footmaster

I know none of these teams fall into a top 5 discussion... But does anyone see a solid surprise season out of teams such as St. Henry, Ludlow, Lloyd, Bellevue, Bishop Brossart? Any other teams to watch out for?

I expect Conner to be really good again...

This is a very interesting thought... I'd love to see it happen.

It's hard to win State, depends on pitching and the draw... Not to mention a little all around luck. You can kill a ball and hit it right at a defender all day. Baseball is a funny game. But I agree that Highlands has a legit shot and Baioni has done a heck of a job over there...

Solid player... He plays bigger than his measurables would indicate. He's one of the many very good baseball players in NKY right now. The JR class is deep in the whole State really.

It's hard to think of everybody because that junior group is pretty deep. This is a great mix of solid players you have here though. I'd add Smallwood from Dixie and Raisor from Highlands... Hayes from Bellevue is coming on too. I got to see a lot of the Beechwood kids, Evan Slone and Jake Ziegelmeyer last year. I saw Purnell once... Anyway, everyone on your list that I saw were clearly talented and hard working baseball players. I expect solid seasons from all of these kids this year and believe many of them will play at some level of college if they choose to.

Definitely one of the worst high school fields in NKY...especially the outfield which is downright dangerous for kids with all the holes, dips and valleys. I really hope this makeover happens for the kids' sake.

Yeah, Brad would be an excellent addition!

I hear he's putting together a pretty good coaching staff too...

So I've heard from several different sources that Seth has already dropped out of UC... That's a shame if it's true. Anyone else hearing this?

Congrats to Donald Scheid for getting the head coaching job at Calvary Christian. Now he has to put a staff together and rebuild their program. Good luck!

Leaning towards Newport in this one.... Will be a good game.

Anyone know how often they update these PBR lists? As I said, I'd like to see some more NKY kids work their way onto it.

When I said 90's, I meant as in numerical order. I didn't know he was at 32... My mistake. I believe his exit velocity did reach 90 though... I think, lol!

Totally agree, Purnell is very solid! I would've liked to see Smallwood from Dixie and Sieter & Hayes from Bellevue make the list too. Maybe PBR is currently unaware of them and maybe that can make it as the year goes on...

This list is for Top 2016 players for the entire State of Kentucky.... So, not sure I agree Purnell is being underrated. 15 is pretty damn good! I knew Ziegelmeyer was originally underrated because he was in the 90's last year and now finds himself at 10. I do believe Heppler and Slone are underrated though...not that they're top 25. But I could see Heppler in top 40 and Slone (being smaller and all) maybe in the 60's to 70's range. Good news is they have plenty of room to move up if they work for it. Not much room for Purnell to jump though. Again, I think 15 is a great spot.

Well, as others have pointed out...PBR does really good work but it is just offering a glimpse of information to college scouts. Personally I'd have Heppler a little above 57 and I'd have Slone above 100... But PBR may have only seen these guys once or twice to make an assessment. Also, a lot of the guys further down the list (or not even on the list) just don't have gaudy "measurables". Again, they have to try to find some democratic way to rank players and those measurables seem fair enough as a whole. I think most college coaches realize that some kids play "bigger" than their measurables would indicate. So, any kid on the list should be proud of themselves for sure. Keep working if they want to move up the list and if you're not on the list, it doesn't mean you can't get there. Play hard and have fun!

Thanks, sorry I missed that one. Anyone else?

Btw, Fieger from Beechwood Raisor from Highlands Slone from Ludlow

More NKY kids on list: Kyle Fieget #61 Ricky Raisor #88 Evan Slone #100 And several great NKY players not on the list. As someone posted earlier, 9th region is loaded with 2016 talent as well as the whole state of Kentucky. I can't wait for high school baseball to get started.

2016 has a very deep class of really good baseball players... Not surprised to see Ziegelmeyer climbing the ranks. There are a lot of solid ball players that probably won't even make this list because 2016 is so deep.

Totally agree Ring Master. PBR is awesome and they run great events. As far as I know, they are quite affordable too. I've heard many people say that college coaches will "find" you even if you never go to camps or events. And while that is possible, you certainly increase your chances of being "found" if you participate in some of these events. No need to break the bank. Pick and choose a couple here and there. And keep working hard in the classroom.

I usually agree with 90% of everything you say... Except with this. Obviously, if a kid throws 90 versus a kid throwing 70...no brainer. But comparing HS kids that throw 78mph versus 82mph... Or runs a 7.3 60 yd dash compared to a 7... Believe me, they care and compare baseball IQ, instincts, etc. and more importantly... Grades! I wish more kids understood the school part of it. I've known and still know several college coaches (both family members and family friends) that have all passed on kids with higher measurables based on things that I've just mentioned. As one coach told me...if you just look at numbers, your just lazy. Yes, they use PBR and Perfect Game and Baseball Factory and NCSA and FieldLevel, etc. But if they're really interested in a kid.. They want to talk to the kid, his coaches, parents, teammates, teachers, etc. A smart college coach will get the full story on a kid...as much as reasonably possible anyway.

All true... And I personally love what PBR does... But velocity and bat exit speed does not make one a great player... It surely doesn't hurt, but it isn't the whole story. And PBR doesn't claim to give the whole story...just what they believe bases on what they've seen. That was my main point in answering lauch8... More than likely PBR has not yet seen or heard of the catcher from Boone... Or if the kid is as good as was said, he'd probably be on the list. Unless, as I said... If his "measurables" are below what they believe to be top 200. It doesn't necessarily mean the kid isn't going to be a college level player...maybe he just needs exposure or needs to promote his "intangibles" if the "measurables" are lacking. That's where he would need high school coaches and/or summer coaches to speak on his behalf. But on the whole, PBR is great.

If he hasn't gone to a PBR event, he won't be on the list. Also, PBR rankings are based on raw camp data such as 60 yd dash times, exit velocities, top fastball speed, pop times, etc. Their rankings have almost nothing to do with a kid's baseball IQ and competitiveness. PBR does great work, but that is one flaw.