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 in person (there will be some notable names not on this list, like Carson Wiggins William Schmidt, Tegan Kuhns, etc.) 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 the first 11 pitchers:

No. 1
Levi Sterling – Notre Dame (CA) - RHP/INF – Texas commit

Given his background as an elite two-way prospect because of his hitting ability and infield work, it wasn’t a surprise that Sterling was a good mover on the mound with athletic traits present in his delivery. But it was a little bit of a surprise to see how naturally he could manipulate the baseball, make it spin and look the way he wanted to. At 91-94 MPH with his fastball, Sterling attacked hitters from a sidearm slot that occasionally was more of a low three-quarters look when he wanted to get to a curveball. He wowed with a power curveball at 81-83 MPH with spin up to 2757 RPM, showed a slider at 85-86 MPH with spin around 2400 and a changeup at 82-84 MPH with a lot of vertical movement, horizonal movement and spin. Depending on the day, you might see Sterling take a little off the curveball, change the shape of his breaking balls and sink or cut the fastball. And after seeing the way he could make a changeup dance from an idea slot for the pitch, I’d put a very aggressive projection on its outlook as at least a future 55-grade pitch, too. He’s not the same pitcher, especially in the control/command area, as George Kirby, but he kind of reminds me of that type of pitcher. Because I’d bet you could put Sterling in the, for lack of a better word, lab and ask him to throw a pitch a certain way with a certain grip and he could probably do it. He’s the type of pitcher a good player development staff could do wonders with.

Throw in that he’s one of the youngest prospects in the 2024 class (will still be 17-years-old when the 2024 MLB Draft arrives) and a good 6-4 frame, and Sterling has all the ingredients to climb up draft boards this spring and establish himself as the top high school pitching prospect in the nation. I love betting on these types of pitchers because so much of what’s impressive about Sterling’s performance comes naturally and being a real two-way player has prevented him from being hyper-specialized, which gives him exciting room for developmental/skill growth. Offensively, Sterling didn’t record a hit in nine plate appearances, although his right-handed swing and profile have potential as a hitter. It’s just going to be hard for scouts to get the image of him pitching out of their head because of how impressive it was. He struck out six batters in 2.0 innings.  

No. 2
Joey Oakie – Ankeny Centennial (IA) – RHP – Iowa commit

When Oakie came out to the mound to start the second game of Area Code for the White Sox, it was then we learned two things: the White Sox were loaded on the mound and the Yankees lineup was in trouble. Across 3.0 innings, Oakie gave up one unearned run on one hit, two walks and struck out five. His stuff was right up there at the top with anyone on the event and featured a 94-96 MPH fastball (around 2400-2500 RPM), 83-86 MPH slider (spin up to 2950 RPM) and high-spin changeup with active fade at 83-85 MPH. Heck, the slider was so good he struck out a left-handed batter on a pitch that actually hit the batter on the knee. The list of best high school sliders in the nation might start with Oakie’s soul-stealing monster of a breaking pitch that baffled both lefties and righties. From a low three-quarters and almost sidearm slot, Oakie appeared to create a lower release height and finished a promising, simple delivery that featured a fairly steady head and not much effort despite the big velocity. Any conversation about top right-handed pitcher MLB Draft prospects needs to include Oakie, and I think there’s another level he can reach both physically and developmentally.

No. 3
Cam Caminiti – Saguaro (AZ) – LHP/OF – LSU commit

After a recent move from the 2025 class to the 2024 class, Caminiti went from maybe the best prospect in 2025 to one of the best in 2024. He’s a two-way prospect who barely pitched in the spring and can stand out as a left-handed hitting outfielder. But make no mistake, he’s a long-term pitching prospect who easily fired 92-94 MPH fastballs from the left side at Area Code and routinely beat hitters with his heater. We have seven fastball whiffs on video and many of them came in fastball counts when Caminiti beat hitters in the strike zone. During that outing, which was actually Caminiti’s 17th birthday, Caminiti threw 2.2 innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits, three walks and he struck out four. He had success featuring his fastball to his glove side and showed some poise/pitching feel when he went to a changeup to get a strikeout in a jam; his changeup at 82 MPH played well off his fastball, showing a similar look before a late dive towards his arm side. 

As for the spin, Caminiti showed both a slider (79-81 MPH; around 2200 RPM) and curveball (71-74 MPH) and neither stood out in an attention-grabbing way. That said, both had the type of visual break you want the pitches to have, and context is important: Caminiti didn’t throw much at all in the spring and doesn’t have the reps on the mound of some of his 2024 peers. Eventually, he’ll probably feature one over the other and my guess is the slider because of the way his hand worked through his finish and the present velocity he can already throw the pitch at. I think what separates Caminiti and makes scouts so excited is his physical profile: he’s an impressive athlete who will still be 17 years old when the 2024 MLB Draft occurs, and scouts can project his physical outlook. There were more than a few pitchers who performed better at Area Code, and putting Caminiti this high does require some aggressive projection. However, you can’t teach his combination of size and athleticism from the left side with good arm speed. With the bat, Caminiti looked a bit overmatched with seven strikeouts in 10 plate appearances and, from a pro perspective, is a pitching prospect. 

No. 4
Boston Bateman – Camarillo (CA) – LHP – LSU commit

I didn’t expect Boston Bateman, who appeared to be around 6-7 and 250 pounds, to move as well as he did on the mound and getting off the mound when he fielded his position. It’s uncommon to see pitchers that tall at that age have the type of under control operation he possesses; Bateman does a good job gathering and sitting back before transferring his energy and accelerating through his release with controlled intent. Up to 95 MPH, Bateman, who is nicknamed “Sasquatch,” moved his fastball to both sides of the plate with success and breezed through 3.0 dominant innings. Hitters often took fastballs and didn’t see to pick up the ball well, perhaps the result of not seeing his hands break and also the angle he created to his fastball. 

What makes Bateman an especially big-time prospect: a plus curveball at 79-81 MPH that had spin up to 2746 RPM and sharp bite coming out of a high release. Bateman’s fastball-curveball duo was so good he didn’t need to use the changeup, which he showed in warmups. Yes, there isn’t much physical projection for a big, strong lefty, but he doesn’t need any. A stronger lower half in the future will help support his frame, durability and strike-throwing. If Bateman shows a third pitch consistently this spring, I think he’ll easily become a prospect teams consider in the back half of the first round. It’s possible I saw Bateman when it was all clicking because there have been some questions about his strike-throwing, but the way his delivery and arm worked together in San Diego showed the strikes he threw there weren’t a fluke. The problem for Bateman? His two main pitches were so good against elite competition that he’s never needed a third offering. Good “problem” to have.

No. 5
Braylon Doughty – Chaparral (CA) – RHP – Oklahoma State commit

I don’t know if Doughty is as good as his extremely impressive Area Code performance: it’s impossible to truly know that after one outing. But I do know this: his performance was as good or better than any in the event. In fact, it was so good I felt I needed to go excuse myself and smoke a cigarette somewhere. And I don’t smoke. Up to 96 MPH with a fastball that also featured spin almost up to 2600 RPM, Doughty struck out five batters in 2.2 perfect innings and routinely made really good hitters look overmatched. His breaking ball ranged from 81-87 MPH with the slower breakers looking more like curveballs with a lot more depth compared to the harder, shorter ones. Regardless, it was a plus pitch no batter had an answer for. He didn’t need it, but Doughty also has an interesting changeup to use against lefties, too, and I think as he shows that more in the spring, scouts are going to like him even more. I'm cheating a little bit here, but our Doughty profile page does show some changeups if you look for them. 

In addition to terrorizing hitters with maybe the best pure stuff in the event, Doughty also messed with their timing in his delivery and showed some promising feel for and dedication to executing each pitch, which, along with his athleticism, helped him easily fire 27 of his 38 pitches for strikes. The California prospect made me a believer in his long-term control being at least 55-grade and maybe better, a trait that will help his fastball perform even if he sits in the 92-95 MPH range long-term. At around 6-0, his physical outlook might work against him some at draft time. Remember: nothing causes pro teams to pause more than spending a million dollars or more on a prep right-hander. But he probably had the best breaking ball I saw during all of 2023. 

No. 6
Ryan Sloan – York (IL) – RHP – Wake Forest commit

Powered by a strong, physical base and good bend in his delivery, Sloan touched 96 MPH with his fastball and gave up just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and two walks. He recorded whiffs on all three pitches with a sharp, true, 81-83 MPH slider (around 2500 RPM) and 83-87 MPH changeup (around 1800-1900 RPM) to accompany his big heater. Another pitcher who featured a low three-quarters slot, Sloan executed his slider well against righties when he was ahead in the count and the same could be said about his changeup against lefties. I think his arm action messes with hitters the ball comes out from a lower spot than expected given where Sloan shows the ball, above his head, at foot plant before his final rotation. He showed a durable starter’s build with three true offerings that can all miss bats. 

No. 7
Owen Hall – Edmond North (OK) – RHP – Vanderbilt commit

The fastest bullet of Area Code came from the right hand of Hall, who is a lean 6-2, 185 pounds. Up to 97 MPH, Hall worked mostly in the 93-96 MPH range early before a slight dip out of the stretch (91 MPH) as he searched for strikes. His heater was overpowering for hitters, which led to chases when Hall missed his spot early during his outing and whiffs when he did put the ball near his intended target as his outing progressed. In 3.0 scoreless innings, he struck out seven and gave up just two hits with two walks. In addition to his fastball, which had spin around 2600 RPM and carry, Hall also attacked with a future plus slider; the breaker was sharp and hard at 80-85 MPH with spin up to 2658 RPM and he showed some feel for adding some east/west to the pitch at a lower velocity, too. Hall’s firm changeup at 87-89 MPH with spin around 1700 RPM showed signs as at least a future average pitch and a real compliment to his power arsenal. His arm path does include some depth and length, which played a part in some arm side misses, but his hand/arm speed through his finish was noticeably impressive, coupled with deceleration. 

With some length accompanying a loose, lean frame, it’s likely there’s a little more filling out to come. The real addition will be some added leg strength to help support his delivery. My look at Hall didn’t result in a rosy outlook for his control/command with some relief risk in the profile because he had to dial down the velocity at times to find the strike zone, but he undoubtedly has one of the best fastballs in the nation with obvious room for growth both physically and developmentally. I’m optimistic about his outlook as a starter because of his physical outlook, movements on the mound, ability to generate/manipulate spin and how easily elite velocity comes to him. His future fastball is 70-grade and can be so dominant with its velocity and shape that it could carry a starter’s profile even if he’s just a two-pitch pitcher primarily. Major upside.

No. 8
Ethan Schiefelbein – Corona (CA) – LHP - UCLA commit

A household name as one of the best left-handed pitchers in the nation, Schiefelbein made 3.0 no-hit innings at Area Code look relatively easy. He punched out five and issued just two walks while breezing through his appearance. The 6-2 lefty touched 93 MPH with his fastball and sat comfortably in the 89-92 MPH range with some signs of command and control. His curveball was a true swing-and-miss weapon at 75-81 MPH with spin around 2500 RPM at times; it didn’t pop out of the hand and came at hitters at a fastball-like plane before sharp, downward dive towards the dirt. And I think it might have been a knuckle-curve-type of grip considering the spin. A good mover who bounces off the mound like an outfielder, Schiefelbein also featured a promising changeup at 80 MPH. You can see the present “layback” in his shoulder rotation, ankle mobility and a lot of positive traits in his delivery. I’m not comparing his prospect status/outlook to this guy, but his mannerisms on the mound reminded me a lot of Clayton Kershaw. Like he’s done in every setting for a long time, Scheifelbein showed impressive mound makeup and performed at an exceptionally high level thanks in large part to his advanced pitchability supported by a delivery that allows him to throw quality strikes routinely.

No. 9
Cooper Williams – Alvin (TX) – LHP – Texas A&M commit

We covered Williams in our story about top pitching performances HERE.

No. 10
Talan Bell – Hagerty (FL) – LHP/OF – Clemson commit

Bell, a true two-way prospect with a swing that played well from the left side, showcased one of my favorite, easily repeatable deliveries at Area Code – steady head, very steady back foot in his gather before driving towards foot plant, little effort and a ton of strikes. He also possessed some of the best pitchability, too. With a deep, four-pitch arsenal, Bell calmly tortured a good Royals lineup and at times even toyed with them by changing the timing of his delivery. Imagine someone gleefully riding a slow, old-school, cruiser bike through the white sands of a picturesque Florida coast while unknowingly dodging all types of chaos. That was Bell during his outing – just in his own, serene place while he carves up maybe the best lineup he’s ever faced.

He threw 3.0 no-hit innings without breaking a sweat and pounded the zone with an easy fastball (90-93 MPH) that played up. Bell used two distinct breaking balls – 75-76 MPH curveball and 84-85 MPH slider – for early strikes or late whiffs and his changeup, at 83-85 MPH, might have been his most interesting pitch because of its movement. Heck, I think I saw Bell even show a splitter in warmups that he kept in his back pocket. I can’t imagine there are many pitchers in the nation with a better control/command outlook than Bell, who appeared to be around 6-1, 175 pounds with present lean muscle packed onto his frame.

No. 11
William Kirk – Ramsey (NJ) – LHP – Virginia commit

Kirk showed a lot of traits that you look for in projecting a left-handed starting pitcher and betting on one long-term. He easily threw a lot of quality strikes; he had a good delivery, which featured notable knee extension on the lead leg; his frame looked like it had obvious projection remaining; his stuff, particularly his fastball-changeup combo, played well. In 3.0 no-hit innings, Kirk gave up one unearned run and walked one batter with seven strikeouts. His changeup, at 77 MPH with spin around 1900 RPM, came out of a very similar look to his fastball, which proved very problematic for hitters and his feel for spinning a curveball was solid. Kirk had enough confidence in his changeup, which flashed plus, that he even used it against lefties, which led to a couple of baffled takes.

Let's eat...
Tacos Calafia (Phoenix area, Arizona) - You know how you know the food is going to be good? When you drive up to a place in a strip mall and all that's listed outside above the restaurant, that has major hole-in-the-wall vibes in the best way, is a big printed sign that simply says TACOS. Because the food is so good, they don't need to waste money on fancy signage. I try Al Pastor tacos everywhere I go, and these rank up there with the best. Any legit Mexican-style taco place will offer Cabeza tacos and Tacos Calafia delivered with all the best parts about that hard-to-find, at least in Texas, taco. My first mulita ever came courtesty of this excellent establishment and if you've never had melted cheese and meat between two homemade corn tortillas, you're missing out. The self-serve salsa bar is fresh and presents a deep arsenal for all heat levels. During the Arizona Fall Classic, the Five Tool staff goes at least twice during four days. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor