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Author: Harris Yudin

  • 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