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  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Outfield (Part 1)

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    This post covers the first five of our top college outfielders for the 2019 MLB Draft. This group of outfielders has some high-end, first-round talent and a couple of underrated players in our eyes. All five of these players should have a future in the outfield, with three being center fielders.

    JJ Bleday and Hunter Bishop have battled all season for the Division I home run lead and will compete for a top-10 draft selection as well. Kameron Misner has the look and talent of a top-10 pick, but meager production in conference play has made him slide down draft boards. Dominic Fletcher and Bryant Packard own the most consistent college numbers of the group, but lack the size and upside of the other three.

    Hunter Bishop, OF
    Arizona State University (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-05, 210 lbs
    Date of Birth: 06/25/1998

    Hit- 50 (60) Power- 60 (65) Run- 65 (60) Arm- 55 (55) Field- 55 (60)

    Written by Matt Noskow and Kerby Callison

    Analysis
    Hunter Bishop has exploded onto the draft scene this year, competing for the Division I lead in home runs and slugging over 1.000 for most of the year. He struggled last season at Arizona State, batting only .250/.352/.407 with five home runs and an alarming 30 percent strikeout rate before breaking out this season. Bishop is currently hitting .366/.492/.814 with 22 home runs and 11 stolen bases. His monstrous junior season seems legit, but his lack of a track record of college success and struggles in the Cape Cod League should still worry MLB teams.

    His breakout and climb up draft boards can be credited to his swing change in the fall. Previously, he had too many moving parts, which caused him to swing and miss at a high rate, but now he takes a more direct path to the ball, which has unleashed his bat speed and led to more power and a refined approach at the plate– he has cut down on his strikeouts and increased his walk total this season. Bishop has increased his walk rate from 11 percent last season to 17 percent this year. His strikeout numbers have fallen dramatically from a 30 percent strikeout rate to 22 percent in his junior season. Most of Bishop’s power is to his pull side, but he can hit to all fields. He has shown vulnerability to breaking balls outside the zone, but his refined eye has given pitchers fits this year as his plate selection has improved dramatically.

    Though he has never played center field exclusively, Bishop has shown the ability to be a well above average defender. He has plus range and covers ground very quickly. His arm is average, but should play well enough with the rest of his defense for him to project as a very good center fielder in the future.

    Outlook
    Bishop has great power potential as a pro and could be one of the better defensive center fielders as well. He has certainly cemented himself as a first round pick with an eye-popping junior season. His swing adjustment has allowed him to make enough contact to tap into his considerable power and he has handled center field well. Bishop has long had impressive tools and upside, but with little production to back the hype. His junior season has shown what Hunter Bishop is capable of and should make him a top ten selection in the upcoming draft.

    Projection: All-Star caliber center fielder with 30-home run potential.

    Ceiling: Cody Bellinger
    Floor: Michael Saunders
    Draft Expectation: Top-10 Pick

    JJ Bleday, OF
    Vanderbilt University (JR, 2019)
    L/L 6-03, 205 lbs
    Date of Birth: 11/10/1997

    Hit- 55 (60) Power- 55 (60) Run- 50 (50) Arm- 55 (60) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Matt Noskow

    Analysis
    JJ Bleday has been a solid starter for two years for Vanderbilt. He has been a consistent force in the middle of the Commodores’ lineup, and has also produced well in the Cape Cod League. Over 249 plate appearances as a junior, he has crushed a Division 1-leading 23 home runs with an OPS north of 1.200.

    Bleday possesses great tools at the plate that should make him a quick riser through any system. He has a slightly open stance with a moderate leg kick, and exhibits very good pitch recognition and situational hitting awareness. His natural power is to his pull side, but he has shown the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. His ability to generate power is evident, with a quick swing and the ability to transfer load to power.

    At six-foot-three and 205 pounds, Bleday has ideal size to play a corner outfield spot long-term. He has average to below-average speed, but his strong arm makes up for a lack of range.

    Outlook
    Bleday will likely be one of the top college bats drafted this year. He has an interesting profile with potential to further develop the power side of his offensive game. His plate approach is one of his biggest strengths, and should lend itself well to a quick rise through the minors. Despite being limited to a corner outfield spot, Bleday should be viewed as a high-floor prospect who could hear his name called within the first 10 picks of the 2019 draft.

    Projection: Everyday corner outfielder with plus power and all-star potential.

    Ceiling: Carlos Gonzalez
    Floor: David Peralta
    Draft Expectation: Top-10 Pick

    Kameron Misner, OF/1B
    University of Missouri (JR, 2019)
    L/L 6-04, 219 lbs
    Date of Birth: 01/08/98

    Hit- 45 (55) Power- 55 (65) Run- 60 (60) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 55 (60)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Misner dominated for Missouri in 2018, batting .360/.497/.576 in 34 games before a broken foot caused by a foul ball ended his season. He played mostly left field and first base in his first two seasons, but has primarily been a center fielder in 2019. He has an imposing frame, standing six-foot-four with a strong, lean build. He was previously drafted in the 33rd round out of high school and his draft stock has exploded since arriving at Mizzou. He has exciting tools across the board, with a power-speed combo that stands out. Misner has dominated non-conference opponents in 2019, but has only posted a .222/.347/.323 line in SEC play. He is an enigma because he has the look and tools of an impact player, yet has not backed it up with his performance.

    Misner has a wide, slightly open stance at the plate with his hands at his head. He utilizes a toe tap and uses his above-average bat speed and leverage to drive the ball to all fields. He has struggled with his timing and getting his foot down in SEC play. He has great plate discipline and consistently works the count full. He has a great idea of the strike zone and will take his fair share of walks. Misner has drawn 52 walks on the year and should continue to produce high on-base numbers at the next level.

    Many college pitchers are unwilling to challenge him with fastballs, and he sees a steady diet of breaking balls and changeups away. He takes advantage of the opposite field, and can easily turn on pitches and drive them out of the ballpark. His long limbs and slight uppercut can cause his swing to become a bit long and creates a hole in his swing at times. He has struggled with fastballs up in the zone and changeups down and away. His patient approach can occasionally hurt him, as he passes up hittable pitches early in counts. He could help himself by being more aggressive earlier in his at-bats. Misner is just beginning to tap into his power potential, and has the frame and swing to hit 25-plus homers a year. Kameron has displayed some prodigious power this year with great pull-side power and even some homers to the opposite field. He has posted impressive isolated power numbers of .216 and .215 the last two season.

    Although Misner is new to center field, he has taken to the position quite well and flashes great potential at the position.. His speed, athleticism and long strides give him above-average range, and his arm is more than capable of handling center, but his reads and routes could use work. With an above-average arm and good speed, Misner can easily handle the corner outfield spots and would be above average in either spot. He also has experience at first base, where his athleticism is not appreciated as much. Misner has rare speed for a player his size. He has used this speed and baserunning ability to steal 49 bags in his college career. He will continue to be a threat on the basepaths at the professional level.

    Outlook
    Misner has an extremely exciting combination of power, patience, speed, and versatility. He has the potential to be a 20-20 player and is just beginning to tap into his considerable raw power. He should be a high on-base player with exceptional plate discipline and the ability to play all outfield positions as well as first base. Although Misner has not performed well in conference play this year, he has too much potential and talent to slip out of the first round.

    Projection: All-star center fielder with 20-plus homers per year and high on-base numbers.

    Ceiling: Josh Hamilton
    Floor: Max Kepler
    Draft Expectation: Round 1

    Dominic Fletcher, OF
    University of Arkansas (JR, 2019)
    L/L 5-10, 185 lbs
    Date of Birth: 09/02/1998

    Hit- 45 (55) Power- 50 (55) Run- 50 (50) Arm- 55 (55) Field- 55 (60)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Dominic Fletcher is a small and muscular five-foot-ten, 185-pound outfielder from the University of Arkansas. He has surprising pop for his size, hitting 12 homers as a freshman and 10 homers last year. He is currently power over hit and does not project to be an above-average contact hitter. Fletcher is performing at a high level in his junior season, hitting .332/.394/.570. He has proven to be a more than capable defender in center field and has shown consistent power in his college career.  

    Fletcher has an upright stance with a whippy bat, loose hands, and an aggressive approach. He can mash fastballs with his good bat speed, but he has a tendency to pull his head off breaking balls and swing over them. Fletcher has produced 30 home runs and 44 doubles in his three seasons at Arkansas. His power and approach is mostly to the pull side, but is able to use the opposite field when he keeps his hands back and tempers his aggressive approach. He gets the most out of his small frame by using his strong forearms and quick hands to attack pitches. He has improved his plate discipline in his junior year, raising his BB% from 7 percent to 9 percent, but doesn’t project to be a high on-base percentage player at the next level.

    There are differing opinions on whether Fletcher can play center field because he does not have prototypical speed for the position, but his first-step quickness, instincts and route efficiency should allow him to comfortably stick in center. He has shown the ability to track fly ball from gap-to-gap and make highlight-reel plays. His plus arm would also play well in right field, as he led the Razorbacks in outfield assists his sophomore year. Fletcher has average speed home to first, but is faster at max effort. He has only three stolen bases at Arkansas and should not be a threat at the next level.

    Outlook
    Fletcher has the potential to be a 15-20-home run center fielder with an above-average arm and solid defense. He has made improvements in his plate discipline and increased his power in his junior season. While Fletcher has little to no projection left, he gets the most out of his frame, has good pop and should stick in CF. He could push himself into the second round if he impresses in SEC play and continues to prove himself in center field.

    Projection: Capable center fielder with good pop and arm strength.

