In just over a couple of weeks after Santa Claus has delivered his gifts and joy, we’ll wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome in 2024. December is one of the rare months in Texas when the baseball calendar almost comes to a complete halt. I say “almost” because I’m sure somewhere there is a workout, a game being played, something happening on a field. I use a lot of this time to work on our rankings, plan for the upcoming spring season and write, which is why you’re here. 

The 2023 baseball calendar was packed: spring high school season beginning the first week of February with scrimmages and ending in early June with the THSCA All-Star Game; Five Tool summer schedule kicking off in late May and running through early August; two weeks at Area Code in August; fall Five Tool schedule, scout team games and prospect workouts after the summer. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I saw a ton of baseball during 2023. December is also a time to think back about the best of the best: best players, performances, games, moments and more. I saw a lot of really good players of all ages, teams, games, events and more. Before we move to 2024, I wanted to share some “best of” stories from my in-person looks while also emptying my scouting notebook and publishing a lot of reports that have been hanging out in my hard drive. And for fun, because the Five Tool Podcast almost always includes food discussion, some “best of” eating, too. 

Here’s my latest problem: I got carried away with the pitchers. At Area Code, I was often in charge of capturing video of the pitchers. So, I often left with a better feel for those prospects than the position players, although I have about 20 pages of handwritten notes on those guys, too. I say “problem” because this project ended up being just over 10,000 words, but my hope is that it’s the opposite of a problem for readers. I went back and ranked the best 55 high school pitching prospects I saw during the 2023 calendar year. Was it difficult to slot these guys in order especially since I saw almost all of them only one time in person? In my best Stone Cold Steve Austin voice… hell yeah. But the exercise was fun, and I think a creative way for me to publish a ton of leftover scouting reports that weren’t published. Let’s get to the list and the reports, which will be broken down into five parts to keep one story from being War and Peace. Here are pitchers ranked 12-22.

No. 12
Mason Russell – Casteel (AZ) – LHP – Arizona commit

Russell’s fastball seemingly surprised some hitters at 88-92 MPH (2500 RPM) perhaps because of how easily it came out of his hand and also because he’s not the most physically imposing pitcher. The lefty was listed at 6-2, 180 pounds but looked closer to 6-0 than 6-2. Regardless, he also didn’t look like he was done growing and filling out, and you don’t need to dream for hours to picture a strike-throwing lefty with developing command and a good delivery sitting comfortably at 90-94 MPH with a fastball that plays up. Oh. Russell also snapped off a future plus curveball at 78-84 MPH with spin around 2700 RPM and he appeared to be able to adjust the speed of the pitch to match what he wanted it to do while also purposely altering its shape (might have been a slider/cutter in there). Once Russell, one of the top athletes on the mound in the event, began to mix in his 75 MPH changeup, it was obvious he had another pitch that was going to be at least future average. A lefty with a good delivery; good, clean arm path; impressive feel for spin; low 90s heater that plays up; quality changeup... this is a heck of a profile.

No. 13
Trey Gregory-Alford – Coronado (CO) – RHP – Virginia commit

At 6-5, 235 pounds with a big frame, Gregory-Alford is the definition of “power pitcher.” He touched 95 MPH with a dominant fastball that came out of a three-quarters slot and his curveball, thrown with a higher slot, was an angry power breaker at 82-83 MPH with up to 2779 RPM spin. In 2.1 shutout innings, the strong, durable righty struck out four and gave up three hits with no walks. He also appeared to turn over a fastball/throw a very, very hard changeup with heavy sink at 93 MPH for a nasty strikeout against a lefty. At times, his breaking ball might take more of a slider shape than a power hook, but regardless, it’s a strong offering and his fastball appeared to occasionally baffle hitters with its shape. He has a durable starter’s build, but he needs his third pitch to continue progressing for scouts to confidently project a starter’s outlook. If he did end up in the bullpen, you wouldn’t need to go out on a limb to envision a 100 MPH fastball and plus breaking ball. 

No. 14
Casan Evans – St. Pius X (TX) – RHP – LSU commit

Coming off a spectacular spring season, Evans’ summer started a bit slow because of some forearm inflammation. But the right-handed pitcher and LSU commitment returned to the mound during the AABC Don Mattingly World Series as he geared up for Area Code and Marucci Elite Texas Dunn’s final events. Area Code provided some flashes of dominance – in particular, the changeup/splitter was dynamite – along with some signs of rust and a long spring followed by the summer. The breaking stuff and delivery were both better during spring looks where Evans’ athleticism and rhythm on the mound showed better. At the Baseball Factory All-American Game, Evans struck out the side and was up to 96 MPH. I remain a big believer in Evans’ feel for pitching/executing his stuff. I’ve seen him sink fastballs; throw 95 MPH; show a slider and curve (curve is the breaker of choice now that can be thrown harder for shorter break); fine-tune his changeup into a dynamic weapon; and show his impressive athleticism with a Jeter-esque jump throw across to first from the third base line. Granted, some of that long list of accomplishments came during 2022 looks, but I know it’s in there. There’s a chance he has four future average or better offerings and some true feel for pitching. Coming out of the spring, he would have been higher on this list, and I’m assuming next spring will put an up-and-down summer firmly in the rear-view mirror.

