As high school baseball is starting to get going across the country in most regions, with some states actually heading into the playoffs, it all means the summer circuit is right around the corner. Over the next several weeks we will look at the top-ranked players at each position, in each class, while also taking a look at some gut-feel players that could be big risers. With players having more access to individual development, things will undoubtably change at a rapid pace in the early months of the Perfect Game schedule. This provides a good look at some of the top performers coming into 2021 who look primed to continue dominance or make their mark on a national level.
Class of 2022: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders
Class of 2023: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders
Class of 2024: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield
Class of 2025: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield
Derek Curiel, OF (Calif.)
6-1/168, L/L
Uncommitted
PG Events: 18
Key Stats: .401-1-38 in ’20
Short Story: Whether it is his long, fluid strides in the outfield to run down a ball or his smooth left-handed stroke, the game seemingly comes easy to Curiel as he sits atop the rankings. He is a consistent performer with a highly-projectable frame and a skillful set of tools.
Big Moment: It would be tough to pinpoint an exact moment for someone with Curiel’s accomplishments thus far in his PG Career. The two-time Select Festival participant has also garnered numerous all-tournament selections to go with being named the 2020 PG Player of The Year. We will go with his performance at the ’20 14U WWBA National Championship as he put his entire toolbox of skills on display by hitting .487 for the week, amassing 19 hits throughout the event, including six for extra bases. On top of that, he scored 10 runs, drove in 11 and stole nine bags. A complete performance by the young prospect that ultimately led his team to taking home the crown.
Bold Prediction: Curiel’s skill set is about as well-rounded as they come within the class and will only continue to expand as he physically matures. Look for him to add significant power to his game as he is sure to start turning those line drive extra-base hits into some home run juice as he adds strength.
Michael Mullinax, OF (Ga.)
6’1 182 S/R
Commitment: Georgia
PG Events: 60
Key Stats: .320-0-43 in ’20
Short Story: Mullinax checks every box when it comes to elite prospects as he checks in at No. 7 in the Class of 2024 overall rankings. He showcases legitimate switch-hitting ability with natural feel for the barrel and quick twitch actions, as evident by running the 60 in 6.50 seconds and a cannon for an arm that has been recorded up to 90 mph from the outfield.
Big Moment: The Georgia commit opened eyes at the 2020 15U National Elite this past summer, where he hit .474 during the event and showcased the aforementioned set of tools that shined loudly throughout the week. Mullinax impacted each game for his East Cobb Astros squad that finished third in the event, while displaying the high-end speed and innate ability to find the barrel from both sides of the plate.
Bold Prediction: Look for Mullinax to continue to refine his game over the next few years, while adding strength to his 6-foot-1 frame. The additional strength will likely add the final dimension to his already immensely talented skill set, as he starts to deposit some baseballs over the fence.
Brennon Seigler, OF (Tenn.)
6-1/185, R/R
Commitment: Tennessee
PG Events: 21
Key Stats: .437-1-32; 25 SBs in ’20
Short Story: Seigler combines polished defensive actions, plenty of athleticism and huge offensive upside to exhibit one of the more refined skill sets within the ’24 class. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect showcases a simple, line drive swing with natural feel at the plate that will continue to add a power element as he fully matures.
Big Moment: The entire 2020 season could be considered as the University of Tennessee commits “Big Moment”, as he was named the Offensive Player of The Year at the 14U Select Festival. Seigler hit .437 for the year, drove in 32 runs throughout the year and swiped 25 bags along the way. He only added to the mantle by also taking home MVP honors at the 14U WWBA National Championship.
Bold Prediction: Look for Seigler to take the next step when it comes to power potential, as he surely will continue to add strength to his frame. The addition of power will only expand the immense abilities he already possesses and should allow for his continued ascent in the rankings.
Slade Caldwell, OF (Miss.)
5-8/154, L/L
Commitment: Mississippi
PG Events: 18
Key Stats: .483-2-23 in ’20
Short Story: The smooth left-handed hitting outfielder is a highly athletic bundle of energy with excellent present barrel skills, projectable defensive skills and loads of physical upside as he matures.
Big Moment: Caldwell was impressive over the entirety of the 2020 season, hitting .483 for the year while accumulating 16 extra-base hits and driving in 23 runs. The imposing figures only paint part of the picture, as he showed off the same offensive prowess and projectable tools at the 14U Gulf Coast Showcase. The complete package ultimately led to an invitation to the 2020 13U Select Festival, where he showcased the exact aforementioned set of skills by performing well in the actual game.
Bold Prediction: The University of Mississippi commit will undoubtedly continue to add strength over the next few years, which will only aide in the expansion of an already impressive present skill set. Look for Caldwell to build upon his strong 2020 season and create some separation for himself amongst the class.
Noah Malone, OF (Calif.)
6-1/190, R/R
Uncommitted
PG Events: 22
Key Stats: .529 AVG/.625 OBP/1.213OPS in ’20
Short Story: Malone possesses legitimate two-way potential with offensive upside at the plate and a lightning quick arm that has been up to 89 mph in previous looks. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete is already physically strong and will only continue to mature over the next few years.
Big Moment: The 2021 14U MLK East Championship is where Malone first touched 89 mph with his powerful arm, while leaving our scouting staff yearning for more looks at the young right-hander. He did it again in March, sitting mid-80s and touching the aforementioned 89 against a tough Houston Bengals Scout Team.
Bold Prediction: Malone has battled some command issues, as one would expect from a young pitcher with extraordinary arm talent. Look for him to take the next step on the mound and truly start to harness his dynamic fastball/slider combination.
Jaxon Walker, OF (Tenn.)
5-11/175, L/L
Commitment: Georgia
PG Events: 46
Key Stats: .310-4-30; 34 SBs in ’20
Short Story: Walker is a dynamic, quick-twitch athlete with projectable tools across the board. He implores a quick, short stroke at the plate with emerging pull-side power and uses his 6.7 speed to impact the game on both sides of the baseball.
Big Moment: The Georgia commit has been a steady performer throughout his PG career, so pinpointing one specific moment may not be easy to specify. His 2020 stat line was quite impressive as he hit .310 with four home runs, 30 runs batted in and 34 stolen bases. Walker's performance at the 2020 14U National Showcase solidified his place amongst the classes best after an impressive two-week run at the 14 and 15U WWBA National Championships. His consistency at each event, coupled with his aforementioned performance at National led to him receiving an invitation to the 14U Select Festival this past September.
Bold Prediction: Look for Walker to continue adding strength throughout the next few years, which will only add another dimension to his already dynamic skill set. The young prospect will continue to be one of the better athletes amongst his peers as he looks to ascend up the rankings.
Kameron Davis, OF (Ga.)
5-10/186, R/R
Commitment: Florida State
PG Events: 9
Key Stats: .571 AVG/.800 OBP /1.371 OPS in ’20
Short Story: Davis is an immensely strong, fast-twitch two-sport athlete with big tools across the board. Perhaps the most physically gifted athlete within the class, the power/speed combination is tough to match and will only continue to get better with the more baseball he plays.
Big Moment: Davis burst onto the scene at the 2020 14U National Showcase, where he displayed the same quick-twitch athleticism and ultra-projectable tools I mentioned above. The Florida State dual-sport commit ran a 6.59 60, threw 85 mph from the outfield and exhibited loads of future power potential at the plate. Was eventually selected to participate in the 14U Select Festival this past September in Oklahoma.
Bold Prediction: Look for Davis to truly harness his big tools across the board as he garners more reps on the baseball field. Despite potentially being a football-first prospect, Davis’ upside may be the largest of any prospect in the class. Look for him to really shoot up the board if he ever decides to put more attention to baseball.
Nehomar Ochoa Acosta, OF (Texas)
6’3 165 R/R
Uncommitted
PG Events: 16
Key Stats: .333-1-18 in ’20
Short Story: Acosta is an impressive young prospect with legit two-way potential and immense physical projection down the road. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound athlete already runs his fastball up to 89 mph and has shown real power potential in limited looks.
Big Moment: The 2020 14U South MLK Championship is where we got a glimpse of truly how impressive Acosta may become. He ran his fastball up to 88 mph out of the ‘pen for his Driven Scout Team squad, while taking home all-tournament honors after hitting .438 during the event.
Bold Prediction: Look for Acosta to continue filling out his vastly projectable frame, while adding more velocity to his already powerful right arm. The velocity upside for the right-hander is seemingly limitless and will be fun to watch over the course of his prep career.