    Ceiling: David DeJesus
    Floor: Gerardo Parra
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Bryant Packard, OF
    East Carolina University (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-03, 200 lbs
    Date of Birth: 10/06/1998

    Hit- 55 (60) Power- 45 (50) Run- 50 (50) Field- 50 (50) Arm- 45 (50)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    Packard is one of the more polished hitters in college baseball. He as an excellent feel for the strike zone and a matured plate approach, and while he can be a bit aggressive, his bat-to-ball skills prevent him from racking up many strikeouts– 30 across his first 199 plate appearances in 2019. As of May 13, he has posted a .367/.447/.586 slash line with six home runs.

    Packard stands with his knees slightly bent and his feet squared to the pitcher, employing a small leg lift that helps him maintain his balance. He keeps his hands inside and delivers a short, compact stroke with a smooth swing path and good bat speed. The left-handed hitter sprays the ball across the whole field, utilizing the gaps, smashing line drives up the middle and taking pitches away down the third base line. He displayed more power as a sophomore, and there could be more to come given his frame.

    Although he has just average speed and isn’t likely to be too much of a base-stealing threat, Packard is an above-average baserunner due to his attentiveness and aggressiveness. He has proven capable in the outfield, with good instincts and an ability to track the ball well, but is likely limited to left field given his middling range and arm strength.

    Outlook
    Packard doesn’t possess the upside of many other college hitters, and that will likely affect his stock on draft day. However, his advanced feel for hitting could allow him to advance quickly through the minors. He should hit for a high average at the next level, with 20-homer power within reach.

    Projection: Bat-first corner outfielder with strong offensive profile but limited upside.

    Ceiling: Corey Dickerson
    Floor: David Murphy
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 4-5

    Other outfielders to keep an eye on:
    Ryan Olenek, University of Mississippi
    Matt Gorski, University of Indiana
    Matthew Barefoot, Campbell University
    Peyton Burdick, Wright State University

  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Middle Infield (Part 2)

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    This post covers the second half of our middle infielders. Though none of these players should be drafted in the first round, the group offers an exciting mix of toolsy shortstops and a high-floor second baseman. All of these middle infielders are projected to be drafted between the second and fourth rounds.

    Each one of these players has played the majority of his time this season at shortstop. Cameron Cannon is the only player to be projected as a second baseman. Greg Jones and Will Holland are future shortstops with the best speed of the group. Brady McConnell has the largest build and power of the bunch, while Josh Smith is the smallest but best pure hitter.

    Josh Smith, SS
    Louisiana State University (JR, 2019)
    L/R 5-10, 172 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 08/07/1997

    Hit- 45 (60) Power- 35 (50) Run- 50 (50) Arm- 50 (50) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by Mitch Glessner

    Analysis
    A former 38th-round pick out of high school, Smith began his collegiate career in 2017 with high expectations. He exceeded those expectations by earning Freshman All-American honors, playing in 71 games for the Tigers. After missing most of the 2018 season due to injury, Smith has made a strong case to be one of the first shortstops taken this upcoming draft, posting a .348/.444/.525 batting line this season.

    Smith holds the bat vertically and stands with a slightly open stance in his setup. Normally he has roughly a six-inch stride with a small leg kick involved. With two strikes, he will get lower to the ground and take away his stride for a more simplified approach. He will also do this when facing pitchers who rely on their off-speed stuff. Smith possesses rare talent in his ability to utilize his hands in his swing. He is able to use his hands so well because of how far back he keeps them. They start back, and remain behind the rest of his body as he initiates his swing. This allows him to keep the barrel in the hitting zone for a long time and spray the ball to all fields. Power is not Smith’s biggest strength, but he does drive the ball on pitches low in the zone. He has a flat bat plane, which results in a lot of line drives and a high contact rate. He takes an aggressive approach early in counts, and has the ability to become a pest by dragging out at-bats when behind in the count.

    In the field, Smith has an above-average arm that plays well at shortstop. His quick transition out of the glove and good internal clock make up for his average foot speed. He consistently makes accurate throws with good carry. He has the range to stick at shortstop and is better moving to his left on balls up the middle.

    Outlook
    What makes Smith so attractive is his natural swing with flashes of power despite being slightly undersized. He should be able to tap into more of his raw power as he gets stronger. The learning curve at the next level should not be a problem given the natural instincts he has on both sides of the ball. Smith has the skills and makeup to be an above-average major league shortstop.

    Projection: Everyday shortstop with well-rounded skill set and elite intangibles.

    Ceiling: Jason Kipnis
    Floor: Eric Sogard
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Greg Jones, SS
    UNC Wilmington (SO, 2019)
    B/R 6-02, 190 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 7/24/1997

    Hit- 35 (45) Power- 40 (50) Run- 70 (70) Arm- 55 (55) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Will Hoefer

    Analysis
    Greg Jones is a draft-eligible sophomore out of a mid-major program, but has gotten opportunities to see ACC pitching in 2019 due to UNC Wilmington’s proximity to major programs like UNC and NC State. Early in the year, Jones was more inclined to utilize legitimate plus-plus speed to generate his offensive output. He had a controlled, compact stroke from both sides of the plate that he kept flat to generate as much line drive and ground ball contact as possible.

    Later in the season, Jones showed a more concerted effort to try and get to his above-average raw power. It was, and still is, very much a work in progress; he had trouble planting his back leg to drive the ball, and the increased length of his swing exacerbated his issues with hitting advanced breaking balls. Still, he has flashed plus bat speed and used his hands better of late, generating more loft on contact.

    Defensively, Jones looks every bit like a guy who can handle shortstop. He has smooth and quick lateral movements and enough arm strength to make the throws he needs to make. He sometimes looks like he lacks urgency when making plays, but there’s nothing attitude- or effort-wise to suggest this will be any sort of issue.

    Outlook
    On tools alone, Jones is easily a top-10 talent. However, he’s very raw offensively and will be a project for any team that takes him in this year’s draft. There’s star potential here if Jones can stick the landing with the adjustments he’s making in the batter’s box, with a floor of a bottom-of-the-order middle infielder who sprays the ball and causes havoc on the basepaths.

    Projection: High-upside speedster with raw offensive tools and an ability to stick at short.

    Ceiling: Adalberto Mondesi
    Floor: Jonathan Villar
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Cameron Cannon, 2B/SS
    University of Arizona (JR, 2019)
    R/R 5-10, 196 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 10/16/1997

    Hit- 45 (55) Power- 40 (45) Run- 50 (50) Arm- 50 (50) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Cameron Cannon is a compact 5-foot-10, 196-lb. middle infielder at the University of Arizona. He is in the midst of an outstanding junior season, hitting .370/.462/.587. Cannon has been moved around the infield this season, playing both second base and shortstop. He is a capable defender at either spot, but will most likely end up at second base long term. He has had a very impressive college career and has a ton of experience with wood bats, playing each collegiate summer in a different wood bat league. He is a contact hitter with sneaky power and the ability to play multiple positions. This tool set should get him selected in the first three rounds in June’s draft.

    Cannon sets up deep in the batter’s box and leans heavily on his back leg. He has a wide, low stance and a small toe tap as he loads for the pitch. He has a quick bat and an uppercut swing that produces a good deal of fly balls and line drives. He uses his lower body and great hip rotation to explode on the ball and spray line drives gap to gap. He currently leads the country in doubles and should grow into close to average power at the next level. Cannon excels at putting the ball in play, as he has struck out in less than 12 percent of his plate appearances this year (which is higher than his minuscule 8.4 percent last season). He is a selective hitter at the plate and is willing to take walks if he does not get his pitch. He currently has 74 walks compared to 58 strikeouts in his college career. He has the makings of a great contact hitter with doubles power and low strikeout numbers.

    Cameron has played all over the infield throughout his college career. He has played mostly second base and shortstop at Arizona, but played third base in the Cape Cod League this past summer. He has made a concerning number of errors this season and will most likely be moved off of shortstop at the next level. He possesses an accurate arm, but not the type of zip you want to see at shortstop. He has solid arm strength that plays better at second or third, and his great footwork and sure hands allow him to play those positions adequately. Cannon does not have great speed out of the box and is consistently 4.4-4.5 from home to first. He is a bit quicker when he is underway and at full effort.

    Outlook
    Cameron Cannon has solid tools across the board and a track record of success with wood bats. He has a high floor and the ability to play multiple positions in the infield. He is a good defender at second and third base, while also being capable of filling in at shortstop. He has the swing mechanics and plate coverage to hit for average and mostly doubles power. Based on his skill set, Cannon should be drafted in the first few rounds.

    Projection: Strong-hitting second baseman with solid tools and a high floor.

    Ceiling: Mark Ellis
    Floor: Gordon Beckham
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Brady McConnell, SS
    University of Florida (SO, 2019)
    R/R 6-03, 195 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 05/24/1998

    Hit- 45 (60) Power- 45 (60) Run- 55 (50) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 50 (60)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    Brady McConnell is one of the tougher collegiate players to project considering he has less than one full season of college experience under his belt. The draft-eligible sophomore totaled just 22 plate appearances as a freshman, but has enjoyed a terrific 2019 campaign in his first — and perhaps last — real taste of college ball. Across 204 plate appearances this season, the Gators’ shortstop has slashed .360/.415/.602 with 12 homers and five stolen bases, driving in 40 runs and scoring 42 more. His 1.017 OPS as of May 8th puts him fifth in the SEC.

    McConnell displays an open stance at the plate, utilizing a small leg lift towards the plate as the pitch approaches. He waves his bat around pre-pitch, but keeps his head and body quiet throughout his smooth, uppercut swing. He uses a quick bat and strong lower half to generate big raw power, and there is plenty of room for more power projection as he fills out over the next couple of years.