No. 15
Wylan Moss – Mater Dei (CA) – RHP – UCLA commitment

A skinny 6-3, 175 with a loose, quick arm, Moss showed good mound makeup when he was asked to enter a jam at Area Code in the seventh inning of the Brewers’ 2-0 win over the A’s and recorded the final two outs, with one strikeout, to earn the save. Later during the final day of the event, Moss was able to throw 2.0 innings and gave up just one unearned run on two hits with three strikeouts. The latter outing is when Moss’ stuff, particularly his 79-84 MPH slider that was 77-80 MPH his first outing, really stood out. His hand speed and the way he finishes creates an electric fastball that seemingly jumps on hitters and helps his slider do some major damage. Heck, his hand speed stood out to me as much or more so than any pitcher I saw at Area Code and his arm moves loosely and freely away from his body. With a loose frame that should continue to get stronger and fill out along with some ways to make the delivery/quick arm more efficient, Moss has really intriguing upside because it’s not hard to envision him sitting 90-94 MPH with a future plus slider and usable changeup as a third pitch. The way he’s able to rotate on the mound and create energy stands out. 

No. 16
Zach Swanson – Toutle (WA) – RHP – Oregon State commit

No one racked up whiffs like Swanson did, who possessed one of the event’s best breaking balls. His 82-85 MPH slider with notable depth had spin up to 2885 RPM during his first outing when he struck out six in 2.0 innings with one run on three hits and three walks. On the final day, Swanson punched out two in a perfect inning and used a wipeout breaking ball to strike out one of Area Code’s top hitters. A sturdy 6-2, 205-pound right-hander, Swanson’s fastball was in the 92-95 MPH range with ability to beat hitters up in the zone and he showed an 85-86 MPH changeup. At times, Swanson could move a little too quickly towards the plate and his control was inconsistent during his start. Regardless, his power stuff is going to make him one of the most heavily scouted pitchers in the Pacific Northwest this upcoming spring. Like Owen Hall, there’s the possibility this profile ends up as a high-leverage relief arm with two 60-grade offerings, but there is a path towards impact starter with a more refined delivery and better control/command. 

No. 17
Anson Seibert – Blue Valley Southwest (KS) – RHP – Tennessee commit

Listed at 6-8, 225 pounds, Seibert long ago established himself as a good mover for his age and size because he doesn’t look awkward or feature a ton of effort. He had one of the biggest fastballs in the event and although his velocity dipped (91-93 MPH) some as his outing progressed, he blew gas by hitters when he worked at 94-96 MPH with spin around 2700 RPM and what looked like some unique traits. Seibert also recorded whiffs with his slider at 81-83 MPH with spin around 2500 RPM and flashed an 85-88 MPH changeup. Seibert did have some arm side misses up and did show a tendency to pull his body towards first base while the arm worked late back the other way, but there are a lot of really special ingredients that made him one of the best performers (struck out five in 2.0 innings) and prospects in the country. As he adds strength, he's poised to carry his stuff and control deeper into outings.

No. 18
Blake Larson – IMG Academy (FL) – LHP – White Sox – TCU commitment

Up to 95 MPH with a lively heater that occasionally featured a lot of natural arm side run, Larson was one of the most intriguing long-term pitching prospects at Area Code. His slider, up to 81 MPH, was dynamite with good spin, swing-and-miss qualities and hitters didn’t want any part of it. Larson also mixed in a very firm changeup at 87-88 MPH and has shown more of an overhand curveball with depth and spin in the past. At around 6-3, 180 pounds, Larson is long and lean with a frame that should be able to pack on a noticeable amount of strength in the future. He is still growing into his frame on the mound and getting all his active moving parts on time to consistently throw strikes is a work in progress; he’s definitely a control-over-command pitcher right now who primarily works in short stints and sometimes scatters his fastball, which means projecting him as a starter is aggressive. However, there’s a possibility it all clicks in the future and Larson ends up a major starting pitching prospect because his body/movements are fine. This might be a bit lazy of a comparison, but given the body, slot and stuff, there are some Chris Sale vibes. And even if he doesn’t take a big developmental leap to become a viable starter, he could be a dynamite backend reliever with a plus heater and plus breaker. I do wonder if we saw Larson right as he began to really take off and put it all together. 

