve upon) his numbers from last year. Baylor will be in a reload year, and Johnson will definitely be the lead man on the pitching staff.

Cade Hitson OF / 1B / Riverdale , TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 3 No. 48: The LHH corner outfielder had a strong season for the Warriors hitting in the middle of the order. The Walters State commit can be a game changer with the bat, but also just off his energy and high motor. He'll be a spark plug yet again at the "Pow Wow," and Riverdale will look to push deeper into the postseason.

Cooper Casteel LHP / 1B / Bradley Central, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 6 No. 47: We got a good look at Cooper Casteel last year vs Ootlewah, and the southpaw carved through the order. The ETSU commit works mid 80s with good feel for breaking ball, just attacking the zone. He posted a sub 1.00 era with 77 Ks in 64 innings, earning second team All-PBR honors during their run to sub-state.

Cooper Newsom SS / RHP / Stewarts Creek, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 31 / POS: 7 No. 46: The Redhawks shortstop was a force towards the top of the lineup, as he lead them to a region semifinals win with a home run and a triple. The Harding commit is very solid defensively and has plenty of bat speed and pop at the plate. He's prepping for a big senior campaign and the Redhawks are looking to get back to state after a sub-state finish last season.

Justin Lee RHP / 3B / Mount Juliet , TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 13 No. 45: Lee put together a strong campaign last year for Mt. Juliet, just missing on All-PBR honors. He'll pair with Austin Hunley to be the 1-2 punch for the Golden Bears again this year. He developed really nicely, working up to the upper 80s and a sharp breaking ball. Mt. Juliet got cut down in the region semifinals and look poised to push deeper this year, and another encore performance from Lee would go a long way.

Reilly Byers LHP / OF / Gibbs , TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 54 / POS: 11 No. 44: Can't even express how big Byers was on the mound for Gibbs last season in their state championship season. He earned a All-PBR second team honors after going 12-2 with 115 Ks and 1.64 ERA in 85 innings. He's continued to steadily improve his velocity, touching 86 this preseason, on top of his pitchability and competitive edge. Gibbs bumps to the new 3A and should be one of the top clubs again, and Byers will lead the charge on the bump.

Henry Ford SS / 3B / Baylor School, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 4 No. 43: The infielder is a Virginia native (& Virginia commit), who transferred into Baylor School this offseason. He's got some athleticism and can play multiple infield spots while also helping fill some offensive voids. He'll go through his first Spring season in TN, but looks poised to play a big role for the defending champs.

Hudson Barton RHP / OF / Grace Christian, TN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 103 / POS: 25 No. 42: Barton was a nice piece on the backend for GCA last year, and as they postseason went he continued to improve. The climb didn't stop in the summer as he tickled 89 at Future Games with a lean frame and well rounded four pitch mix. This year he'll fit more in a district starter role alongside Sr. Jackson Sleeper. He'll be a tough beat even in his sophomore campaign as the Vandy commit could have a big Spring with a full workload.

Andrew Behnke LHP / OF / Donelson Christian, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 3 No. 41: A smaller frame southpaw, but he can run the FB up to 92 and snap a sharp breaking ball in the mid 70s. The former future gamer is pledged to Tennessee and will serve as 1a/1b ace along side Vandy commit Ethan Robinson for DCA. He's gonna be a tough matchup for any opposing lineup and has the potential to stack some big numbers this Spring.

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