    A notorious fastball hitter, McConnell will often jump on the first pitch. He can get jammed on inside pitches, and occasionally makes the decision to swing too late. While he does have a tendency to chase breaking balls low and away, he has flashed the ability to get down and drive them. An overall aggressive hitter, he could benefit from being more selective and trying to draw more walks.

    The 21-year-old possesses above-average speed that he uses to his advantage on the basepaths and in the field. He has a quick reaction time and gets a good jump on stolen base attempts, but can be overly aggressive at times.

    Defensively, McConnell flaunts solid range both up the middle and in the hole, and can track down fly balls in the shallow outfield. He has good instincts charging in, and uses his soft hands to eat up hard-hit balls. He has a knack for making highlight reel-type plays, but can occasionally get complacent and make avoidable errors. He has an incredibly strong arm, with the ability to throw on the run and across his body, although he has a habit of double clutching before making a throw. While there are no concerns about McConnell’s ability to stick at shortstop for the immediate future, a move to third base — where he could be a plus defender — isn’t out of the question if he were to bulk up and lose some of his mobility.

    Outlook
    McConnell has off-the-charts tools and athleticism, but a limited college track record by age 21 — plus the possibility that he could choose to return to Gainesville — may hurt his draft stock a bit. Whichever team pulls the trigger on the sophomore, however, could be getting a cornerstone-type infielder at a great price. McConnell has some of the highest upside in this class, but has to go a very long way to reach it.

    Projection: Potential five-tool shortstop with All-Star upside but limited track record.

    Ceiling: Troy Tulowitzki
    Floor: Trevor Plouffe
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Will Holland, SS
    Auburn University (JR, 2019)
    R/R 5-10, 180 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 04/18/1998

    Hit- 30 (40) Power- 35 (40) Run- 60 (60) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by David Salway

    Analysis
    Will Holland is a 5-foot-10, 180-lb. shortstop from Auburn University who has had an up-and-down college career. During his freshman campaign in 2017, he was a below-average hitter, but the cornerstone of Auburn’s defense. Between 2017 and 2018, he made a huge leap on offense, hitting .313 with a .530 slugging percentage thanks to 12 home runs and 18 doubles, to go along with a .406 on-base percentage. However, he has regressed in the 2019 season, with his batting average and slugging both down over 100 points year over year.

    He has quick bat speed, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game. Holland is a patient hitter at the plate and will draw walks at an above average rate. He has a small load and can occasionally get lazy in his lower half, leading to a lack of contact or weak contact. When he does make contact, he is prone to popping the ball up due to his uppercut swing. While this could lead to the possibility of more home runs, he struggles with pitches low in the zone. So far in 2019, Holland has struck out 23 percent of the time, up seven percentage points from 2018.

    On defense, Holland is one of the best current-tool shortstop prospects in the draft. He is quick, shows great range and flashes a plus arm. The Auburn SS is prone to making errors, typically with the glove, which is average. However, his arm can make up for his lack of soft hands and tendency to not move his feet to get in proper position. Holland’s movements are smooth and he makes playing SS look easy compared to his peers. Occasionally, he will lack effort and it will seem as if he is not giving it his all, but more often than not he is able to perform as one of the premier defenders in the SEC.

    Outlook
    Holland will likely top out as a utility player, with the possibility of becoming a Quad-A type of middle infielder. If he reaches his full potential, though, he could become an MLB regular at SS, with the prospect of 10-15 HR per year to go along with above-average defense.

    Projection: Defense-first middle infielder who will need to maximize his hitting ability to become an impact player.

    Ceiling: Orlando Cabrera
    Floor:     Taylor Featherston
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Other middle infielders to keep an eye on:
    Christian Koss, UC Irvine
    Grae Kessinger, University of Mississippi
    Michael Massey, University of Illinois
    Chris Cornelius, University of Missouri

  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Middle Infield (Part 1)

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    This post covers the first half of a group of 10 middle infielders, with the second half to follow later this week. As was the case with the corner infielders, all 10 of these players should hear their names called early — perhaps even in the first three rounds.

    Four of these five infielders were predominantly shortstops in college, but only two are likely to stick at the position. Bryson Stott and Logan Davidson have a clear future at short, while Will Wilson projects as a second baseman and Braden Shewmake could really play anywhere but catcher. Chase Strumpf, the only second baseman of the bunch, figures to stay at the keystone, but could also find himself playing the outfield. Additionally, each of these players has surprising pop for the middle infield position.

    Bryson Stott, SS
    UNLV (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-03, 200 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 10/06/1997

    Hit- 55 (60) Power- 50 (55) Run- 55 (55) Arm- 55 (55) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Bryson Stott is the headliner of the shortstop position for the 2019 college draft class. He is in the midst of a fantastic junior season at UNLV. He has answered the questions about his lack of power this year by hitting 10 home runs so far. Stott has a strong, large frame that fits with the growing size of current MLB shortstops. He has average to above-average tools across the board, and some projection left in his power and fielding tools. He has a track record of success with wood bats in the Northwoods League and Cape Cod League. He should be the first college shortstop drafted, and has the chance to be the highest UNLV player drafted since Matt Williams went third overall in 1986.

    Stott uses a wide, open stance with his hands at his head. He has an opposite-field approach and great power to left field. He keeps his hands back at the plate, which allows him to utilize the opposite field, and has great feel for barreling pitches. He excels at making contact, and has kept his strikeout rate to 6 percent last season and 14 percent this year. He has begun to pull more balls, increasing his home run totals in 2019. He led all of college baseball with 30 doubles last season and is beginning to turn more doubles into home runs. He is a patient hitter who has produced a 20 percent walk rate and a .494 on-base percentage in 2019. Stott hit a total of five home runs his first two years at UNLV, but has doubled that amount this year and has been driving the ball more frequently. He has a level bat plane which produces mostly line drives right now, but has the frame, strength and bat speed to have above-average power at the next level.

    He is not the most agile athlete at shortstop and struggles with first-step quickness. He has an above-average arm and makes accurate throws to first base. Stott is strong around the bag and looks smooth turning double plays. He doesn’t have great range, but he looks stronger to his right side on the backhand. He has above-average speed out of the box, routinely posting sub-4.2 second times from home to first. Stott has been a successful base-stealer in college, swiping 31 bags in 38 attempts. He has enough speed and baserunning ability to steal double-digit bases at the next level.

    Outlook
    Stott is an offensively-polished shortstop with average to above-average tools across the board. Some question his defensive future, but he should be able to stick at his current position with hard work and development. He shows the ability to make highlight-reel plays, and his strong arm will help him stay there. His power is developing to go along with an above-average bat.

    Projection: All-Star-caliber shortstop with above-average tools across the board.
    Ceiling: Corey Seager
    Floor: Stephen Drew
    Draft expectation: Top-10 pick

    Logan Davidson, SS
    Clemson University (JR, 2019)
    S/R 6-03, 190 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 12/26/1997

    Hit- 40 (50) Power- 50 (55) Run- 55 (55) Field- 50 (55) Arm- 60 (60)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Logan Davidson was a highly sought-after prep player who comes from strong baseball bloodlines — his father, Mark Davidson, played six seasons in Major League Baseball. He burst onto the college scene with a fantastic freshman year at Clemson, hitting 12 home runs and producing an .861 OPS. He has an exciting combination of speed and power that has resulted in 40 home runs and 36 stolen bags so far in his college career, but has struggled with strikeouts and does not have a good track record with wood bats in two summers in the Cape Cod League. Davidson should still be a first-round pick though, based on his college production and exciting tools across the board.

    Davidson has a tall, lanky frame with long limbs and room to add weight. The switch hitter has similar swings from both sides of the plate, with bent knees and quick hands, but has a little more power and a smoother swing from the right side. He will drop his hands too much in his pre-swing load, which causes his barrel to not stay in the strike zone. His swing can get a bit long and loopy, mostly from the left side, which makes him late on pitches and contributes to his concerning high strikeout numbers — he has produced a strikeout rate over 20 percent in each of the last two seasons.

    A great athlete with above-average speed, Davidson possesses the ability to stick at shortstop. He has greatly improved his defense since his freshman year, and will have to continue to develop defensively because of his big frame. His strong arm allows him to make plays deep in the hole and on the run, and would profile well at third base. He is also a good enough athlete to handle a corner outfield spot. That athleticism and speed should allow him to steal 20-plus bags at the next level, and his long strides allow him to be faster once he is going max effort.

    Outlook
    Teams should be wary of Davidson and his hit tool. His track record with wood bats is concerning, as are his strikeout numbers. He will need to get stronger physically to handle the transition to wood bats and better pitching. He should be able to stick at shortstop because of his athleticism and arm, but his power would play well at the hot corner. Davidson’s exciting combination of power, speed and switch-hitting ability should make him a first-round pick.

    Projection: Switch-hitting shortstop with 20-20 potential.

    Ceiling: Ian Desmond
    Floor: Brad Miller
    Draft expectation: Round 1

    Braden Shewmake, SS
    Texas A&M University (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-04, 190 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 11/19/1997

    Hit- 55 (60) Power- 45 (50) Run- 55 (50) Arm- 50 (55) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    Braden Shewmake has been one of the more consistent college hitters over the last three years, managing an .869 OPS with 21 home runs and 29 stolen bases over that span. Following a slow start to his junior campaign, the Aggies’ shortstop has picked up the pace, hitting .333 over his last 192 plate appearances.

    A wiry frame and unconventional swing mechanics allow Shewmake to stand out from the crowd. He stands open at the plate and deep in the batter’s box, taking a long stride towards the mound. He uses his long arms to get good extension and cover the whole strike zone, showing excellent hand-eye coordination and the ability to spray the ball to all fields. He displays solid plate discipline — 53 walks and 65 strikeouts throughout his collegiate career — but does have a tendency to chase some left-on-left breaking balls. At times, he can pull his body out and drop his hands, producing a flat swing.

    Shewmake is certainly hit over power, and is likely to maintain that profile as he moves towards pro ball. There is a reasonable expectation that he could bulk up and develop some more power, but the fact that he’s only packed on about 10 pounds since arriving in College Station is mildly concerning — as is his inability to replicate his freshman season home run totals (11 in 2017, 10 combined in 2018 and ‘19).

    While he doesn’t necessarily have blazing speed, Shewmake is a threat on the basepaths, demanding immediate attention from opposing pitchers. His long strides, good instincts and aggressiveness allow him to take extra bases and swipe a decent amount of bags.

    Defensively, Shewmake shows good range both up the middle and in the hole. He has an above-average arm, but is inconsistent with his throws, occasionally rushing and throwing off-balanced to first. He is capable at shortstop, but may outgrow the position, and is more likely to end up at either second or third base. There’s even an outside shot that he lands in the outfield, where his athletic ability could shine.

    Outlook
    Shewmake’s body type, swing and uncertain defensive future could make any team hesitant to pull the trigger on draft day, but he offers a steady track record of production and above-average athleticism wherever he plays in the field. He could develop into a player with double-digit homers and steals, and profiles similarly to Luis Gonzalez, who, despite being known for his late-career power surge and postseason heroics, was a contact hitter with moderate power and speed for the first half of his career.

    Projection: Well-rounded, everyday major leaguer who could provide defensively versatility.

    Ceiling: Luis Gonzalez
    Floor: Ryan Flaherty
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 1-2

    Will Wilson, SS/2B
    North Carolina State (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-00, 184 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 07/21/1998

    Hit- 40 (50) Power- 45 (55) Run- 40 (40) Arm- 45 (50) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by Mitch Glessner

    Analysis
    After receiving numerous accolades as a freshman and sophomore, Will Wilson has garnered plenty of attention at the top of NC State’s lineup in his junior campaign. The 2018 second team All-American climbed up draft boards after hitting .307 with 15 home runs as a sophomore. His combination of raw power and solid glove work in the middle of the field makes for an intriguing skill set as the 2019 draft approaches.

    Wilson is a bat-first middle infielder. He stands straight up in the box with lower hand position around chest height. He finds his rhythm and timing with a slight hand wiggle and a high leg kick, and will shorten up his leg kick and overall movement when hitting with two strikes. He is a natural low-ball hitter, and is at his best when hunting pitches middle-away in the zone.

    Raw power is Wilson’s biggest strength at the plate. His hands are quick, but he tends to let his shoulders dominate his rotational swing. His bat path can get long, leaving him susceptible to velocity on the inner third. He will fight for extension on the inner third which can lead to early hand roll. Wilson occasionally lacks aggression to hunt pitches that play to his strengths middle-away. He is at his best when he attacks middle-to-outer-third pitches, and when he is aggressive with those areas of the plate, he is one of the most dangerous hitters in the country.

    Wilson provides a smooth glove in the middle of the field. He has soft enough hands to adjust for bad hops, and does a really good job of getting around the ball consistently. He prefers to throw on the run rather than with his feet planted to compensate for what he lacks in arm strength. Due to the lack of carry on his throws, he will likely move to second base at the next level.

    Outlook
    Wilson’s glove is talented enough to allow him to play everyday at second base at the professional level, and there’s no denying the raw power in his bat. Finding the ability to translate the raw power into game power, while making solid consistent contact, will be vital in his development as a professional.

    Projection: Low-ceiling middle infielder with limited athleticism but above-average power.

    Ceiling: Rich Aurilia
    Floor: Sean Rodriguez
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 1-2

    Chase Strumpf, 2B
    UCLA (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-01, 191 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 03/08/1998

    Hit- 50 (55) Power- 50 (55) Run- 45 (45) Arm- 45 (50) Field- 50 (55)

    Written by Quinn Ireland

    Analysis
    Chase Strumpf burst onto the national scene as a sophomore at UCLA by being in the top 100 nationally in basically every important offensive statistical category. An All-American in 2018, Strumpf posted a slash line of .363/.475/.633 with 12 home runs and 23 doubles. The numbers from his current season are down, which was expected given that his BABIP last year was over .400, but he still owns an impressive line of .311/.452/.509.

    Strumpf’s strongest tool is his advanced approach at the plate. With almost a walk per game, he has a very keen eye that should lead to a high on-base percentage, regardless if he ends up hitting for a high average. That being said, he is an excellent hitter who should at least be average at the next level with decent power, to boot. His power has increased greatly since his days as a freshman, and he should develop into at least a plus power hitter– he has the potential to be a consistent 20-homer bat in the pros.

    He will never be a speed demon, but Strumpf has been known to swipe a base or two and should be able to reach most of the balls hit his way in the field. An excellent fielder at second base, his profile lends well to either the keystone or left field, where he would probably be a slightly below-average fielder but his  arm would play better.

    Outlook
    Strumpf, who hits third for the top-ranked UCLA Bruins, is one of the top college bats — and probably the top second baseman — in the 2019 class. A bit of his sparkle has worn off because of the slight regression this year, but that should not shy teams away from a guy who could be a spectacular everyday player with on-base skills, power and a solid glove.

    Projection: Bat-first second baseman with utility player potential.

    Ceiling: Aaron Hill
    Floor: Logan Forsythe
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Other middle infielders to keep an eye on:
    Ethan Paul, Vanderbilt University
    Tanner Morris, University of Virginia
    Cam Shepherd, University of Georgia
    Tyler Fitzgerald, University of Louisville

  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Corner Infield (Part 2)

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    This next piece covers the remaining corner infielders. There are 10 total first and third basemen in our top 50, all of whom are likely to come off the board in the first four or five rounds of the draft.

    As with the first group of corner infielders, these players all possess a robust offensive profile, albeit with less upside. However, as a whole, these five players exhibit stronger defensive skills and more versatility. Kody Hoese and Nick Quintana can play all over the infield; Michael Toglia projects as an above-average defender at first base or in left field; and Aaron Schunk’s plus arm is valuable no matter where he plays. Spencer Brickhouse is the lone exception here, but even he could be a passable defender at first.

    Kody Hoese, 3B
    Tulane University (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-04, 200 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 07/13/1997

    Hit- 40 (55) Power- 55 (65) Run- 45 (50) Arm- 50 (55) Field- 50 (60)

    Written by Quinn Ireland

    Analysis
    Kody Hoese is perhaps the highest and quickest riser in the college ranks this year. His main appeal comes from his ability to hit the ball all over the field while having a great feel for the strike zone. He has shown steady improvement each year at Tulane, and currently boasts an impressive .415/.500/.872 slash line. While those numbers won’t be realized at the next level, he should continue to hit for average and power as he moves up the ranks.

    Hoese is a strong-bodied guy with a hit tool that could push him into the late first round. More likely to be a compensation round pick, he does most of his damage with extra-base hits all around the park. Not a pull-dominant player, he has shown gap-to-gap power as well as over-the-fence ability — he has 20 homers already this year, and 52 percent of his hits have gone for extra bases. Hoese is never going to be a burner on the base paths, but has shown an ability to swipe bases (four steals in four attempts this year) and could potentially keep that up at the next level. His competition has not been exceptional this year in the American Athletic Conference, which does leave some question marks, but his whole body of work seems to speak for itself.

    The size/power combo he is showing currently would generally push him into a corner of the infield. At third base, he looks to move well (he was a shortstop in high school) and has a decent feel for the position. His arm hasn’t impressed, but with progression, it should at least be average, and maybe even a step above. His glove is solid, and with traditional progression could turn into a plus as well. Hoese should stick at third, but be could probably slide over to the keystone and be above-average.

    Outlook
    A team that is looking for an impact bat at a corner infield spot is going to have to take a long, hard look at Hoese. Should the recent power surge turn out to be more than a one-year wonder, he could turn into a top-flight offensive third baseman. Even if the power production is unsustainable, Hoese walks more than he strikes out and should get on base at a high rate, making him a valuable player at either second or third base.

    Projection: Offensive-minded third baseman with on-base skills and decent power.

    Ceiling: Mike Lowell
    Floor: Hunter Dozier
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 1-2

    Nick Quintana, 3B
    University of Arizona (JR, 2019)
    R/R 5-10, 190 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 10/13/1997

    Hit-  40 (50) Power- 50 (60) Run- 50 (50) Field- 60 (65) Arm- 60 (60)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Nick Quintana has been on the radar of scouts for a long time. He was drafted in the 11th round by the Red Sox in the 2016 MLB Draft. He has been a regular in the Wildcats lineup for three years and has been a force with the bat his last two seasons. Quintana has a pretty right-handed swing that has produced great power in college. He looked good in the Cape Cod League last summer and has improved his walk percentage in his junior year. He has some swing-and-miss in his offensive game but his power combined with a good glove at third should make him very appealing on draft day.

    Quintana gets the most out of his small frame at the plate. He has a big stride and leg kick as he transfers his weight forward that produces hard-hit balls and swings-and-misses. He gets up on his front foot too often and his hands do not stay back, which makes him off balance in his swing. He will make the pitcher work and get himself into deep counts that will lead to some of his strikeouts. Quintana has great bat speed. Quintana could benefit from quieting his approach and focusing more on contact than power. A jump in his BB% has been very encouraging even though he is still striking out at a 23 percent clip. His pitch recognition needs work and his struggles with breaking pitches needs improvement.

    Quintana has played third base while in college but has the athleticism and glove to play at second base and shortstop. He will most likely be a third baseman at the next level, but could fill in at second or shortstop if need be. He has fluid actions at third and arm strength to make throws on the run and deep in the hole. He will make Web Gem-like plays and looks very comfortable at the hot corner, but will need to improve his lateral range and consistency if he wants to be a plus-plus defender.

    Outlook
    Nick Quintana has an exciting package of tools and is a player that makes it look easy at times. He is also a player that has some concerning question marks. His strikeout numbers and lack of contact are concerns that he has not addressed in Cape Cod or in his junior year. He should be a plus defender with good athleticism and above average power at the next level.

    Projection: Versatile infielder with good power and potential Gold Glove defense.

    Ceiling: Brandon Inge
    Floor: Brett Lawrie
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Michael Toglia, 1B/OF
    UCLA (JR, 2019)
    S/L 6-05, 226 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 08/16/1998

    Hit- 45 (55) Power- 55 (65) Run- 50 (45) Arm- 50 (50) Field- 55 (60)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    Following an ice-cold start to the 2019 season, Michael Toglia began Pac-12 play on a torrid pace. As of April 29, the 20-year-old switch hitter owns a 1.112 OPS with eight home runs and 31 RBI across his last 133 plate appearances. He has a history of slow starts and streaky play — slashed just .209/.307/.388 in 36 games in the Cape Cod League in 2018 — but the upside is enormous.

    Toglia flaunts a big, projectable frame with huge power upside from both sides of the plate. He has filled out a bit in his junior, but there should be even more to come in terms of physical development. He utilizes an open stance from both sides, striding towards the plate and getting his foot down before the pitch arrives. He generates good bat speed and turns on the ball well by shifting his weight, making consistent hard contact to all fields and finishing with good extension. His stroke is a bit smoother from left side — there’s a habit of occasionally dropping his hands from the right side, leading to a less direct path to the ball — but there are no concerns about his being a switch hitter at the next level.

    A patient hitter, Toglia prefers to attack high pitches, and is much more selective on lower pitches, which helps him draw walks but also leads to too many strikeouts looking. While he is adept at driving fastballs up, he can sometimes pull his body out, lose his balance and not stay in on the ball, causing him to whiff or foul off pitches he’d normally crush. Additionally, he has a tendency to get out ahead of breaking balls.

    Toglia doesn’t possess much speed, but he can move on basepaths due to his long strides and athleticism. That athleticism helps him play an above-average first base, where he has good footwork around the bag and uses his length to stretch for throws from infielders. Despite his size, he can get low to field grounders and snag throws in the dirt. A move to a corner outfield spot could be an option — his average arm would play better in left — but UCLA’s first baseman should be able to stick at his natural position in pro ball.

    Outlook
    Toglia is a streaky hitter and, overall, still a bit raw, but the combination of athleticism, patience and power points to a future of high offensive production. He will likely fall outside the first round on draft day, but has the upside to provide a ton of value in the second or third round.

    Projection: Athletic, switch-hitting first baseman with plus power and defense.

    Ceiling: Brandon Belt
    Floor: Ike Davis
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Spencer Brickhouse, 1B/DH
    East Carolina University (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-04, 235 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 04/10/1998

    Hit- 45 (55) Power- 50 (60) Run- 40 (30) Field- 40 (50) Arm- 50 (50)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    Spencer Brickhouse has displayed some of the most consistent power out of any hitter in the 2019 draft class. Based on his power numbers and his strong 6-foot-4, 235-lb. frame, he can be described as a slugger. He has launched double-digit home runs in each of his three years as a starter. He is not only a power hitter, though — he also has a patient offensive approach and an ability to make contact. Brickhouse has been a first baseman, left fielder and designated hitter at East Carolina, and has shown a solid arm and soft hands at first. The 2018 Cape Cod All-Star Game MVP has continued his climb up draft boards with a very impressive junior campaign. He has improved each year at ECU, and should be one of the first college first basemen taken in the draft.

    Brickhouse has a unique swing that has no stride and very little lower body movement. He has a stiff upper body with his hands at his head and a wide, crouched stance. He lifts his front heel and sets it back down as he loads his hands forward. He uses his upper body strength to drive the ball to all fields and good bat speed to make consistent hard contact. His pull-side power is plus, and most of his home runs this season have been to right field. His power numbers have increased in his junior year, with 12 home runs and a .348 isolated power. Brickhouse is short to the ball with an uppercut swing path. He doesn’t utilize his lower body in swing and struggles with plate coverage because of his stiff upper half. As a result, he may be exposed at the next level with velocity up in the zone. His swing does allow him to recognize pitches and keep his head on the ball, however, and he has improved his plate discipline each year at East Carolina– he is currently sporting an impressive 19 percent walk rate.

    Brickhouse will need to maintain his weight and body if he intends to stick at first base and not be relegated to designated hitter. He is a good enough athlete currently to stick at first, but doesn’t have the range or lateral movement to be a plus defender. A move to left field would be an aggressive position switch. He has only played left field a couple of times his junior season. His below-average speed and agility would make him a below-average defender in left. Although he derives most of his value from his bat, a move to DH would place even more pressure on his offensive game.

    Outlook
    Brickhouse has shown the ability to be a high on-base, slugging first baseman this year at ECU. His upper body strength has allowed him to be a great power hitter at the college level, but he could struggle at the next level when he faces stiffer competition and higher velocity. His swing may be modified after he gets drafted to help incorporate his lower body more. He will most likely be limited to first base unless a team wants to be aggressive and put him in left field, where his below-average speed would be tested. His advanced bat should help him rise through the minors fairly quickly and provide a team with a powerful lefty bat.

    Projection: Patient slugger with potential for 20-plus homers per year.

    Ceiling: Ryan Klesko
    Floor: Justin Bour
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Aaron Schunk, 3B
    University of Georgia (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-02, 205 lbs.
    Date of Birth: 7/24/1997

    Hit- 45 (50) Power- 55 (55) Run- 50 (45) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 45 (45)

    Written by Will Hoefer

    Analysis
    Aaron Schunk has had a breakout year at the hot corner in his junior season at Georgia. He currently owns a .908 OPS with seven home runs on the season. He has also been a very reliable closer for the Bulldogs, posting a 2.14 ERA with 11 saves. His future will be as a hitter regardless of what position he ends up playing. Schunk has greatly improved his draft stock this year and should hear his name called in the first five rounds.

    Schunk is a large-framed, thick third baseman who has finally tapped into his raw power during his junior year at Georgia. A fairly aggressive contact hitter at the plate (only 16 percent of his plate appearances end in a walk or a strikeout), he demonstrates decent hand speed and a bit of length in his swing, but controls the bat well. He generates above-average bat speed and should continue to generate above-average power at the professional level.

    Unsurprising for a relief pitcher, Schunk has a plus arm but slightly below-average range at third base. With good positioning he could stick at the hot corner, and that’s starting to become less of a specific fit as organizations learn how to use defensive data to place their infielders. His skillset in the field, despite strong instincts at third, projects better in right field where his plus arm plays very well amidst a decline in foot speed.

    Outlook
    Schunk has solid tools across the board, with intriguing raw power and a plus arm that buoys some of his limitations in the field. He’s a tweener in about every sense of the word; if he can get some more power out of his aggressive approach as a pro then there’s a strong chance he sticks as a starter in either RF or 3B. Even if he doesn’t, there’s a solid floor here as a right-handed platoon bat who isn’t a liability on defense.

    Projection: Power bat and power arm profiles best at third or right field.

    Ceiling: Chase Headley
    Floor: Brandon Guyer
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 3-4

    Other corner infielders to keep an eye on:
    Tristin English, Georgia Tech
    Brandon Lewis, UC Irvine
    Edouard Julien, Auburn
    Evan Edwards, North Carolina State

  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Corner Infield (Part 1)

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    The next installment in this series covers corner infielders, which will be split into two articles. There are 10 total first and third basemen in our top 50, all of whom are likely to come off the board in the first four or five rounds of the draft.

    Both corner infield spots offer a ton of offensive upside, but many of these players leave a bit to be desired defensively. California’s Andrew Vaughn, arguably the nation’s top hitter, projects to be the highest college first baseman drafted since 1996, when Travis Lee was selected second overall by the Twins out of San Diego State. Beyond Vaughn, Josh Jung and Logan Wyatt have bats that profile well at the corners. Michael Busch and Drew Mendoza should contribute at the plate regardless of where they end up on the diamond.

    Andrew Vaughn, 1B
    University of California (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-0, 214 lbs
    Date of Birth: 04/03/1998

    Hit- 60 (70) Power- 60 (70) Run- 40 (40) Arm- 50 (50) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by Mitch Glessner

    Analysis
    In 2017, Vaughn burst onto the college scene with a freshman slash line of .349/.414/.555. His sophomore campaign was even more impressive, as he went on to win the prestigious Golden Spikes Award for 2018. The consensus All-American hit .402 with 23 HR and 63 RBI as a sophomore, and has continued to rake as a junior, with a 1.214 OPS and 11 HR through 177 plate appearances. He has the chance to solidify his reputation as one of the best players in the country by being one of the top picks in the 2019 draft.

    Vaughn possesses the most explosive bat in his class, with plus power to all fields. He has a rare ability to drive balls that weren’t hit squarely. Vaughn has boasted a 12.0 at-bat per home run rate so far in his junior season, down from an incredible 8.7 last year. He generates power by utilizing his strong lower half and extremely quick hands. His set up in the box is very simple with minimal wasted movement. Vaughn finds his rhythm and timing in his loading phase by cocking the bat upward upon the pitcher’s release (hand movement and mechanics are similar to those of Javier Baez). This puts his hands in a good launch position, and allows them to work on plane and in the zone for a long time. His exceptional hand usage in his swing gives him complete plate coverage.

