Originally, when I recommended a list of 55 players, it seemed like a great idea. Because, you know, Five Tool… Five Tool 55… lots of fives… pretty genius, right? Well, cutting the list to just 55 players is always a pain, but the 2023 class proved to be especially annoying. Legitimately, there are probably 20, maybe 30 players with overall grades identical or very similar to the final five players on the list. I want to reiterate that being a top 100 player in Texas essentially means you’re one of the best high school baseball players and prospects in the nation and covering the entire state of Texas means we’re not going to see everyone multiple times. 

Here's the “Just Missed” list and the next 55 players in alphabetical order:

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OR CLICK THE BADGE ON A PLAYER'S PROFILE

WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN NO. 56?
If I knew for sure Cinco Ranch right-hander Gavin Rutherford, a standout quarterback, would be able to play baseball in addition to football at SFA, he could have made the Five Tool 55. With a lively fastball up to 93 MPH and a sharp slider that dominated hitters, Rutherford emerged as one of the state’s best pitchers to end the season. In addition to Rutherford, Plano East’s Dasan Harris, San Antonio Johnson’s Ryne Farber, Celina’s Caden Mitchell, Sillsbee’s Logan Simmons, Foster's Micah Dean, Memorial’s Jakob Schulz, Van Alsythe’s Dakota Howard, and Cypress Woods’ Brady Sullivan were especially tough to leave off. 

Harris is wiry strong, can really run, covers ground in center field and had a strong year in center field; there’s a big gap between present and future tools, but the future is really bright. Farber is a switch-hitter skilled at making contact, ran down the line in 3.99 seconds from the left side on a bunt, has a real chance to stick at shortstop and is a heady, winning player. Texas State doesn’t appear to be in need of freshmen innings in the middle of the infield, but don’t be surprised if he’s beloved by that program before he leaves. 

Mitchell is a physical, left-handed hitting catcher with a chance to stick behind the dish and is another member of McLennan’s loaded incoming catcher group. Simmons is a right-handed strike-thrower with a big curveball and a track record of success who could pitch early at Houston. Vanderbilt signee Schulz is among the more well-known names in the state, and when he’s right, he’s throwing a fastball that plays up, a big curveball for whiffs, and a promising changeup. But he threw just 38 innings this season and didn’t have the senior season many were expecting. 

Sullivan and Howard are both speedy outfielders with tools, and Sullivan in particular could really blow up at the next level with his blend of arm strength, athleticism, speed and hitting. Howard is a standout athlete who fits what Oklahoma is looking for. After missing most of last summer, Foster’s Micah Dean was one of the best 5A players in Texas and put on a show when I went to go see a playoff game. Although he played shortstop well with quick hands and a strong arm, Dean could profile best as an impact defender in center field.

BIG POWER
Waller’s Davis Rivers possesses perhaps the most raw power from the left side in the state and fellow Texas Tech signee Garet Boehm has some of the most power from the right side. Could both hitters eventually sit in the middle of a Lubbock lineup and mash? It’s possible. JM Long, a left-handed masher from Pleasant Grove, could join them. I’m sensing a theme – Texas Tech likes taking chances on guys with big power. It’s possible. Oklahoma State signee and Lake Travis hitter Cole Johnson is a good bet to blossom into an impact power hitter at the next level. 

STUFF THAT GETS WHIFFS
Birdville’s Parker Hutyra features one of the top sliders in the state and can make right-handed hitters look silly. His delivery does include some notable effort, which means he might end up in the backend of a bullpen. But the slider is going to play no matter what. Guyer’s Brad Pruett, who is also heading to Oklahoma, could be described similarly. 

Once Jackson Baker, a right-hander from Lake Travis heading to Alabama, learns to harness his stuff, he could really take off. Right now, his sinker, which I’ve seen up to 93 MPH, often moves so much he can’t quite control it and his sharp, sweeping slider has a ton of horizontal run, too. He’s a good athlete and a new set of developmental eyes on college could unlock more strikes. Timber Creek’s Zachary Frye made a name for himself last summer with one of the best sliders in the state. 

GUYS WHO CAN REALLY PITCH
Landon Bowden was 83-86 MPH from the left side when I saw him at the THSCA All-Star Game, but as he’s always done, he really pitched with feel for three pitches he could execute. Left-handed pitcher Kyle Bade (Plano) saw his velocity tick up in the fall, which led to Oklahoma State immediately making a move to secure his commitment, and remains one of the top pitchability arms in the state. Keevyn Goss (W.B. Ray) looked the part, too, with a promising three-pitch mix he executed and some visual signs in his delivery/shoulder rotation he’s going to see a velocity bump soon. I’m not sure which role Caden Ferraro will have at Texas A&M, but I know he can really spin an overhand hook, his changeup finds the zone and he can move the fastball around. 

From the right side, Noah Bentley (Celina) looked like himself this spring after looking exhausted from a long football season as QB1 and baseball season last summer. The athletic righty’s velocity ticked back up, his slider regained form and his feel for a changeup was promising. He seems like an ideal candidate to transform with some time focused on one sport and in a college strength and conditioning program. Landry Powell (Rockwall-Heath) consistently spun an overhand curveball that was among the best in the state and can really pitch with a changeup that helps his mid-to-upper 80s fastball play up. Recent UTA signee Caylon Dygert was known a long time as a catcher, but he threw some outstanding innings for Magnolia West this season and was really impressive during the THSCA All-Star game. He presented feel for spinning two distinct breaking balls and fastball command. 

Lake Travis’ OJ Gonzalez added a quality changeup to his strike-throwing profile and was a top performer for two years. Lucas Moore, who signed with UTSA, leaves Katy as one of the best pitchers in program history thanks in part to excellent mound makeup, a high-spin, big curveball and one of the state’s best changeups, which features very low spin rates.

A GOOD YEAR FOR CATCHERS
In addition to some of the names mentioned above, Deer Park’s Dillon Lester, Regan’s Andrew Ermis, Oak Ridge’s Conner Bennett and Tompkins’ Landon West are great examples of how deep the catcher position is in Texas for 2023. Ermis is a big, physical right-handed hitter with some of the best catch-and-throw skill in the state and Lester is an all-around talent who was among the toughest players to leave off the list. 

PICK TO CLICK
Luke Pettitte, who is a year younger than most of his peers, can spin a pretty overhand hook as well as anyone in the state, saw his velocity tick up, is becoming a physical presence and can throw hard with a promising changeup… his delivery is among the best in the class and it’s always smart to bet on sons of outstanding MLB pitchers. I think he's a candidate to flourish at DBU and become a weekend starter sooner than later.

On the position player side, Cypress Ranch's Tobias Motley showed improved game power this season, filled into his frame, showed improved defensive skill and is an ideal candidate to realize his high-level potential at Rice. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor