After what many considered a strong 2020 draft class, 2021 is stacking up to be an equally impressive pool of eligible talent, especially among the high school ranks. While 2021 may not ultimately provide the depth of exemplary college pitching that 2020 did, the impending class is chock full of preps that figures to fill out a greater ratio of the first round than 2020.

We developed this initial Top 100 in a pretty straightforward manner. Both Ralph Lifshitz and Joe Doyle ranked their Top 200 draft-eligible players. We then took the aggregate ranking for those players and re-ranked the list. It’s a two-pronged approach weighing two evaluators equally.

This list will continue to grow. We have over 200 players prepared, but why show our entire hand before we have an idea just how good it could be? By November, you could expect his list to hit the 500 mark. Note: Because our working sheet is more than 100 names, you’ll see some players rise higher than spots available.

We’re only a month and a half into the 2021 draft cycle but there’s some guys that have flashed solid potential. The Perfect Game National Showcase, as well as several smaller regional events in recents weeks, have highlighted several guys who have the potential to be first rounders. Couple this with some small summer ball leagues showcasing some college talent and we’re beginning to get a better idea of how the top should shake out. Premier guys like Ian Moller, Chase Burns, and Benny Montgomery continue to impress, while pop-ups like Maddux Bruns and Gage Jump have skyrocketed up our boards. The biggest riser in the Top 100? None other than Bruns who now borders on the edge of first-round caliber. The biggest tumble? Portage, MI SS Luke Leto. It’s been tough sledding thus far for Leto, though most of that based on the previous merits of him being a shortstop. Leto’s bat is less in question, and he may end up a corner outfielder or first baseman long-term.

Without further ado, The List™