    Vaughn has a very patient approach at the plate. He’s in no rush early in the count and rarely chases pitches. His good feel for the strike zone allows him to work deep into counts and walk at a high rate. He has increased his BB% from 17 percent last season to over 22 percent this season.

    His short, stocky frame doesn’t fit the traditional first baseman mold, but he has tremendous footwork around the bag to make up for what he lacks in length. He has a great feel for digging out bad throws, as he works through the ball from the ground up, much like a middle infielder. He handles the in-between hop by letting the ball get deep into his hips.

    Outlook
    Vaughn’s offensive polish is rare, and he possesses more than enough ability to hit at a high level in the majors. While his bat overshadows his defense, he has the skills to be an average, everyday defender. He has the quality makeup to be a potential franchise player at the Major League level.

    Projection: Elite offensive first baseman who should hit for both average and power.

    Ceiling: Paul Goldschmidt
    Floor: Mike Napoli
    Draft Expectation: Top-3 Pick

    Josh Jung, 3B
    Texas Tech University (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-02 215 lbs
    Date of birth: 02/12/1998

    Hit- 55 (65) Power- 50 (60) Run- 45 (40) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by Dominic Asta

    Analysis
    All Josh Jung has done at Texas Tech in his three years is hit, hit, and hit. He slashed .392/.491/.639 as a sophomore and smacked 12 homers and 17 doubles. He has continued that offensive prowess in his junior year, and has looked solid defensively at third. He was a first-team All-Big 12 honoree, a member of the USA Collegiate National Team, and hit .429 at the 2018 College World Series. He is looking to solidify himself as a top-10 draft pick in his junior season.

    Jung has an upright stance with a big leg kick and a level swing that produces many hard-hit line drives. He moves quite a bit before the pitch is delivered, but has a very balanced swing with good weight shift and momentum going forward with his leg kick. He excels at keeping inside the ball and shooting it to the opposite field and up the middle. He doesn’t try to do too much with the pitch, and is content to spray line drives across the field. His frame and hard contact would make you believe that he has above-average power, though he has yet to tap fully into his power potential. He has the pure strength, bat speed and swing to produce above-average power, but needs to pull and lift the ball more to realize this potential. He also displays good patience at the plate and his bat-to-ball skills help him keep his strikeouts down. He has increased his BB% from just over 12 percent his sophomore year to over 19 percent this season. He should be able to produce a high OBP at the next level.

    Jung is not a great athlete and some have doubts on whether he will need to switch to first base in pro ball. He gets the most out of his athleticism and has great hands and instincts at third base. Texas Tech has even started playing him at shortstop in the second half of the season. He will probably never win a Gold Glove or have great range, but he should be able to stick at the hot corner. His arm is above-average and he is strong at moving forward or back on grounders and using his strong arm to throw on the run or make a deep throw from third. He will need to improve his flexibility and agility if he wants to expand his range and defense. Although he has below-average speed, he is not a base clogger and has good instincts on the basepaths, allowing him to go first-to-third and even swipe a few bags.

    Outlook
    Josh Jung has one of the highest floors in the draft with his above-average offensive game that could skyrocket if he starts to hit for more home run power. He should be able to stay at the hot corner with his cannon arm and strong instincts for the position. He is a proven player who has performed his entire college career, as well as at the College World Series his sophomore year. It will be a surprise if he is not picked in the first round when the draft rolls around in June.

    Projection: Above-average-hitting third baseman with a high floor and developing power.

    Ceiling: Ryan Zimmerman
    Floor: David Freese
    Draft expectation: Top-20 pick

    Michael Busch, 1B/OF
    University of North Carolina (JR, 2019)
    L/R 6-00, 207 lbs
    Date of Birth: 11/09/1997

    Hit- 55 (60) Power 50 (55) Run- 45 (45) Arm- 45 (45) Field- 50 (50)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    A three-year starter at North Carolina, Busch has been an on-base machine since stepping foot in Chapel Hill. To date, he owns a .286/.434/.497 slash line with 124 walks and only 91 strikeouts in his collegiate career, tacking on 28 home runs and 29 doubles. Through his first 210 plate appearances this season, he owns a 1.051 OPS, with 23 of his 48 hits going for extra bases.

    Busch boasts an advanced approach and excellent bat control. He is extremely patient and doesn’t chase many pitches out of the zone, but also isn’t afraid to attack first-pitch fastballs. He also protects the plate well, rarely whiffing at would-be strikes. The Tar Heels’ No. 2 hitter stands slightly open and utilizes a small leg kick, staying balanced and keeping his head on the ball all the way through his smooth, effortless swing. He uses the whole field, often beating the shift with line drives.

    Busch has displayed above-average in-game power, but that is more a result of his pure hitting ability and knack for making opposing pitchers pay for mistakes than it is of natural, raw power. He mainly uses a gap-to-gap approach, but there is room for additional pop if he were to add more lift to his swing.

    Carolina’s current roster situation has forced Busch, typically a first baseman, to play a lot of left field this season. He has fared relatively well out there; while his range is limited, he gets decent reads and hasn’t been a liability getting to balls in the gap. His mediocre arm is best suited for left, but he could be serviceable in either corner. A lack of size may force him into the outfield more regularly in pro ball, and while he may not have a true position at which he could thrive, he is athletic enough to handle a number of spots on the diamond and should provide some defensive versatility — he also played second base in the Cape Cod League in 2018.

    Outlook
    Concerns over his future defensive home may give teams reason to hesitate on draft day, but his athleticism should alleviate some of those concerns. His feel for hitting and exceptional on-base skills should help provide him a seamless transition to the next level, and a little added power could turn him into a dynamic major league hitter.

    Projection: Undersized player with no true position but a polished offensive profile.

    Ceiling: J.D. Drew
    Floor: Matt Joyce
    Draft Expectation: Rounds 1-2

    Logan Wyatt, 1B
    University of Louisville (JR, 2019)
    L/R, 6-04, 230lbs
    Date of Birth: 11/15/1997

    Hit- 50 (60) Power- 50 (60) Run- 30 (30) Arm- 45 (50) Field- 45 (50)

    Written by Shawn Larner

    Analysis
    As a freshman, Logan Wyatt spent most of his days behind a future top pick in Brendan McKay. He saw a mere 18 at-bats and struggled. He may have learned a thing or two from McKay, however, because once he left Wyatt stepped right in and put his talent on full display. He went on to have an OPS over 1.000 and was one of the premier hitters in college baseball. While he hasn’t quite matched that so far in 2019, he is certainly capable.

    Wyatt is generally a pull hitter from the left side, but he does display excellent bat control and likes to choke up a bit on the bat in all situations. His simple, quiet stance leads him into his smooth lefty swing that can also be powerful. While he hasn’t shown off tremendous power, he is a big kid and when paired with his mechanically-sound swing, the power will come. Wyatt has increased his isolated power numbers from .183 last season to .218 in his junior campaign.

    The tool that stands out most for Wyatt is his plate discipline. He is a very patient hitter, drawing many walks and waiting for a pitch to which he can do damage. Logan has an incredible 25 percent walk rate and has walked over 50 times already this season. His pitch recognition skills go right along with the discipline, and he shows an ability to identify pitches and lay off. This is another reason he could find more power with more repetition. He also walks more than he strikes out thanks to his patience, and he brings a presence with him every time he steps into the box.

    Defensively, Wyatt is not going to wow anybody, but he will make the plays he needs to make over at first base. He’s athletic enough to provide a little bit of range and should continue to improve. He has also flashed soft hands to help out his teammates on throws in the dirt.

    Outlook
    A move to left field seems far-fetched, and he should be able to contribute every day at first base given his ability at the plate. His on-base abilities will get him an opportunity, but tapping into his power will make him stick.

    Projection: On-base machine with potential 20-home run power.

    Ceiling: Justin Morneau
    Floor: James Loney
    Draft expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Drew Mendoza, 3B
    Florida State University (JR, 2019)
    L/R, 6-05, 225 lbs
    Date of Birth: 10/10/1997

    Hit- 40 (50) Power- 55 (65) Run- 40 (35) Arm- 55 (55) Field- 40 (40)

    Written by Will Hoefer

    Analysis
    Mendoza is an extra large third baseman who has performed akin to a four true outcomes guy at Florida State — walk, strikeout, home run, double. Over 50 percent of his collegiate plate appearances have ended in one of those four outcomes. Naturally, this leads to excitement over his power potential, and concern over his ability to tap into it.

    Mendoza keeps his hands high and features a bit of a leg kick. He has above-average bat speed, while staying balanced and using his length throughout his swing. He has plus raw power that he has yet to fully tap into. He has a pretty left-handed swing and a swing path that keeps the barrel of his bat in the zone. He has a very passive approach at the plate that allows him to work the count and draw a good amount of walks. Mendoza has produced walk rates of 16 percent in 2017, 16 percent in 2018, and a whopping 25 percent currently in his junior season. He will always have swing and miss in his game, through his combination of long levers and average-at-best athleticism. But he has worked hard in 2019 on controlling his body at the plate, and has developed decent bat control while maintaining plus bat speed.

    Most of his time in the garnet and gold has been spent as a third baseman, but Mendoza has, at best, average footwork and hands at the hot corner. Below-average speed in a large frame bodes poorly for his future at the position. Lacking plus arm accuracy all but dooms him to a future at first base or in the corners of an outfield.

    Outlook
    Mendoza, whose development was delayed by injuries his freshman year, has yet to fulfill his lofty expectations, but his tantalizing tools still remain. Even with a below-average glove, his strong arm and offensive upside will help keep his overall profile in Day 1 discussions.

    Projection: Big raw power and patience with an uncertain defensive future.

