Top Ten HS Players you have seen this decade

Put them on your list

 

Will do. There are others who could easily make the list as well. Hard to just do 10 from the East.

 

I know, but keep in mind the best 10 players you have seen in this decade

 

Just from the East...

1. Alex White
2. Matt Harrison
3. Brian Goodwin
4. Jason Neighborgall
5. Lonnie Chisenhall
6. Brian Goodwin
7. Matt Ellington
8. Connor Narron
9. B.J. Dail
10. Harris Honeycutt

 

Top 10 I have seen in HS..

1. Cameron Maybin
2. Justin Jackson
3. Tyler Hanover
4. Madison Bumgarner
5. Alex White
6. Zeke Blanton
7. David Mailman
8. Chris Narveson
9. John Hinson
10. Nick Mcbride

Please note that I saw these kids play in HS, alot of the ones that I know and have heard of were great, but I never saw. These kids stood out in terms of hitting, pitching, attitude and talent in my opinion. These are the kids that made the game look simple.

 

Only seriously began watching since 2004 so here is my list since then. I tried to select players that I had a chance to see multiple times and only considered their play during the high school season, not what I saw during the showcase circuit Also added a twist by making the list by position.

P – Madison Bumgarner South Caldwell (Giants)/Alex Wood Ardrey Kell - Not only could that both bring it, but threw strikes and where pitchers, not just throwers.

C – Tyler Tewell Butler – Anyone that hits for the cycle twice in a 24 game season is special, but only told part of the Tewell story.

1B – David Mailman Providence – (Red Sox) Best bat in the SW4A this decade.

2B – Levi Michael North Davidson – Just think how good his senior season would have beeen.

SS – Kyle Shelton South Meck – (White Sox) Was the type of player that you needed to watch everyday to appreciate how good he was because he would make the difficult play look easy; would rap out 2-3 line drives a game (batted over .600 as a senior) then lay down a perfect bunt for a hit; once on base would turn that base hit into a double with his legs. There has been many top SS, some with a lot more pop, but Shelton is my favorite.

3B – Richie Shaffer Providence – Senior season slowed by injury, but still one of the best sticks and gloves in the SW4A during his career.

RF – Jonathan Ratledge South Meck – Another player slowed by injury as a senior, but had the best arm when healthy and could absolutely mash.

CF – Zac Kennedy South Meck – I don’t think I would say he was the all around best CF in the last 6 years (Tyler Zupcic/Ryan Stetson just last year to start) but he made the three best plays I have seen a high school player make so I felt I should include him here. All three plays with runners on base in clutch situations. The first two were almost identical, both vs. Providence as they battle for the league title. A ball was scorched over his head, he turns and races towards the fence with his back to the infield lays out to snare the ball as it passes over his head. The best play was in the first game of the west regional against West Forsyth. Runners on first and second one out. Ball hit into right center gap, Kennedy chases it down as he crashes into the fence and then throws a strike to third to double up the runner trying to advance after the catch. Sabres hold on to win 7-6.

LF – David Rubenstein South Meck (Pirates) – Another cannon in the Sabre outfield that also could swing the stick. The trio of Sabre OF in 04-05 were a rare combination at the high school level.

 

Some more to think about

C next post

 

David Mailman
Brian Goodwin
Pratt Maynard
Josh Horton
Cameron Maybin
Cameron Conner
Tyler Hanover
Levi Michael
Madison Bumgarner

 

I haven't been following high school ball nearly as long as you guys, but let me throw in a vote for Alex Hill.

Watched his senior season at Vance. He could run down anything from gap to gap in CF and watching him hit, and hit, and hit was a pleasure. Some nice power too for a kid that isn't all that big.

Good kid too. My son was a freshman on that team and Alex never played "the big star". He was always willing to help.

 

Parker Bangs
Seth Maness
Ryan Norton
Derick Lowery
Kyle Roller
Tyler Tewell
Ritchie Schaffer
Jack Reinheimer
Luke Bard
Will Meyers
Honorable Mention....Nick Liles