Behind the clear top two, this class of high school left handers is very shallow, with Matthew Liberatore and Ryan Weathers looking like clear first rounders but nobody else looking like a lock for even the top 100 picks. Interestingly, the top four high school lefties in this class are actually about pitchability over stuff, which isn't common, but also limits ceilings. I'm personally a big fan of Liberatore, Hansen, and Wade.
1. Matthew Liberatore (Mountain Ridge HS, AZ)
I'm a huge fan of Liberatore, who reminds me a ton of Clayton Kershaw. The 6'5" lefty gets by on pitchability rather than velocity, throwing in the low 90's with a very good curveball, slider, and changeup, commanding it all very well for a high schooler. He has even been up to 97 with that fastball, showing upside to go along with his already advanced game. In addition to having the exact same arsenal as Kershaw, the two have very similar deliveries, and it wouldn't surprise me if Liberatore ended up an All Star. He has been a bit inconsistent this spring, but that's because he has looked better than expected at times, not worse. He's committed to Arizona but won't get there because he'll be taken in the top ten picks.
2. Ryan Weathers (Loretto HS, TN)
Weathers is another pitchability left hander, lacking physical projection at 6'2" but making up for it with very good present stuff. He currently throws in the low 90's with a curveball that flashes plus and a changeup that is very advanced for his age, and he commands it all very well for a high schooler. He shouldn't take as long to develop as other high school pitchers and could be a mid rotation starter. He's committed to Vanderbilt, but should be signable when he's drafted somewhere in the second half of the first round.
3. Brett Hansen (Foothill HS, CA)
There is a huge gap in high school left handers after Weathers, but Hansen is yet another pitchability guy who makes his stuff play up with a clean delivery and good control. His fastball sits around 90, but he is projectable at 6'4" and also has pretty good secondary stuff. He's committed to Vanderbilt as well, but will be a tough sign as a Mormon with a possible mission looming. He could go anywhere from the third round to undrafted.
4. Garrett Wade (Hartselle HS, AL)
I am a fan of the 6'2" lefty from northern Alabama, as he throws his fastball around 90 but generates high spin rates that make it play above its velocity. He also has a full arsenal with a slider, curve, and changeup, and his three quarters delivery is deceptive enough that it all plays up with his good command. He's a sleeper who could outplay his draft position, likely somewhere in the third or fourth round, and he's committed to Auburn.
5. Garrett McDaniels (Pee Dee Academy, SC)
McDaniels is very raw as a pitcher, throwing in the upper 80's to low 90's from a very skinny 6'2" frame, but his best pitch is currently his power curveball. There is upside here with his deceptive delivery, but the risk is also high due to numerous factors including his build and present stuff. He's probably best off attending Coastal Carolina but otherwise profiles as a fourth to sixth round pick.
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