Mason Brassfield, OF (Calif.)
6-3/170, L/L
Uncommitted
PG Events: 8
Key Stats: 89 mph OF Velo, 85 mph FB Velo, 7.35 sec. 60
Short Story: Brassfield is a West Coast product with immense physical projection, advanced defensive actions and significant offensive upside. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound prospect is one of the more intriguing two-players in the class, as he is already up to 85 mph from the left-side and has displayed a high-upside hit tool in limited looks.
Big Moment: The uncommitted outfielder’s talents were on full display at the 2020 WWBA Workout Showcase, where he displayed the aforementioned projection mentioned above. The overall performance at the showcase was only a precursor to an exceptional week at the WWBA Freshman World Championship, where he took home all-tournament honors as both a hitter and pitcher. Brassfield hit .400 for the week with a trio of extra-base hits, while also holding a tough USA Prime 15U National lineup to one run in 3 2/3 innings.
Bold Prediction: Brassfield already exhibits some of the more polished two-way talent in the class, look for him to add strength to his highly projectable frame and start to turn some of those doubles into home runs as he fully matures. The ceiling is extremely high for the California native as he looks to continue climbing in the rankings.
Sam Erickson, OF (Wis.)
6’ 185 R/L
Uncommitted
PG Events: 4
Key Stats: .515-0-11 in ’20; 9 XBHs & 11 SBs in just 12 games played
Short Story: Erickson is a right-handed hitting outfielder that has hit extremely well throughout his limited PG event resume. Vastly projectable frame with a good set of present tools that will only continue to get better as he adds strength.
Big Moment: Despite only participating in four PG events thus far in his young career, the Wisconsin native has hit and then hit some more at each of the events. He hit .615 at the 2020 WWBA Freshman World Championships for his Louisiana Knights squad that lost to the eventual tournament champion in the second round of the playoffs, where he showed he can compete with the best in the class on the big stage.
Bold Prediction: Being from a cold weather state like Wisconsin sometimes allows for young prospects to be overshadowed by their warm weather counterparts. The recent success of guys like Gavin Lux and Jarred Kelenic are clear indicators that immensely talented prospects can be from anywhere. Look for Erickson to continue adding strength and really expand his present set of tools.
Gut Feel Risers
Matthew Scott II (Texas)
With a fastball already up to 89 mph and an extremely projectable 6-foot-4 frame, the sky is the limit for the University of Oklahoma commit. Look for Scott to continue adding strength, which will only aide in the already high-level potential he possesses on both sides of the ball.
Logan De Groot (Calif.)
De Groot is another West Coast prospect with legit two-way abilities and significant physical upside. The right-handed hitting outfielder exhibits plenty of athleticism in his movements, has run a 6.94 60 and displayed nice power potential in limited looks.
Brandt Munger (Calif.)
The Stanford commit has high-end two-way talent that will only continue to get better as he adds strength to his vastly projectable 6-foot-2 frame. Munger is 6.9 runner that has been up to 88 mph from the outfield, while displaying a developing hit tool and power potential. Has also been up to 86 mph on the mound.
Dennis (Trey) Butler (Ill.)
The Louisville commit's game-changing speed is presently his carrying tool, but I would expect to see him take the next steps both offensively and defensively as he continues to mature physically. Butler is simply too athletic and twitchy for him to not improve on both sides of the ball.
Dante Nori (Mich.)
Another cold weather prospect that has already made his commitment to Arizona State. Nori was a consistent performer on the circuit in 2020, impacting the game in multiple ways offensively. The smooth left-handed hitting outfielder hit .319 for the year, while also driving in 29 runs.
Austin Charles (Ariz.)
Charles is perhaps the most interesting prospect within the ’24 class, as he is a legitimate two-way prospect that is also an ambidextrous pitcher. The ability to excel on both sides of the ball is a true testament to the athletic ability he possesses. It will be exciting to see his development over the next few years.
Lou D'Alessio (N.J.)
All D’Alessio does is hit and then hit some more. The athletically-built outfielder hit .428 in 2020, while delivering some of the more astounding run production totals that we have seen. The New Jersey native accumulated 32 extra-base hits and drove in 78 runs over the course of his outstanding 2020 season.