Prep Baseball Report

2022 Washington Rankings


Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

After a full Spring & Summer of scouting high school baseball, travel tournaments, invite-only events and showcases...it’s time to release our first edition of player rankings for the 2022 class in Washington. The initial list of 25 players is sure to expand in the future as we remain committed to scouring the state for players throughout the year. With the 2020 & 2021 player rankings released, it's time to take our fist look at an impressive 2022 class. 

Since its inception in 2005, the Prep Baseball Report has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services, with a singular focus of providing comprehensive year-round coverage in every state we are in. The mission of the Prep Baseball Report is to scout and promote amateur baseball - high school, junior college and college - and, ultimately, help athletes achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the next level. With more than 150 scouts, we have the largest baseball scouting infrastructure across all levels of amateur baseball in the country. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state.  While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

The Top 10 players in the '22 class features high upside arms mixed in with powerful bats and versatile athletes. Depth will be a strength for this group, especially on the pitching side. Expect a lot of movement over the next few years as some of these young, developing arms change their bodies and become more consistent. 

Full list of Top 25 Prospects - HERE

 

Top 10 

#1  Ian "JR" Ritchie RHP / SS / Bainbridge Island, WA / 2022

Athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds with quick-twitch actions on the diamond. Simple delivery with short stride & aggressive finish out front at release. FB has been as high as 91 while ranging mostly 86-89. CB has 11/5 shape with depth in the mid-70's. Also a very capable defender at SS. Low mileage arm with significant potential left to tap into

#2  Tyce Peterson SS / RHP / Juanita, WA / 2022

Peterson made a strong impression this spring when we saw him during the HS season. Since our first Scout Blog on him, all he's continued to do is hit and make plays when his team needs it. The Washington commit is the most polished bat in the state and his athleticism should allow him to stay in the middle of the diamond long-term. 

#3  Parker Smith RHP / OF / Central Valley, WA / 2022

Smith might not light up the radar gun like some of the other arms in the top 25, but the combination of size, projection and arm action land him at #3 overall. With a wide, lean frame and whippy arm, expect Smith to make some significant jumps in the near future. The Gonzaga commit has also shown the ability to spin a tight breaking ball that tunnels well with his FB. 

#4  Dominic Hellman SS / RHP / Jackson, WA / 2022

Large framed at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Hellman has one of the best blends of raw power and arm strength in the class. It remains to be seen if he'll end up on the mound or as a position player. He's been as high as 85 with his FB on our looks with a promising CH as his best secondary offering. At the plate he creates a ton of leverage and flashes impressive power to his pull-side.

#5  Sam Boyle LHP / Columbia River, WA / 2022

Long-limbed with a clean, fluid arm. Boyle impressed at the NW Scout Games while also being one of the youngest participants. His FB ranges 80-84 and his slurve shaped breaking ball has the chance to be an above average offering. Hides the ball well and is an especially tough look on LHH.

#6  Aidan Dougherty SS / OF / Mount Si, WA / 2022

One of the best all-around athletes in the state. Dougherty can do a little bit of everything on the diamond. His versatility brings tremendous value and his pitching ability gives him the chance to be a 2-way prospect for the foreseeable future. Ultimately, the bat speed and raw power might keep him in the line-up as an everyday player.

#7  Colton Bower C / OF / North Kitsap, WA / 2022

6-foot, 175 pounds with exceptional strength throughout his frame. Bower has some big time juice in his bat and produces loud contact every time he connects. Moves well behind the plate and combines his receiving skills with promising arm strength.

 

#8  Reece Walling OF / 1B / Prairie, WA / 2022

6-foot-5, 185 pounds with a big-league type frame. Walling looks like part as soon as he steps onto the diamond. Swings from the left-side with a fluid, uphill barrel path. More power should come as he grows into his frame. Moves well in the OF with a smooth arm path and consistent carry on his throws. 

#9  Joey Pearson RHP / OF / Richland, WA / 2022

6-foot-1, 155 pounds. Pearson has a promising blend of current stuff and velocity to go with a projectable build and arm action. Continuous arm path with a loose finish out thru release. Also shows the ability to generate tight spin on his breaking ball. Stays tall throughout delivery, allowing him to repeatedly work downhill in the bottom of the zone. 

#10  Sterling Lipscomb SS / 2B / Shadle Park, WA / 2022

Proportionally built with present strength throughout his upper & lower half. Shows impressive barrel control with the ability to produce gap-to-gap power with ease. Stays balanced thru contact with a high, controlled finish. Fluid actions on defense. Sound footwork while ranging laterally with a loose throwing motion. 

 

Washington 2020 Rankings - HERE

 

Washington 2021 Rankings - HERE

 

Washington 2022 Rankings - HERE