    Ceiling: Aubrey Huff
    Floor: Greg Bird
    Draft expectation: Rounds 2-3

    Other corner infielders to keep an eye on:
    Andrew Daschbach, Stanford University
    Davis Wendzel, Baylor University
    Ryan Kreidler, UCLA

  • 2019 Top College Baseball Draft Prospects: Catchers

    Over the next month leading up to the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, Baseball Info Solutions will be publishing a series of position-by-position scouting reports from our Video Scouts for the top-50 collegiate draft prospects. Each player is graded by the 20-80 scouting scale, given a comprehensive evaluation, and assigned a floor and a ceiling comparison, which indicate–if a player makes the Major Leagues–the range of the type of player into which he can develop.

    Full coverage:
    Catchers
    Corner Infield (Part 1)
    Corner Infield (Part 2) 
    Middle Infield (Part 1)
    Middle Infield (Part 2)
    Outfield (Part 1)
    Outfield (Part 2)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Left-Handed Pitching (Part 2)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 1)
    Right-Handed Pitching (Part 2)

    The first installment in this series is at catcher. While the position may be incredibly strong at the top, it doesn’t offer much in the form of depth.

    Adley Rutschman and Shea Langeliers are likely to hear their names called within the first 15 to 20 picks, but odds are against another backstop coming off the board on Day 1. Both guys were projected top-five picks heading into the college season, but a midseason hand injury to Langeliers hindered his stock a bit. Regardless, they are both extremely well-regarded and possess the ability to rise through the minor league ranks rather quickly.

    Adley Rutschman, C
    Oregon State University (JR, 2019)
    S/R 6-02, 216 lbs
    Date of birth: 02/06/98

    Hit- 55 (60) Power- 55 (60) Run- 40 (40) Arm- 60 (60) Field- 55 (60)

    Written by Noah Gatsik

    Analysis
    Adley Rutschman has dominated NCAA baseball for the past two seasons. His 2018 numbers were impressive, with a slash line of .408/.505/.628 (1.133 OPS) in 67 games. He also hit nine home runs and walked 53 times with only 40 strikeouts. In 2019, his numbers have been even more absurd. Through only 38 games (as of April 24), his slash line sits at .415/.576/.797 (OPS of 1.373). He also has displayed an increase in power, hitting 13 home runs while maintaining his advanced strike zone awareness and plate discipline — 51 walks to only 26 strikeouts.

    Rutschman has a large frame and a mature build with broad shoulders. He has a thick and muscular lower half while displaying above-average athleticism and body control. He was selected in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners but did not sign.

    Rutschman is a legitimate switch hitter. He is very sound mechanically. From the left side he has an open stance with his hands low, but keeps his shoulders square towards the pitcher. He uses a medium leg kick that squares off his stride while slightly dropping his hands at first movement. His lower half stays balanced and he transfers his weight well, displaying explosive hips. He leads with his top hand and stays inside the ball very well while generating plus bat speed. He displays a slight uppercut swing and generates good extension. From the right side, he uses more of a slightly open stance with his hands held higher sitting just above shoulder level while keeping his shoulders square to the pitcher. He takes his hands back and slightly wraps his bat at first movement while using a medium leg kick that squares off his stride. He delivers the barrel similarly with more of a true uppercut swing. He displays minimal head movement, and keeps his eyes on the same plane throughout the entirety of his swing from both sides.

    Rutschman uses a gap-to-gap line drive approach, displaying the ability to hit for power to all fields. He is a confident and patient hitter with well above-average plate discipline and advanced strike zone awareness. He consistently barrels the ball, making hard contact and generating above-average carry and backspin. He sometimes shows a tendency to pull his hips too quickly, cutting off the outer half of the plate and causing himself to roll over on balls. He can also struggle with high velocity up in the zone.

    Defensively, he is very solid behind the plate. He displays above-average athleticism and does an excellent job getting down and manipulating his body quickly to block pitches in the dirt. He also displays a plus arm and is aggressive in showing it off with an above-average transfer, and his pop times have reportedly ranged from 1.88-1.97 seconds. He does have a tendency to stab at the ball occasionally when receiving, but has made strides over the course of his college career at becoming a more patient receiver– which helps him profile favorably as a pitch framer.

    Outlook
    Rutschman is a catcher with no concerns at all about a possible position change in the future. He has the all-around skill set at catcher that is extremely rare, and his performance has put him in position to be the first player selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.

    Projection: Everyday MLB starting catcher with the potential to be a top-five player at his position.

    Ceiling: Buster Posey
    Floor: Matt Wieters
    Draft expectation: Top-3 selection

    Shea Langeliers, C
    Baylor University (JR, 2019)
    R/R 6-00, 190 lbs
    Birth Date: 11/18/1997

    Hit- 40 (50) Power- 45 (55) Run- 40 (40) Arm- 70 (70) Field- 60 (65)

    Written by Harris Yudin

    Analysis
    After a disappointing sophomore campaign, Langeliers has rebuilt his draft stock despite missing a chunk of the 2019 season with a hand injury. Across 137 plate appearances this year, he has posted a .331/.404/.496 slash line with four home runs and three stolen bases. He carries a nine-game hitting streak into a weekend series against TCU, collecting 12 hits in 26 at-bats with three homers over that span.

    The 21-year-old doesn’t have any standout tools offensively, but he has the potential to be at least an average hitter with above-average power. He stands crouched at the plate with his feet parallel to the pitcher, employing a small load and staying balanced through his swing. He keeps his hands tight, his weight back and his head on the ball, delivering a short, compact stroke and finishing with good arm extension. A quick bat and a good eye allow Langeliers to turn on fastballs inside and go the other way with pitches on the outer third, although he occasionally gets out in front of breaking balls. While he is not afraid to wait for his pitch, he can be a bit too selective at times.

    He doesn’t possess overwhelming speed on the basepaths, but he’s not a liability and is athletic enough to warrant attention from the pitcher. That athleticism helps him behind the plate as well, where he projects to be a difference maker at the next level. He’s very agile, dropping down quickly to block balls with both his body and his glove. He keeps everything in front of him and absorbs the ball to not let it bounce away.

    Langeliers is comfortable behind the plate, and while he doesn’t call his own games at Baylor, he has been lauded for his leadership and rapport with his pitchers. He offers up a clear target, receives the ball effortlessly and steals extra strikes with framing ability. His best tool is his plus-plus arm.

    He controls the running game incredibly well, throwing out 33 of 53 potential base stealers (62.6 percent) since the start of his sophomore season. He possesses a lightning quick transfer with elite arm strength and accuracy, and even the threat of his arm is often sufficient enough to keep runners stationary. He is also adept at blocking the plate, securing the ball to make quick tags on incoming runners.

    Outlook
    It is reasonable to believe that Langeliers could develop into a solid hitter with 15-homer pop, but even if his bat doesn’t make enough strides at the next level, the nation’s second-best catching prospect should have no trouble carving out an extended role in Major League Baseball given his defensive prowess. He is expected to come off the board in the first round, and could even hear his name called within the top 15 picks.

    Projection: Elite defensive catcher who could move quickly through minor leagues.

    Ceiling: Mike Lieberthal
    Floor: Austin Hedges
    Draft Expectation: Top-20 pick

    Other catchers to keep an eye on:
    Carter Bins, Fresno State
    Kyle McCann, Georgia Tech
    Maverick Handley, Stanford University

  • 2018 MLB mock draft

    From SPORTS INFO SOLUTIONS VIDEO SCOUTS
    Last week, Sports Info Solutions’ video scouts conducted a mock MLB Draft. Our video scouts regularly watch college baseball, so for each collegiate player, we offered a detailed assessment of his skills, with help from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, Fangraphs and other resources.

    1. Detroit Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
    At 6’3″ and 220 pounds, Mize certainly looks the part of a front line starter for years to come in the majors. His arsenal presents three plus offerings, including a mid-90s fastball with good life, a splitter that dives at the plate, and a slider. The quality of his pitches is enough to intrigue scouts, but what really sets him apart is his command. In the last two college seasons, Mize boasts 249 strikeouts to only 19 walks in 186 1/3 innings pitched for Auburn.

    By Alex Cole

    2. San Francisco Giants: Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Arizona)
    Since Madison Bumgarner was drafted in 2007, the Giants have failed to develop a top of the rotation arm. They’ll have a chance to draft someone viewed as having ace potential.

    By Ken Gaffney

    3. Philadelphia Phillies: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State
    For the Phillies, the selection of Bohm makes perfect sense for a number of reasons. Bohm has plus power potential with future middle of the order consideration. His bat appears to play well with aluminum and wood given his success in the CPL and Cape Cod Summer League. His bat alone could give him a quick path up through the minors. Bohm will likely get work at both corner infield positions and could test his athleticism in left field as well. This would give the Phillies position versatility which, as they have proven this year, they covet. If the Phillies draft Bohm, he would instantly become their highest rated corner infield prospect.

    Scouts note that Bohm’s potential comparison lies somewhere between Pat Burrell and Kris Bryant, both of whom were former college third baseman drafted in the top 10. However, the best-fitting comp for Bohm is probably Troy Glaus.

    By Matt Noskow

    4. Chicago White Sox: Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State
    Widely considered the top hitter in this year’s draft, Madrigal also has great speed and a plus glove. He also has great discipline at the plate, drawing 53 walks in his college career and only striking out 34 times. The biggest concern for Madrigal is his height (listed at 5’8″ 160 lbs), which explains his lack of power, but with players like Dustin Pedroia and Jose Altuve winning MVPs in the majors, a smaller player like Madrigal isn’t as big of a concern as it was a few years ago.

