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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

Thomas Cooper 3B / RHP / Ravenwood, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 1 No. 60: Ravenwood had a stout club in 2021 and they'll return a majority of their guys for this season. Cooper is locked in to handle hot corner duties and has shown he can be a solid weapon on the mound (Up to 90). The Valpo commit will be featured in a deep lineup, and will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs from the meat of the order.

Tanner Franklin RHP / 1B / Jefferson County, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 5 No. 59: Franklin burst onto the scene this summer, running the FB up to 90 and showing an elite level of spin on his CB. The Kennesaw State commit has a large, physical frame and should be the ace alongside Beau Revord. Jeff Co. will be in a friendly, compact district, and they'll lean on their top end arms to make a run this postseason.

Turner Junkins C / RHP / Silverdale Baptist Academy, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 2 No. 58: Junkins can do a little of everything for Silverdale, as he threw a lot of innings and can play multiple positions in the field. They'll have a deep returning roster, which we marked at #24 in the Preseason Power 25. The MTSU commit will play a key role in helping them advance further into the postseason this year.

Austin King OF / RHP / Hardin Valley, TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 8 No. 57: Hardin Valley's offense was often buzzing last year as they could put up runs in bunches, and right in the middle of it was Austin King. The tall ETSU commit can really handle the stick and mash balls into the power alleys. They'll have to replace several graduating seniors, but King should continue to cruise in the middle of the order with Ty Denton.

Braden Graves 3B / OF / Gibbs, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 46 / POS: 4 No. 56: The Gibbs Eagles captured the 2021 2A state title, and they asked Braden Graves to do a little of everything for them. He's flashed a FB up to 88, but sits more mid 80s. He's shown great athleticism and juice at the plate, and with their graduating departures he'll need to play a key role in their title defense for the new 3A.

Jackson Underwood RHP / OF / Riverdale , TN / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 42 / POS: 16 No. 55: If you showed up to the ballpark last year, and Jackson Underwood was on the mound, then you were usually in for a nice quick game. The MTSU commit was incredibly efficient, throwing all his pitches for strikes and mixing to keep lineups at bay. He may have been slightly overmatched against some other top district arms stuff wise, but his intangibles and pitchability leveled the field and allowed him twirl some big games for Riverdale. They're another club who will return a lot of key pieces and Underwood will be at the forefront of that pitching staff.

Andrew Hoover 1B / LHP / West Ridge, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 91 / POS: 6 No. 54: Andrew Hoover was spectacular last year for Sullivan South, helping lead them to a sub-state appearance. They'll transition into a new school at West Ridge while also moving from 2A to 4A. Hoover pitches it in the low 80s and can mix effectively while also being a power bat in the middle of the order from the left side. They'll be matched up with reigning champ Science Hill in their district plus other contenders, so the "new kids on the block" will rely on Hoover to repeat his magic from last season to guide them.

Bo Burklow 1B / 3B / Christ Presbyterian, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 1 No. 53: Burklow is a dual-sport athlete, who is garnering interest in football after decommitting from Tennessee baseball. He's a big physical CINF and plays TE on the gridiron, and last year helped lead CPA to their D2-A state title. He's got some big pop in the barrel and will have plenty of run scoring opportunities with a deep cast around him. CPA will transition up to D2-AA this year, but they've shown they have the firepower to challenge anyone in the postseason.

Eli Huddleston LHP / OF / Upperman , TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 97 / POS: 14 No. 52: Huddleston doesn't wow you with any over the top tools, but last season he put up some monster numbers leading to a Mr. Baseball finalist honors. He's got some juice in the barrel from the left side and he can really pitch in the low 80s. Upperman expects to be another competitive club this season, and Huddleston's output cannot be overlooked in 2022.

Grayson Smith RHP / C / McCallie School, TN / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 275 / POS: 71 No. 51: Grayson Smith has always shown some big time stuff with a FB up to 90 and a sharp, bending SL. He has to harness that stuff sometimes, but he garners a lot of swing n miss and uncomfortable at bats. McCallie will have a plethora of arms to utilize, but Smith is not an arm you'll want to see in the postseason as an opposing team. He recommitted from Stetson this summer and pledged to Florida for the next level, so expect the Gators to commit to shine this Spring.

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