Prep Baseball Report

Inside the 2022 Rankings - OF


Phil Haig
Texas Scouting Director

TEXAS- With the 2022 Overall Ranking being updated, it's time to take a deeper dive with a look at prospects ranked at the top of their position. Today we take a look at a solid class of Texas outfielders.

 

The No.1 spot is held by Jace LaViolette. Built with a barrel chest and defined strength throughout, LaViolette demonstrates an ability to slow the game down while at the plate before getting off controlled, yet aggressive, swings. The eye-opening takeaway from the late summer look, and what shines brightly on his future potential, was the minimal effort that he needed to still produce loud/high exit velocities. A longer track record, including the performance at Lakepoint at the Underclass Area Codes, could end up smiling brightly on LaViolette’s future draft status, and should he continue the upward development that has been seen over the past year, his power potential will likely be valued highly by clubs. Intensifying his potential to rise even further is the surprising athleticism that he exhibits on the diamond. - Shooter Hunt

Coming in at No. 2 is Max Belyeu. Belyeu, now a Texas recruit, has seen his stock steadily rise since first emerging on the national scene at the PBR Future Games in 2019. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed hitter finds consistent barrels including an ability to change planes and utilize the entire field with authority. What was initially a wiry-athletic frame has quickly developed into impressive physicality as the slugging corner outfielder now possesses thicker strength throughout, and it shows through the loud contact that his simple approach produces. Remaining balanced throughout, Belyeu has some controlled aggression with the swing, and his quick hands and wrists provide for impressive bat speed. As a 6.8-runner with a 90 mph arm from the outfield, he has the athleticism to be a quality corner defender, but the bat, and especially the hit-tool are what will carry him up draft boards in 2022. Should the power production continue to tick up (and I think it will), expect Belyeu to garner plenty of attention next summer and beyond. - Shooter Hunt

Landing in the 3rd spot is Trey Duffield. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound outfielder is physically gifted with a full array of tools including a 6.94 60-yard dash time, strong arm, and projectable power. The right-handed hitter is controlled at the plate with balance throughout, and the ball jumps off the barrel with minimal effort. He looks the part in all facets of the game, and any coaches seeing him for the first time are sure to be impressed, so following him throughout the workout day and into games will not disappoint - Shooter Hunt

In the No. 9 spot is Carson Queck. The athletic RHH OF has a strong swing with ability to drive the ball to all fields. Projects as a corner outfielder down the line and has the arm to play in right field. Also tinkers around on the mound and recently has been in the mid 90’s. Queck has plenty of tools for him to continue to blossom into an all around player. - Tyler King

Rounding out the top 10 is Brenner CoxCox is an athletic two way talent that shows a simple, smooth, swing from the left side with plenty of pop to all fields.  He also shows the ability to hop on the bump and show a simple repeatable, athletic arm path that shows plenty of promise as well. Cox was a standout last summer and only looks to improve on his already well rounded game.


top 10 2022 OF

POSITION RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Jace LaViolette TX Katy Tompkins 2022 OF Louisiana State
2 Max Belyeu TX Aledo 2022 OF Texas 
3 Trey Duffield TX Strake Jesuit 2022 OF Rice
4 Viggo Lopez TX Pharr San Juan Alamo 2022 OF Texas
5 Christian Smith-Johnson TX Richland 2022 OF Oklahoma
6 Rocco Garza-Gongora TX JB Alexander 2022 OF Oklahoma
7 Kasen Wells TX Smithson Valley 2022 OF Texas A&M
8 Gabriel Flores TX Longview 2022 OF Houston
9 Carson Queck TX The Woodlands Christian 2022 OF Kansas State
10 Brenner Cox TX Prosper Rock Hill 2022 OF Texas



CLICK HERE FOR FULL 2022 RANKINGS

 

related content