    By Kyle Price

    5. Cincinnati Reds: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
    After dominating the Cape in 2016 and a strong season in 2017 (129/32 K/BB), Singer entered the college season considered by many to be the top available talent in the draft. His stock has taken a slight hit throughout the year but has risen back up as of late. With a plus fastball and slider the question has been the changeup and the ability to repeat his delivery. Catcher Joey Bart is an option here, but with the Reds’ recent inability to develop pitching they will try to get a polished college pitcher that they only have to mechanically tweak rather than build from the ground up with a raw prep (Cincinnati took Hunter Greene in 2017).

    By Josh Hofer

    6. New York Mets: Shane McClanahan, LHP, University of South Florida
    McClanahan, drafted once already by the Mets in 2015, boasts a fastball-changeup combination — the former of which can hit triple digits — that exhibits flashes of Chris Sale.

    Even with some command issues and a delivery that MLB Pipeline describes as having “a fairly big recoil,” McClanahan projects as a high-strikeout guy who could move up the minor league ranks quickly. Given his athleticism and pure stuff, an improved slider and refined command would grant him true ace potential. His best comparison could be Robbie Ray.

    By Harris Yudin

    7. San Diego Padres: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha HS (Wisconsin)
    The top prep bat in the 2018 class, Kelenic is said to be a prospect with a high floor and an exciting offensive profile, along with a 96 MPH arm.

    By Kenny Kirkpatrick

    8. Atlanta Braves: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
    Though Bart is a taller catcher, his plus arm projects him to stay behind the dish long-term. Bart calls all of his pitchers’ games at GT which will obviously translate well to handling a staff at the next level.

    Bart’s plus power will play at the next level and is what has shot him up draft boards this spring. His biggest question mark remains to be his hit tool as he can become a player with high strikeout and low average numbers. If he can continue to grow as a hitter at the next level he can become a superstar at the catcher position. If not, he will still be a solid player behind the plate with his power and defensive ability.

    By Derek Tarconish

    9. Oakland Athletics: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson
    While Gilbert might lack the electric upside of McClanahan and others, he presents less risk, providing a polished repertoire and track record of performance. Oakland would do well to go all-in on Gilbert’s rare combination of premium physicality and repeatable delivery. His extension and tempo project plus command, while he’s shown three to four pitches that can be impact Major League offerings.

    His fastball has downhill plane, benefiting from his release height and extension, playing a touch above its velocity. If the fastball ticks back up to the mid-90s range that it sat in last summer, Gilbert’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s. If it hovers in the low 90s as it has this spring, he still has the ability to profile as a workhorse No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Comp: Josh Beckett

    By Brett Bittiger

    10. Pittsburgh Pirates: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (Florida)
    Stewart is widely considered the best high school pitcher in the 2018 draft, with a 98 MPH fastball. Drafting Stewart will give Pirates fans a future rotation to dream about that includes RHP Mitch Keller, RHP Shane Baz, and RHP Carter Stewart.

    By Jimmy Burns

    11. Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida
    A potential replacement for Manny Machado, India can be a fast mover through the minor league ranks to help the struggling major league squad. India broke out this year, with an OPS over 1.200. He has good plate discipline and athleticism with solid power and the ability to play second base or even shortstop in a pinch, though he looks to stick at 3B. His best comp may be Justin Turner.

    By Jonathan Simmons

    12. Toronto Blue Jays: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
    The Blue Jays have been talking about getting younger and more athletic, and Swaggerty would be the type of player that could help them achieve that goal. Swaggerty has above average speed and a decent arm for center field, along with good strike zone knowledge and improving power from the left side. His best comp could be Brett Gardner.

    By Ted Baarda

    13. Miami Marlins: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Georgia)
    Following the Marlins’ trend from the last two years by going with a high school arm, Rocker throws a fastball that touches 98. If he doesn’t sign, he’s headed to Vanderbilt.

    By Josh Fellerman

    14. Seattle Mariners: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Ole Miss
    Rollison’s fastball sits in the low 90s but can get up to 95 at times. He has probably the best curveball in the draft but has struggled to develop a useful third pitch. He has a changeup that doesn’t have much movement and he has barely used it this year but if it develops into something he uses more frequently, he could have three plus pitches. He excelled in the Cape Cod League by mixing up his pitches to keep hitters off balance, but in this year in SEC play he has struggled to find his command at times. If he polishes up his command and develops that changeup, he could become a #2 starter.

    By Kerby Callison

    15. Texas Rangers: Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS (Georgia)
    Committed to Vanderbilt but could sign if taken in the first round. He’s viewed as strong offensively with a lot of potential.

    By Adam Rielly

    16. Tampa Bay Rays: Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS (Florida)
    For the Rays Connor Scott is an easy pick. 6’4″ 180 lbs athletic outfielder from Plant HS which is located in Tampa. Scott can both play the field and pitch, but is projected as an outfielder.

    By Cole Seltzer

    17. Anaheim Angels: Nolan Gorman, 3B, Sandra Day O’Connor HS (Arizona)
    Gorman is said to have great power, with consistency at the field and approach at the plate being keys to his future success.

    By Mitch Glessner

    18. Kansas City Royals: Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran HS (California)
    Cole Winn is a prep righty who committed to Mississippi State. He’s said to have three really good pitches already.

    By Dominic Asta

    19. St. Louis Cardinals: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (California)
    The Cardinals would be the perfect organization for Turang thanks to their strong reputation developing players, as he has all the tools but just needs to maximize each one.

    By Justin Stine

    20. Minnesota Twins: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto HS (Tennessee)
    The Twins have used seven of their last nine first round picks on high schoolers and it continues here. Weathers is the son of former major league reliever David Weathers. He throws a bit harder than his dad – 97 MPH.

    By Evan Butler

    21. Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida
    Kowar possesses one of the better changeups in the draft to go along with a mid-90s fastball that can touch 98. Kowar was terrific as Florida’s number two behind Brady Singer, posting a 3.21 ERA in 92.2 innings. If he can develop his breaking ball into a better offering, he can move quickly through the minors.

    By Nick Rabasco

    22. Colorado Rockies: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS (Georgia)
    Wilcox throws in the mid 90s and reportedly has a well-developed changeup.

    By Andrew Zenner

    23. New York Yankees: Ethan Hankins, Forsyth Central HS (Georgia)
    Hankins was an early front runner for the No.1 pick going into the year, but with a tough spring he has fallen a little bit. The Yankees, not being one to shy away from high profile players, will have to lure the high schooler (who peaks at 99 mph) away from his commitment to Vanderbilt.

    By Marc Roche

    24. Chicago Cubs: Blaine Knight, RHP, Arkansas
    Coming back for his junior season has brought Knight on the cusp of being a possible first round selection. Armed with a mid-90s fastball and a breaking ball with one of the highest spin rates in the draft, Knight fits the recent draft tendencies of the Cubs. Plucking pitching from the college ranks has been the Cubs M.O. and that should continue this draft year.

    By Nathan Phares

    25. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake McCarthy, OF, Virginia
    In the 2017 MLB Draft, Mike Hazen spent 8 of his first 11 picks on college bats, with an emphasis on hitters who can draw walks and get on base at a high clip. McCarthy doesn’t totally fit the mold of those picks, but with a strong hit tool and plus speed McCarthy can certainly handle the rigors of a traditional top of the order presence. What will determine his ceiling as a prospect will be defense in center field. A polished college bat with a track record of wood bat performance (.387/.441/.613 in his nine CCBL games in 2017) is certainly a valuable commodity in the late 1st round.

    By Will Hoefer

    26. Boston Red Sox: Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma
    The Red Sox are happy to take another first round college outfielder here in Steele Walker. The young lefty with plenty of raw power will look to use the Green Monster to his advantage in the future with his ability to hit line drives to all fields. Walker’s strong pitch recognition will also him to potentially develop his power as he matures. While he has been able to play all over the outfield for the Sooners, his arm strength likely slots him in left field where his plus baseball instincts will allow him to handle the Monster with ease.

    By Dan Kelly

    27. Washington Nationals: JT Ginn, RHP, Brandon HS (Mississippi)
    Washington’s farm system is skewed towards position-player prospects, so in the 2018 draft they’ll look to insert a little more balance by selecting a prep arm with the tools to excel as a starter or reliever.

    By Dylan Thomas

    28. Houston Astros: Tim Cate, LHP, Connecticut
    Cate has the best curveball in college and potentially the entire draft. It’s no secret the Astros are an analytics-forward organization and have really taken advantage of pitchers with high spin rates. Cate already has an above average spin rate on his curveball and with the development of a fourth pitch, Cate could fill in nicely at the back end of the rotation. Cate sits at 91-93 with his fastball but has had velocity issues the longer he pitched into games. This has made his 3.26 ERA look less than impressive but he is still generating over 11 K per 9 in his three years at UConn. This might be a little high for Cate to go in the draft but the Astros could really use a top lefty with the potential departure of Keuchel this winter.

    By Zak Sokoloski

    29. Cleveland Indians: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (North Carolina)
    Following the 2016 draft model, Cleveland is selecting an elite two-sport athlete with five-tool potential and buying them out of their college commitment.

    By Kevin Black

    30. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jeremy Eierman, SS, Missouri State
    Eierman burst on the scene as a sophomore by belting 23 homers and slugging .675. As a junior his numbers regressed back closer to his freshman year. Eierman’s rare power as a shortstop is what makes him a top draft prospect, and an improving glove gives scouts faith he can stay at short at the next level.

    He has shown consistent power and slugging at Missouri State with increasing abilities on the base paths and in the field. The improving glove and speed paired with an elite power bat for an infielder make Eierman a desirable early round prospect. MLB Comparison: With similar skill sets, size, and flaws Eierman fits the new mold of the “power shortstop” much like Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals.

    By Nicholas Solitario