No. 19
Aidan Hayse – Joilet Catholic Academy (IL) – RHP – Tennessee commit

Listed at 6-3, 170 pounds, Hayse looked closer to 6-1. However, Hayse should continue adding some mass through his upper half, is going to continue to grow and is such a good mover with a quick arm/hand speed that he’s an exciting prospect and the type that could blow up in college. Hayse possessed one of my favorite deliveries and right-handed arms in the event. A very good athlete who shows it with his operation and arm speed, Hayse fired 2.0 no-hit innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Up to 94 MPH with some hint of carry through the zone, the righty also featured some good stuff to go with his delivery. Hayse could beat people with his fastball and overwhelmed righties with his 80-83 MPH slider, which had spin up to 2700 RPM and sharp, late break to his glove side and he has the feel for presenting a different breaking ball to hitters, too. His changeup, which he confidently featured against righties, too, is at least a future average third pitch and probably more at 84-86 MPH with signs of major horizontal break. This is an ideal profile to bet on. 

No. 20
Brayton Thomas – Bishop Dwenger (IN) – LHP – Indiana commit

This isn’t the best analysis you’ll find, but I’m going to write it anyway: Thomas simply looks like an Indiana pitcher. He’s big and strong with a durable 6-3, 235-pound frame and toes the rubber with an imposing Midwest presence. He backs it up with a fastball that can sit in the low 90s, a tight, short slider around 80 MPH with late downward bite and a hint of sweep and a usable changeup that is a true third offering. At times, his slider can take the shape of a power curveball visually, which might have been by design against right-handed hitters while lefties were tormented by execution of a shorter, harder breaking ball to his glove side. From a low three-quarters slot with notable extension, Thomas presents a bit if a unique look for hitters, which might help his fastball play up.

No. 21
Cole Gibler – Blue Springs (MO) – LHP – Arkansas commitment

Gibler is a classic example of a pitcher who can help outperform his stuff – which was plenty good – by the way he carries himself and operates on the mound. Listed at 6-2, 190 pounds (looked closer to 6-1, 180 pounds with some lean muscle), Gibler wasn’t the type of physical monster some other arms were at Area Code. But he carried himself like he was 6-5, 220 pounds with impressive confidence and a quiet fire to accompany his quick tempo.

In 3.0 innings, Gibler gave up one run on one hit, one walk and punched out seven. His out pitch was a sharp, 79-81 MPH curveball with spin around 2800 RPM that had angry, downward break in the zone. Gibler’s takeaway and delivery created a bit of deception and his shoulders/arm created the look of a high, three-quarters release, which worked well with his curveball and should help him stay on top of his fastball. The lefty featured an 86-91 MPH fastball he consistently threw for strikes that should continue to progress as he adds strength and a changeup around 83-85 MPH that played well off his fastball and can get whiffs against righties. With good bend and movements on the mound, Gibler has a lot of promise.

No. 22
Mason Brassfield – Bakersfield Christian (CA) – LHP – TCU commit

At around 6-3 and 190 pounds, Brassfield certainly checks the physical boxes ideal for a high school lefty. And he sat 90-93 MPH with his fastball at Area Code with a sharp slider (82-86 MPH) that played well off his fastball and the release height he created with his shoulder positioning. Brassfield’s starter’s outlook is supported by a quality changeup that will help him against right-handers because he won’t need much help against lefties. Frankly, they looked helpless against him because he was able to bury his fastball with some angle to his glove side and then place his slider in a similar area just off the plate to rack up whiffs. I left seeing him with more questions about the control than I would have expected, but I left with no questions about the stuff and the slider was particularly nasty as a future wipeout offering. 

Let’s eat…
Pinkerton’s Barbecue (Houston and San Antonio, TX) – About 15 minutes away from Casan Evans’ high school is the best BBQ in the state of Texas and some of the best in the nation. Am I biased? Admittedly, yes. The owner and pitmaster extraordinaire is a longtime friend, but I promise you he doesn’t need my help in selling the food and atmosphere. The brisket is phenomenal and tender bites are packed with a flavorful burst of all the right notes. I’m most partial to the pork ribs, which must be ordered with the H-Town style candy paint glaze. Throw in a half ring of jalapeno cheese sausage to add a little fire to the smoke. I typically don’t like turkey, but Pinkerton’s turkey is the opposite of dry and bland, something that isn’t easy for even the best BBQ places to pull off. All the homemade sides are worthy of being selected. The jalapeno cheese rice is the star, though, and Pinkerton’s does an awesome job of bringing some Gulf Coast flavors in addition to traditional BBQ sides. Can’t beat it. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor