2018 MLB Draft | Day 1 | June 4 - 6:00 PM ET

[P2F]

Page 5 crashed Chrome about ten times on mobile. Thanks, Hurl, and to the guy that quoted Hurl's ridiculously long post to ask about Pompey. JFC.

[Brownie19]

His real job?

 

pssst. It was a joke.

[LGBJ29]

even if Swaggerty sucked balls I think his name alone is worth the selection.

 

Also - from what I've read it looks like we're definitely leaning bat first round no?

[P2F]

even if Swaggerty sucked balls I think his name alone is worth the selection.

 

Also - from what I've read it looks like we're definitely leaning bat first round no?

 

It really just depends on who's available at the pick. If any one of India, Kelenic, or Swaggerty are still there, I can't see the Jays passing on that opportunity to take one of them.

 

They'll go BPA, though, so if it's a pitcher that's the highest remaining available player on their draft board, then that's who they'll take.

[LGBJ29]

It really just depends on who's available at the pick. If any one of India, Kelenic, or Swaggerty are still there, I can't see the Jays passing on that opportunity to take one of them.

 

They'll go BPA, though, so if it's a pitcher that's the highest remaining available player on their draft board, then that's who they'll take.

 

Figured as much, always the most successful strategy. I've loved what I've read on Liberatore. He's a stretch to reach 12 but not out of the question. He'd be fantastic. Same with Winn.

Also read this morning they were looking long and hard at McClanahan who I couldnt be less excited about

[jays4life19]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Kl2DX___M

[Daniel Labude]

Is India dropping, cause I keep hearing he is for sure not dropping past the Mets?

[TwistedLogic]

[Slade]

even if Swaggerty sucked balls I think his name alone is worth the selection.

 

Also - from what I've read it looks like we're definitely leaning bat first round no?

 

We been heavily linked to Ryan Rolison all spring, so that wouldn't be surprising.

[TwistedLogic]

Thanks for posting, Hurl.

 

You are very cool and edgy.

 

Page 5 crashed Chrome about ten times on mobile. Thanks, Hurl, and to the guy that quoted Hurl's ridiculously long post to ask about Pompey. JFC.

 

Yeah I asked if someone could send me the Top 500 list so I could make a "best player available" board for it like I do each year. I meant that to be sent via PM. Anyway, instead of posting the Top 500, Hurl posted regional lists for every state, which then got quoted twice. SAAviour quoted it the first time, and when I asked him to edit his post, BJMB's local edgelord King decided to quote it again. Forum isn't giving people enough issues already, need more people suffering from little-dick syndrome to flood the boards with more mile long posts out of spite. Lag the forum and crash other people's browsers on draft day, that'll show em.

[LGBJ29]

You are very cool and edgy.

 

 

 

Yeah I asked if someone could send me the Top 500 list so I could make a "best player available" board for it like I do each year. I meant that to be sent via PM. Anyway, instead of posting the Top 500, Hurl posted regional lists for every state, which then got quoted twice. SAAviour quoted it the first time, and when I asked him to edit his post, BJMB's local edgelord King decided to quote it again. Forum isn't giving people enough issues already, need more people suffering from little-dick syndrome to flood the boards with more mile long posts out of spite. Lag the forum and crash other people's browsers on draft day, that'll show em.

 

[Jonn]

We been heavily linked to Ryan Rolison all spring, so that wouldn't be surprising.

 

That would be disappointing with the talent projected to be on the board at our pick

[TwistedLogic]

[Slade]

BA updated Jays pick.

 

Nolan Gorman

 

O'Connor HS, Phoenix. 3B

 

Notes: It sounds like the Blue Jays might love for one of the players off the board in the top 10 to fall to No. 12, but in this scenario they would have to decide between Gorman’s power, the local Canadian pick in Noah Naylor, or a college arm like Logan Gilbert, Ryan Rolison or Jackson Kowar.

Edited June 4, 2018 by Slade

[Slade]

That would be disappointing with the talent projected to be on the board at our pick

 

Not really that bad, 96 Fastball and a good curve from the left side. Younger college guy who was once expected to go top 10. His delivery has some issues that scouts think can be ironed out to improve his stuff a bit.

 

 

I agree that there are more intriguing guys at the top but the Jays like big college arms.

[Daniel Labude]

Seeing a lot of buzz about us and college pitching as well lol. Its like no 2 people have the same info on what we may do. Lots of suggestions we take Logan Gilbert

[John_Havok]

 

That's a good, quick read and touches on recency bias. It does seem to weigh heavily on teams leading up to the draft.

[TheHurl]

I will post the BA 500 unedited. I looked at the list and thought it was the same as before when I posted it but I've now spotted some differences. It will be in chunks, as it is about 600,000 characters and 70k is the max. Please don't quote the entire thing. Edited June 4, 2018 by TheHurl

[TheHurl]

Updated on: 5/29/2018

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Casey Mize

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Auburn

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 208 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Mize has established himself as the top player in the 2018 draft class thanks to a deep and talented repertoire that is made mostly of 60-grade or better offerings and exceptional control that allowed him to lead all college pitchers with a 12.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a sophomore in 2017. Through 10 starts this spring, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander had improved his K/BB to a ridiculous 15.67 mark with a 2.25 ERA in 68 innings. Mize pitches off of a fastball that gets up to 97 mph but sits in the 93-95 range and a 70-grade splitter that’s among the best offspeed offerings in the country. Typically a difficult pitch to control, even for professional pitchers, Mize locates the 86-89 mph splitter remarkably well, with powerful downward action. He also has a slider that is in the mid- to upper 80s that he’s thrown with a different grip this spring than he had on previous occasions. He has two variations of the slider—one that is more firm and used as an out pitch and another that’s softer with more of a curveball shape and used as a get-me-over strike. He has also added a cutter to his repertoire this spring that’s in the 88-91 mph range and scouts have already graded it as a plus offering. On top of all of that, Mize also throws a slower changeup from a different grip than his power splitter, which falls in the low 80s with fade and sink. While technically he has a four-pitch mix, the variations to the splitter and slider give him six different offerings to attack hitters, each of which grade out as plus offerings for most scouts, headlined by the plus-plus splitter. The stuff, pitchability and performance give Mize the ceiling of a future ace, with his medical history being the only knock on his resume. Mize was shutdown with forearm issues during the spring and summer of 2017 and has had trouble staying healthy dating back to his time as a high school prospect in Springville, Ala. He’s avoided injury issues the spring of his junior year, however, and if he continues to make his starts and nothing crazy shows up in his medical this June, he should be the first player off the board.

 

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Matthew Liberatore

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Mountain Ridge HS, Glendale, Ariz.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Arizona

Scouting Report: During the summer of 2017, Liberatore was an uber-projectable lefthander with great feel for three pitches that scouts could project to become plus down the line. At that time, Liberatore was sitting mostly in the upper 80s and low 90s with his fastball and had a low-70s, 12-to-6 curveball, as well as a changeup in the low to mid-80s. He performed well on the showcase circuit and with USA Baseball’s 18U National team, pitching in the USA’s 8-0 win over Korea in the gold medal game. During his first outing this spring, however, he was up to 96 mph with his fastball, a sharper curveball and a plus changeup. The 100-plus scouts could confidently leave that game and project three plus pitches on the prep lefthander who stood 6-foot-5. While the stuff hasn’t been quite as loud for Liberatore since then—his fastball in particular hasn’t held that velocity—he still has the frame and pitchability that teams can dream on, with a fairly clean and quick arm as well as makeup that scouts rave about. The Arizona commit pitches with a bulldog-like mentality on the mound but also brings a cerebral approach to what he’s trying to do, with an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters and how to manipulate his pitches. During the spring, Liberatore added a low-80s slider that he showcased to a large group of evaluators at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational. The pitch is currently behind his curveball and changeup—both of which project as plus offerings—but showed some promise and he seemed confident with the offering given that he added it to his now-four-pitch mix about a week prior. While Liberatore’s stuff and control isn’t currently as loud as MacKenzie Gore’s (the top lefthander in the 2017 draft class) was at this same point last year, the combination of his size, projection, makeup and pitchability should have him off the board early in the first round.

 

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Nick Madrigal

4YR SS/2B

Notes:

School: Oregon State

Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Indians '15 (17)

Scouting Report: Most 5-foot-7 second basemen wouldn’t figure to be top-of-the first round talents if healthy, let alone if they had missed almost two months of their junior season. But Madrigal is far from the ordinary, undersized middle infielder, as he possesses arguably the best hit tool in the 2018 draft class. Northwest area scouts saw just six games of Madrigal (in which he hit over .500 with two home runs) before he went down with a broken left wrist after sliding into home plate during a February game against Ohio State. Fortunately, Madrigal’s track record is a lengthy one, as he played for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team during the summer of 2017 and also hit .303/.342/.376 as an 18-year-old in the West Coast Collegiate League in 2015, with more walks than strikeouts. Many area scouts and scouting directors alike are convinced that Madrigal would be a top-10 selection even if he never came back to the field, given the non-chronic nature of his injury combined with his prolific feel for the barrel. While Madrigal will never be confused for a slugger and likely doesn’t have much more fringe-average power, he makes the most of all the juice he has, with elite bat-to-ball skills that allows him to drive the gaps and use his speed to collect extra-base hits in the form of doubles and triples. He’s not just a hitter, however, as Madrigal possesses plus-plus running ability and matches that skill with savvy baserunning prowess. A potential top-of-the-order hitter, Madrigal also projects as a plus defensive second baseman at the next level. The hands that allow him to hit with such apparent ease also translate to the field, where he is sure-handed and quick around the bag with enough arm strength for the keystone. Arm strength is the one knock on Madrigal—aside from his size—and scouts are split on whether he can be a major league shortstop, as Oregon State teammate Cadyn Grenier’s defense was enough to push Madrigal to second base in 2016. Regardless of which side of the bag teams see him playing in the future, Madrigal seems like a lock to be taken inside of the first ten picks this June and could be a fast-moving college bat at the professional level, thanks to both his baseball skills and professional makeup and work ethic.

 

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Brady Singer

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Blue Jays '15 (2)

Scouting Report: The latest in a developing tradition of talented Florida starting pitchers is righthander Brady Singer, who was one of the earliest players to establish himself at the top of the 2018 draft class with one of the most spotless track records in the country. Singer has a long history of success in the SEC and has improved—at least statistically—every season. After getting just one start as a freshman in 2016, Singer moved into a prominent role in Florida’s rotation in 2017 alongside Alex Faedo (who was taken No. 18 by the Tigers in the 2017 draft). As a sophomore, Singer led the Gators with 126 innings, posted a 3.21 ERA over 19 starts and struck out 21 batters in two starts during the 2017 College World Series, which Florida won. Even before Singer’s time in Gainesville, he was a prominent draft prospect, ranking as the No. 54 prospect on the 2015 BA 500. He was selected by the Blue Jays with the 56th pick of the MLB Draft but didn’t sign. Now, he’ll have a chance to go much higher as a starting pitcher with a strong track record and two plus pitches. Singer’s fastball sits in the low to mid-90s with impressive natural movement and he also has a sharp slider that has been a weapon for him in the past. Singer’s slider can be inconsistent at times, however, because of his low arm slot, which is a point of concern for some evaluators. While Singer doesn’t throw many changeups currently, scouts think he has the ability to develop at least an average changeup in pro ball, when he would be able to throw it more frequently. Teams more skeptical of Singer will see a two-pitch starter with a concerning arm slot that might lead to the bullpen, while less critical scouting departments might see a potential middle-of-the-rotation arm who has impressive strike-throwing ability and more high-level track record than any pitcher in a deep 2018 class.

 

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Joey Bart

4YR C

Notes:

School: Georgia Tech

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '15 (27)

Scouting Report: Bart became the first player ever drafted out of Buford (Ga.) High when the Rays selected him in the 27th round of the 2015 draft, but Bart chose to instead attend Georgia Tech, following in the footsteps of major league backstops like Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters. Since then, Bart has established himself as the top catcher in the 2018 class by a wide margin and there are more than a few people wondering if he’s the best catcher to come through the program—high praise considering the talent and major league success of Varitek and Wieters. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Bart has all the tools necessary to become an above-average defensive catcher at the pro level. He has a strong arm that’s at least above-average and likely plus, as well as strong and quiet hands, footwork that’s online to his target during throws and exceptional game-calling abilities for an amateur. Prior to this spring, scouts questioned Bart’s effort behind the dish, but the recent feedback has been exceptional. When he’s locked in and focused, he looks the part. Offensively, Bart has plus raw power to all fields and has a solid track record in the ACC, hitting 13 home runs during his sophomore season and hitting 11 home runs through his first 37 games this spring. Bart also has a solid wood bat track record, hitting .309/.389/.433 with two home runs in the Cape Cod League in 2016, which should help ease the worries of teams who might knock him for a poor summer in 2017, when he was dealing with a groin injury while playing for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Bart does have a history of striking out a bit too much, and most evaluators put the hit tool at fringe-average at best, but the combination of his defensive tools and his ability to get to his power in-game at a position that is incredibly scarce should have him flying off the board early.

 

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Jonathan India

4YR 3B

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Brewers '15 (26)

Scouting Report: Scouts have admired the way India plays the game and his overall package of tools since he was a standout shortstop at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Fla. India was ranked as the No. 82 player in the 2015 class, but after the Brewers drafted him in the 26th round he made his way to Gainesville. India was solid, but unspectacular, in his first two season with the Gators, missing some time with injury during his sophomore campaign in which he hit 274/.354/.429 with 23 strikeouts and 42 walks. He’s improved his draft stock substantially this spring, hitting .420/.551/.840 with 13 home runs and more walks (34) than strikeouts (30) through his first 40 games. He is among the nation’s top-10 hitters in each triple-slash category and scouts have been extremely happy to see his raw power translate more into games this year. His ultimate role will depend on his defensive position. He played a decent amount of innings at shortstop early this year, but most of his time with Florida has been at third base, where he has solid hands and an average arm. He’s likely a third baseman or a second baseman at the next level, with the flexibility to move to shortstop in a pinch or for a team that doesn’t prioritize shortstop defense. If third base is the destination, he has more than enough bat to profile there, especially if this year’s power display is here to stay.

 

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Alec Bohm

4YR 3B

Notes:

School: Wichita State

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Bohm has been one of the most impressive college hitters in the 2018 draft class and has positioned himself to go early in the first round after several big performances in front of large groups of evaluators this spring. With a large, 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame, Bohm brings a vast amount of strength to the batter’s box, which helps provide some of the best raw power in the country. Bohm has gotten to that power frequently this spring, hitting .353/.464/.596 through his first 36 games with eight home runs and nine doubles. Perhaps more impressive than Bohm’s power output—he also hit 11 homers as a sophomore and six as a freshman—is his improved plate discipline this season. He’s cut his strikeout rate and significantly improved his walk rate, taking the free pass more frequently than striking out for the first time in his collegiate career. He has an exceptional understanding of the strike zone and always seem to have a plan when he steps in the batter’s box, with the ability to make adjustments within an at-bat. His loud spring comes on the heels of a summer in the Cape Cod League, where Bohm was selected to the all-star game and finished second in the league with a .351 average. Bohm has done as much as anyone in the 2018 class to prove himself with the bat, but where the questions will surface for him are on the defensive side. Some scouts think Bohm will eventually have to move to first base, while others believe his strong arm will be enough for him to stay at the hot corner.

 

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Shane McClanahan

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: South Florida

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 188 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Mets '15 (26)

Scouting Report: The top college lefthander in the 2018 draft class, McClanahan possesses some of the best raw stuff of any draft-eligible player in the country led by a fastball that can reach 100 mph. That number would have seemed absurd after seeing McClanahan prior to his senior season at Cape Coral (Fla.) High, when he was throwing a mid-80s fastball. But McClanahan went through a massive growth spurt around that time, going from 5-foot-6 to the 6-foot-2 he’s currently listed at and touched 94 mph at times during the spring of 2015. Three years later, and through his first 10 starts of the 2018 season with South Florida, McClanahan is regularly in the mid- to upper 90s with his fastball and has used that pitch to help him lead the country in strikeouts per nine innings (15.02), with 94 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. At just 188 pounds with a lean frame that could still add more weight, McClanahan doesn’t get that sort of velocity with a huge, muscular build but instead with a lightning quick arm out of a low, three-quarter slot in a delivery that some scouts describe as high-effort. In addition to his fastball, McClanahan has a mid-80s changeup and a slider, both of which project as plus pitches down the line although the changeup is currently more consistent than the breaking ball. McClanahan isn’t without warts, however, as he already had Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him during the 2016 season, and is regularly erratic to the plate. McClanahan has a history of being more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point, with more than five walks per nine innings through his first 10 starts in 2018. Durability will be a question mark with McClanahan as well, as many college pitchers around him on draft boards have a much longer track record of performance and summer history. Still, the pure stuff he offers from the left side is a rare commodity and one that teams at the top of the first round will likely pounce at given the opportunity this June. McClanahan offers the potential of a top-of-the-rotation southpaw if everything breaks right and he improves his control and command. Assuming good health, a worst-case scenario for McClanahan would likely be taking on the role of a shutdown reliever.

 

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Carter Stewart

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Eau Gallie HS, Melbourne, Fla.

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi State

Scouting Report: Over the summer, Stewart was known almost exclusively for his otherworldly curveball, which was a 70-grade offering at the time and routinely registered spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. Stewart’s curveball was so impressive, in fact, that TrackMan honored the righthander at the Perfect Game All-America Classic in San Diego and said his breaking ball was among the most impressive pitches the company has ever tracked, at any level. At 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, that performance alone was impressive. But this spring Stewart took a step forward, improving a fastball that once sat in the upper 80s to low 90s and has now reached 97-98 mph multiple times this spring, giving Stewart a chance at potentially two 70-grade pitches. On top of the stuff, Stewart brings impressive athleticism to the table and a good feel for the strike zone. Scouts have been impressed with how consistently Stewart is able to land his sweeping, low-80s breaker for a strike, especially considering the massive depth the pitch possesses. Stewart has also shown the ability to manipulate the offering depending on the situation. That sort of feel leaves some scouts projecting a changeup that could be at least average down the line. Stewart has thrown a changeup at times, but given his other offerings, he hasn’t needed to use a third pitch enough to give scouts much of a feel for it. An impressive golfer as well, Stewart could have a collegiate future on the links, but his skill on the mound should prevent him from ever reaching Mississippi State’s campus in the first place.

 

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Cole Winn

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas Christian

Scouting Report: In a down year in Southern California from a draft perspective, Winn made the decision to transfer from Colorado to Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High and play in the Trinity League—one of the nation’s best high school baseball conferences. The move has paid off, as Winn has separated himself from other Southern California arms and been one of the most consistent prep righthanders in the country, while also giving himself the opportunity to play at densely scouted events like the National High School Invitational and the Boras Classic South. Winn was on scouting directors’ radars long before his time with Orange Lutheran, however, after impressing at numerous events on the summer showcase circuit with three pitches, including a fastball reaching the 93-94 mph range and one of the more consistent curveballs in the class. This spring, Winn has been up to 96 mph with his fastball, which he can spot effectively to both sides of the plate. His best breaking ball is a plus, 12-to-6 curveball in the mid-70s that has powerful downward action, which he can spot in the zone or use to expand and create swings and misses. Winn also added a low-80s slider, seemingly out of nowhere, and while it’s behind the curveball, it has the makings of another average pitch. Winn is competing with a deep high school class, but he’s one of the few prep arms who has gotten better each time out and has had very few looks that raised questions.

 

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Travis Swaggerty

4YR OF

Notes:

School: South Alabama

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After going undrafted out of high school with little to no hype in the scouting community, Swaggerty has become a top-of-the-first-round talent because of his performance at South Alabama and an impressive summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2017. With Team USA, Swaggerty started in center field and hit near the top of the order, hitting .328/.449/.406. That came after a spring in the Sun Belt Conference where his on-base plus slugging percentage was over 1.000 with 10 home runs. On the national radar after his impressive 2017 campaign, Swaggerty had one of the loudest starts to the 2018 season of any college player, hitting .390/.609/.707 through his first 13 games with three home runs. A five-tool talent, Swaggerty projects as an at least average hitter who has 60-grade running ability, 60-grade defense in center field and an above-average to plus arm. He profiles fairly safely in center field at the next level, and while some scouts have questioned his power potential in the past, he seems to have ticked up in that category early this spring and should have fringe-average to average power. Swaggerty seems to get the most out of his power potential, with 10 home runs during his sophomore season at South Alabama. He has also cut his strikeout rate and improved his walk rate during each of his seasons at South Alabama and in 2018 he is among the nation’s leaders in walks and walks per game. While Swaggerty has cooled off a bit as the season progressed, he seems to be a safe bet as a lefthanded hitting center fielder with a college track record and no real holes in his game.

 

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Jarred Kelenic

HS OF

Notes:

School: Waukesha (Wis.) West HS

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 196 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Louisville

Scouting Report: Kelenic was the only outfielder in the high school class to unanimously make the first team in Baseball America’s Preseason All-America vote, as decided on by major scouting directors. Kelenic achieved that honor as one of the best hitters in the class with a balanced and powerful swing, a track record in the middle of USA Baseball’s 18U National Team lineup and a strong arm, as well as athleticism, above-average speed and impressive route running. One of the most intense players in the class, Kelenic has a fiery demeanor on the field that gives pause for some evaluators, while others who know him have no issues and see his passionate personality as a positive indicator. He lives and breathes baseball and is regularly in his dad’s training facilities in Waukesha, Wis., and also worked out in the same facility as Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt. One of the more polished hitters in the class, Kelenic has the frame and strength to continue to add more power as he gets into player development and could wind up with plus raw power down the road. As he ages, scouts are mixed on whether he stays in center field or moves to a corner, with his backers pointing to exceptional reads and defensive instincts, and detractors saying that his speed will back up as he gets stronger. He has more than enough arm for the outfield, regularly registering 96 mph readings from the grass and regarded as one of the most accurate arms in the class. The challenge with Kelenic is that he’s been difficult for teams to scout this spring in Wisconsin. He’s playing with a travel team rather than his high school and he’s also been seen indoors more frequently than outdoors. The track record for Wisconsin hitters is also poor, but Kelenic’s own track record with Team USA and on the showcase circuit, combined with his natural tools and makeup, could allow him to become the exception. He should be one of the first prep bats to get drafted this June.

 

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Kumar Rocker

HS RHP

Notes:

School: North Oconee HS, Bogart, Ga.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Rocker is one of the most well-known prep names in the 2018 high school class thanks to exceptional stuff—headlined by a fastball that routinely reaches 98 mph—and a physically imposing 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame. Despite his big build, Rocker is athletic for his size and has the bloodlines to back it up, as his father, Tracy, played football at Auburn before a brief NFL career with the Washington Redskins. When it comes to pure stuff, there’s perhaps no pitcher in the high school class who can match Rocker pitch for pitch. His fastball is regularly in the low to mid-90s and reaches the upper levels when he needs it. The pitch is delivered with such ease that is sometimes looks like he’s just playing catch. After that, Rocker has a pair of secondary offerings that have both looked plus, with a power breaking ball—some scouts call it a curve and some dub it a slider—that’s hard and tight in the low to mid-80s with late-breaking action. Rocker’s changeup is firm and has been up to 91 mph this spring, with fading action that allows the pitch to fall off the table at its best. Just grading out the tools, Rocker should be the top high school player in the class, but he got hit around more than his stuff would indicate last summer, especially when his fastball flattened out and stayed up in the zone. Some evaluators wonder if he just lacks deception and whether adding a two-seam fastball with more movement would help him down the road. The reports from his spring season with North Oconee High in Bogart, Ga., have all been exceptional and while he did deal with a minor hamstring injury that pushed back one of his starts, Rocker has done everything evaluators wanted him to do. Moving forward, the Vanderbilt commit needs to be on top of managing his weight as a bigger-bodied pitcher and he’ll need to take steps forward with the command of his entire repertoire once he gets to levels where his stuff alone isn’t overwhelming. Overall, Rocker has the elements to be a future front-of-the-rotation arm and should be a first-round pick.

 

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Brice Turang

HS SS

Notes:

School: Santiago HS, Corona, Calif.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 165 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Turang is one of the most famous prep players in the 2018 class and entered the draft cycle as the top high school player in the nation. A four-year varsity starter at Santiago (Corona, Calif.) High, Turang also played for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2016 and 2017, more than holding his own playing on the 2016 club that featured 2017 No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene, respectively. In fact, you wouldn’t have to search far to find a scout who said Turang was the best player on the team, despite the fact that Turang never played in the international tournament in Mexico after getting hit in the face by a pitch. Because of his exposure and history as a talented player at such a young age, teams have been somewhat disappointed with Turang since last summer. He’s never struggled, but he’s also never wowed scouts in the same way that he did as an underclassman. Even with that said, Turang was still voted a first-team Preseason All-American, the best pure hitter in the class, the best defensive infielder in the class with the second-best arm, and the No. 3 athlete in Baseball America’s preseason survey to major league scouting directors. Turang is among the more polished prep players with an advanced left-handed hit tool and rarely swings and misses with a patient approach that allows him to hit the ball where it’s pitched. Turang’s loudest tool is his speed, which is at least plus and likely plus-plus, allowing him to wreak havoc on the bases and also cover a large swath of ground defensively. He can make throws from multiple angles, on the run, up the middle and in the hole, and also has the sure hands and footwork that should allow him to stay at the position at the next level. At just 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, the biggest knock on Turang is his size. Some teams are worried about the impact he’ll make at the next level and don’t anticipate him having much more than fringe-average raw power. While Turang might not be filling up a scout card with 6- and 7-grade tools, he does everything well, has a long track record of succeeding against elite competition and plays a premium position as a lefthanded hitter.

 

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Nolan Gorman

HS 3B

Notes:

School: O'Connor HS, Phoenix

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Arizona

Scouting Report: Gorman has some of the best raw power in the 2018 draft class—college or high school—and raised his stock significantly over the summer. Gorman won multiple home run derbies and showed that his power played against some of the top pitching prospects in the game at a few of the bigger showcases, displaying easy plus power against mid-90s velocity. He was the talk of the scouting community after putting on an offensive show during USA Baseball’s 18U National Team trials in late August against multiple college teams in Minnesota. Gorman was unanimously voted to BA’s Preseason High School All-America team at third base by major league scouting directors and had positioned himself to be one of the first hitters taken in the draft. However, his stock fell a bit this spring, when scouts noted that Gorman looked stiffer defensively, creating more reason to believe that he would eventually need to move to first base. Additionally, Gorman has added to the questions surrounding his hit tool rather than answer them, particularly at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational, where he swung and missed often against offspeed pitches and also expanded his strike zone. He was one of just four batters at the event to swing and miss at least 10 times. While Gorman has had little trouble squaring up big-time velocity, he now has some significant questions about his ability to handle breaking pitches, as he also struggled in that domain during the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s U-18 World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada, where he hit .222/.241/.294 with 10 strikeouts and four walks. Still, when Gorman hits the ball he hits it harder than almost anyone in the class. He had the highest average exit velocity at the NHSI at 102.1 mph, with an exit velocity a tick harder against breaking balls, specifically. Defensively, teams are likely split on his eventual destination. He has an above-average arm that’s likely plus and he showed impressive glove work at the hot corner with Team USA, making plays on the run and while off-balance. However, the increased stiffness he showed this spring won’t help encourage those who already believed he would eventually move to first. While his hit tool is more difficult to project now than teams would have liked, his power is 70-grade or better and that should still get him taken somewhere in the middle of the first round.

 

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Ryan Weathers

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Loretto (Tenn.) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: The son of 19-year major league veteran David Weathers, Ryan is an advanced lefthanded pitcher out of Tennessee who offers a high floor for a prep arm. Weathers has three pitches that are at least average with a fastball, curveball and changeup. Scouts had to wait for a chance to see him this spring as Weathers is also a high-level basketball player and helped lead Lorretto High to its first ever state championship this season. When he did take the mound, Weathers pitched with a low-90s fastball that got up to 95 mph at its best with a curveball that appeared to be a tick better than it was last summer. Some scouts have put a 60-grade on the mid-70s breaking ball this spring after it was more 50-55 during the showcase circuit and with USA Baseball’s 18U team. He can also turn to an average changeup when he needs it as well. Weathers spots all of his pitches effectively—some evaluators believe he can develop future plus command—and his fastball plays up with heavy sinking action as well. With major league bloodlines and a well-rounded arsenal, Weathers figures to be a middle of the first-round pick, though he’ll need to maintain his body as he develops.

 

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Jackson Kowar

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Tigers '15 (40)

Scouting Report: Kowar would be the Friday night starter at almost any other school in the country, but instead serves as Florida’s “1b” starter behind righthander Brady Singer. Kowar was a top high school prospect coming out of North Carolina in 2015, ranking No. 99 on the BA 500, but was seen as a tough sign and made it to Gainesville after the Tigers selected him in the 40th round. A 6-foot-6, 185-pound righthander, Kowar has improved every year with Florida and has an ideal frame with plenty of room to add more weight. Kowar has a clean arm action that he uses to throw a low to mid-90s fastball and a changeup that is currently a 60-grade offering. He is comfortable using his changeup against both righties and lefties, as the pitch has terrific fading action with fastball arm speed and routinely comes across in the low 80s. Kowar’s breaking ball is behind his fastball and changeup. He tinkered with a slider in the fall prior to the 2018 season, but scrapped the pitch and reverted to a curveball that ranges from the mid- to upper 70s with three-quarter breaking action that occasionally has good depth and shows signs of a third average pitch. The curveball has been too inconsistent for area scouts to throw an average grade on it currently, as it tends to blend into a sluvry offering when he gets on the side of the pitch. But teams who have seen it at its best might believe he can eventually figure it out and add a third average pitch to his repertoire. Kowar has a few medical concerns in his past, as he’s dealt with multiple collapsed lungs, one of which caused him to miss the second half of his freshman season. Given his current stuff and the projection he still has with a lanky and athletic body, in addition to his developing SEC track record, he should give Florida a second first-round pitcher selected and there are teams who prefer Kowar to his rotation mate.

 

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Ethan Hankins

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Forsyth Central HS, Cumming, Ga.

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Perhaps the most perplexing player in the 2018 draft class, Hankins entered the year with a real shot to become the first prep righthander ever selected with the No. 1 overall pick. The lanky and athletic 6-foot-6 Vanderbilt commit wowed scouts over the summer, when he regularly used a 70-grade fastball in the low to mid-90s that got up to 97-98 mph at its best with elite life and advanced command for his age. Before Hankins began his senior season with Forsyth Central High (Cumming, Ga.), many evaluators expected Hankins to throw into the triple digits. A shoulder injury interrupted his season, however, and while he made his way back to the mound the stuff was not the same. During the showcase circuit with USA Baseball’s 18U National Team, Hankins struck out 27 international batters and walked three in 12 innings. In general, Hankins’ velocity has been down this spring, although he has still reached 96 mph and scouts have still seen some of the plus fastball life that made the pitch such a weapon in the past. Prior to the season, scouting directors voted Hankins as having the best fastball and best fastball movement in BA’s Preseason All-America poll, where he also was named a unanimous first-team pitcher. Hankins has exceptional athleticism and body control, allowing him to spot his fastball and secondary offerings more effectively than a typical prep pitcher at his height and with his velocity. His mid-70s curveball has been inconsistent, likely a fringe offering at its best, though he occasionally snapped off a few plus offerings, with a low-80s changeup that’s in the same boat. Hankins has tinkered with a slider in the past and multiple evaluators believe that will be the breaking ball he ends up developing in the future thanks to his arm slot. But for now, teams are still evaluating and projecting his curveball as well. Hankins’ medical will be crucial in determining his eventual landing spot in the draft, though when he first went down in February, some decision-makers thought he would still go in the top of the first round even if he never came back to throw another pitch. He has returned to the mound, however, and while the stuff hasn’t come all the way back, he’s at least showing teams he can throw regularly. When healthy, Hankins has the potential to be a true frontline starter and would rank as the top high school pitcher in the 2018 class, but his spring has created more questions than answers.

 

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Logan Gilbert

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Stetson

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Gilbert made a name for himself with an impressive showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, with a 1.72 ERA and 31 strikeouts to just four walks. He was also the Atlantic Sun pitcher of the year after a sophomore season at Stetson in which he went 10-0, 2.02 with 107 strikeouts and 26 walks. Looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Stetson alumni Jacob deGrom and Corey Kluber, Gilbert has the size at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds to potentially become a future workhorse in a major league rotation. His stuff hasn’t been quite as good for scouts this spring as it was during the summer, when he was regularly in the mid-90s with a heavy, power fastball. The pitch still has good life and downward action, but it’s been regularly in the low 90s throughout his outings and his breaking balls—Gilbert throws a spike-grip curveball and a slider—haven’t been sharp enough for scouts to grade out as above-average or plus. While the stuff hasn’t been quite as loud, the results for Gilbert are still there, as he strikes out batters in spades (he had 101 strikeouts in 70 innings through his first 10 starts) and has improved his strike throwing as well. Even with the velocity sitting in the low 90s, Gilbert’s fastball plays up thanks to its action and the elite extension tGilbert gets in his delivery, which is likely above the current major league average. A team that takes Gilbert will have to hope he can improve his secondaries if they envision a frontline starter down the line. He’s shown flashes of above-average breaking balls in the past, but a 60-grade fastball that could be a plus-plus offering with returned velocity is the main selling point for the big righthander.

 

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Noah Naylor

HS C/3B

Notes:

School: St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS, Mississauga, Ont.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: The younger brother of current Padres prospect Josh Naylor, Noah is an impressive draft prospect in his own right, albeit a different sort of hitter than his brother. Whereas Josh showed immense power as an amateur, the younger Naylor is more hit over power, handling the offensive game from foul pole to foul pole but with the same long track record of success that Josh was afforded as a member of the Canadian Junior National Team. There are some scouts who would say Naylor has the best hit tool among all prep hitters in the 2018 class, led by a pure swing and the ability to adjust pitch-to-pitch, while also manipulating the barrel in each part of the strike zone. While he doesn’t have the elite power his older brother possesses, he does have present pop—it just doesn’t always show up in games. Many scouts think the power will continue to develop and improve, however. How high a team has Naylor on their board will depend on where they see him defensively. He’s a good enough athlete to catch and has a strong arm, but he can get lazy at times behind the dish and needs a lot of refinement. Some teams think he can turn into a solid third baseman, where he’s played frequently with Canada and over the showcase circuit while making all the routine plays. If neither of those work out, Naylor’s bat should still be good enough to play in a corner outfield position.

 

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Ryan Rolison

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Mississippi

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Padres '16 (37)

Scouting Report: A talented high school lefthander out of Tennessee, Rolison ranked in the top half of the BA 500 in 2016, but was drafted in the 37th round by the Padres and chose to attend Mississippi. As a freshman, Rolison pitched in 19 games, posted a 3.06 ERA and was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team by the conference’s coaches. Rolison allowed just 23 runs in 61.2 innings in 2016, which was the third-best mark in the SEC and helped him earn a spot in the starting rotation toward the end of the season. Rolison carried that success to the Cape Cod League that summer, where he used a fastball in the 91-94 mph range and a wipeout curveball to pitch to a 1.93 ERA and strike out 35 batters in 28 innings. Rolison has impressed during his draft-eligible sophomore season with Ole Miss as well, increasing his strikeout rate and using a three-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball with plus life in the low 90s. Rolison is not afraid to throw his fastball, which has been up to 96 mph, inside to righthanded batters, while his breaking ball regularly gets swings and misses and is at least an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering down the line. Rolison’s changeup should become a solid third pitch as well. What has worried scouts this spring is the direction the 6-foot-2 southpaw takes to the plate. Many evaluators have commented that Rolison has been coming across his body too much in his delivery, which has impacted his strike-throwing ability and caused his walk rate to tick up. That should be a relatively easy fix in player development and most scouts believe in his control, which has been solid in the Cape and at Ole Miss in the past. While his stuff isn’t as loud as some of the other pitchers in the class, Rolison still has the talent to become a No. 3 starter down the road. As one of the few lefthanded arms at the top of the class, Rolison figures to come off the board in the first round and become the first Ole Miss player to do so since Drew Pomeranz, who was taken fifth overall in the 2010 draft.

 

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Mason Denaburg

HS RHP/C

Notes:

School: Merritt Island (Fla.) HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: Perhaps the most athletic pitcher in the class, Denaburg was one of the harder-throwing high school arms during the summer showcase season in 2017, touching 97 mph in short stints and serving as a reliever for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team. A former two-way player, Denaburg would be a legitimate pro prospect as a catcher with a strong throwing arm and raw power with the bat. However, his stuff on the mound is too intriguing for pro teams to keep him in gear and Denaburg scrapped catching this spring with Merritt Island (Fla.) High to focus on improving as a pitcher. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound righthander made a big jump after his first start of the season, when he matched up with Eau Gallie High (Melbourne, Fla.) righthander Carter Stewart in a highly-attended Prep Baseball Report tournament. In that game, Denaburg touched 97 mph in the first inning and settled into the low 90s, regularly touching 94 mph while also showing a much-improved curveball in the upper 70s that looked like a plus pitch. Over the summer, Denaburg was extremely fastball-heavy and scouts couldn’t get a good feel for his secondary offerings. The breaking ball that he showed in February gave scouts a reason to get excited. He threw a hard slider with a spike grip during the summer, but discovered a different grip when throwing bullpens and flat ground sessions during the offseason. Denaburg also throws an occasional low-80s changeup that shows promise. After the PBR event, Denaburg was more inconsistent and eventually shut things down altogether with biceps tendinitis that has caused him to miss approximately one month. The status of that injury will further complicate things as teams try to decide whether he is best served as a starter or a reliever long term, although his arm strength, athleticism and feel for spin give him a ceiling as a middle-of-the-rotation arm.

 

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Connor Scott

HS OF/LHP

Notes:

School: Plant HS, Tampa

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: Scott draws some comparisons to current top Astros outfield prospect Kyle Tucker, who attended the same Plant HS in Tampa that Scott currently attends. Scott and Tucker have comparable swing paths and similar 6-foot-4, 180-pound frames, as well as the speed and athleticism that allow them both the be strong defensive outfielders. Scott wasn’t seen as much as scouts would have like on the summer showcase circuit, however, as he had his appendix removed and was forced to watch a few of the bigger showcases rather than take part. He got back on the field in the fall and started getting into a rhythm before impressing scouts during the spring, as he grew into more power and performed in front of a front office personnel in Florida who didn’t need to travel far from spring training facilities to see him. A toolsy player, Scott is at least a plus runner, with many evaluators throwing a double-plus grade on his speed to go along with a plus arm. There are questions whether he’ll be able to stay in center field or need to move to a corner as he continues to add weight, but he has enough arm strength for any outfield position. In fact, some scouts prefer Scott on the mound, where he’s in the low 90s as a lefthanded pitcher who fills up the strike zone and also has feel to spin a curveball and throw a changeup. Most teams appear to prefer the upside he offers as a potential impact hitter, however, with his speed and developing power leading to an intriguing all-around package. But having a fallback option as a pitcher should only help Scott’s draft stock. Some teams look at Scott as a no-doubt first rounder, while others see him going in the supplemental first round or later, and his lack of summer track record likely plays into that division.

 

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Grayson Rodriguez

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Central Heights HS, Nacogdoches, Texas

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 230 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: The biggest pop-up player of the 2018 draft class, Grayson Rodriguez is a huge, 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthander who was primarily in the lower 90s over the summer with some bad weight on his body. Over the winter he got into the gym, worked with a trainer and overhauled his body, cleaning it up and looking like a completely different pitcher this spring. The results were astounding, as Rodriguez has regularly been up to 97-98 mph with his fastball and sits in the mid-90s throughout his starts with remarkable ease in his delivery. In addition to the velocity that he’s shown he can sustain, Rodriguez has heavy life to his fastball and spots it fairly well in the strike zone, giving the pitch the makings of a 70-grade offering—If it’s not already there. In addition to the fastball, Rodriguez has a low-80s slider and a curveball that is a step ahead at 72-74 mph and occasionally slows up. He doesn’t throw it often, but he mixes in an occasional changeup to show it’s in the repertoire as well. Rodriguez has a very poised approach on the mound and rarely shows any emotion as he cuts through opposing lineups in front of deep crowds of scouts and high-level decision makers. Reportedly many teams in the back end of the first round have been bearing down on Rodriguez and he’s done enough this spring to establish himself among the top tier of high school arms.

 

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Triston Casas

HS 1B/3B

Notes:

School: American Heritage School, Plantation, Fla.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 238 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Miami

Scouting Report: One of the top power-hitting players in the class, Casas has established an impressive track record as a corner infielder who was originally supposed to be in the 2019 draft class before reclassifying to become eligible this June. A two-time member of USA Baseball’s 18U National Team, Casas was named the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s player of the year in 2017, after leading the U-18 World Cup field with three home runs and 13 RBI, pushing Team USA to a gold-medal victory over Korea. He was also named the MVP of the tournament. Casas has 70-grade raw power out of a 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame that he has maintained well over the offseason, and he might be a bit lighter now after trimming up prior to his final season with American Heritage High in Plantation, Fla. His power plays to all fields, and Casas has enough to drive balls out of the park even when he doesn’t make solid contact. The Miami commit has a patient, selective approach at the plate and was among the more difficult player to pitch to on the summer showcase circuit according to a number of pitchers, although he has shown some of the swing-and-miss tendencies that can coincide with long arms. A surprisingly good athlete for his size, Casas has plus arm strength, which gives him an outside shot to play third base, where he plays for American Heritage. Most scouts believe he’ll inevitably slide to first base, however, which is a tough position to draft out of high school. But it is also challenging to find a hitter in the draft class with a better combination of hitting ability, plate discipline, power and track record against quality arms than Casas provides.

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Jeremy Eierman

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Missouri State

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: The son of former Red Sox minor league outfielder John Eierman and the younger brother of former Rays minor league outfielder Johnny Eierman, Jeremy Eierman has one of the longest track records of success of any college player in this year's draft class. He hit .296/.336/.504 as Missouri State’s everyday shortstop as a freshman, and was even better as a sophomore, when he hit .313/.431/.675 with 23 home runs, which was fifth best in Division I. Eierman's solid but less spectacular junior year has paled in comparison, as he's not hitting for the same power. Scouts also have to factor in the fact he hasn't hit with wood. He hit .125/.182/.225 with strikeouts in 25 percent of his at-bats for USA Baseball last summer and .185/.258/.277 in two summers in the Cape Cod League. But Eierman is still the best college shortstop in the class with plus speed, a plus arm (some scouts throw a 70 on it) and plus power potential. Eierman has excellent bat speed, but he generates that with a significant load that requires him to get started in his swing a little earlier. He modified his stance this year with a deeper squat, but it's made him more vulnerable to being pitched inside. On the basepaths, Eierman uses his speed well—as of late April he had been successful on 18 of 20 stolen base attempts. Defensively, Eierman has the tools to stick at shortstop thanks to his arm and his ability to throw from multiple angles. His range is average, but his hands work well. He also could be a plus defender at second or third base with the bat to handle a position switch.

 

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Trevor Larnach

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Oregon State

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Padres '15 (40)

Scouting Report: A big, 6-foot-4, 210-pound outfielder, Larnach has shot up draft boards this season after finally tapping into the big power that he has long possessed. Through 34 games in a Pac-12 environment that tends to temper the long ball, Larnach has hit 11 home runs and 11 doubles with a .336/.452/.680 slash line. He ranks in the top 20 nationally in home runs, home runs per game, RBIs per game and slugging percentage. All that comes after hitting just three home runs through 88 games during his first two seasons with Oregon State. Larnach has made a mechanical change this year, quieting his load and better utilizing the strength in his lower half and letting the ball travel. He’s using his natural strength more effectively this spring and avoiding his previous tendency of reaching out and getting jumpy on his front side. That has allowed him to hit with power to the pull side and to the left-center field gap. With what he’s shown this spring, some area scouts believe he could tap into 25-plus home runs as a pro. Defensively, he’s likely a corner outfielder with below-average speed but enough athleticism to make the routine plays. He has an average arm that is starting to get stronger after elbow surgery a few years back.

 

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Nander De Sedas

HS SS

Notes:

School: Montverde (Fla.) Academy

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida Stata

Scouting Report: De Sedas has become one of the most polarizing players in the 2018 class due to a spring season that has been much worse than scouts were hoping to see. A switch-hitting shortstop who naturally swings from the right side, De Sedas showed all of the tools that gave him a chance to go in the top of the first round over the summer, with power from both sides, advanced defensive actions and plus arm strength. The hit tool was always the biggest question with De Sedas, who attends the same Montverde (Fla.) Academy that his idol, Francisco Lindor, attended. The reports of his swing this spring have not been encouraging, as the physical Florida State commit has length to his swing from both sides and tends to get loopy at times, with poor timing and fewer adjustments than evaluators want to see. There is some hope that he figures it out, as he has mainly been hitting from the left side this spring and has been doing that for only about two years. De Sedas showed more than enough for teams to buy into him as a legit switch-hitter with plus power from either side last summer. There’s also the concern that De Sedas will outgrow shortstop, as his body is already filled out and he’s a below-average runner. The footwork, throwing ability and glove actions are all there to give him a chance to be an above-average defender at the position, but he’ll have to maintain his body to do so. There’s real risk with De Sedas given his spring play, but there are also few infielders with higher upside than him given his raw power from both sides and the chance to stick at shortstop.

 

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Greyson Jenista

4YR OF/1B

Notes:

School: Wichita State

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 240 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Jenista led Wichita State in hitting during his first two years in college, but significantly raised his draft stock last summer after being named the MVP of the Cape Cod League with a .310/.391/.401 slash line and three home runs. He has big-time raw power—with some scouts describing it as plus-plus raw power—but he has struggled to get to it during games with a level bat path and a contact-oriented approach that’s seen him record just 11 extra-base hits through his first 35 games. He has a solid approach and has walked more than he’s struck out each year in the Atlantic Sun. Previously a first baseman for the Shockers, Jenista played center field during the Cape Cod League and then played the position for Wichita State for much of his junior season before returning to back to first base in April. At 6-foot-4, 220-pounds most scouts believe that Jenista will be a corner player at the next level, with a high-maintenance body. He currently runs well for his size and will show occasional above-average run times, but evaluators believe that will back up as he develops into a 40 or 45-grade runner. Jenista’s track record with Wichita State and in the Cape Cod League is a strong one, and teams who believe he has untapped power potential might see him as a back of the first round caliber player, but his defensive future is a question and all of his value is tied up in the bat.

 

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Sean Hjelle

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kentucky

Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: One of the tallest pitchers in any draft class, the 6-foot-11 Hjelle was the Wildcats closer as a freshman and became the team's Friday starter as a sophomore. He earned SEC pitcher of the year honors in 2017 and has been equally effective as a junior. What Hjelle lacks is a true out pitch. Hitters rarely square him up and his fastball has good plane, but he generally sits 90-92 mph, touching 94-95 at his best. It's an above-average pitch because he can locate it and it will sometimes flash arm-side run, but it doesn't generate many swings and misses. At its best, Hjelle's 81-83 mph curveball has plenty of power and 12-to-6 movement when he's staying on top. His 84-85 mph changeup ranges from average to above-average from outing to outing. Some scouts see Hjelle's long and still lanky frame and see further projection. Hjelle has added 20 pounds of good weight in his time at Kentucky and he has touched 97 mph in shorter fall ball outings when well rested. But more realistically, Hjelle projects as a reliable No. 4 starter thanks to his above-average control, three average or better pitches and a track record of durability.

 

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Tristan Beck

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Stanford

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '17 (29)

Scouting Report: Beck is back this year, but how’s the back? That’ll be a question many teams will look to address before the draft, as Stanford’s Friday night starter missed the entire 2017 season—in which he was draft-eligible—with a stress fracture in his back. That injury came after a terrific freshman campaign in which Beck started 14 games and posted a 2.48 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 26 walks in 83 innings. At his best, Beck has a four-pitch mix of pitches that are all above-average or better and he’s comfortable getting hitters out with any of them, whether that be fastball, curveball, slider or changeup. After being sidelined for 630 days, the early returns on Beck in 2018 were positive and it seemed like he had returned to his freshman year form. Through his first three starts, Beck fanned 20 batters in 18 innings, compared to only four walks, and allowed just three earned runs. However, scouts say Beck’s stuff has backed up as the season has progressed and his fastball has been closer to average than plus. His breaking ball has lacked sharpness, as well, and Beck has struggled to pitch deep into games at times. He’ll be an arm that teams pay close attention to late in the season, just to see if there is any sort of jump in his stuff. When healthy, Beck has an impressive history of performing—both as a freshman at Stanford and as a high schooler in Southern California—and a true four-pitch mix.

 

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Steele Walker

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Oklahoma

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Walker is one of the better pure hitters in the draft class and is in the midst of a career-best season with Oklahoma this spring, hitting .373/.469/.634 through 41 games with 11 home runs and a 13 percent walk rate. Each of those numbers are career-highs for Walker and speak to his impressive hand-eye coordination and pitch recognition from the left side. The bat will get Walker drafted because he lacks a true standout plus tool—unless a club puts a 60 on his bat, which is tough to do but might make some sense in Walker’s case—as a corner outfielder without blazing speed or a big arm. At just 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, it is difficult to project much more than average power for Walker, though he has already hit double-digit home runs this spring and hit seven in 53 games with a wood bat in the Northwoods League during the summer of 2016. Speaking of his wood bat track record, Walker has that as well, hitting .406/.479/.557 in the aforementioned Northwoods League, .280/.330.400 in a brief eight-game stint in the Cape Cod League last summer and an even more impressive .333/.417/.514 with two home runs and a team-best five doubles in 20 games with Team USA. Walker might not have an immensely high ceiling thanks to his lack of tools and corner profile, but college hitters who perform well seemingly always go high and Walker is among the safer bets in the class to have some sort of major league impact.

 

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Jake McCarthy

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Virginia

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Pirates '15 (23)

Scouting Report: The Virginia center fielder hasn’t been able to showcase his ability for most of the spring season, playing just 13 games because of a left wrist injury sustained in early March. As of April 26, McCarthy had yet to return to action, but he did hit .314/.446/.412 in his brief 13-game stint before the injury. Scouts and evaluators aren’t dinging him too much for the injury, as it’s not a chronic issue and his overall package and track record is impressive. With a strong return—whenever that may be—McCarthy could push himself into the first round as a college outfielder with a chance to play center field with above-average to plus speed. Missing this many games during a draft season is easier to tolerate with McCarthy because his history in the ACC and with a wood bat is so impressive. In 2017, McCarthy hit .338/.425/.506 with five home runs, 11 doubles and was seventh in the nation with seven triples. During the summer, McCarthy played 20 games with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and also hit .387/.441/.613 in a nine-game stint in the Cape Cod League. He draws some comparisons to former Virginia outfielder Adam Haseley, with opinions on his defensive ability ranging from a no-doubt center fielder with some scouts to other evaluators thinking he merely has a chance to stick there. Where McCarthy winds up will depend on what he does once healthy, but there’s no denying he has an impressive body of work.

 

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Nick Schnell

HS OF

Notes:

School: Roncalli HS, Indianapolis

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisville

Scouting Report: Schnell has done more than perhaps any prep hitter to improve his draft stock since last summer, going from a player with a real shot to enroll at Louisville to now being one of the most interesting bats in the class. All he has done since the fall is hit, hit and then hit some more. After a few solid but unspectacular summer events, Schnell began to hit for extra bases with regularity to all fields, using extremely loose hands and a fantastic feel to barrel the baseball. He has continued to hit this spring and was one of the best players at Prep Baseball Report’s Midwest Select event where many crosscheckers and higher-level decision-makers were in attendance. Schnell might not be a true plus runner, but he comes close once he’s underway and also has above-average arm strength from the outfield. He has the chance to play center field at least initially, but scouts think he’s likely to move to a corner position in the future.

 

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Adam Kloffenstein

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Magnolia (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas Christian

Scouting Report: Kloffenstein is a strong, 6-foot-5 projectable righthander out of Magnolia (Texas) High, who showed an interesting package of starter traits over the summer and impressed scouts and scouting directors early this spring. He has a high, three-quarter slot and a quick arm, with a fastball in the low 90s. His breaking ball had a curveball shape over the summer and came across in the low 80s, but now looks more like a slider thanks to a mechanical tweak made by the Texas commit. This past year, Kloffenstien has shown a lot of progression, as he was always a big, physical presence but has now taken steps mentally and physically. He has cleaned up his body and holds his velocity deeper into starts, while also flashing a changeup in the mid-80s that induced several swings and misses over the summer.

 

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Blaine Knight

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Arkansas

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rangers '17 (29)

Scouting Report: Ranked No. 84 on the 2017 BA 500 as a talented, but skinny, righthander with a lot of projection, Knight was drafted by the Rangers in the 29th round as a draft-eligible sophomore. Instead of signing, he chose to come back for his junior season at Arkansas, where he has been one of the best starters in the SEC. Through the first 10 starts of his junior season, Knight is 6-0, 2.24, including a matchup against Casey Mize in which the Auburn ace was handed his first loss of the season. Knight has added a few pounds between his sophomore and junior seasons, but still has plenty of room to add more strength to a thin frame. Listed at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, Knight’s electric arm allows him to get into the mid-90s with his fastball and snap off one of the highest spin-rate breaking balls in the country. Knight’s track record in the SEC alone would get him drafted, with his highest ERA over a full season checking in at 3.28. Add in the fact that Knight is one of the more projectable juniors in the class who has shown the ability to throw strikes and there’s a lot more teams can dream on down the line, especially considering his quick arm, growing frame and high-end feel for spin.

 

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Cole Wilcox

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Heritage HS, Ringgold, Ga.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Georgia

Scouting Report: One of the many talented prep righthanders out of Georgia this year, Wilcox is a projectable, 6-foot-5 Georgia commit who has a solid low to mid-90s fastball with natural running action and a slider that could develop into a plus offering. He also possess a low to mid-80s changeup that could be an above-average pitch in the future. Wilcox has impressive makeup and throws a ton of strikes, leading some scouts to believe that he could turn into a middle-of-the-rotation starter someday with three above-average pitches. The concern with Wilcox is in regards to his delivery. He throws from a low, three-quarter arm slot with some funk and recoil in his finish and a deep arm action in the back, which raises his chances of eventually having to slide to the bullpen. The stuff has been good though, and Wilcox’s slider has even been a tick sharper this spring. He has a lot of projection left to offer as well, with an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. He should be an attractive arm for a team who believes they can clean up the delivery and continue to develop him as a starter.

 

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Jordan Groshans

HS 3B/SS

Notes:

School: Magnolia (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Kansas

Scouting Report: Groshans might never wind up at Kansas with his older brother, Jaxx, thanks to his performance throughout last summer and this spring at Magnolia High in Texas. A 6-foot-4, 190-pound shortstop, Groshans has quick bat speed and plus raw power and he showed the ability to square up elite pitching on the summer showcase circuit in 2017. He hit 90-plus mph velocity hard all over the field in multiple events, including a home run against a 95-mph fastball from New York righthander Lineras Torres Jr. in the Perfect Game All-American Classic. Over the summer, Groshans used a big leg kick to start his load and when he was on time it didn’t hinder him, instead helping him generate more power. But there were instances where Groshans would get out on his front side and fly open early, leaving some scouts to question whether the big leg kick would create more timing issues as he advanced against better pitching. This spring, Groshans has quieted the leg kick and improved his balance and hand path to the ball, attempting to lift the ball less frequently and has been hitting lasers the entire season. He’s also added around 10 pounds of muscle while maintaining his lean body. Groshans has an above-average arm and he’s shown good defensive actions at a number of infield positions, though most scouts believe he will eventually move to third base with a chance to be an above-average defender as he continues to fill out his frame.

 

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J.T. Ginn

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Brandon (Miss.) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 199 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi State

Scouting Report: Ginn has one of the best arms in this year’s draft class, having lit up radar guns with a 93-99 mph fastball with well above-average life. The Mississippi State signee has done a good job this year of cleaning up his delivery, as he’s more flowing and fluid after being stiffer in the past. He also hides the ball well in his delivery, which makes it even harder to hit his excellent fastball. He throws both a slider and curveball but the two blend together. One or the other should end up as a plus pitch, but right now it’s his power curve that is the better of the two as it presently flashes plus. When he throws his changeup between innings in warm-ups, it looks to be potentially average, but he’s yet to need to throw it against Louisiana high school hitters. Ginn’s biggest hurdles are his body and the fact that scouts have rarely seen him work longer than four or five innings. He was even used as a reliever early in the season at Brandon (Miss.) High, as his coach wanted to give him a chance to break the state saves record. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, but is probably closer to 6-foot and he’s already physically mature. He could move quickly through the minors, although there’s a lot of debate whether it will ultimately mean he pitches the first through fifth innings or in the eighth or ninth.

 

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Kris Bubic

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Stanford

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Since joining Stanford in 2016, Bubic has been one of the most effective pitchers in the Pac-12. Bubic has improved from his freshman year, when he posted a 3.26 ERA in 21 games (including six starts), to his junior year, when he’s been the Cardinal’s best weekend starter. Through 10 starts this spring, Bubic has a 2.44 ERA, which ranks fifth in the Pac-12, and the best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.42) of his career. A talented high school prospect out of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) High, Bubic has long shown a feel for spin and throws from a delivery in which he tries to emulate Dodgers ace lefthander Clayton Kershaw. However, that’s where the comparison with Kershaw stops, as Bubic doesn’t possess a single plus-plus pitch and is seen as more of a future back-end starter at the next level. Bubic regularly throws in the low 90s and can ratchet his fastball up to the 94-95 mph range at times, but his velocity this spring has been inconsistent and there have been times where he’s finishing games in the upper 80s. With a fastball ranging anywhere from a 45- to 55-grade pitch, Bubic’s changeup—which he locates well and throws with good arm speed—is easily his best offering, with some scouts considering it a plus pitch. Bubic has a solid curveball that’s average and occasionally shows better, but he’s frequently gone to the changeup as his out pitch. During the summer, Bubic pitched in the Cape Cod League, where he posted a 1.65 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 7 walks in 32.2 innings. Bubic pitched so well, in fact, that some scouts went a step further with his changeup, calling the pitch a plus-plus offering at the time. Pitchability and performance will get Bubic drafted more than his pure stuff, but there’s still a lot to like as a high-floor college lefthander with impressive track record and a chance to start in the majors.

 

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Anthony Seigler

HS C

Notes:

School: Cartersville (Ga.) HS

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 200 | B-T: B-B | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: Seigler is one of the more interesting players in the class as a switch-hitting catcher who can also get on the mound and throw in the upper 80s with either his right or left arm. Seigler throws a changeup from the left side and changes his arm slot, while he can reach 92 mph from the right side to go along with a slider. While he could wind up being one of the most impactful college players in the country at Florida as a catcher, righthander and lefthander, Seigler’s pro future is behind the plate. He is an impressive receiver and has a strong throwing arm, with pop times that hover around 2.00 seconds in-game. Some scouts see him as a better defensive catcher than Will Banfield thanks to his receiving, and Seigler did start most of USA Baseball’s 18U Team games over Banfield in the U-18 World Cup. While he doesn’t have plus power from either side of the plate, Seigler has hit well at every level and has more than enough juice and feel to hit to rack up plenty of doubles. There might not be any one plus tool with Seigler, but he does everything well and scouts rave about his makeup and personality, as he is consistently referred to as one of the toughest players in the prep class.

 

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Nico Hoerner

4YR SS/2B

Notes:

School: Stanford

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Named to the All-Pac-12 team and All-Pac-12 defensive team after his sophomore season in 2017, Hoerner has a solid, all-around skillset and an impressive track record at Stanford and in the Cape Cod League last summer. While Hoerner has no true standout carrying tool, he’s played a respectable shortstop with the Cardinal the past two years after playing mostly at second base as a freshman. He also has an impressive history with the bat. In two summers in wood bat leagues, Hoerner has hit over .300 and teams are intrigued by the increase in power that the 5-foot-11 infielder showed after hitting six home runs in 40 games last summer on the Cape. Teams that like Hoerner will see a player with a shot to stick at shortstop with strong hands in the box, a good strikeout-to-walk ratio and impressive exit velocities. Teams who are on the opposite side will see a player who’s likely a second baseman without the power profile they are looking for. Either way, college infielders who perform tend to get drafted high and Hoerner has performed in both the spring and summer with no gaping holes in his game.

 

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Xavier Edwards

HS SS

Notes:

School: North Broward Prep, Coconut Creek, Fla.

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 155 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Pound for pound, Edwards might be the most skilled player in the class. The problem is that he’s just 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds. A twitchy, switch-hitting infielder, Edwards possesses some of the quickest hands and footwork in the class, turning the double play from shortstop and second base with aplomb. A true, top of the scale runner, Edwards has more than enough range to handle shortstop, but scouts are mixed on whether he has the arm strength to stick at the position, with grades ranging from fringe-average to average. He makes the most of what he has, taking good angles on balls, cutting down ground and using his advanced footwork to put him in ideal throwing positions. He has the athleticism and instincts to make throws from multiple angles and a quick exchange. His speed also plays well on the bases, where he is an aggressive runner. He’s been clocked regularly in the 3.9-second range from the lefthanded batter’s box to first base—good enough for an 80-grade time—and his hand-eye coordination and quick, simple swing gives him great barrel control. He has good feel to hit from both sides of the plate and should hit for a high average when factoring in his speed, although his power is well below-average with little reason to project more. Power and size won’t ever be in Edwards’ favor, but he is a player who can impact the game on offense and defense because of his speed and the chance to be an above-average defender at a premium position.

 

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Jeremiah Jackson

HS SS

Notes:

School: St. Luke's Episcopal School, Mobile, Ala.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi State

Scouting Report: The top prep prospect in Alabama, Jackson brings an impact bat to the table and wasted no time putting it on display this spring, when he hit a home run—rumored to be over 400 feet—in his first at-bat with St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala. Jackson is an offensive-oriented infielder with natural strength and power that should continue to improve as his fills out his rangy, athletic frame. He used a deep leg lift during the summer and fall that created issues with his timing when he would get out in front and lunge at balls. But when his timing is down, Jackson has some of the better bat speed and raw power of any middle infielder in the class. With an above-average to plus arm, Jackson will have a chance to stick at shortstop, though many envision a move to second or third as he doesn’t have the quick-twitch actions and overall speed that is required for the position. His arm action tends to get long as well, which hurts his exchange and quickness on throws to first base. Regardless, Jackson should have enough glove skill to handle a position on the dirt to go alongside his dangerous bat.

 

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Jordyn Adams

HS OF

Notes:

School: Green Hope HS, Cary, N.C.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: North Carolina

Scouting Report: One of the most athletic players in the class, Adams is at least a 70-grade runner and many scouts have called him a legit, top-of-the-scale 80 runner. Committed to North Carolina to play both baseball and football, Adams is a four-star wide receiver whose father, Deke, is the defensive line coach for the Tar Heels football team. Adams has long been seen as a talented football player whose reputation among baseball circles was a raw, athletic player with tools who had real questions about his ability in the batter’s box. That perspective changed at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational in late March, when Adams was arguably the tournament’s best hitter in a field that included many of the top prep bats in the draft class. At the NHSI, Adams had the fifth-highest average exit velocity thanks to a number of well-struck line drives. Teams immediately started watching Adams’ games with Green Hope High (Cary, N.C.) with more interest, as he put himself in the conversation to be a potential day one pick. Adams is an 80-grade athlete with impressive makeup, a chance to become an impact defender in center field and possesses a better hit tool than most scouts believed a year ago. Late in Green Hope’s season Adams has also shown enough power in games that might allow evaluators to project future plus power considering his bat speed and wiry frame, although there are scouts who have already put 60-grade power on Adams now. Between his collection of tools and his performance in front of the league’s top decision-makers, Adams has positioned himself to go on day one to a team that has the money to invest in a high-risk, high-reward player who could take large steps forward if he ever focuses exclusively on baseball. As a highly rated receiver with a potential in professional football, the price tag will likely be a high one.

 

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Seth Beer

4YR 1B/OF

Notes:

School: Clemson

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Over the last three seasons, Beer has been one of college baseball’s brightest stars—and not just because of his infinitely punnable last name. Beer made a huge splash in 2016, enrolling early at Clemson and playing his freshman season when he could have been a senior in high school. He won BA’s Freshman of the Year Award that season by hitting .369/.535/.700 with 18 home runs—several in clutch, game-deciding moments. Since that season, though, Beer has hit for less contact, batting .277/.421/.561 with 14 home runs through 173 at-bats this spring. While there’s little doubt in Beer’s power—earning some 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale—his other tools are points of concern for scouts. Beer boasts exceptional pitch recognition and plate discipline, but some evaluators are more bullish on his hit tool than others due to his lack of a wood-bat track record. An accomplished swimmer who at one point was on track to compete in the Olympics, Beer’s swimmer’s body hasn’t translated into defensive ability on the field. He’s a poor runner, and his inefficient routes give him little chance of sticking in the outfield at the next level. He’s been an inconsistent first baseman as well, and doesn’t have a clear position heading into the draft. The team that drafts Beer will do so because of its belief in his power, plate discipline and overall hit tool. He has game-changing pop, but he’ll need to continue to hit and find a defensive home in order to move up the professional ranks.

 

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Griffin Roberts

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Wake Forest

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Twins '17 (29)

Scouting Report: After being used out of the bullpen during his first two seasons with Wake Forest, Roberts has made a phenomenal transition to a starting role this spring. Through his first nine starts, Roberts has pitched to 2.67 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 22 walks in 64 innings. His impressive numbers are a byproduct of a plus fastball in the low to mid-90s with natural running life and one of the best breaking balls in the country in a 70-grade slider that has exceptional movement and depth. The pitch regularly locks up both righthanded and lefthanded batters and creates swings and misses inside and outside of the strike zone. There will always be reliever risk with Roberts, as he has a lot of effort in his delivery and throws from a very low, three-quarter slot that can occasionally border on sidearm. He also has a history of control issues, although those concerns have been lessened this spring and in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he managed just 1.69 walks per nine innings.

 

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Jameson Hannah

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Dallas Baptist

Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 184 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Hannah went undrafted out of Flower Mound (Texas) High in 2015, but was part of a Texas 5-A state championship team as a junior in 2014 and has hit at a high level in each of his three seasons at Dallas Baptist. Accounting for his first 41 games this spring, Hannah is a career .340/.420/.502 hitter with 16 home runs, 41 doubles and 28 stolen bases—caught stealing just twice in three seasons. A solid athlete who has gained strength since getting to college, Hannah profiles as a center fielder at the next level thanks to his 60-grade or better speed and a hit tool that grades out at 50 or better as well. Hannah is not overflowing with tools, but as a premium position defender with speed and a smooth swing, he has put himself in position to go on day one of the draft. He has also improved his plate discipline each year. After striking out 39 times (17.6 K%) and walking 20 times (9 BB%) in 2016, Hannah is now walking almost as much as he is striking out, with 25 walks (12.1 BB%) and 28 strikeouts (13.6 K%) as a junior. Hannah operates with a doubles-oriented approach but has the strength that could allow him to reach double-digit homers as a pro if a major league team wants to change his mentality in the batter’s box. Scouts also believe that Hannah could rack up more stolen bases with a more aggressive approach, as he has the speed and efficiency to do damage there as well. The knock on Hannah could be his performance in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he hit just .265/.331/.356 with the highest strikeout rate of his collegiate career, but his wood bat track record in the Coastal Plain League in 2016 was solid.

 

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Will Banfield

HS C

Notes:

School: Brookwood HS, Snellville, Ga.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: The top high school catcher in the class, Banfield has some of the best defensive potential of any prep catcher of the last few years. The Vanderbilt commit was unanimously voted as the top defensive catcher in the class by major league scouting directors in BA’s Preseason High School All-America poll and also took home the honors for having the best arm among high school catchers. Banfield has at least a plus arm—some scouts have gone higher and called it plus-plus—with loose hips and impressive flexibility behind the plate that allow him to frame low pitches effectively and also help his quick lateral movement on balls in the dirt. With strong forearms and above-average hands, Banfield has all the tools necessary to become a plus defensive catcher, and he’s been working with elite prep arms like Ethan Hankins and Kumar Rocker since he was around 14 years old. Banfield’s bat is what could push him from a backup catcher profile to a potential star, as he has above-average bat speed and plus raw power to the pull side, though there are real swing and miss concerns that followed Banfield throughout the summer. There were reports that his swing was a bit more direct to the ball in the spring, but he’ll need time to figure out hitting at the pro level while also trying to work with a entire pitching staff. Banfield should be able to manage a staff well, however, with impressive maturity, makeup and leadership skills.

 

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Griffin Conine

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Duke

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Marlins '15 (31)

Scouting Report: The son of two-time All-Star and 17-year major league veteran Jeff Conine, Griffin entered the spring as one of the best college power hitters in the 2018 class. He hit 13 home runs during his sophomore season with Duke and had a loud summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .329/.406/.537 with nine home runs in 42 games. His junior campaign has been disappointing, however, as Conine hit just .211/.344/.436 through his first 38 games with significant strikeout concerns. In that same span of games, Conine has struck out 45 times (27.6 percent) and has struggled to make contact with offspeed offerings of varying quality, frequently expanding his zone and swinging over the top of pitches below the strike zone. When he does hit the ball, he usually hits it hard. The plus raw power that he possesses hasn’t disappeared, as evidenced by a laser beam home run that he hit in March against Virginia—which left the bat at 111 mph with an 18-degree launch angle. Conine’s impressive summer on the Cape and bloodlines will keep him in consideration as a day one selection, but his swing-and-miss concerns have only grown as he’s striking out at the worst rate in his career. As an outfielder limited to a corner, much of his value will come from his bat. Some scouts even wonder if Conine might eventually have to move to first base, although he does possess an above-average to plus arm. (CC; edited)

[John_Havok]

It really just depends on who's available at the pick. If any one of India, Kelenic, or Swaggerty are still there, I can't see the Jays passing on that opportunity to take one of them.

 

They'll go BPA, though, so if it's a pitcher that's the highest remaining available player on their draft board, then that's who they'll take.

 

See, I always think this is the way to go, but then with the MLB draft you just never know what can happen with teams and who they take. Like, because say the team with the #1 pick will make an agreement with a guy who might only be top 8ish, and sign him to a below slot deal so they can go overslot with their next couple of picks. College commitments make the draft so much more about wheeling and dealing these days than taking the BPA.

 

BPA is a great idea, but we see teams go completely away from it every year.

[TheHurl]

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Tristan Pompey

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Kentucky

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 200 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Twins '15 (31)

Scouting Report: Pompey is the younger brother of Blue Jays outfielder Dalton Pompey. His older brother is a speedy center fielder, but the younger Pompey is a much bigger, slower corner outfielder whose value is tied much more to his bat than his glove. But like Dalton, Tristan Pompey understands the value of understanding the strike zone. He spits on pitches out of the zone, although he will swing and miss at strikes as he looks to do damage. Pompey shows plus or better raw power in batting practice, but in games he hits plenty of stinging line drives instead of majestic long flies. Pompey led all SEC hitters with a .410 average in conference games in 2017. His track record of hitting in the SEC helps scouts look past a poor performance in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he hit .230/.284/.345. Pompey turns in fringe-average run times out of the box, but he runs better once underway and he can pick his spots to steal. Defensively, he's below-average in any outfield spot because of poor routes, reads and some over-aggressiveness that can turn a single into extra bases. His below-average arm is best left in left field. Pompey is a divisive prospect as some scouts see him as a second or third-round talent, while others see a track record of SEC performance and a strong, physical body that projects as a late first-round pick.

 

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Joe Gray

HS OF

Notes:

School: Hattiesburg (Miss.) HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi

Scouting Report: So, scout, do you feel lucky? If it all clicks for Gray, he could be one of the better high school sluggers in this draft class, as he’s got a plus arm, currently turns in plus run times and can be an above-average defender in center field. And that’s before you even start to talk about Gray’s power. He has the size, frame and strength to be a future 25-30 home run hitter. Gray will likely trade some of that speed for size as he matures, which is why long term he’ll likely end up in right field. But with his arm, the former shortstop should remain a defensive asset as he gets good jumps and reads. What leaves many evaluators skittish about Gray is his struggles to make consistent contact. He swung and missed as much as any prominent high school prospect on the showcase circuit last summer. He kept tweaking his stance to improve and he did show better contact skills late last year at Jupiter’s World Wood Bat showcase. If Gray is a well below-average hitter, which some scouts see as his future, the rest of the tools won’t play nearly as much, but you can find evaluators who see him as a future average hitter with plenty of additional plus tools to dream on.

 

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Mike Siani

HS OF

Notes:

School: Penn Charter School, Philadelphia

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Virginia

Scouting Report: Pennsylvania’s top draft prospect, Siani is a potential five-tool outfielder who is among the best defensive center fielders in the class with the tools and instincts that could eventually turn him into a 70-grade defender. He has a plus-plus arm and is a plus runner, which plays in the outfield and on the bases, where he is a disruptive runner. The Virginia commit also has a solid track record hitting against better pitching and some scouts think he might have an above-average or better hit tool down the line. He was a two-year member of USA Baseball’s 18U National Team, where he hit .333/.409/.487 with seven stolen bases in eight attempts from the leadoff spot and played a terrific center field for the gold medal-winning team last summer. Power is a question mark with Siani, as he has a tendency to slap the ball around and roll over on pitches and there’s not much physical projection left to give him. Evaluators like Siani’s makeup and admire his grinder, no-holds-barred style of play.

 

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Tim Cate

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Connecticut

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 167 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A diminutive lefthander, Cate has put up two and a half impressive seasons as a starter with Connecticut. He posted a 2.73 ERA in 13 starts during his freshman season, followed by a 3.33 mark in 12 starts as a sophomore and recorded a 3.70 ERA through seven starts this spring before being sidelined with an elbow-related injury. Listed at just 6-foot, 167 pounds, Cate has a stronger lower half than might be expected, but with thin shoulders and hips. He has a three-pitch mix that features an average fastball, a curveball that is plus or better and a changeup that’s thrown infrequently but has been solid. His fastball was in the 92-93 mph range early in the season and up to 94 before dropping into the 89-91 mph range as the spring progressed. The curveball is what gets teams excited, as the pitch is a hammer in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Cate has exceptional feel to land his breaking ball in the zone and bury it for swings and misses. His size is a concern and some teams look at Cate as pitcher who might have to move to the bullpen eventually. His injury this spring does him no favors—and he already has a Tommy John surgery on his resume from his high school days—but he is expected to return to the mound in early May, when scouts will try and get a few last-minute looks before the draft.

 

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Lineras Torres Jr.

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Beacon (N.Y.) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: St. John's

Scouting Report: One of the younger players in the draft class—he’ll turn 18 in October—Torres offers tremendous upside with his quick arm and highly projectable frame. Torres burst onto the radar last summer with a strong showcase circuit and an invitation to compete in USA Baseball’s 18U National Team trials in Minnesota. Growing up playing mostly shortstop, Torres has shifted his focus to pitching over the last four years, working with pitching coach Angel Lugo to refine his mechanics, add strength and incorporate his lower body into his delivery. Torres has touched 98 mph and consistently lived 94-96 mph this spring, pitching from a full wind-up after mostly throwing from the stretch in past years. He pairs the pitch with a low-80s slider that he can sometimes get under, but flashes above-average with room for growth; he’s made adjustments to the pitch in recent weeks that have helped with consistency. A work-in-progress changeup serves as a third pitch, but Torres doesn’t often need to use it against the high school hitters in his area. Still somewhat raw and relatively new to pitching, Torres’ control grades above his command, and scouts are split on whether he’ll be a starter or a reliever long term. While there’s some risk to Torres from that standpoint, his youth, projectability and sheer arm strength should be enough for a team to call his name in the first three rounds.

 

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Parker Meadows

HS OF

Notes:

School: Grayson (Ga.) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Clemson

Scouting Report: The younger brother of current Pirates prospect Austin Meadows, Parker doesn’t have the same hype coming out of Georgia that his older brother did as a high schooler in 2013, but as a 6-foot-4 outfielder with a bevy of tools he still has a lot of teams interested. Meadows is a plus runner out of the box and better underway in center field, with plus raw power and a plus arm. As a long-armed lefthanded hitter with a hitch in his swing, his contact and hit tool have been questioned in the past, although he has hit against solid Georgia competition this spring. Regardless, Meadows will likely need to iron out some timing issues that coincide with his long swing once he reaches the professional ranks. If a team believes in Meadows’ ability to hit, then they are dreaming on a potential All-Star with tools across the board and the ability to stick in center field.

 

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Alek Thomas

HS OF

Notes:

School: Mount Carmel HS, Chicago

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Texas Christian

Scouting Report: Thomas, the son of White Sox strength coach Allen Thomas, is a three-sport star who is committed to Texas Christian to play both baseball and football. He is an elite all-around athlete, but his professional future is on the diamond and he was the leading hitter for USA Baseball’s gold-medal winning 18U National Team at last fall’s World Cup. Listed at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Thomas is well built and a well above-average runner. He produces above-average bat speed and has surprising power for a player his size, but his game is built more around his speed and ability to hit. He has the potential to be a plus hitter and makes good in-game adjustments, with a history of barreling up big-time velocity during the summer showcase circuit. Thomas’ speed plays well in the outfield and he covers ground well in center field, but his arm is below-average and could be his worst tool. One of the best athletes in the class with a chance to hit and play a solid center field, Thomas could be among the first prep outfielders selected in June. There are teams and evaluators who question his future impact, however, and some aren’t sure how much better they can project him.

 

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Braxton Ashcraft

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Robinson (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Baylor

Scouting Report: An immensely athletic pitcher, Ashcraft also plays football at Robinson (Texas) High as a wide receiver and had a record-setting junior campaign, where he caught 204 passes for 2,090 yards and 37 touchdowns—including a seven-touchdown game in Robinson’s season opener. His athleticism translates to the mound as well, where Ashcraft throws from a three-quarter slot with a loose arm, feel to spin a breaking ball and physical upside. Ashcraft didn’t have eye-opening velocity during the showcase circuit, and scouts have said his velocity has been up and down this spring, but he has shown the ability to spot the pitch to both sides with cutting and running action. Widely seen as a pro pitching prospect, some scouts have wondered what Ashcraft would look like with a bat in his hands, as he’s shown impressive power and can glide around the baseball field as a runner. Still, the upside he has on the mound is too much to ignore, and if he takes a jump with his stuff at some point—and he has the arm speed, athleticism and frame to do so—he could be a steal in the draft. He is expected to be a tough sign as a Baylor commit.

 

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Owen White

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Carson HS, China Grove, N.C.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: South Carolina

Scouting Report: White has been on scouts’ radars for some time now, as he emerged on the national scene a few years ago with impressive stuff and a projectable, athletic frame. Prior to last fall, the 6-foot-3 righthander had fallen off a bit with his velocity and evaluators wondered if he would ever return to the form that had allowed him to stand out in previous years. White removed all doubt, however, when he re-found his electric stuff and preformed well at the Wilson Premier Class, where he threw a complete game, one-hit shutout with a fastball in the low 90s, a sharp curveball and feel for a changeup. A few weeks later, at Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., White threw another seven-inning shutout with 13 strikeouts and no walks, holding his fastball velocity into the final innings. White re-established himself as one of the more exciting prep arms in the 2018 class with his fall outings last year, and has been equally electric this spring at Carson High in China Grove, N.C. He’s been up to 95 with his fastball, sitting more in the 91-93 mph range with an above-average curveball and a changeup that scouts are dreaming on thanks to White’s athleticism. In addition to a curveball, White has also experimented with a slider that has a chance to be an above-average breaking pitch down the line. Committed to South Carolina, White is expected to be a tough sign, but could go as high as the supplemental first round or early in the second.

 

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Konnor Pilkington

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Mississippi State

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 225 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Pilkington has established himself as a reliable starter throughout his college career at Mississippi State, in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. He shows an advanced understanding of pitching and what he needs to do to get outs. Pilkington is not overpowering and he typically pitches at 89-92 mph, but his fastball can reach 94 mph. His curveball has above-average potential and he has worked to improve his changeup to give him a third offering that is at least average. At his best, Pilkington can both land his curveball for strikes and make it a chase pitch out of the zone. He repeats his delivery well and can locate his fastball to both sides of the zone effectively. Pilkington is one of the youngest college players in the draft class and won’t turn 21 until September. Given his feel for pitching, size (listed at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds) and track record, he has the look of a solid starter at the pro level.

 

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Matt McLain

HS SS/2B

Notes:

School: Beckman HS, Irvine, Calif.

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: UCLA

Scouting Report: McLain has taken advantage of a down year in Southern California this spring, hitting in seemingly every game he’s played. His performance was so strong, in fact, that area scouts began putting his name in the same conversation as fellow California shortstop Brice Turang—which would have seemed absurd just a year ago. A 5-foot-10, righthanded hitter without a ton of power, McLain doesn’t seem to profile as a top-50 pick, but he’s given himself a chance to be selected that high because he simply does everything well. He makes all the plays at shortstop as a soft-gloved infielder with agility, body control, impressive footwork and a solid arm, and he’s regularly given scouts plus running times down the line. While McLain is a shorter prospect, he’s not built slightly. He’s put on as much strength as he can for now, to the point where he’s showing some surprising power in games, although he’ll never project as a plus power hitter. He regularly hits the ball hard and with authority, frequently going to right-center with impact. McLain has shown enough bat-to-ball skills that scouts are putting a 50 or even 60 grade on his future hit tool. While some evaluators believe he might move off shortstop at the next level—he’s not a Nick Allen sort of defender—he’s hit enough this spring to rise up draft boards. Seemingly all of his tools have improved this spring, and with good makeup to top things off, it’s unlikely he ever sets foot on campus at UCLA, where he is committed.

 

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Tanner Dodson

4YR RHP/OF

Notes:

School: California

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Mets '15 (31)

Scouting Report: Scouts prefer Dodson on the mound, where his 92-94 mph fastball touches 98 mph with heavy sinking action. He also throws two breaking balls - a hard slider and a sharp curveball - and a changeup that has some depth. He has served as Cal’s closer this spring and has found success in the bullpen. If he stays a reliever, he could be a quick mover in the minor leagues. Dodson is an exceptional athlete and gets the most out of his tools as a hitter. The switch-hitter has good bat-to-ball skills and consistently barrels up balls. He is a disciplined hitter who doesn’t give at bats away. He has an unconventional setup at the plate, which limits his power. He is an above-average runner and uses his speed well on the bases. Dodson’s biggest impact figures to come as a pitcher, and he projects as a top-two rounds pick, but his strong performance at the plate over the last two years has convinced some that he can also make it as a hitter. That success means whichever team drafts him will have options.

 

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Cadyn Grenier

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Oregon State

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Cardinals '15 (21)

Scouting Report: Perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the class, Grenier took sole ownership of the position in 2017 with Oregon State after switching back and forth between shortstop and second base with Nick Madrigal. Grenier has no plus tools to speak of and is around average across the board, but he does more than enough to stick at shortstop with fantastic instincts, an above-average arm, solid-average range and some of the surest hands in college baseball. There are players who are flashier than Grenier, but no one makes the routine play with his consistency, as Grenier has a way of slowing the game down. Grenier could be a second- or third-round pick on his defensive strengths alone, but he has shown improvements in his offensive game this spring as well. After hitting sub-.300 during his first two seasons with the Beavers, Grenier hit .325/.418/.470 through his first 42 games this spring. While his strikeout and walk rates haven’t changed much, Northwest-area scouts have noticed an increase in quality at-bats and have seen him work the counts more effectively and consistently. Grenier will never have the natural hitting ability of his double-play partner Madrigal, and he has more of a manufactured swing that will likely need to be regularly adjusted and tweaked as he progresses through pro baseball. There’s no real wood bat track record with Grenier either, as he hit .190/.312/.276 in the Cape Cod League in 2016 and .158/.333/.283 with USA Baseball’s College National Team last summer.

 

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Matt Mercer

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Oregon

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Mercer has been a mainstay in the Oregon weekend rotation the last two seasons, compiling a 12-14, 3.55 career record with 155 strikeouts and 72 walks through 200.1 career innings while also impressing in the Cape Cod League last summer. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound righthander has built up velocity through his work with the Driveline Baseball training program. Scouts have had his fastball as high as 98 mph this spring, though he sits more comfortably in the low to mid-90s. Mercer generates that velocity through a violent, high-effort delivery that he sometimes struggles to repeat, which leads some evaluators to believe he’ll end up as a reliever long term. He pairs that fastball with a low-80s breaking ball that has flashed plus when he’s consistent with his release point. Mercer exhibits confidence in his mid-80s, split-like changeup, which he uses liberally to both lefthanded and righthanded hitters—at times burying it down and in against righties as an out-pitch. That three-pitch mix gives Mercer an appealing starter’s arsenal, but he’ll need to prove he can repeat his effortful delivery—and stay healthy—to stay out of the bullpen at the next level.

 

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Austin Becker

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Big Walnut HS, Sunbury, Ohio

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Becker is a high-upside Ohio righthander committed to Vanderbilt who has been on scouts’ radars for some time thanks to his travel ball accomplishments and an exciting three-pitch mix. Listed at 6-foot-6, Becker has reached 96 mph with his fastball, although he more regularly pitches in the upper 80s and low 90s throughout his starts. He also has a curveball and changeup that have both shown the looks of plus offerings, but aren’t as consistent as scouts would like to see. He throws a mid-70s breaking ball that shows occasional two-plane break at the higher velocity ranges, but he regularly gets on the side of the pitch. His changeup is a firm, mid-80s offering without significant separation from his fastball, but it remains effective thanks to Becker’s arm speed and the pitch’s tumble in the bottom of the zone. With long arms and legs, Becker has had some strike-throwing questions at times, but for the most part he does a nice job of keeping the moving parts in his delivery in sync. He also has a quick pickoff move and makes more plays in front of the mound than many prep arms. With his projectable build and plus arm speed there’s a lot to dream on with Becker, and if he does make it to Vanderbilt it would be easy to envision him developing into a first-round talent.

 

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Zach Watson

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Louisiana State

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 166 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: LSU has a history of producing speedy center fielders who turn into useful pro players. There was Mike Mahtook, Jacoby Jones (although he mainly played in the infield at LSU) and, most recently, Andrew Stevenson. Jake Fraley, the Rays’ 2016 supplemental second rounder, is also trying to join that group. Watson is the next in the lineage, as he’s a catalyst for the Tigers offense and an above-average defender in center field. Watson is a 70 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, as he turns in 4.1 second times to first base as a righthanded hitter. He’s not just a slap hitter, as he has the bat speed and strong hands to drive the ball. He’ll post impressive 105-plus mph exit velocities when he connects, but his line drive stroke isn’t presently geared to lift the ball for home runs. As a hitter, Watson has a significant arm bar in his swing. He has to show he can better adjust to breaking balls. Long-term, he's projected as having a fringe-average hit tool, but with the chance to have above-average power as he matures. Watson’s profile as a righthanded-hitting outfielder is a little limiting if he can't be an everyday big leaguer, but he does enough things well enough to be a solid second to third-round pick. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore with plenty of leverage, so a team picking him will know they will likely need to pay handsomely to convince him to turn pro.

 

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Tyler Frank

4YR SS/2B

Notes:

School: Florida Atlantic

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Frank was prep teammates with Jonathan India and Lucius Fox, forming one of the best high school infields ever. Frank has gone on to find success at Florida Atlantic, where he has been an indispensable player since arriving on campus. He moved behind the plate as a freshman to fill a hole when FAU’s starting catcher was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and as a sophomore moved back to his natural shortstop. After a strong season, he became the first Owl since 2005 to be invited to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and became a regular for the team, playing third base and left field. Frank is a steady hitter with a mature approach at the plate. He makes consistent contact and has solid raw power that presently plays as doubles pop and should turn into more homers in time. He is a fringy runner. Frank’s versatility helps his profile and he can play nearly anywhere on the diamond. He fits best as an offensive second baseman, but could also end up as a super-utility player.

 

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Luken Baker

4YR 1B/DH

Notes:

School: Texas Christian

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Astros '15 (37)

Scouting Report: A two-way star in high school who ranked No. 58 on the BA 500 in 2016, Baker has lived up to lofty expectations at TCU, when healthy. His career has been marred by a number of freak injuries, however. Baker’s sophomore season ended early when he injured his arm and elbow in a collision at first base and he need surgery to repair his elbow. As a junior, he missed a couple of games after he took a bad hop off his eye, then saw his season end prematurely when he broke his left fibula sliding into second base. Baker began his TCU career as a two-way star with a low-to-mid-90s fastball, but he gave up pitching as a sophomore. His best position is designated hitter, but he can play a below-average first base as well. The 6-foot-4, 265 pounder doesn’t move well enough to be an outfielder. And that makes it tough to project him as a pro. He’s best suited for an American League team because of his defensive limitations. Baker has been productive, but his 11 home runs as a freshman remain his season high and because of his injuries he has no real track record of hitting with wood bats. Righthanded-hitting first baseman have to put up massive stats in college to go high in the draft. A team looking for power could take him in the second or third round, but some scouts wouldn’t be surprised if Baker returned to TCU to try to get healthy and put up bigger numbers.

 

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Nick Northcut

HS 3B/RHP

Notes:

School: Mason (Ohio) HS

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Northcut would be an impressive two-way player if he gets to Vanderbilt, but he could easily go in the top three rounds this June thanks to his impressive power and feel for hitting. A third baseman with a high-maintenance body that will need to be kept in check as he develops, Northcut is old for the high school class, but possesses plus power with some evaluators giving him future 70-grade power. Northcut has more than enough arm to handle third base—he reaches the low 90s on the mound—and also has quick reactions and soft hands despite lacking more than short-area quickness. With a chance to stick at third base and provide solid defense at the position, Northcut’s bat looks even more intriguing as one of the more powerful prep hitters who didn’t show much swing and miss during the showcase circuit.

 

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Elijah Cabell

HS OF

Notes:

School: TNXL Academy, Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: A Louisiana State commit playing for TNXL Academy in Altamonte Springs, Fla., Cabell is one of the many high-upside prep outfielders in the 2018 class, with some loud tools but also questions about his plate discipline and feel to hit. With plus raw power, plus speed and a plus arm, Cabell has three tools that garner immediate attention. But depending on when evaluators saw him over the summer and in the spring, they could walk away with vastly different opinions on what sort of player he will wind up being. Cabell’s batting practices are always solid, and he has impressive bat speed, loose wrists and strength that allows him to hit with authority to all fields, but he’ll swing and miss regularly in games. Some evaluators question not only his pitch selection but also his vision, which is a big concern. In the outfield, Cabell has the tools that might allow him to stick in center, but he will likely move to a corner as he continues to physically develop, where his arm—one of the strongest and most accurate in the high school class—should allow him to thrive. Where Cabell is drafted will ultimately depend on the quality of looks a specific team has with him, as he barreled high-end prep pitchers this spring and over the summer, but also looked overwhelmed at times against pitchers who scouts would label as non-prospects. During the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., Cabell had the second-highest average exit velocity of the event at 98.2 mph. He cuts himself off at times in his swing and gets uphill and steep, so if he’s able to get more direct to the ball in the future, his hit tool concerns might begin to subside and allow him to take advantage of his power more frequently.

 

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Brett Hansen

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Foothill HS, Pleasanton, Calif.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Hansen is a projectable lefthander with a fastball that gets up to 94 mph at its best, with a plus arm action that’s loose and easy. He more consistently sits in the 89-92 mph range with two average offspeed offerings in a changeup and curveball. He occasionally flashes a harder breaking ball with a slider look, but his big, sharp curveball is his main secondary offering. Neither of his secondary offerings are out-pitches just yet, but with his athleticism and an impressive arm action, scouts project both of those pitches as above-average down the line, with a fastball that’s a future plus pitch. This season, Hansen has pitched on Wednesdays and hasn’t missed a start, so teams have had scouting heat in to see him from his first start of the year through the end of the season. Potentially a top two round arm, signability will be a question mark with Hansen, who is seen as a hard sign out of his Vanderbilt commitment. Enough high-end decision makers have been in to see him this spring that scouts believe some team will like him enough to meet his big asking price. He has all the elements that teams like to see out of a prep lefthander.

 

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Jayson Schroeder

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Juanita HS, Kirkland, Wash.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Washington

Scouting Report: The top high school prospect out of the Northwest this year, Schroeder is an immensely athletic, 6-foot-2 righthander with arm strength and a three-pitch mix that will have teams interested in him among the top 100 picks. A three-sport athlete, Schroeder was the best pitcher on the Royals team at last summer’s Area Code Games, where he threw strikes with all of his pitches and showed a potential wipeout curveball. This spring, Schroeder has picked up right where he left off, regularly sitting 92-93 mph with a fastball that includes both power and sink. He has also shown a second breaking ball this spring in a slider, and while both of his secondary offerings are currently fringe-average, many scouts think both could turn into plus pitches down the line thanks to his arm speed and feel for spin. Given his arm slot and strength, a power slider seems to be the pitch most evaluators are banking on as his future go-to offering. While he doesn’t have a ton of projection left to offer, his physicality and plus arm speed have teams believing he’ll throw even harder in the future.

 

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Isaiah Campbell

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Arkansas

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 230 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Campbell has a near perfect pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and his stuff lives up to expectations. He can sit 92-94 mph with a deceptive 82-84 mph above-average changeup and an 78-84 mph fringe-average curveball that he can locate for strikes. His curveball doesn’t currently have the sharpness it’s shown in the past, however, and Campbell’s results have rarely matched his stuff this season. He was pushed from Saturday to the Sunday starter role as he struggled, and he was 3-5, 4.76 with more than a hit allowed per inning as of early May. Campbell’s delivery leaves him pitching uphill, with his arm working to catch up to his lower half. That makes it a little tougher for him to locate down in the zone and his control does waver at times. But Campbell’s biggest problem this year has been maintaining his stuff. He has made it out of the sixth inning only once in his first 11 starts and he failed to make it through the fifth in six of those 11 starts. Campbell is a deliberate worker. He is a redshirt sophomore who missed the 2017 season with elbow soreness and missed a start against Ole Miss this season with elbow inflammation. Campbell’s lengthy medical will play a factor in where he is drafted, but he has shown promise when he is at his best.

 

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Cole Sands

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Florida State

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Astros '15 (22)

Scouting Report: Sands was drafted in the 22nd round by the Astros out of high school but unlike his older brother, Carson Sands, a Cubs minor leaguer, he opted not to sign and instead went on to play for his hometown Seminoles. Sands has spent his college career in Florida State’s rotation and this season moved to the front of the rotation after ace Tyler Holton was injured on Opening Day. Sands has compiled a solid college track record, including a strong performance in the Cape Cod League. Sands throws his fastball in the low 90s, reaching 95 mph with sinking action. He throws his sharp slider for strikes and he has improved his changeup into a viable third offering. Sands comes right after hitters and locates his fastball well. Listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Sands has good size and has been a reliable starter throughout his career. He missed two starts in April due to bicep tendonitis but returned to the mound in the season’s final month.

 

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Colton Eastman

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Cal State Fullerton

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Twins '15 (20)

Scouting Report: A 20th-round pick of the Twins out of high school, Eastman pitched three years in Fullerton’s rotation and followed Thomas Eshelman and Connor Seabold in the line of Titans’ control-oriented aces. A 6-foot-3, 200-pound righthander, Eastman pitches with a fringe-average fastball but excels with his secondaries and above-average control. Eastman sits 88-91 mph and touches 93 with his fastball, which is mostly just a setup for his offspeed pitches. His curveball is an above-average to plus pitch with a spin rate well above the major league average at 2,800-3,000 rpms. His changeup is his best pitch, a plus offering with cut and fade. Eastman throws all his pitches for strikes and pitches with a competitive edge. That edge spills off the field sometimes, resulting in makeup concerns for some evaluators. Eastman’s three-pitch mix and pedigree has him projected to go in the second or third round, like Eshelman and Seabold before him.

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Simeon Woods-Richardson

HS RHP/3B

Notes:

School: Kempner HS, Sugar Land, Texas

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas

Scouting Report: One of the youngest players in the 2018 draft class, Woods-Richardson is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound righthander out of Texas who impressed scouts at multiple summer showcase events last year. At both the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., and Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association world championships in Jupiter, Fla., during the fall, Woods-Richardson pitched with a low-90s fastball that touched 93 mph at times. He features both a four-seam and two-seam fastball, as well as two breaking balls—one a sweeping slider in the upper 70s and the other a mid-70s curveball with an 11-to-5 shape. He showed the makings of a plus breaking ball at the Area Code Games and even flashed a potential plus changeup during the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C. After all the flashes of upside over the summer, Woods-Richardson has continued to trend up this spring, with his fastball velocity ticking up. Scouts have noted, however, that he doesn’t always hold his velocity into starts as long as they would like to see. As a younger, athletic righthander out of Texas who has trended in the right direction this spring, Woods-Richardson has checked enough boxes on his scouting report to get him drafted quickly in June. If he did make it to campus at Texas, he would be a two-way talent with some impressive raw power with the bat as well.

 

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Kyler Murray

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Oklahoma

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Coming out of high school in 2015, Murray was considered one of the best two-sport stars coming out of Texas in years. He has a familial history with both football and baseball. Murray’s father, Kevin, was a star quarterback at Texas A&M in the early 1980s, while his uncle, Calvin, was a big league outfielder with multiple teams. Kyler would have been a potential late first-round pick out of high school if teams had thought he was signable, but as a two-sport star he told teams not to draft him because he was headed to Texas A&M. Murray has covered a lot of ground since then. He was supposed to be Johnny Manziel’s replacement for the Aggies, but he transferred to Oklahoma after starting three games and playing in eight as a freshman. That made Murray eligible to play his redshirt freshman season with the Sooners baseball team in 2017, but his rust was apparent. He hit .122 with no extra-base hits while struggling defensively in left field. Murray went to the Cape Cod League briefly last summer and, after serving as NFL No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield’s backup last season (he threw 21 passes), he showed significant strides in his second season with the Sooners baseball team. Murray looked much more comfortable in center field this year than he did in the corners last year, as the easier reads of center allowed him to take more decisive routes and let his plus speed play. There’s still a ton of projection involved with Murray because scouts know they aren’t seeing him at his best. He has spent much of the spring splitting time between baseball and spring football practice, where he was battling for the Sooners’ starting quarterback job. Scouts have generally seen more above-average than plus run times from him, but many believe that’s because he’s worn out. Similarly, he shows a 30 arm right now, but he doesn’t get to work on his throwing arm for baseball because he is muscled up for football. At the plate, Murray’s development this season has impressed evaluators. He is showing much more advanced pitch recognition and plate coverage, impressing with his ability to battle to deep counts. He has 20-25 home run potential down the road, with the bat speed that gives him a chance to develop into at least an average hitter as well. Murray’s signability is going to be a tricky puzzle for teams. He has the leverage to demand a significant signing bonus to give up football or he could also look to sign a contract that allows him to continue to play football, something Anthony Alford, Kyle Parker and Russell Wilson have done in the past. But he could also opt to not sign and push any such decisions back a year—he’ll still be a redshirt junior next June. As such, he’s a tricky player for scouts to evaluate. On pure talent, he’s a second- to third-round pick.

 

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Cal Raleigh

4YR C

Notes:

School: Florida State

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A Clemson commit who shifted to Florida State when former Tigers head coach Jack Leggett departed, Raleigh made a loud first impression with the Seminoles in 2016. The thick-bodied switch-hitter slugged 10 homers and was a BA Freshman All-American that season, but he slipped considerably his sophomore year, batting just .227 and struggling at times defensively. Now in his third season, Raleigh has seemingly rebounded at the plate, with nine homers and a .313/.446/.534 slash line through 176 at-bats. Raleigh has above-average raw power, but his struggles as a sophomore and his lack of track record with a wood bat leave some scouts skeptical he'll be able to consistently tap into it. Raleigh is an average receiver with an average throwing arm. He projects to stick behind the plate at the next level, but his value is primarily tied to his power potential. While his stock isn't as high as it was in 2016, Raleigh's strong junior season has restored at least some of the confidence in his offensive skill set.

 

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Slade Cecconi

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Trinity Prep, Winter Park, Fla.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 193 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Miami

Scouting Report: The 6-foot-4 Miami commit has proven to be one of the biggest enigmas in the 2018 draft class for major league teams this spring. After several loud performances last summer at Perfect Game’s National Showcase and in USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars, Cecconi was thought by many scouts to be in the top tier of elite prep pitchers. He was up to 97 mph with a fastball that had power and natural heavy sinking action, a mid-80s slider with tight sweeping action that could be projected as a plus offering, a curveball with 11-to-5 shape in the 76-80 mph range and feel to mix in a changeup as well. With a fast, albeit slightly long, arm action, a frame that could add even more weight, an advanced mix of pitches and feel to spin the baseball, Cecconi showed all of the ingredients necessary to become a future top-of-the-rotation arm. Cecconi hasn’t been seen much this spring, however, as he dealt with a minor injury for much of the early weeks and was rumored to make his first start at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational—though he didn’t pitch at that event, either. He’s thrown some bullpens for scouts later in the season, but teams have less off-the-field information on him than they would like after dealing with obstacles when trying to reach him in the offseason. Considering his odd spring and offseason, he might be ticketed to Coral Gables, where he could wind up being one of the best pitchers in college baseball and turn himself into a high-end first-round pick as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2020.

 

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Trey Riley

JC RHP

Notes:

School: John A. Logan (Ill.) JC

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: John A. Logan (Ill.) JC has become a pipeline for power pitchers. Matthias Dietz was a second-round pick of the Orioles in 2016 and Zach Haake impressed scouts last year before moving on to Kentucky, where he’s expected to be Day Two pick this season. But Riley has the best combination of stuff and athleticism of the trio. Riley made one rough appearance with Oklahoma State in 2017 before transferring to Logan. He shows signs of being a future middle-of-the-rotation starter as he mixes a 93-95 mph plus fastball that touches 97 mph. His 85-89 mph slider is consistently above-average and is a plus-plus pitch at its best. Riley’s changeup is well below-average and he doesn’t need it much right now, but he’s toyed with a curveball that quickly developed into a pitch that will flash average potential. Riley’s athleticism, easy velocity and improving delivery make him on of the better pop-up prospects in the Midwest.

 

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Adam Hill

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: South Carolina

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Padres '15 (39)

Scouting Report: A 39th-round selection by the Padres in 2015 out of high school, Hill bypassed the draft to attend South Carolina, where he’s been a three-year starter for the Gamecocks. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound righthander has the kind of durable frame scouts look for in starting pitchers and he’s been a workhouse at South Carolina, leading the rotation when the likes of Clarke Schmidt and Will Crowe went down with Tommy John surgery. Hill had the look of a first-round selection earlier this spring when he posted back-to-back starts with 14 strikeouts, including an electric outing against in-state rival Clemson in front of 10-15 scouts. He’s since backed up, with a 5-5, 4.58 record though 11 starts and 79 strikeouts to 35 walks in 57 innings. When he’s at his best, Hill sits 90-93 mph with a heavy fastball, touching 95-96 and getting a plethora of swings and misses due to the pitch’s late life. Hill had starts his first two seasons where his fastball would be the only pitch he needed to record outs, but he’s made a conscious effort to incorporate both his breaking ball and changeup into his arsenal this season. His slider is the better of the two pitches, a hard, low- to mid-80s pitch with bite and some depth, but he’s shown flashes with his changeup as well, particularly to lefthanded hitters. What holds Hill back is the lack of consistency with his secondary stuff and his, at times, erratic location. Hill has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter at the next level, but he’ll need to smooth these rough edges in order to get there.

 

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DaShawn Keirsey

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Utah

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Keirsey’s career-best campaign this spring is impressive enough in its own right, as the junior center fielder hit .392/.440/.636 through his first 36 games—a slugging percentage nearly .200 points better than his previous high. His performance looks even more impressive when remembering the gruesome injury he suffered last May, when Keirsey dislocated and fractured his left hip after colliding into the center field wall while tracking a deep home run. While the injury prevented Keirsey from playing in the Cape Cod League last summer, it’s seemingly done nothing to slow him down this spring. Scouts have been impressed with his athleticism, plus raw power, a strong throwing arm and running ability. The power is the obvious improvement in Keirsey’s game, although most of that is driven by all of the doubles he’s collected (18) rather than the home runs (3) he has hit through May 10. While scouts grade Keirsey as an above-average or plus runner, teams will worry that his hip injury will cause that grade to depreciate quicker than usual, and a related, recurring injury is also a concern. Outside of durability questions, Keirsey has a solid package of tools and a bat that can project as average—both of which could override worries about the medical.

 

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Raynel Delgado

HS 3B/SS

Notes:

School: Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida International

Scouting Report: A switch-hitting shortstop committed to Florida International, Delgado intrigues scouts thanks to his impressive bat, power from both sides and more feel to hit from either side than many young switch-hitters show at the same age. He’s already pretty physical, which allows him to hit for power in-game, and he’s shown that pop at big events like USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational in March. Defensively, he has smooth actions and impressive footwork that should give him a chance to stick at shortstop, but there are many scouts who believe his below-average speed will move him to another position, with third or second base being the most likely. He has the arm strength to handle third and his hands and footwork should be enough for second base as well. A team drafting him will be taking the bat though, with future plus power from both sides.

 

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Gunnar Hoglund

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Fivay HS, Hudson, Fla.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi

Scouting Report: Hoglund had one of the most impressive spring seasons in a loaded state of Florida, impressing scouts and scouting directors alike with some of the best control of any high school player in the country. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Mississippi commit struck out 105 batters and walked just two through 10 starts, with both of his walks coming in his final game. Hoglund was known as an elite strike-thrower going back to his travel-ball days, but an uptick in his fastball velocity this spring rose him up draft boards significantly. He touched 96 mph multiple times and pitched throughout the spring in the 90-95 mph range, navigating the lower end of that range with extreme ease to his delivery. Scouts call Hoglund’s delivery one of the cleanest in the draft class, and he would be among the elite high school arms if his breaking ball were a bit sharper. The secondary offering tends to get long, but it has improved this spring and he can obviously land the pitch for strikes. Still, it’s currently hard to project the breaking ball as a plus pitch in the future. If Hoglund were to get to campus he could be an impact two-way player, as he has an impressive bat as well. But ultimately he should go in the first few rounds of the draft thanks to 60-grade future command—an extremely rare trait for a prep pitcher.

 

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Blaze Alexander

HS SS

Notes:

School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 160 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: South Carolina

Scouting Report: His name is fitting, as Blaze Alexander is the hardest-throwing infielder in the 2018 class. He clocked a now-legendary 99 mph throw from shortstop to first base last summer during the Perfect Game National Showcase. Alexander, whose father, Chuck, played in the Indians organization from 1988-91, is a flashy shortstop who is capable of playing all over the infield thanks to his advanced internal clock, athleticism, body control, quick hands and obvious plus-plus arm strength. Most scouts say Alexander has a good chance to play shortstop at the next level, and he has the elite confidence to make it happen on top of all the physical tools. Offensively, Alexander has above-average or plus bat speed that leads to real pull power despite a smaller, 6-foot, 160-pound frame. He has twitchiness in the box and takes aggressive swings to get the most out of his power—leading to some swing and miss during the summer—but he made good adjustments in simplifying both his handset and his load this spring. Scouts are impressed with his ability to make adjustments in the box, but there are still some questions about the impact he’ll make down the line with the bat. He’s an average runner who is committed to South Carolina, and if he makes it to campus and develops a track record hitting in the SEC then he could become a first-round pick thanks to his elite defensive ability.

 

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Jaden Hill

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Ashdown (Ark.) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: An athletic righthander, Hill was also seen as a solid quarterback prospect in high school, although he broke his right collarbone while on the football field during his senior season. Prior to the fall, Hill had put himself on teams’ radars with several impressive performances, including an outing at the East Coast Pro showcase where he sat in the low 90s with life to his fastball. He also showed one of the better changeups at the event, a pitch in the 78-82 mph range that he threw with fastball arm speed and got multiple swings and misses. With a 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame, Hill offers some projection thanks to his athleticism and two-sport background, and he also showed impressive feel to pitch. His breaking ball has also looked better this spring than last summer. Teams will be more concerned with his arm following the collarbone injury, as some scouts have noted that it impacted his armspeed, but the Louisiana State commit has still been up to 94-95 mph at times this spring.

 

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Zack Hess

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Louisiana State

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '16 (35)

Scouting Report: The son of Karl Hess, a long-time NCAA basketball referee, Zack Hess was considered a premium draft prospect coming out of high school, ranked No. 167 on the 2016 BA 500. He slid to the Yankees in the 35th round, however, because everyone knew he was headed to Louisiana State. Hess moved from being a mid-week starter to a dominating closer for LSU as a freshman and was outstanding in the College World Series, striking out 11 batters in seven innings over five appearances. Hess moved back to the rotation this season. The big, 6-foot-6 righthander has toned down his delivery since high school and it’s now slower and more controlled. He’s eliminated the head whack he used to have, which has helped improve his fastball command. But despite improved fringe-average control, a number of evaluators see Hess moving back to the bullpen in pro ball in part because of his fastball-slider combo is so effective in shorter stints. As a starter, he sits 92-94 and touches 97 mph. Thanks to angle and life, Hess gets swings and misses with his plus fastball and his slider is above-average as well, although it plays as more of a plus pitch out of the bullpen. He flashes an average changeup, but he doesn’t use it much against college hitters. Hess is athletic and extremely competitive. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore, so he’s likely to have a high asking price, but he’s a second to third-round talent, so some team might be willing to pay.

 

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Josh Breaux

JC RHP/C

Notes:

School: McLennan (Texas) JC

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Arkansas

Scouting Report: Breaux has one of the best arms in this draft class, as he sits 95-98 mph and has touched 100 mph on some radar guns when working as a one-inning reliever. But teams have rarely seen him pitch as he’s also McLennan’s catcher and best power hitter, and Breaux wants to be a position player. Breaux threw 13 innings as a freshman and, as a sophomore, he’d thrown only four innings as of early May. As a catcher, Breaux is below-average defensively, but he’s shown significant improvement over the past two years. His plus-plus arm serves him well, but he’s a little stiff and has to work on improving his flexibility and receiving. Breaux is a solid athlete and runs well for a catcher (6.8 seconds in the 60-yard dash), giving him an option of playing in the outfield as well. Breaux’s calling card as a hitter is his plus-plus raw power. He has 25-plus home run potential, although scouts wonder if his significant swing-and-miss will keep him from being better than a below-average hitter. He does have a track record of hitting with wood last summer in the Cape Cod League (.271/.310/.474) and he has produced this spring (.398/.524/.801) with more walks (40) than strikeouts (34). Breaux has signed with Arkansas, where he could be a two-way star, but his power potential could get him drafted as a position player, and he always has a fall-back option of moving to the mound if hitting doesn’t work out.

 

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Sean Wymer

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas Christian

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After serving as Texas Christian’s moment of truth reliever as a sophomore, Wymer moved into the Horned Frogs weekend rotation as a junior. Unfortunately for Wymer, he showed in his new role that he’s probably better suited as a reliever. Eventually, TCU moved the 6-foot-1 Wymer back into a multi-inning relief role as April turned to May. Pitching as a starter, his fastball tailed off from 93-95 mph he showed out of the bullpen and settled closer to 90-92 mph. Wymer’s high-70s, 12-to-6 curveball was still an above-average pitch as a starter, but it’s even sharper out of the bullpen. He started using his below-average changeup more in longer stints, but at his best, it’s his above-average control of his big breaking ball and an above-average fastball that could make him a useful reliever in pro ball.

 

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Gage Canning

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Arizona State

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 178 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After leading Arizona State in most offensive categories as a sophomore, Canning has taken steps forward across the board during his junior season with career-highs in doubles, triples, home runs and walks while hitting .387/.436/.672 through the first 43 games of the season. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Canning will likely never be a huge power threat, but he does bring some strength to the table with a line drive approach that should net him plenty of extra-base hits. Canning does have some swing and miss concerns, as he struck out 30 percent of the time as a freshman before cutting that rate almost in half during his sophomore campaign. That rate was back up to the 21 percent range after 43 games, but he has walked more frequently as a junior. Canning played right field as a freshman and sophomore but has made a strong transition to center field this spring, running down balls in the gaps and continuing to improve his jumps and route-running ability. There aren’t too many holes in Canning’s game, aside from his proclivity for strikeouts and lack of a wood bat track record, and his spring season is among the best of the 2018 college draft class.

 

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Lyon Richardson

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Jensen Beach (Fla.) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: An athletic two-way player who is committed to Florida, Richardson has shown explosive stuff on the mound this spring, getting his fastball into the 97-98 mph range. That sort of velocity has been inconsistent, however, as some scouts have also seen him in the 89-93 mph range, touching 94, with a breaking ball that’s fringy and in between the shape of a curveball and slider. On other days, he’ll pop those elite fastball velocities and also throw a plus, power curveball that lands in the low 80s. Because of his athleticism and pure stuff, he’ll get a look from some teams in the second round, but he doesn’t have the same track record or physical projection—he stands 6-foot-2, 185 pounds—as some of the other high-end high school arms in the class. He’s been hitting with a wood bat this spring and could be a dynamic two-way player for the Gators as a switch-hitting outfielder and pitcher if he gets to Gainesville, although pro teams appear to prefer his upside on the mound.

 

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Chandler Champlain

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Southern California

Scouting Report: A strong, 6-foot-5 righthander out of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Champlain is the top prep pitcher in Southern California outside of Cole Winn. The Southern California commit pitches off of a heavy, sinking, low-90s fastball that’s been up to 94 mph this spring and he has feel to spin a top-to-bottom curveball that has sharp biting action at times. The shape of the pitch is currently inconsistent for scouts, but he lands the pitch regularly and it comes out of his hand well. There are some concerns with a pronounced head whack in Champlain’s delivery and evaluators are mixed on Champlain’s athleticism and frame, which he’ll need to maintain as he develops, but has trended in the right direction this spring. He hasn’t shown a changeup often, but with his fastball and breaking ball he has a chance for a pair of plus pitches in the future.

 

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Kyle Isbel

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Nevada-Las Vegas

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Isbel has been a key member of UNLV’s lineup since arriving on campus and has started all but three games during his career. He has managed to take a step forward this spring, as he has increased both his power and walk rate. Isbel had a .093 ISO last summer in the Cape Cod League, but this spring he’s hit double-digit home runs for the first time in his career and added about 200 points to his ISO. Scouts must determine how much of that power increase is driven by the hitter-friendly environments of the Mountain West Conference, but he does pack more of a punch into his lefthanded swing than his frame (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) suggests. He is an above-average runner and uses his speed well on the base paths. Isbel is a solid outfielder and handles center field well, but some evaluators believe he would profile better at second base, where he played early in his career. Isbel has a hard-nosed approach to the game and that helps his mostly average tools play up.

 

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Durbin Feltman

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas Christian

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Feltman has served as Texas Christian’s closer for three years. He set the TCU single-season saves record in 2017 with 17 saves and tied Riley Ferrell’s school career record with 32 saves by the end of April. The 6-foot righthander is a fast worker who attacks hitters with two plus pitches. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and has touched 98-99 mph at times. His hard, 84-85 mph slider has plenty of depth and late break, with more of a curveball’s downward break than late, lateral tilt. Both are swing-and-miss offerings—in his first 16 appearances in 2018, Feltman was striking out nearly 16 batters per nine innings. Feltman’s size and energetic delivery—which ends with him flying off the mound toward first base—make him best suited to continue in his relief role in pro ball. College relievers have stopped hearing their name called in the first round, but as one of the best closers in the country, Feltman should be a very solid pick in the second or third round.

 

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Osiris Johnson

HS SS/OF

Notes:

School: Encinal HS, Alameda, Calif.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Cal State Fullerton

Scouting Report: The second cousin of Jimmy Rollins, Johnson is a twitchy, athletic prospect who has played shortstop and center field but is committed to sticking in the dirt. Last summer, many scouts would have said that Johnson was destined to move to the outfield, where his athleticism would play well, but he’s made impressive strides on his defense throughout the fall and spring. He has immensely quick hands that allow him to react to late hops and he has enough arm strength for the position as well. He’s done enough to allow some teams to believe he can stick at shortstop, while others still believe he’s destined for the outfield. His quick hands translate to the batter’s box, where Johnson has plus bat speed and power, with scouts projecting plus power as he continues to fill out a 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. The quality of his swings vary wildly, as does his pitch recognition. There are swing-and-miss concerns, but like his defensive work, Johnson has made improvements throughout the spring. In addition to Rollins—who has worked with Johnson on every part of his game, especially at shortstop where the former major leaguer recommended he raise his arm slot—Johnson’s father, Marcel, played three seasons in the minors with the Mets and Braves organizations. Johnson, a Cal State Fullerton commit, is one of the youngest players in the class.

 

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Jake Wong

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Grand Canyon

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Wong has excelled over the last two years as Grand Canyon’s ace. This spring, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander took advantage of pitching in the Phoenix area during spring training, when many high-ranking executives were easily able to see him pitch. Wong has a heavy fastball that last summer reached 97 mph when he was used out of the bullpen in the Cape Cod League, but typically sits in the low 90s when he starts. His sharp slider is his primary offspeed pitch and the further development of his changeup will be key to his success as a starter. Wong has a repeatable delivery and pounded the zone with his fastball. He hasn’t piled up as many strikeouts as some would like to see, but his combination of stuff, size and track record is enough to make him the highest drafted player out of Grand Canyon in 25 years.

 

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Aaron Hernandez

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Hernandez has some of most consistent velocity in Texas, as he regularly sat 92-95 mph touching 97-98 this season. Hernandez pitches across his body as well, which helps hide the ball early in his delivery. But scouts say that Hernandez’s fastball doesn’t play to the radar gun readings, as it’s very true with minimal late life. Hernandez relies a lot on his above-average 80-83 mph slurvy breaking ball. It has some power, although its shape is more side-to-side than a true, downer curveball and it has a bigger break than a harder slider. Hernandez has some effort to his delivery and some evaluators believe his stuff will eventually player better out of the bullpen.

 

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Ryder Green

HS OF

Notes:

School: Knoxville Christian Academy

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: The top Tennessee prospect after lefthander Ryan Weathers, Green is a strong, toolsy outfielder committed to Vanderbilt who has a chance to go among the first few rounds because of his exceptional power potential. He hit several long home runs at big events including the East Coast Pro showcase last summer and hit with a wood bat throughout the spring with double-digit home runs as well. He also brings a strong throwing arm to the table. A solid runner, some scouts give him a plus grade on his speed, while others think solid-average is more accurate. Green will likely move to a corner outfield spot in the future but has played shortstop and third base in the past, as well as center field. His reads and route running need work, but he has the athleticism and arm to become a solid defender. The biggest question with Green will be the swing-and-miss tendencies he showed last summer, using an all-or-nothing swing at times. There’s some rawness to iron out of Green’s game, but he is among the best righthanded-hitting power hitters in the high school class.

 

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Mitchell Kilkenny

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas A&M

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Kilkenny has stood out as a junior because of his consistency. In his first 12 starts, he worked six or more innings nine times and made it out of fifth in all but one start. His 2.20 ERA was best in the Southeastern Conference (ahead of Casey Mize) as of early May. With three average pitches, Kilkenny has kept SEC hitters off balance all year by mixing a 91-93 mph fastball that can bump 95 mph when he reaches back, an improved, average slider that he can work to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters and an average changeup that he can locate with precision. Nothing about Kilkenny’s stuff is truly exceptional, but he has a clean delivery, holds runners well and has such a well-rounded repertoire that he projects as a solid back-of-the-rotation starter thanks to his above-average control.

 

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Nolan Kingham

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Brewers '15 (39)

Scouting Report: The younger brother of Pirates righthander Nick Kingham, Nolan has been a fixture in the Texas rotation for two seasons, although his junior year has failed to match the dominance he showed at times as a sophomore. He was pushed to the bullpen one weekend for academic reasons, something that also happened in 2017, and he’s been erratic otherwise. Kingham has plenty of arm speed, as he can touch 96-97 mph with his four-seam fastball and gets plenty of sink with his 90-92 mph two-seamer, but early on this season his two-seamer straightened out and he left it up in the zone too often. He also has an above-average 80-81 mph curveball that has earned a few plus grades and he has flashed a potentially average changeup at times. Kingham was a 39th-round pick of the Brewers out of high school. His brother was a late-bloomer, and Kingham has a little more stuff and athleticism than Nick had at the same age. At his best, he’ll flash first-round stuff, but his best stuff this year has most often come in short relief stints. A team that liked him as a sophomore may be willing to bet on his stuff, but his poor junior season (6-2, 4.50 with 85 hits in 64 innings) makes it tougher to feel confident that he can put it all together.

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Josiah Gray

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Le Moyne (N.Y.)

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Division II Le Moyne (N.Y.) was the only school that offered Gray a scholarship. Coach Scott Cassidy liked Gray’s athleticism and his quick arm and believed he had the potential to develop. Gray has rewarded Cassidey’s faith by developing into the one of the best pitchers in Division II. After playing sporadically as a freshman shortstop, Gray touched 94 mph pitching in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League that summer. He split time between shortstop and closing as a sophomore, but switched to focus solely on pitching in the Cape Cod League the summer before his junior year. Gray’s full-time move to the mound has paid off handsomely. He’s gained 35 pounds since he arrived on campus and is now a solid 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. He dominated in his first year as a starter, going 10-0, 1.28 to rank among national leaders in ERA. He’s still developing as a pitcher, but he’s sitting 90-95 mph with his fastball. He has a very fast arm and fills the strike zone with above-average control for his age, even if his command still needs refinement. Gray throws his slider and changeup for strikes, but both have been more fringe-average to average pitches this spring. His slider flashed above-average in the Cape Cod League last summer in shorter stints. Gray could end up eventually moving to the bullpen, but he’s athletic and has very few innings on his arm, so scouts can dream that there’s even more to come.

 

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Jeremy Pena

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Maine

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Braves '15 (39)

Scouting Report: The son of seven-year major league second baseman Geronimo Pena, Jeremy is a premium defensive shortstop with Maine who is one of the top defensive players in the 2018 draft class. Pena has started every game for the Black Bears throughout his college career and was named to the America East All-Rookie Team in 2016, when he led the team in runs and hit .283/.336/.356 with 11 stolen bases. His hitting has improved since then, and Pena hit .308/.390/.478 with four home runs, five triples and nine doubles through the first 46 games of his junior campaign. However, talk about Pena should start with his defensive ability, as he possesses fantastic defensive actions, loose athleticism and an above-average arm. His above-average running ability helps his range in the infield and also on the bases, where he’s been an efficient base stealer through parts of three seasons. Including his complete freshman and sophomore seasons and 46 games this spring, Pena stole bases with an 85 percent success rate. Offensively, there is work to do, as evidenced by Pena’s .228/.315/.323 slash line in 36 games last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he struck out 30 times to 14 walks with just three extra-base hits. He did make the Cape All-Star team in spite of that line, which speaks to Pena’s defensive ability, which will also get him drafted in spite of a light bat with below-average power.

 

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Steven Gingery

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Texas Tech

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: One start into his junior season, Gingery blew out his elbow and had to have Tommy John surgery. That put a halt to his run as one of the most productive pitchers in college baseball. Gingery stepped right into the Red Raiders rotation as a freshman and led the Big 12 conference with a 1.85 ERA in conference games (and a 3.18 ERA overall). He was even better as a sophomore, posting a conference-best 1.58 ERA in 2016, fifth best in the country. Gingery also had a 1.12 ERA in 16 innings with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Pre-injury, Gingery had what many scouts considered the best changeup in college baseball, as it has excellent deception and late fade as it dives below bats. It’s an easily plus pitch that earns some 70 grades. His changeup and his above-average control are vital to his success, as he does a good job of spotting his fringe-average 88-91 mph fastball and an average curveball he can throw for strikes. Gingery’s easy delivery, above-average control and long track record of success made him one of the safest bets in the draft class before his injury. If Gingery makes a full recovery, he projects as a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

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Dominic Pipkin

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Pinole (Calif.) Valley HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: California

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-4, 170-pound righthander out of Pinole Valley, Calif., Pipkin is a projection arm who’s been up to 96 mph and was one of the hardest throwers at the Area Code Games last summer. With a frame that can add significantly more weight, there is a lot of upside to be had and he might be able to increase his sitting fastball velocity—which tends to be in the low 90s—in the future. He’s shown flashes of an above-average breaking ball and changeup, though those pitches still need some work. His curveball is in the mid-70s with some impressive depth but tends to break early at times, while Pipkin’s changeup comes across in the low 80s. Pipkin operates with a slow delivery and a slight pause in his leg lift and throws from a three-quarter arm slot.

 

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Alex McKenna

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Cal Poly

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Twins '2015 (38)

Scouting Report: McKenna has been one of the leading hitters in the Big West Conference in each of the last two years. He also put together a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, establishing himself as one of the premier college hitters on the West Coast. He has a short, quick swing and makes consistent contact. An unconventional setup at the plate with his hands close to his chest helps his contact-based approach and swing path, but may limit his power. Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, the righthanded hitter has above-average power to unlock, but more typically hits doubles to the gap. McKenna has played center field throughout his college career and is a solid runner with an average arm. Though he covers ground well in the outfield and has solid speed, he is unlikely to stick in center field in pro ball. He offers value as someone who can play all three outfield positions thanks to his strong arm and outfield instincts. He earns praise for his approach to the game.

 

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Aaron Ashby

JC LHP

Notes:

School: Crowder (Mo.) JC

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Rangers '17 (25)

Scouting Report: Ashby, the nephew of ex-big league pitcher and fellow Crowder (Mo.) alumnus Andy Ashby, has posted some of the most absurd statistics in baseball this year. Ashby arrived at Crowder as an 83-86 mph lefty with a decent breaking ball without the strength to always repeat his delivery. He walked eight and allowed six runs in 0.2 innings in his collegiate debut, but by the end of the season he threw a complete game to beat Seminole State (Okla.) JC to get Crowder to the NJCAA World Series. This year, Ashby’s stuff has gotten better and better. The Tennessee signee was 88-91 with a plus curveball early in the season, but as the weather warmed up, he consistently sat 90-94 mph with his above-average fastball. It’s his plus curveball that hitters can’t touch. He can throw it back-to-back-to-back, baffling hitters even when they are looking for it. At one point, Ashby allowed one hit in a 19-inning stretch, as he recorded strikeouts for 45 of those 57 outs. Ashby’s control does waver—he’s walking 5.2 per nine innings—but he also generates loads of swings and misses. He leads all Division I junior college pitchers with 156 strikeouts (and 19 strikeouts per nine innings) to go with an 11-2, 2.29 record. Ashby has gotten stronger, but he still has a skinny frame that could fill out further. He works a lot of deep counts because of his control, which explains why he has worked into the eighth inning only once all season as of mid-May. His best pitching is likely still ahead of him, but his present breaking ball and plenty of fastball should be enough to get him drafted in the third or fourth round.

 

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Jonathan Childress

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Forney (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: Figuring out what to do with Childress is going to be one of the tougher calls in draft rooms around the country. The big, 6-foot-4 lefthander has one of the best curveballs in the draft class, earning plenty of plus grades and 70s at its best. Childress has showed velocity too, as he’s touched 93-94 mph in shorter stints. But this spring Childress has generally sat at 87-89 mph more often, scraping 90-91 at his best. An aggressive team could draft Childress in the second or third round and count on his frame and projection, expecting to see him grow into someone who throws in the low 90s at least, while also breaking off outstanding curveballs. But most teams are likely to prefer letting him get to Texas A&M, where they will be able to watch him for the next three years to see if his velocity spikes. If it does, he’ll be paid very well down the road.

 

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Hugh Smith

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Whitworth (Wash.)

Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 214 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Smith's driver license reads 5-foot-11, 145 pounds, which was an accurate description of his height and weight when he was 16. Five years later, however, he’s 6-foot-10, 215 pounds and has a chance to become one of the highest drafted Division III players in recent years. As a high school senior, Smith had grown to be a 6-foot-3 righthander who sat 81-84 mph but had good control and a solid feel for spotting his slider and changeup. His steady growth spurt continued after he arrived at Whitworth (Wash.) College and his fastball kept growing with it. Smith now sits 92-95 mph, touching 96, and he carries that velocity deep into games. His plus fastball has downward plane and plenty of late life, and he loves to run it in on the hands of righthanded hitters. He also has good feel for a slider that has above-average potential and an average changeup. He locates the changeup well and when he does miss, he almost always misses low and out of the zone, where it can’t come back to hurt him. He’s toyed with a cutter as well. Smith dominated his competition with a 6-1, 1.58 record and could hear his name called as early as the third or fourth round. His athleticism, rare body control for his size and present stuff makes him one of the highest upside pitchers in the Northwest.

 

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Landon Marceaux

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Destrehan (La.) HS

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Marceaux is a short righthander and has some of the best command in the 2018 prep class, with some scouts going as far as saying he could have 70-grade command in the future—an incredibly rare attribute for a prep pitcher. Marceaux is regularly in the low 90s with his fastball, though this spring he was a tick below that in the early parts of the season as he dealt with a minor groin injury. In addition to a four-seam fastball that has been up to 94 mph, the Louisiana State commit throws a two-seam fastball with sinking and running action that he uses to set up at-bats. He’ll then go to his four-seam fastball up in the zone, effectively climbing the latter against hitters with pinpoint control. He also has a hard-biting, 12-to-6 curveball that sits in the mid-70s and is an above-average offering, as well as a low-80s changeup that projects as a plus pitch. Fairly complete as a pitcher, the main knock on Marceaux is his size, as a 6-foot, 180-pound righthander. He’s also considered a tough sign.

 

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Nick Decker

HS OF

Notes:

School: Seneca HS, Tabernacle, N.J.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Maryland

Scouting Report: Decker is a left-left outfielder committed to Maryland with a polished approach at the plate. He’s developed a reputation as a talented hitter by repeatedly working quality at-bats throughout the summer and this spring. He has a very disciplined approach and an advanced understanding of the strike zone. This spring, he’s loosened up his hands and improved a swing path that was already solid. The team that drafts Decker will be all-in on the bat, as he profiles as a corner outfielder thanks to his average running ability and below-average arm. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Decker is hard to project too much on currently, but his power is likely close to average because of solid bat speed and a feel to backspin the baseball.

 

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Daniel Lynch

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Virginia

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Lynch’s stock soared after a standout summer for Orleans in the Cape Cod League that earned him an all-star appearance. But as a three-year starter for Virginia, Lynch has been decidedly average in terms of college performance, posting a 12-12, 4.72 record through 200 college innings. Lynch’s greatest assets are his 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame, lefthandedness and his above-average control of a four-pitch mix—all qualities that suggest he could be a starter at the next level. Lynch’s stuff is average across the board, with his low-80s changeup flashing above-average at times. He generally works 89-92 mph with his fastball, touching 93, and he throws both a slider and a curveball. Those breaking balls occasionally morph together, but when he’s at his best his slider is the more effective pitch at missing bats. Lynch doesn't have one standout tool, but the sum of his parts gives him a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation innings eater.

 

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Luke Bartnicki

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Walton HS, Marietta, Ga.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Georgia Tech

Scouting Report: Bartnicki has an interesting background as an athlete who developed a reputation as an impressive swimmer before he began to progress on the baseball field. A 6-foot-3, 210-pound lefthander, Bartnicki brings physicality to the mound and a broad frame unusual for a swimmer of his caliber, but one that is perfect for a durable arm on the mound. The Georgia Tech commit has reached the mid-90s in shorter stints, but mostly sits in the 89-92 mph range, with natural arm-side run and sink on his fastball from a lower three-quarter arm slot. He has a slider that’s been inconsistent this spring, looking like an above-average pitch with late-breaking action at times but also backing up and showing well below-average with poor spin and bite. He’s shown solid feel for a low- to mid-80s changeup as well that should become an average offering. Bartnicki has a slightly unorthodox delivery that can get out of sync at times but also leads to above-average deception and helps his fastball play up. The southpaw has a lot of exciting ingredients, such as his size, strength and athleticism. He could take huge steps forward as he gains consistency with his secondaries and refines his delivery.

 

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Cody Deason

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Arizona

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Deason has thrived as the Wildcats’ Friday night starter after spending his first two years in Tucson as a reliever and spot starter, with the highlight being a complete game shutout of UCLA in early May. His 2018 season follows an outstanding Cape Cod League performance in 2017, when he posted a 1.19 ERA while pitching out of the bullpen for Orleans. Despite his success as a starter this year, Deason is viewed by most talent evaluators as a likely reliever in pro ball. His delivery has effort, and while he has a four-pitch mix, he is most effective when using his fastball/curveball combo. Deason’s average fastball sits in the low 90s, touching 94-95 mph. His best out-pitch and most consistent offering is a 12-to-6 curveball that he can really spin, but it could be even more effective if it was a bit firmer than its current 72-75 mph velocity. Deason is expected to go off the board early on day two of the draft.

 

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Kameron Guangorena

HS C

Notes:

School: St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Cal State Fullerton

Scouting Report: Formerly known as Kameron Ojeda, Guangorena took the name of his stepfather, David, who helped raise him during his senior year. Guangorena is a shortstop-turned-catcher who has some exciting tools behind the plate with plus arm strength, athleticism and strong hands. He has a lot of rawness to iron out of his defensive game to actualize his potential, however, as he gets stiff and is inconsistent receiving higher-end velocity. He often sets up too deep on his heels, which can lock him up and prevent him from adjusting to poorly-spotted pitches. He has enough arm strength for the position, but needs to clean up his throwing mechanics and get a shorter release to play against better competition, as nearly no one runs on him presently. If a team is patient with him, he has above-average potential defensively. As a hitter Guangorena has feel for the barrel and has changed his swing from last summer. Previously, he would drift on his front side and spray balls around the field without much power. This spring, he’s shortened his stride and is sitting back in his load, with a longer path and a flyball approach that’s allowed him to tap into more power. That’s come with more swing and miss, but scouts still like his bat path and think he has enough ability to become an everyday hitter. The tools are there for a team to buy him out of a strong Cal State Fullerton commitment. It’s just a matter of developing polish on both sides of the ball and finding more consistency.

 

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Kerry Wright

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Montverde (Fla.) Academy

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 235 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisville

Scouting Report: Wright is a physical Florida righthander who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in around 230 pounds. Working with Montverde (Fla.) Academy’s nutrition and training staff, Wright has shed some of the poor weight he carried previously, going from an offensive line-type build to a cleaned up machine. That body improvement has allowed his stuff to improve this spring, as he went from 87-91 mph with his fastball to now regularly being in the 90-96 mph range with consistent 92 mph offerings. In addition to his solid-average fastball, Wright throws a 78-82 mph slider that breaks late with tight spin—a future plus breaking ball. In addition to his physical attributes and pure stuff, Wright is extremely young for his high school class.

 

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Isaiah Carranza

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Azusa Pacific (Calif.)

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rangers '15 (35)

Scouting Report: A 35th-round pick of the Rangers out of Damien (La Verne, Calif.) High in 2015, Carranza spent two years at Oregon before transferring closer to home to Division II Azusa Pacific. He emerged as the top Division II prospect on the West Coast, touching 97 mph and going 9-1, 3.89. Carranza has a prototypical pitcher’s build at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds and a strong right arm. He sits 93-94 mph, touches 97 and has room to grow into more velocity. His secondaries are much further behind. His slider is below-average, and his curveball and changeup are get-me-over pitches. He also has trouble keeping the ball down in the zone. Carranza starts now but projects as a reliever long-term due to his lack of secondaries and poor fastball command. His arm strength has teams interested around the fourth round.

 

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Korey Holland

HS OF

Notes:

School: Langham Creek HS, Houston

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 173 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas

Scouting Report: A Texas signee, Holland has steadily improved himself as a player. As he’s matured, he’s gone from being an average runner to a plus runner and he shows solid feel for hitting thanks to quick hands and a fluid swing. He’s shown very little power so far, but there are scouts who say they believe he will eventually grow into someone who can hit 10-15 home runs a year. His pro profile is still subject to much debate. His routes and reads need significant improvement if he’s going to stay in center field. If he can’t, his below-average arm limits him to left field, where his average hitting ability and present below-average power would limit him.

 

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Charles Mack

HS SS/3B/C

Notes:

School: Williamsville (N.Y.) East HS

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Clemson

Scouting Report: Committed to Clemson, Mack has above-average bat speed and routinely puts on a good show in batting practice with above-average raw power from his 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame. He’s cleaned up his hands and load over the last couple of years and scouts think he has a chance to be an above-average hitter. Mack is an infielder who plays mostly shortstop in high school, but there are questions about his defensive home in the future. If he stays on the infield, Mack’s range and defensive actions would seem to fit best at second base, although there are scouts that think he could be an above-average defensive catcher down the line. He doesn’t regularly catch for Williamsville (N.Y.) East, however, which makes projecting his future defensive value even tougher. A team that is firm in its belief of Mack’s defensive position and value will likely draft him somewhere between the second and fourth rounds, trusting that his ability to hit for both average and power will prove worthy.

 

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Davis Martin

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Texas Tech

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: When Steven Gingery was lost to Tommy John surgery at the start of the season, Martin ascended to the Friday night starter role for the Red Raiders. As he always does, he battled and rarely buckled, but his margin of error is pretty fine, as he just doesn’t have a true swing-and-miss pitch. His 90-91 mph fastball has some arm-side run and he’ll touch 93 mph, but it’s not firm enough to be successful unless he’s spotting it precisely and his command right now is not good enough to do that. He has potentially average control but below-average command, which means he often catches a little too much of the strike zone. Martin’s slider and changeup both are fringe-average to average pitches as well, and his slider in particular has backed up as the season wore on. Martin’s stuff is that of a back-of-the-rotation starter. With his track record of success, he’s likely to hear his name called on day two, but he lacks the ceiling of some of the pitchers who will be picked around him.

 

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Justin Jarvis

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Lake Norman HS, Mooresville, N.C.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 160 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: UNC Wilmington

Scouting Report: A UNC Wilmington commit, Jarvis in an enticing combination of projection and present stuff. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound righthander has touched as high as 95 mph this spring, often working in the 91-94 mph range with occasional sink. His 11-to-5 curveball flashes plus with good depth but sometimes lacks bite and can earn varying grades depending on what day a scout sees him. Jarvis shows at least some feel for a changeup as well, giving him starting pitcher upside. He throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a stab in the back of his delivery that could use some cleaning. He has shown pitching feel and projects to develop above-average to plus command. With room to add good weight to his frame, Jarvis offers the kind of projectability teams look for in high school pitchers. He is not a lock to get to campus in Wilmington.

 

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Micah Bello

HS OF

Notes:

School: Hilo (Hawaii) HS

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: St. Mary's

Scouting Report: Hawaii’s top draft prospect by a wide margin, Bello held his own during the Area Code Games and stood out at the MLB Prospect Development Pipeline showcase with an opposite-field, standup triple. The 6-foot, righthanded-hitting Bello has average or better tools across the board and a long track record of hitting. He takes aggressive swings with a small leg kick, above-average bat speed and a level bat path that produces frequent hard line drives. He’s aggressive but takes good at-bats and shows average power potential. Bello is playable in center field, but his average speed and above-average arm profile best in right field. He is one of the youngest players in the class, so his tools are still growing. Bello spent the offseason working out with Kolton and Kean Wong to prepare for pro ball. He is committed to St. Mary’s but expected to sign.

 

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Trey Dillard

JC RHP

Notes:

School: San Jacinto (Texas) JC

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Very few junior college relievers get drafted and even fewer will get popped early on day two of the draft, but Dillard is the exception thanks to his pair of plus pitches. Dillard’s 92-97 mph fastball is excellent with some arm-side run and modest plane, but it’s actually less impressive than his low-80s hammer of a 12-to-6 curveball. The curveball earns easy plus grades. He has plenty of arm speed and a strong frame. Dillard didn’t work all that much this year at San Jacinto, throwing only 15.2 innings in 16 appearances as of mid-May. He was dominant, however, going 1-0, 1.72 with 7 saves and 15.5 K/9. His control will need to improve. He’s generally around the zone, but he did walk 6.3 batters per nine innings this year.

 

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Alfonso Rivas

4YR OF/1B

Notes:

School: Arizona

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 184 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Observers have no doubt that Rivas will hit, with most evaluators putting a plus future grade on the hit tool. He followed a strong 2017 season—when he was a first team all-Pac 12 player and second team All-American—by getting himself into better shape and this year has been the anchor in the Wildcats lineup. Rivas is a lefthanded hitter with outstanding makeup. He has excellent knowledge of the strike zone and a short swing, giving him the ability to handle offspeed pitches and regularly hit the ball to the opposite field. The biggest question is whether Rivas will develop enough power to profile at either first base, which is his best defensive position, or a corner outfield spot. He doesn’t project to add much more strength to his frame, but he currently has average raw power. In games, he shows more doubles power than over-the-fence pop. Rivas played right field during his sophomore year in deference to J.J. Matijevic before moving to first base this spring. He’s an above-average defender at first base with above-average hands. While he feels comfortable in the outfield and flashes an above-average arm, Rivas is a below-average runner and doesn’t profile well, defensively, as an outfielder. His pure bat-to-ball skills should get Rivas drafted early on day two.

 

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Josh Stowers

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Louisville

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 208 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Buried on a star-studded Louisville roster his first two years, Stowers flashed hints of greatness batting in the bottom of the Cardinals order his sophomore season, hitting .364 in the College World Series en route to a more prominent role this spring. Louisville's best remaining position player, Stowers has batted in the top of the order and started in center field all season, slashing .311/.451/.483 with five home runs and 31 stolen bases in 37 attempts. The 6-foot, 205-pound righthanded hitter marries a plus hit tool with above-average speed and at least average power. Early in the season, Stowers struggled with a more pull-heavy, uppercut swing, but his numbers rebounded as he switched back to a more up-the-middle approach. While an everyday center fielder for Louisville, Stowers profiles as more of a left fielder in pro ball with a below-average arm. He doesn't have one key carrying tool, but the sum of his parts gives him upside.

 

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Jonathan Stiever

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Indiana

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 188 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A control-oriented righthander who has been a two-year Friday night starter for Indiana, Stiever is having his best season for the Hoosiers, with his strikeout rate ticking up significantly this spring. After striking out just 57 batters in 77 innings (6.63 K/9) during his first season as the Friday night starter in 2016, Stiever fanned 87 batters in 84.2 innings (9.25 K/9) through his first 13 games this spring. His stuff hasn’t taken a noticeable jump, but he has a great feel for a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball in the low 90s, a hard, spike-grip breaking ball in the low 80s and developing feel for an average changeup. His fastball can reach up to 95 mph at its best and it has slight arm side movement and occasional sink. Stiever is a solid athlete and repeats his release point consistently, which has allowed him to walk fewer than two batters per nine innings through parts of three seasons with Indiana. Because Stiever is so frequently in the zone, some scouts wonder if he’s too hittable. None of his pitches are plus offerings, although his breaking ball comes the closest as it occasionally shows 55 grades, and he’s allowed close to nine hits per nine innings in the Big 10. Last summer in the Cape Cod League, Stiever posted a 4.45 ERA in 28.1 innings, working mostly as a reliever, with 25 strikeouts and just two walks.

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Mason Englert

HS RHP/SS

Notes:

School: Forney (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: Every year the draft has a number of projectable young pitchers whose “arrows are pointing up” according to scouts. Englert is one of those, as he has the look and developing stuff of a future mid-rotation starter, even if it requires some projection right now. He can touch 94-95 with his fastball at times, but he has generally pitched at 88-90 mph. He’s a skinny 6-foot-5 with the frame to fill out over the next few years. Englert throws a promising slider and curveball that both need refinement and currently grade as fringy, but they flash enough to project into future above-average offerings. If Englert gets to Texas A&M it’s easy to see him developing into a potential first rounder in a few years, but an aggressive team could try to pay him enough now to skip the three-year wait.

 

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Grant Lavigne

HS 1B/3B

Notes:

School: Bedford (N.H.) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 230 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Wake Forest

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-4, 230-pound lefthanded hitter, Lavigne has some of the best power among prep bats in the draft class, with 70-grade raw power. Lavigne has been complimented for cleaning up his body leading up to the draft and is considered a decent athlete for his size, although he projects as a first baseman in most evaluators’ eyes. If that’s the case, Lavigne’s draft stock largely depends on his hit tool. Lavigne has displayed good feel to hit this spring in New Hampshire—where the competition is questionable—and he will need to continue to hit in order to tap into his power—his one carrying tool. If a team believes in his bat, then Lavigne could easily go in the top three rounds. Worst case, Lavigne could head to Wake Forest, where he could build up a track record of hitting against ACC competition and maybe even prove he can handle third base or left field, which would significantly help his profile.

 

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Grant Koch

4YR C

Notes:

School: Arkansas

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Koch established himself as a potential first-day pick as a sophomore, when he hit 13 home runs for Arkansas and followed that up by hitting .372 with 10 walks and 11 strikeouts in 43 at-bats for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer. He’s failed to match that production as a junior, though, as he was hitting .273/.386/.448 with seven home runs as of mid-May. Koch has struggled as pitchers worked him away constantly in the SEC this year, but he still has a good understanding of the strike zone and could produce solid on-base percentages with the power to run into 15 home runs with everyday at-bats. Defensively, he’s shown steady improvement. His average arm plays up because he’s accurate with his throws and his footwork and transfer have gotten better at Arkansas. His lateral movement is his biggest challenge defensively and he’ll have to continue to work on improving his agility.

 

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Kyle Bradish

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: New Mexico State

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Part of a huge 35-man recruiting class New Mexico State coach Brian Green brought to Las Cruses in 2016, Bradish quickly separated himself from the rest of the pack, solidifying a weekend rotation role that he's maintained all three seasons. Bradish opened eyes in the Cape Cod League last summer, starting on a temporary contract and earning an all-star nod. Bradish earned mixed reports earlier this spring with lower velocity than he showed in the Cape, but he's picked it back up since then, working 91-93 mph and touching 96 mph. He creates great angle with his over-the-top arm slot, especially with his 12-to-6 curveball, which has excellent depth and has taken a jump forward this season. It's a swing-and-miss pitch with plus potential. Bradish still needs to work on a third pitch, and he needs to limit his walks—he has 104 strikeouts to 47 walks through 74.2 innings this season. But his combination of present stuff and his projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame give him starter's upside. Bradish should be off the board by the third or fourth round.

 

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Austin Bergner

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: North Carolina

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Red Sox '16 (38)

Scouting Report: Drafted in the 38th round by the Red Sox out of Florida in 2016, Bergner opted to honor his commitment to North Carolina. The lanky 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthander ranked No. 165 in the BA 500 and was one of UNC's blue-chip pitching recruits that year, along with fellow Floridian righthander Tyler Baum. Bergner pitched primarily out of the bullpen his freshman year but has started on Saturdays this season. He's been inconsistent as a starter, posting a 5-2, 4.70 record through 10 starts, but he has the stuff to dominate in any given outing. Bergner sits comfortably in the mid-90s, averaging 94 mph with his fastball, and holds that velocity deep into games. His fastball command has improved over the course of the season, but he still has spurts where it gets away from him. He complements his fastball with a plus, low-80s changeup with sharp downward action and a fringy upper-70s breaking ball that sometimes shows better. While his arsenal gives him the chance to start, Bergner's effortful, unconventional arm action scares off some scouts and could ultimately push him to the bullpen at the next level. Just a sophomore, Bergner has leverage if teams don't meet his number in the draft, as he could return for another season in UNC's weekend rotation and attempt to build his stock further.

 

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Dylan Coleman

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Missouri State

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: An athletic, 6-foot-6 righthander with a track record of success and an ability to generate easy velocity, Coleman is a high-upside arm out of Missouri State. He struck out 11.7 batters per nine innings and reached double digits in strikeouts in four of his first 14 outings this season. His 91-95 mph fastball will touch 97-98 almost every outing and has plenty of downhill plane. Early in the game when he’s letting it loose, Coleman shows the ability to generate moderate arm side run. His 80-82 mph slider flashes plus as well, as he can get some late tilt on it. He struggles to maintain his velocity deeper into games, as both his velocity and control back up as he wears down. In later innings, he’ll often sit 90-91 mph. Some scouts project him moving to the bullpen because of that, while other evaluators believe he has the stuff to remain in the rotation. If he does move to the bullpen, scouts see him as someone who could one day throw 100 mph.

 

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Andrew Quezada

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Cal State Fullerton

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '17 (20)

Scouting Report: The Rays drafted Quezada in the 20th round out of Cypress (Calif.) JC a year ago, but he opted to attend Fullerton and became the Titans’ Sunday starter. After an up-and-down start, Quezada finished the year strong, throwing two complete-game shutouts in his final four starts. Quezada has more arm strength but less control than the stereotypical Fullerton righthander. He pitches at 92-93 mph, but can reach back for 95-96 and holds his velocity deep into outings. His slider and changeup flash average but aren’t consistent. Quezada struggles with his control and his fastball gets squared up more than evaluators would like. He doesn’t generate much downhill plane from his 6-foot-1 frame, so when his stuff flattens out, it gets hit. Even so, Quezada has a long track record of success. A solid year at the Division I level, combined with his arm strength, has Quezada in consideration in the first five rounds.

 

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J.P. Gates

HS LHP/1B

Notes:

School: Nature Coast Tech HS, Spring Hill, Fla.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Miami

Scouting Report: Gates in one of the rare high-floor high school prospects, as an advanced lefthander without a lot of future projection because of a physically mature body and lack of quick-twitch athleticism. A Miami commit, Gates would be a two-way player with the Hurricanes and has some power in his bat, but most major league teams see him as a pitcher in pro ball. He’s regularly in the 88-92 mph range with his fastball and throws strikes frequently thanks to a delivery that he repeats well and leads to future plus command grades. His best offering is a wipeout slider in the upper 70s and low 80s that has late-breaking action and has been a consistent weapon throughout the summer, fall and spring. In addition to his slider, Gates will throw a 50-grade, low-80s changeup that he keeps down in the zone.

 

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Jake Mangum

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Mississippi State

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | B-T: B-L | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '17 (30)

Scouting Report: Mangum burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2016, when he hit .408 and helped Mississippi State to a Southeastern Conference title. Mangum, the son of former Chicago Bears and Alabama defensive back John Mangum, played through a broken left hand—his throwing hand—as a sophomore. He missed just two games all season and hit .324. A draft-eligible sophomore, he was a difficult sign and chose to return to school after being taken in the 30th round by the Yankees. After a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, Mangum is back to full health and has returned to his freshman form. His game is based around his contact ability and well above-average speed. The switch-hitter has exceptional bat-to-ball skills and takes full advantage of his speed at the plate, though to the detriment of hitting for power. He is an aggressive hitter and rarely walks as a result. Mangum’s speed also plays well in center field, where he is an above-average defender with a solid arm. His game is something of a throwback, but his feel for hitting, speed and defensive ability give him some sought-after tools.

 

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Noah Song

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Navy

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Much like Air Force righthander Griffin Jax in 2016—a Twins third-round pick—there’s an air of mystery surrounding Song heading into the draft. Song has a commitment to the Naval Academy that he’d need to work out in order to pitch in pro ball right away. A three-year starter for the Midshipmen, Song has been one of the Patriot League’s most dominating arms, going 21-10, 2.61 across 227.1 career innings and going 6-3, 1.42 with 106 strikeouts to 33 walks through 76 innings this spring. Song’s best attributes are his durable, 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame and his sheer arm strength. He has touched as high as 98 mph this spring, but generally sits in the low to mid-90s with average control. While both his body and arm are attractive to scouts, Song throws a below-average breaking ball and lacks a third pitch, making him a long-term project and capping his ceiling. Song’s fastball alone is usually enough to put away hitters in the Patriot League. That kind of arm strength normally would be enough for a team to take a flier, but Song’s Navy commitment makes him a riskier draft-day investment than most.

 

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Brennen Davis

HS OF

Notes:

School: Basha HS, Chandler, Ariz.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Miami

Scouting Report: Davis has been a tough one to scout this spring, as he has struggled with a hamstring problem for much of his senior year. He was already more of a projection, having come to baseball late after spending more time playing basketball early in his high school career. Davis was a key contributor when Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) captured the Arizona 6A state championship in his junior year before he started focusing strictly on a baseball career. An above-average or better runner when healthy, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Davis uses easy, graceful strides in the outfield and on the bases, an his above-average arm gets good carry. The big question with Davis is the development of his bat, as he is still very raw at the plate. He has good, quick hands, but doesn’t yet understand how to adjust them to the pitch or leverage his body, resulting in current below-average power. He showed improvement last fall at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., and scouts more recently have noticed more fluidity in his swing. Davis is your typical high-risk, high-reward prospect who would likely require two years of Rookie ball before advancing to a higher minor league level if he signs. He could go as high as the third round, but Davis is an outstanding student who could choose to honor his commitment to Miami if he drops too far in the draft.

 

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Kendrick Calilao

HS OF

Notes:

School: The First Academy, Orlando

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: One of the best pure hitters in the class, Calilao doesn’t come loaded with supplemental tools, but he has an extremely simple, short and repeatable swing that leads to hard, consistent contact. For some area scouts, Calilao is one of the premier bats in Florida. Committed to the in-state Gators, Calilao currently has a line drive approach and sprays the ball all over the field. He doesn’t have much raw power currently, but with his 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame and ability to barrel the baseball in any part of the strike zone, scouts believe he will develop above-average power in the future. A below-average runner, Calilao has been working with a running coach to improve, but he projects to stick in a corner outfield spot. He has a plus arm, giving him the tools to stick in right field. He’s also shown impressive athleticism and route-running ability that could allow him to be a solid defender at the position, despite a lack of foot speed.

 

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Max Marusak

HS OF

Notes:

School: Amarillo (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas Tech

Scouting Report: Called the “Amarillo Flash,” by scouts, Marusak—who attends Amarillo (Texas) High—has an 80-grade nickname to go with his 80-grade speed. Arguably the fastest player in the entire class, Marusak floats around the bases and outfield with ease, giving himself plus-plus range in center field to go along with plus arm strength. He had a loud showing at the Area Code Games last summer, where he displayed tremendous bat speed and barreled one ball deep into the left-center field gap with an aggressive swing. That last part is where scouts have to do some projecting, as Marusak has struggled with the bat this spring against north Texas competition that is not great. He has swing-and-miss issues that come from both bat-to-ball questions and questions regarding how well he sees spin. His swing path and mechanics itself are not bad, but a team will have to be very patient with him in professional ball. He has the physical tools to improve in this area, and his speed will always give him more room for error than other players, but as scouts have said—you can’t steal first base. The upside is tremendous with Marusak because of his off-the-chart speed, and a loud performance at a big-time national event should give him a chance at being drafted in the first few rounds.

 

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Antoine Duplantis

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Louisiana State

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 174 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Duplantis wears No. 8, which means something at LSU. The number is awarded to a team leader and has been worn in the past by Mikie Mahtook and Alex Bregman, among others. Duplantis is the Tigers’ leading hitter this year thanks to some of the best hand-eye coordination in the college class, although scouts aren’t thrilled with how his hands work in his swing. He can spray line drives but has below-average power potential. Duplantis has slowed down a little during his three years at LSU, but he’s still an above-average runner who knows how to pick his spots to steal (14 of 18 on stolen base attempts). Duplantis is an above-average defender who covers plenty of ground in a corner outfield spot, but his arm is well below-average, which doesn’t really play in right field.

 

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Jake Irvin

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Oklahoma

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Twins '15 (37)

Scouting Report: A 37th-round pick of the Twins out of high school in Minnesota, Irvin is a three-year starter for the Sooners who has been one of the best pitchers in the Big 12 this season. Irvin has steadily improved in his three years at Oklahoma, culminating with his 6-1, 3.16 season this year with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings as of mid-May. A big, 6-foot-6, 225-pound righthander, Irvin attacks hitters with a 90-94 mph fastball and a low-80s slider that has good late finish. Irvin throws strikes with average control and has shown the ability to locate and manipulate his slider. He barely uses his changeup, so scouts question how good it can be, but he’ll flash a fringe-average change in bullpen sessions.

 

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Garrett Wade

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Hartselle (Ala.) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Auburn

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-2 southpaw with tremendous feel to spin a breaking ball, Wade doesn’t have the otherworldly spin rate that Carter Stewart possesses, but he might come closer than any other prep pitcher in the class. He’s always had a feel for snapping off a powerful curveball, but during Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship last fall, Wade’s slider looked better than it had in the past and his feel for spinning the ball leads to plus projections on both offerings. The curveball is a mid-70s offering that is looser in shape than a hard, low- to mid-80s slider. Which pitch is ahead depends on which scout you ask, but no one in the industry doubts either of the offerings. His fastball is more pedestrian, as Wade sits in the 88-92 mph range. At the Perfect Game event, TrackMan had him up to 94 mph, but scouts dispute those numbers and say he was in the upper 80s. Wade doesn’t have premium athleticism, but he has more than his delivery indicates and as a lefthander with immense feel for spin, he should be an attractive commodity. Wade is committed to Auburn.

 

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Richie Palacios

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Towson

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: The first Towson player ever named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Year, Palacios is an intriguing infielder with professional bloodlines. His father, Richard, played in the Tigers organization, his uncle, Rey, played parts of three seasons with the Royals and his brother, Josh, played for San Jacinto (Texas) JC and Auburn before being selected by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Richie has shown a knack for hitting throughout his time with Towson, following up his record-setting freshman campaign (.329/.415/.480) with an even better sophomore season in 2017, when he hit .338/.417/.502 with five home runs. Palacios was the only member of Towson’s club to start all 54 games in 2017 and he led the Tigers in hits (72), runs (43) and stolen bases (19). This spring, he’s continued to do more of the same at the plate, hitting .316/.463/.542 with a career-high eight home runs through 49 games. Palacios, who currently has average raw power, has added more pop in each of his seasons at Towson, culminating this spring with an OPS over 1.000 and an isolated slugging over .200—both of which are career highs. With that power has also come a dramatically improved strikeout-to-walk ratio, as Palacios had a walk rate around 19 percent compared to a strikeout rate below seven percent after 49 games. Both of those are career bests, though Palacios has walked more than he’s struck out in each of his three seasons at Towson. Defensively, Palacios has the twitchy athleticism and speed—he ran a plus-plus 60-yard dash at Towson’s scout day—to give himself a chance to stick at shortstop. His arm is fringe-average, however, so he might be better suited to move to second base or take on a utility role. His run times to first base are not as regularly impressive as his 60-yard dash time would indicate, but he has stolen 74 bases at an 86 percent success rate through parts of three seasons. If a team thinks Palacios can handle shortstop, he may be drafted as high as the third or fourth round.

 

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Jonathan Ornelas

HS SS

Notes:

School: Kellis HS, Glendale, Ariz.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 160 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Tennessee

Scouting Report: Ornelas made big strides in the offseason, when the righthanded-hitting shortstop added strength and started showcasing the ability to turn on pitches with hard contact. The looming question—which has received varying answers from scouts—is whether Ornelas will be able to stay at shortstop in the future. His plus hands and above-average to plus arm are enough for the position, but his limited range and tick below-average speed may push Ornelas to second or third base. Regardless of where he winds up defensively, Ornelas projects to have enough bat for any infield position. He has an aggressive but short swing with surprising power for his size, and shows the ability to use the whole field. Ornelas has also been clocked in the low 90s from the mound, but it’s not likely any team will take him as a pitcher. He is committed to Tennessee, but if he’s singable, Ornelas will likely not get past the fourth or fifth round.

 

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John Rooney

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Hofstra

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 225 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-5, 225-pound lefthander, Rooney has had an incredible season for Hofstra in 2018. Through his first 12 starts, Rooney compiled a 8-1, 1.01 record, striking out 99 batters and walking 22 in 89 innings. He also pitched in the Cape Cod League last summer, and while his overall numbers (1-2, 4.38 with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks in 37 innings) weren’t great, he was better in the second half of the summer. Rooney’s fastball can reach 93 mph and he also throws an above-average slider that comes across in the low to mid-80s. He does well throwing both pitches for strikes and shows at least average control. He’s remade his body since his summer in the Cape and has lost some weight, but he still isn’t overly athletic. He also has a longer arm action and has yet to find consistency with his third-pitch changeup. For those reasons, there is some reliever risk with Rooney, who could be an effective two-pitch lefty out of the bullpen. But it’s hard to argue with Rooney’s results as a junior, so if a team believes in his ability to find an average third pitch he could go off the board higher than his ranking suggests.

 

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Joey Gerber

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Illinois

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Illinois’ closer has effectively shut the door on hitters around the Big Ten, as his 93-96 mph fastball is enough to blow away hitters and he mixes in an above-average slider as well. He’s even flashed an average changeup, although he barely ever throws it. Gerber is a pure relief prospect with a reliever’s delivery, which limits how high he will be drafted, but he has present stuff to handle a setup role and a track record of success (0-1, 2.74, 13 saves with 38 strikeouts and nine walks in 23 innings).

 

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Taj Bradley

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Redan HS, Stone Mountain, Ga.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: South Carolina

Scouting Report: A Georgia pop-up player, Bradley is tremendously young for the 2018 class. Born in March 2001, Bradley oozes upside in part because of his youth, as well as his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, physicality and athleticism. One of the more raw pitchers in the class, Bradley has played a lot of outfield but is newer to the mound, where he has a higher upside in pro ball. He throws in the low 90s and gets up to 93 mph at times, but his curveball is presently below-average and certainly a work in progress. A South Carolina commit, Bradley has been crosschecked regularly this spring and also pitched in a prominent late spring showcase with several Georgia players, including Ethan Hankins. A team will have to dream on his secondaries and overall polish, but Bradley is young enough to get more leeway and has exciting potential that could prevent him from getting to the Gamecocks.

 

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Cory Acton

HS 3B/2B/OF

Notes:

School: American Heritage School, Plantation, Fla.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 165 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: Acton is an advanced high school hitter who has been on the national scene for years, hitting in the middle of an American Heritage lineup that has included Mark Vientos—a second-round selection in 2017—and Triston Casas, who is a likely first-rounder in 2018. Acton isn’t simply a prospect who’s gotten attention because of the players around him, however, as his hitting ability and plate discipline stacks up with the top prep hitters in the class. Acton has good bat speed and natural timing at the plate, with the rhythm and barrel awareness that allows him to lace hard line drives all over the field. His hands are quiet and he’s explosive to the ball with a compact swing that allows him to consistently be on time against both premium velocity and offspeed offerings. Where Acton fits defensively is the biggest question, as he’s played third base, shortstop, second and outfield in high school. Most pro teams envision him as either a third baseman—where his above-average arm strength will play—or as an offensive-oriented second baseman with below-average speed.

 

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Hogan Harris

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Louisiana-Lafayette

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Seen at his best, Harris looks like a second or third-round pick with a whippy fast arm and excellent flexibility, but he’s struggled to stay healthy and maintain that stuff. The lefty sits 92-95 mph on those great days. He had that kind of stuff when he shut down Louisiana State, allowing one unearned run in four innings. But he’s missed some time with an oblique injury and has had other starts where he pitches with 4-5 mph less on his fastball. When he has good arm speed, his slider and changeup also flash above-average. He’s able to manipulate and locate his slider, which helps it play up. Harris has had plenty of success—he’s 4-1, 2.33 this year on the heels of posting a 2.66 ERA that was fifth-best in the Sun Belt Conference last season. His ability to battle with less than his best stuff bodes well for his chance to work in pro ball as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

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D.J. Artis

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Liberty

Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 165 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Red Sox '15 (40)

Scouting Report: A third-team BA All-American in 2017, Artis has been a steady three-year starter for Liberty with a strong college track record of hitting. A 40th-round draftee of the Red Sox out of high school, Artis is a no-doubt center fielder with plus speed, albeit fringy lefthanded arm strength. Scouts are more divided on Artis' offensive approach. The small-framed, 5-foot-11, 195-pound lefthanded hitter crouches unusually low at the plate, shrinking his strike zone. He pairs the stance with a noticeably passive approach, which has been effective at the college level. He led the country with a program-record 62 walks last season and placed second nationally with a .532 on-base percentage. This spring, he's slashed .305/.464/.489 through 190 at-bats. Despite his statistical track record, some evaluators are skeptical his approach will play at the next level. Artis has several moving parts in his swing, and his hit tool ranks over his mostly gap power. He has bat speed, but he could require some tweaking to fully unlock his offensive potential. However, with his speed and defensive ability, as well as his advanced plate discipline, Artis profiles as a speedy leadoff type with a fourth-outfielder floor.

 

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Nick Sandlin

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Southern Mississippi

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After two excellent seasons as Southern Miss’ closer, Sandlin this spring moved to the front of the rotation with great success. His impressive season sent him shooting up draft boards despite his unusual profile. Listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Sandlin is undersized and typically throws from a sidearm slot, though he’ll also raise it to more of a three-quarters look. He has shown the ability to hold his stuff deep in games and he can get both righthanders and lefthanders out. His fastball sits in the low 90s with plenty of run and sink. His slider is a wipeout pitch and he has also developed a solid changeup that gives him a weapon against lefthanded hitters. Sandlin has above-average command and stands out for his athleticism. He has tremendous feel for pitching and his performance this spring makes a case that he can be a starter, although his profile would suggest a return to the bullpen is a strong possibility. If he returns to relieving, Sandlin could shoot through the minor leagues and either work as a bullpen ace or in high-leverage situations.

[TheHurl]

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Adam Wolf

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Louisville

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Wolf lacks a plus pitch, but that has not kept him from being a very effective Friday starter for the Cardinals this season (6-2, 2.42) after two excellent seasons in Louisville’s bullpen. The 6-foot-6 lefty sits at 88-91 mph, bumping up to 92-93 when he needs a little extra. His cutter is an average pitch, but its his best offering and he mixes in a fringy slider as well. Wolf doesn’t rely on as many changeups as many lower-velo lefties, but it’s still an effective fringe-average pitch and he’ll occasionally surprise a hitter with a slow, early-count curveball. Wolf is a back-of-the-rotation starter in pro ball. While he doesn’t have dominating stuff, he’s demonstrated that he’s crafty and knows how to set up hitters.

 

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Reid Schaller

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Vanderbilt

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Schaller missed last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, returning healthy this spring as a redshirt freshman. He came out firing, running his fastball up to 99 mph. Schaller has a fast arm and produces big velocity, consistently sitting 94-97 out of the bullpen. His slider is his main secondary offering and flashes above-average potential but hasn’t been consistent. He also has a seldom-used changeup. He throws his fastball for strikes and works it to both sides of the plate. Schaller, listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, is the rare draft-eligible freshman. His high-effort delivery and arm action mean he will likely stay in the bullpen in pro ball.

 

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Nick Dunn

4YR 2B

Notes:

School: Maryland

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Dunn has started every game of his Maryland career and has compiled a long track record of hitting. He was the Terrapins’ leading hitter as a freshman and is again leading the team this spring. He had two productive summers in the Cape Cod League, where he was an all-star in 2016 and the co-playoff MVP in 2017. Dunn stands out most for his pure hitting ability. The lefthanded hitter has fast hands and a mature approach at the plate, enabling him to spray line drives to all fields. He has above-average command of the strike zone and has walked more than he has struck out during his college career. Listed at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, he can flash power and this year he has nearly doubled his career home run total, but power is unlikely to ever be a big part of his game. Dunn has improved defensively, but his range is still fringy for a second baseman. His bat is critical to his profile and if he continues to hit, he’ll find a home defensively.

 

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Bryce Montes de Oca

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Missouri

Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 261 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Nationals '17 (15)

Scouting Report: Montes de Oca had to wait quite a while to get going at Missouri. After barely pitching as a freshman, he redshirted the following year to have ulnar nerve transposition surgery, which could be considered a follow-up to the Tommy John surgery he had in high school. Since then, Montes de Oca has proved that his massive fastball is back, and he’s done a good job of improving his control. He was drafted by the Nationals in the 15th round last year, which was one round later than when the White Sox took him in the 14th round out of high school in 2014. Instead of signing with the Nationals, Montes de Oca opted to return to Missouri and began his redshirt junior season by striking out 12, throwing the first seven innings of a no-hitter against Maryland Baltimore County. He also held Auburn to one hit in six scoreless innings, but after being scratched from a start against Florida because of a stiff neck, he bounced back-and-forth between the Tigers’ bullpen and weekend rotation. Montes de Oca’s lengthy medical history turns off some teams and the massive, 6-foot-7, 245-pound righthander doesn’t always maintain his delivery, which explains his five walks per nine innings. Even with those control issues, he’s 6-4, 3.21 and has held opposing hitters to a .174 average this season while striking out 10.6 batters per nine innings. As a starter, he sits 94-97 mph and touches 98-99 pretty much every time out. He’s ticked 100 mph at times. In addition to his plus-plus fastball, his slurvy, 85-86 mph slider is a plus pitch thanks to its power, even if its shape is less than ideal. Montes de Oca’s control troubles may lead to an eventual move to the bullpen if a pro team isn’t extremely patient, but as a reliever, he could be a fast mover thanks to two plus pitches.

 

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Jacob Campbell

HS C

Notes:

School: Craig HS, Janesville, Wis.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Illinois

Scouting Report: Campbell is one of several solid prospects who was hurt by the cold weather that delayed the start of baseball seasons in the upper Midwest. It’s a pity because scouts have long been impressed with his combination of a physical frame, solid receiving skills and an average arm. Campbell, an Illinois signee, is a good athlete and an average runner. At the plate, he has a line-drive approach that is more geared to singles and doubles than home runs, but his swing works and he stays balanced. Even with less time to evaluate him than many other prospects, Campbell could still be an early day two pick for a team that likes his well-rounded toolset.

 

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Brandon Neeck

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Horace Greeley HS, Chappaqua, N.Y.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Virginia

Scouting Report: A Virginia commit, Neeck is an athletic lefthander with a fluid delivery that features some deception. He missed some time earlier in the spring due to a minor back injury, but has since returned to the mound and pitched well. Neeck’s fastball sits comfortably in the 88-91 mph range, touching 92, and features some arm-side run. Neeck shows good feel for a solid-average slider, especially when he throws it in the low 80s and it features more sharp break than slurvy shape. He consistently finds the strike zone with both his fastball and slider, but a lack of a third pitch—which he doesn’t really need against New York prep competition—is at least a mild cause for concern when considering his chance to be a starting pitcher at the next level. A team selecting Neeck in the top three rounds is not out of the question.

 

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Frank German

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: North Florida

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: German has risen up draft boards this year by dominating. The Atlantic Sun has produced pitcher after pitcher, but few have posted a 1.36 ERA like German has this year. He has an easily plus fastball that sits 92-94 mph and touches 96 mph. His development as a pro will depend on improving the consistency of his slurvy breaking ball. It’s at least an average pitch, but with a little more consistency, it could end up being above-average if he can tighten the shape of it. The curveball generally is more slurve than curve, but every now and then he tightens it up to a harder, 11-to-5 offering that flashes above-average. German has a strong frame and solid delivery with athleticism and good strikethrowing that could propel him into the fourth or fifth rounds.

 

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Grant Little

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Texas Tech

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Little is a left fielder who most scouts grade as having below-average power. That would seem to be the kind of player teams would pass on, but, as a draft-eligible sophomore, Little is an athletic, versatile player with an outstanding ability to put the barrel on the ball. Even though he plays left field for the Red Raiders, there’s enough athleticism that scouts believe he can play second or third base, as well as some center field, in pro ball. He makes good reads and takes solid routes to make the most of his average speed and he has even played some shortstop in fall ball. His fringe-average arm keeps him from projecting there, but he could play shortstop in an emergency. Little’s swing is compact and generates plenty of contact. Scouts are particularly impressed with his pitch recognition and his ability to do damage when he gets into hitters’ counts. He has hit 10 home runs this season as part of his .380/.478/.678 slash line, but scouts don’t see average power during batting practice and several of his home runs are of the wind-blown variety.

 

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Ryan Olenek

4YR OF/2B

Notes:

School: Mississippi

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Olenek is a Swiss Army knife of a player whose value is in part based around versatility more than defensive excellence at any one position. He’s athletic and he’s an above-average runner who can play all three outfield spots, second or third base, and even shortstop in a pinch. He played all six of the aforementioned positions at Ole Miss. If Olenek was just versatile, it wouldn’t really matter, but he also has an above-average hit tool thanks to excellent hand-eye coordination. As of mid-May, Olenek led the Southeastern Conference with a .396 batting average. Olenek is officially 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, but scouts say they believe he’s closer to 200 pounds right now and won’t be surprised to see him add another 15-20 pounds as a pro. That frame leads them to believe his currently below-average power can improve as well.

 

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Brett Kinneman

4YR OF

Notes:

School: North Carolina State

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 197 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A three-year starter and middle-of-the-order bat for North Carolina State, Kinneman surged up draft boards earlier this spring, when he hit 12 home runs in his first 106 at-bats—at that point an NCAA-leading total—and slashed .340/.413/.774. The York, Penn., native has since cooled, adding only one homer in his 80 at-bats since then and seeing his average nosedive to .285, which is more in line with career norms. Kinneman has a quick lefthanded bat and thunderous raw power that can lead to majestic shots when he connects. However, like many power hitters, he’s hamstrung by swing-and-miss issues and can be pitched to, striking out 49 times to 31 walks through 46 games this spring. Pushed to left field due to the presence of the more dynamic Josh McClain and Brock Deathrage, Kinneman runs well enough and has enough arm strength to handle center field if needed, but he has more of a corner outfield profile long term. Kinneman’s torrid start had him looking like a potential third-round pick, but he could fall a round or two further due to his second-half slide. He’s a college performer who has fared well against premium arms in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but questions with his overall hit tool and swing-and-miss tendencies drag him down.

 

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Cole Roederer

HS OF

Notes:

School: Hart HS, Santa Clarita, Calif.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: UCLA

Scouting Report: Roederer is a small, athletic, lefthanded-hitting center fielder who began showing big power this year, drawing comparisons to Andrew Benintendi. He catapulted into third-round consideration before he separated his right (non-throwing) shoulder horsing around with teammates after practice and missed the final month of the season. Roederer is a toolsy player with bat speed who got stronger and reworked his swing to add power this season. He began launching long home runs on par with anyone in the region, enough for optimistic scouts to project him as a 20-25 home run hitter. The power rounded out Roederer’s well-rounded toolset. He is an above-average runner whose speed plays up in center field due to his advanced instincts and reads, and his arm is suitably average. With hints of all five tools and growing power, Roederer has the upside of an above-average everyday center fielder, but other scouts are skeptical of his size and injury history, which also includes a pulled hamstring this year. He is strongly committed to UCLA and will be an expensive sign.

 

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Owen Sharts

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Simi Valley (Calif.) HS

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Nevada

Scouting Report: Sharts had evaluators’ interest at the beginning of the year and boosted his stock with a star turn in front of scouting directors at the Boras Classic, pitching a one-hit shutout in Simi Valley’s opener. Sharts stands out as one of the most polished prep pitchers in the class with three pitches, control and durability. Sharts pitches at 89-91 mph and touches 93-94. Unlike most high schoolers, who hit their top velocity early before fading, he holds his stuff and still reaches 90 mph in the late innings. His 81-83 mph changeup is ahead of his 74-76 mph curveball, but both project to average. Sharts throws all his pitches for strikes and has room to add velocity as he fills out his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. He draws strong reviews for his makeup and mental toughness, embracing jokes about his last name. Sharts also has baseball bloodlines. His uncle, Scott Sharts, holds Cal State Northridge’s single-season home run record and played three seasons in the minors. Sharts’ complete package and pedigree has him in third- to fifth-round consideration. He comes from an affluent area and will be an expensive sign. He is committed to Nevada.

 

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Grant Witherspoon

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Tulane

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 203 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Witherspoon will likely have to wait until 100 or more players are drafted before his name is called. But he has a better shot of being a big leaguer than many of those who will be taken before him. As a productive lefthanded-hitting center fielder who can play all three outfield spots, he projects as a likely fourth outfielder who provides defensive value. In center field, Witherspoon is an above-average defender thanks to good reads and routes to go with average speed. Offensively, he’s a streaky hitter, but when locked in, he can mash. His 10 home runs lead Tulane as of mid-May, when he was hitting .337/.449/.589. Both his power and hitting ability are fringe-average to average. If he gets everything out of his bat as a pro he could be a second-division regular, but with his average arm he has an excellent fallback option as a versatile reserve.

 

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Paul Richan

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: San Diego

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never drafted

Scouting Report: Richan supplanted Nick Sprengel as San Diego’s top starter and most-desired draft prospect this spring, launched in part by a dominant outing against Michigan at the Tony Gwynn Classic. Richan is a polished righthander with a four-pitch mix, headlined by a plus slider. At his best, Richan’s fastball sits 91-92 mph and touches 94, and he can mix in an average changeup as well. He uses his fastball and changeup to get ahead and then finishes batters with his slider. Richan tired as the season went on and sat more 88-91 mph toward the end, cooling some of the early interest. His fastball command also slipped at the end of the season and resulted in a lot of contact, although he still threw strikes. A poor finish made his season numbers look pedestrian, but Richan showed evaluators enough early in the year that they still consider him a talent worthy of a pick in the top five rounds.

 

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Jimmy Herron

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Duke

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '17 (31)

Scouting Report: Draft-eligible last June as a sophomore, Herron was drafted by the Yankees in the 31st round but elected to play in the Cape Cod League instead, where he impressed scouts by ranking third in the league in batting average (.338). Herron has put up similar numbers in his career at Duke, slashing .316/.414/.446 in two and a half seasons. An immediate contributor for the Blue Devils, Herron has served as a spark plug at the top of the order, using a compact righthanded swing that is geared for line drives and employing his plus speed on the basepaths. Herron hasn’t been as consistent at the plate this season, with a bat path that has been more uphill than scouts are used to seeing. But when he stays within himself, Herron is among the best pure hitters at the college level. As far as his other tools, Herron’s below-average arm strength limits his versatility in the outfield. He has the speed and range to handle center field, but his arm has relegated him to left field for Duke and could cap his ceiling as a fourth outfielder at the next level. A righthanded, contact-oriented left fielder is typically not a highly sought-after profile, but Herron’s hitting ability, makeup and baseball IQ elevate his stock.

 

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Zach Linginfelter

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Tennessee

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 215 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '16 (16)

Scouting Report: Linginfelter has bounced back and forth between the bullpen and rotation for Tennessee, but when he’s repeating his somewhat energetic delivery, he can dominate. He did just that in a late-season start against Missouri, when he struck out 14 in seven innings. Linginfelter’s 92-97 mph fastball is explosive enough to overpower hitters. It has good late life and some arm-side run. He’ll also mix in an average breaking ball at times. But at other times the velocity tails off, largely because of delivery issues, the fastball straightens out and he struggles to find the strike zone. Linginfelter’s below-average control did improve as the season wore on and his final numbers (3-4, 3.93 with 71 strikeouts and 38 walks in 55 innings) could entice a team to pay the draft-eligible sophomore. It’s more likely than not he’ll make it back to Tennessee for one more year. With some more refinement, he could go much higher in next year’s draft.

 

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Levi Kelly

HS RHP

Notes:

School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Kelly transferred to IMG Academy this spring to play with Blaze Alexander and several other talented 2018 prep prospects. This spring, Kelly’s velocity has returned to the range that scouts have seen in the past, as the 6-foot-4 Louisiana State commit was in the upper 80s and low 90s over the summer but has regularly touched 95-96 mph this spring. He consistently pitches in the 91-92 mph range, though his fastball is fairly flat without natural movement. He has a fringe-average slider to go along with his fastball, though scouts note that both of those offerings would play up in the bullpen. With some effort in his delivery and a slight head whack, a reliever profile is what many scouts write down for Kelly, but his natural arm strength is exciting wherever he lands.

 

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Brandon Williamson

JC LHP

Notes:

School: North Iowa Area JC

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Texas Christian

Scouting Report: An athletic, 6-foot-5 lefty, Williamson got off to a terrible start to his sophomore season at NIACC. A month into the season he had a 5.89 ERA and was allowing two baserunners per inning. But since late March, he posted a 2.08 ERA with 1.2 baserunners per inning and 15.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Williamson boasts a varied repertoire as he’ll mix a 90-95 mph fastball, a pair of average breaking balls and a less-developed, but potentially average, changeup. His slider shows signs of developing into an above-average pitch down the road. Williamson’s below-average control will have to improve, but there’s nothing in his delivery that would indicate continued control issues. His delivery is fluid and his arm path is relatively clean. Williamson is a Texas Christian signee, but he could be taken early enough on day two to convince him to forgo another year of college ball.

 

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Blake Rivera

JC RHP

Notes:

School: Wallace State (Ala.) JC

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Giants '17 (32)

Scouting Report: An Auburn signee, Rivera was a 32nd-round pick of the Giants last year, but he opted to return to Wallace State (Ala.) JC. Craig Kimbrel did the same thing in 2007, opting to return to Wallace State after being drafted in the 33rd round. Kimbrel moved up the to third round in the 2008 draft. A decade later, Rivera should also move up in the draft, although it likely won’t be to the third round. Rivera has a pair of above-average pitches with a 93-96 mph fastball and a power curveball that is inconsistent but has late-count strikeout potential when he lands it. Rivera went 10-0, 1.75 with 98 strikeouts, 35 walks and 28 hits allowed in 65 innings. Rivera projects as a power reliever in pro ball.

 

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Jarren Duran

4YR 2B

Notes:

School: Long Beach State

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Duran does two things. He gets on base, and he flies. A three-year starter at Long Beach State, Duran stole 49 bases in his career and drove opponents crazy beating out routine ground balls for infield singles. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthanded hitter explodes out of the batter’s box, posting 70-grade run times on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, and turns singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He lacks over-the-fence power and swings and misses a little much for his profile, but his patient approach gets him on base enough to utilize his speed. Duran never played shortstop at Long Beach State and is an average second baseman with a fringy arm. Some evaluators think he is a candidate to move to center field, but he’s very raw there due to lack of experience. Duran’s speed gives him a survivable skill he can ride to the big leagues and evaluators see enough bat for him to be a bottom-of-the-order hitter. He projects to go early on the draft’s second day.

 

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PJ Hilson

HS OF/RHP

Notes:

School: Nettleton HS, Jonesboro, Ark.

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Alabama

Scouting Report: Hilson is one of the speedier center fielders in the high school draft class, as he earns consistent 70 grades on his speed. That speed is apparent as he ranges around center field. But unlike a lot of speedsters, Hilson has some potential to drive the ball, with strong hands and at-least average bat speed. He could develop into an above-average hitter with the potential for 10-15 home runs a year. The Alabama signee has also touched 93 mph off the mound this year. If he gets to school, he has a chance to develop into a two-way player for the Crimson Tide.

 

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Kingston Liniak

HS OF

Notes:

School: Mission Hills HS, San Marcos, Calif.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: San Diego

Scouting Report: Liniak is the nephew of former Cubs infielder Cole Liniak and the son of 1993 Rockies draft pick Justin Liniak. After a hand injury hampered him on the showcase circuit, Liniak returned fully healthy in the spring and elevated himself into consideration in the top five rounds with a big season. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Liniak has a well-rounded package of tools to complement his bloodlines. He’s an above-average runner and defender in the outfield with an above-average arm. Offensively, he has cleaned up his swing to take a more balanced, direct approach to the ball, which has allowed him to use the whole field and stay back on the ball. He’s a tough, fierce competitor who evaluators are confident will get the most out of his abilities. Whether Liniak has enough to power to project as an everyday outfielder is up for debate, but his upside and projection are among the best in Southern California. He is committed to San Diego.

 

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Drew Rasmussen

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Oregon State

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '17 (1)

Scouting Report: Rasmussen's career at Oregon State has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. An overweight, upper-80s prep righthander before he got to Corvallis, Rasmussen transformed his body with the help of Driveline Baseball and quickly established himself as the staff ace, throwing the only perfect game in Oregon State history as a freshman. Rasmussen then tore his UCL his sophomore year and was sidelined with Tommy John rehab until midway through the 2017 season. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound righthander used his rehab as an opportunity to get stronger, and he came back late last April working 94-97 mph and touching 98 mph with an explosive fastball, showing enough for the Rays to take him with the 31st overall pick. But the Rays didn't sign him after a post-draft physical revealed issues with his first Tommy John surgery. Rasmussen returned to Corvallis and had a second, mostly corrective, surgery with Dodgers team doctor Neal ElAttrache late in 2017. The surgery was successful and by all reports Rasmussen has progressed well in his rehab—even losing some weight—but he has yet to throw a baseball and likely won't start throwing until closer to the draft. When healthy, Rasmussen works in the mid- to upper 90s, with a devastating split-like changeup as his main out-pitch and an average breaking ball as his third pitch. He's a first-rounder in terms of talent, but scouts haven't seen him fully healthy since 2016 and won't be able to see him on a mound before draft day. After two Tommy John surgeries, Rasmussen's landing spot will hinge on how teams view his medical report.

 

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Bren Spillane

4YR 1B/OF

Notes:

School: Illinois

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Pirates '15 (34)

Scouting Report: Spillane has had as good a season, statistically, as anyone in the country thanks to some hot streaks where he seemed impossible to retire. Spillane had five separate multi-home run games, including a three-home run, four-hit game against Southern Illinois. His .426/.524/.973 slash line ranks first in the nation in slugging percentage and top 10 in both on-base percentage and batting average. His 20 home runs is also among the best in the country. And while it’s easy to project 25-plus home run power for Spillane, scouts are much more worried about his hitting ability. Even with his .426 batting average this year, scouts are hesitant to call Spillane a future average hitter. His swing has some length to it and there is a lot of swing and miss to his game, as he’s striking out in 25 percent of his plate appearances. Still, Spillane has plus-plus raw power with the strength to hit the ball out to all fields. With a metal bat, even mishits by Spillane carry. He plays first base at Illinois because the Illini have a very good set of outfielders, but he projects better in the outfield than he does at first, where his footwork needs work and he’s below-average defensively. He’s an above-average runner with enough speed to handle a corner outfield spot and he has a plus arm. Spillane doesn’t have much of a track record—he barely played as a freshman and missed time as a sophomore because of injuries—but his outstanding junior season cannot be ignored. Iowa’s Jake Adams posted similar numbers in the Big 10 last year and lasted to the Astros in the sixth round because of his lack of athleticism. Spillane should go higher because he can run, and his prodigious power could push him into the third or fourth round.

 

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Jason Bilous

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Coastal Carolina

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Dodgers '15 (29)

Scouting Report: Drafted by the Dodgers in the 29th round out of high school despite not pitching his senior season due to Tommy John surgery, Bilous has long tantalized scouts with his potential. As a freshman at Coastal Carolina in 2016, he flashed electric stuff in Omaha, helping the Chanticleers win their first-ever national championship. Since then, he's been up-and-down as a weekend starter, going 3-2, 4.61 last season, and notching a 7-2, 3.00 record through 13 starts this spring. Bilous can look unhittable at times, featuring a 92-96 mph fastball with arm-side run, a hard, biting slider at 81-85 mph and an 84-87 mph changeup that he throws almost exclusively to lefties. The problem for the 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander is that he struggles to repeat his release point and walks often pile up on him. In 169.1 college innings, Bilous has walked 135 batters—7.18 per nine innings. He's walked 58 (to 90 strikeouts) through 72 innings this spring—7.25 per nine. Because of his sheer lack of control, Bilous projects more as a reliever. He has the stuff to be dominant out of the bullpen, but he'll need to tighten up the location woes that have plagued him throughout his amateur career.

[TheHurl]

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Jawuan Harris

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Rutgers

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Like Kyler Murray of Oklahoma, Harris has pulled the double-duty of playing both college football and college baseball during the last few years. On the football field in 2017, Harris played in 11 games and made five starts at safety for the Scarlet Knights, totaling 41 tackles and tying for the team lead with three interceptions. Harris is a better prospect as a baseball player, however, and was selected to the Big Ten all-freshman team in 2016, when he hit .278/.365/.398 with three home runs and 37 stolen bases. Harris’ production has backed up in 2018, as he hit .250/.381/.383 with one home run and 20 stolen bases through 128 at-bats. At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Harris is a top-of-the-scale runner who does an excellent job tracking down balls in center field and has an average arm. Harris doesn’t project to hit for much power. He hit eight home runs in 186 at-bats as a sophomore, but has hit just four home runs in the 290 at-bats during his freshman and junior seasons. He has good bat speed, but his lack of success in the Big 10—never hitting above .280 and striking out nearly twice as much as he’s walked—is concerning. There is a hope among scouts that Harris’ hit tool will markedly improve once he enters pro ball and focuses strictly on baseball instead of splitting his time between two sports. There are some off-the-field questions with Harris, who was suspended for a violation of team rules and did not travel with Rutgers during its 10-day spring break trip to Florida. The feedback teams receive on Harris’ makeup and how they project his hit tool will ultimately determine where he gets drafted, as the other parts of his game appear steady.

 

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Carlos Cortes

4YR OF

Notes:

School: South Carolina

Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-B | Commit/Drafted: Mets '16 (20)

Scouting Report: An undersized, 5-foot-8, 185-pound draft-eligible sophomore without a true defensive home, Cortes has befuddled scouts dating back to his high school days when he was taken in the 20th round by the Mets. He hasn't been any easier to evaluate at South Carolina, where he's spent the first two seasons of his college career languishing through early season slumps at the plate before breaking out in the second half. After straddling the Mendoza line for the early part of this spring, Cortes has raised his slash line to .253/.380/.526 through 194 at-bats. Known for a short, compact, line drive-producing lefthanded swing, Cortes has swung with a more uphill bat path this season, reducing his contact but resulting in 15 home runs. When he’s at his best, Cortes controls the strike zone and shows a knack for finding the barrel, but his strong prep hitting track record has been shakier at the college level. How high Cortes goes in the 2018 draft will largely depend on how much belief teams have in his bat, as Cortes has an unusual defensive profile. Fully ambidextrous, Cortes throws lefthanded when he plays in the outfield, but his arm strength from both arms is fringy and he's a below-average runner. He'll always need to hit to move up the ranks in pro ball.

 

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Addison Barger

HS SS/C

Notes:

School: King HS, Tampa

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: One of the best all-around players in the Tampa area, Barger has solid tools across the board but didn’t have a single plus tool until his arm strength improved this spring. It’s a 60-grade arm currently, but Barger gets the most out of the rest of his toolset as a sure-fielding shortstop with plus bat speed and feel to hit that gives him average raw power. Barger makes all the routine plays at shortstop and should do enough to stick at the position until someone with more tools comes along and pushes him to second base. He’s a smart player who understands the game and makes adjustments at a level that encourages scouts about his on-field makeup. There’s not a ton of upside with Barger because of his lack of any plus tool, but scouts have compared him to the Logan Warmoths of the world—someone who could end up at college and drastically improve his prospect status. A Florida commit, Barger has no real holes in his game and a hit tool that drives mid-90s velocity with regularity.

 

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Brett Finnel

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Woodcrest Christian, Riverside, Calif.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: UC Santa Barbara

Scouting Report: Finnel grew into his body later than most others in the draft class, but by the end of the high school season he had half of the MLB teams running into see him at the last minute. After sitting 86-89 mph at the Area Code tryouts last summer and showing just average athleticism, the lanky, 6-foot-4 righthander added strength and coordination and began pitching at 90-94 mph in the spring with one of the fastest arms on the West Coast. He complements his fastball with an above-average curveball and has the arm action conducive to learning a changeup. Not every team is on Finnel because he popped up so late, but those interested see him as a third- to fourth-round talent. He is committed to UC Santa Barbara but seems open to signing.

 

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Kyle Datres

4YR 3B

Notes:

School: North Carolina

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 192 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Datres came to North Carolina as a blue-chip recruit who also pitched, played quarterback and played basketball in high school. Mostly a starter since he stepped on campus, Datres has shown steady improvement at the plate and is enjoying his best season as a Tar Heel in 2018, finishing the regular season as the team’s leading hitter at .344/.435/.493 after hitting .259 the last two seasons and struggling in the Cape Cod League. In particular, Datres has shown better plate discipline this spring, striking out less and showing better restraint on breaking balls outside of the zone. Datres crowds the plate with a slightly open stance but has the righthanded bat speed to get to fastballs inside. An above-average hitter with average power, Datres doesn't have one key carrying tool. Scouts are divided on whether or not the 6-foot, 192-pound infielder has the hands or feet to stay at third. He has enough arm strength for the position and has the athleticism to make the occasional highlight-reel play, but the game can speed up for him at times and he might need to find another long-term defensive home.

 

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Niko Decolati

4YR 3B/OF

Notes:

School: Loyola Marymount

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Decolati is a physical, tooled-up player scouts have long been excited about, but he never conquered his swing-and-miss issues and often left evaluators frustrated. Decolati had decent success in the Cape Cod League last summer but also a 27 percent strikeout rate. He then regressed in the spring with a .271 average and 29 percent strikeout rate while playing second-tier competition in the West Coast Conference. Decolati is a physical athlete as a 6-foot-1, 215-pounder who played shortstop in college. He shows plus raw power, projects as an above-average third baseman with an above-average arm and is an above-average runner capable of double-digit steals. He drives the ball with authority when he makes contact, but he has major holes in his swing and can’t get to fastballs on the outer half because he stands too far off the plate. Decolati’s swing-and-miss problems dropped him out of the top five rounds for most evaluators, but his tools are worth a shot in rounds five to nine.

 

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Johnny Aiello

4YR 3B

Notes:

School: Wake Forest

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After a huge sophomore season (.328, 20 HR) for Wake Forest and a strong summer for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod League, Aiello hit a wall this spring. As one of the last remaining big bats in Wake Forest's once-loaded lineup, Aiello pressed at the plate early in the season. His timing suffered, his swing got a little long, and his swing-and-miss issues were exposed. Aiello finished the regular season batting .237/.355/.401 with just nine homers and 75 strikeouts in 207 at-bats. Aiello possesses above-average power, but he had trouble consistently getting to it in 2018, and his high strikeout rate could prohibit him from hitting for contact at the next level. A solid third baseman with a plus arm, Aiello fits the prototypical third baseman profile. Junior season aside, Aiello's ACC track record and summer performance still give him a chance to go in the first five rounds.

 

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Will Ripoll

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Curtis Christian HS, River Ridge, La.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: A Louisiana State signee who is expected to make it to school, Ripoll will likely be a name to watch in three years from now, although his present stuff is pretty solid as well. He led Curtis Christian to its second consecutive Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I title by throwing a 13-strikeout complete game in the championship-clinching victory. Ripoll sat 89-91 mph this spring, showing advanced control and command for his age. He spots both his fastball and his 77-80 mph curveball, which is an average offering.

 

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Nick Lee

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Louisiana-Lafayette

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Lee began the season as the Ragin’ Cajuns’ Saturday starter, but he struggled and was eventually slid back into the bullpen. He embraced the role, which is more likely the one he will fill in pro ball as well. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound righthander has an above-average 92-96 mph fastball, an above-average changeup and a below-average slider. His rock-and-fire delivery involves some effort, as he yanks his head through his delivery, but his arm is fast and he throws just enough strikes with his fringe-average control to make it all work.

 

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William English

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Western International HS, Detroit

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Tennessee

Scouting Report: English is one of the youngest players in this year’s draft class and he’s a legit 6-foot-4, so there’s a lot of reasons to believe that his best pitching is ahead of him. He has a 90-93 mph fastball that has touched 95 and every now and then he will break off a quality breaking ball, but everything is seen in flashes right now. He’s far from a finished product and would likely need multiple years in the complex leagues if he signed out of high school. A Tennessee signee, English also has potential as an outfielder. He’s a plus runner with power potential.

 

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Nick Meyer

4YR C

Notes:

School: Cal Poly

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Meyer served as the backup catcher for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer and emerged as one of the top defensive catchers in the draft class this spring. The 6-foot, 175-pound Meyer calls his own game behind the plate and is an advanced receiver. He excels at stealing strikes at the bottom of the zone in particular, and guides his pitchers expertly through jams. His arm strength is consistently above-average and flashes plus, and he excels at back-picking runners off first base. Meyer offers little offensively, although he doesn’t strike out. He makes respectable contact, but projects as no more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter. Meyer’s upside is that of an A.J. Ellis-type, who makes a long career out of his defense and intangibles.

 

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Drew Rom

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Highlands HS, Fort Thomas, Ky.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 177 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Michigan

Scouting Report: A Michigan signee who is an outstanding student, Rom has added some good weight and has seen it pay off this spring. He works to both sides of the plate with an 89-91 mph fastball and his potentially above-average slider has sharpened up and gotten harder, jumping from 77-79 mph last summer to 80-82 this spring. If he continues to get stronger and fill out, the still-skinny, 6-foot-2, 180-pound lefty has plenty of potential. Rom is far from a polished product. His slider wavers in quality and his release point can wander. If he gets to Michigan, he could make a pretty immediate impact.

 

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Tyler Ras

HS RHP/OF

Notes:

School: Middletown (N.J.) North HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Alabama

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthander, Ras has a low-90s fastball that can touch 95 mph. His high-70s, low-80s changeup, which features late, arm-side fade, is his best offspeed offering. Ras struggles to spin both his slider and curveball, which seems to be a direct result of his elongated, unusually stiff arm action that coincides with an over-the-top release point. Regardless of the delivery, Ras has at least average control and does a good job of filling up the strike zone with both his fastball and changeup. Because of his arm action and struggle to consistently land one of his two breaking balls, there are some scouts who believe he would be better suited in a relief role. Ras is a solid athlete and if he ends up on campus at Alabama he has a chance to be a solid two-way player for the Crimson Tide. He is a switch-hitting outfielder and could do both at the collegiate level, even if his future as a pro is likely on the mound.

 

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Robert Neustrom

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Iowa

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 208 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Neustrom puts on quite a show in batting practice, when he displays plus-plus raw power. But in games, he’s just as comfortable poking a ball to right field with a contact-oriented approach. That combination of contact ability and power potential makes him an interesting mid-day two pick. As of mid-May, he was hitting .323/.390/.566 with nearly as many walks (22) as strikeouts (30). Neustrom has to hit, as he is a fringe-average defensive left fielder. Neustrom runs well once under way, showing average speed going from first to third, but he’s slower out of the batter’s box.

 

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Patrick Raby

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Vanderbilt

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 235 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Despite three successful years of starting in the Southeastern Conference—including one full spring as Vanderbilt's Friday starter—Raby is not the caliber of prospect as past Vandy aces such as Tyler Beede or Carson Fulmer. Raby's best attributes are his sturdy, 6-foot-3, 230-pound starter's frame, his above-average command and his pitcher's IQ. He does a lot of little things well on the mound, but in terms of pure stuff, the righthander is lacking. While never a flamethrower, Raby's fastball velocity has dipped this year from 88-92 mph to sitting primarily in the upper 80s, and neither his low-80s changeup nor mid-70s curveball project to be better than average. With fringy stuff across the board, Raby doesn't have a high ceiling, but he's a safe college righthander with a workhorse frame and a strike-throwing ability that gives him the chance to stick as a fifth starter or bullpen swing man.

 

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Nick Fortes

4YR C/1B

Notes:

School: Mississippi

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Fortes in 2015 was a well-regarded recruit coming out of high school but initially had some trouble carving out a role in the Mississippi lineup, splitting his time between catching and playing first base. He has largely taken over behind the plate and has continued to produce offensively. Fortes has excellent plate discipline and good barrel control, which has this season helped him walk nearly twice as often as he’s struck out. The righthanded hitter has solid power and gets to it well in games. Fortes is a sound defender, especially in terms of blocking and receiving, and has fringy arm strength. Fortes is an average runner and has above-average athleticism for a catcher.

 

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Jackson Goddard

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kansas

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 229 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Goddard missed a month and a half of the season with a strained oblique muscle, but he got back on the mound in mid-May, when he reminded everyone why he’s an intriguing starting pitching prospect as he struck out the first seven batters he faced against Oklahoma State. When he’s locked in, Goddard can show three above-average pitches. He has a history of pitching his best against his toughest opponents. He struck out 13 while walking no one in a dominating outing as a sophomore against Oklahoma State, and was similarly effective against Oklahoma and TCU that year, but he ended the season with a 4.29 ERA because he struggled against West Virginia, Samford and Oral Roberts. Goddard's 92-94 mph fastball plays as an above-average pitch and he pretty consistently has a plus changeup. His slider is less consistent but will also show signs of being an above-average pitch at its best. He struggles to stay in the strike zone consistently, but when he’s locked in, he can be great. Too often, however, he is working hard just to get through five innings.

 

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Michael Flynn

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Arizona

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Flynn has had more draft helium in the last month than nearly any other Four Corners prospect, showing enough improvement on the mound that he may go off the board early on day two. After pitching primarily out of the bullpen with the occasional midweek start during his first two years at Arizona, Flynn moved into the Saturday slot this spring and has impressed scouts with an improving array of pitches. He missed the fall season due to elbow soreness, limiting looks at him until the spring and possibly causing a few minor concerns on draft day, but there is no mistaking the results thus far. He was especially dominating in an early May start against UCLA, when he struck out 12 hitters in 6.2 innings. His 89-95 mph fastball has good life and he locates it well to both sides of the plate. Flynn added a changeup last year and the pitch, which has late movement, was his best offering earlier this season. But the real difference maker lately has been adding more separation between his curveball and slider, giving him another weapon to make it through lineups a third time. The recent improvements give Flynn a better chance to stick in a starting rotation as a pro. He shows advanced feel and throws all of his pitches for strikes. His delivery is a little rough as he strides short and throws downhill, but he’s able to repeat it.

 

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Brandon Lockridge

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Troy

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Lockridge has been a consistent presence in Troy’s lineup since he arrived on campus but flew under the radar until this year. He has moved from second base to center field, where his top-of-the-scale speed plays better. Lockridge also knows how to get the most out of his speed offensively. The righthanded hitter has good hittability and this spring has doubled his walk rate, giving him the on-base skills to profile as a top-of-the-order hitter. His power has mostly played as doubles pop so far, but he’s listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and many scouts believe he will start to turn his raw power into more home runs in time. Though Lockridge doesn’t have much experience as an outfielder, he has taken well to his new position and his speed and athleticism give him a chance to become an above-average defender in time.

 

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C.J. Willis

HS C

Notes:

School: Ruston (La.) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Evaluators have only gotten a partial look at Willis’ tools this spring as he’s been limited by a shoulder injury. But that hasn’t kept them from watching the Louisiana State signee show plus power with a swing that gives him a chance to be a well-rounded hitter. It’s a power-over-hit profile, but his hit tool could be fringe-average. Willis’ eventual defensive home is more up in the air. He’s a below-average runner whose best fit should be catcher. When healthy, he’s shown a plus arm. His receiving is less impressive than his arm, but he’s a solid athlete (he was also his high school’s quarterback) who has shown a willingness to work at it. Third base is also an option thanks to his arm and he has the power to even handle a move to a corner outfield spot.

 

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Adrian Del Castillo

HS C

Notes:

School: Gulliver Schools, Pinecrest, Fla.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Miami

Scouting Report: An offensive-oriented catcher, Del Castillo is a pure, lefthanded hitter who has long shown a knack for finding the barrel and has had a loud spring season. He’s a strong hitter with above-average power out of a 6-foot, 195-pound frame. Defensively, there are real questions, as Del Castillo’s bat has always been ahead of his glove. He has some elements to turn into a solid-average defender behind the plate with a plus arm, but his pop times are better in practice than games because of a slow exchange. He needs to iron out his blocking and receiving as well. He has enough bat to profile in a corner outfield spot, and he runs well for a catcher, so that could be a future defensive home as well.

 

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Ryan Feltner

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Ohio State

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Blue Jays '15 (25)

Scouting Report: Feltner was well regarded as a prep at Cleveland-area powerhouse Walsh Jesuit High and he was drafted in the 25th round by the Blue Jays. He opted to instead enroll at Ohio State, where he had mixed results his first two seasons. He in 2017 had a breakout summer in the Cape Cod League, where he held opponents to only one unearned run in 13 appearances and was named reliever of the year. He carried that momentum into his junior year in Columbus and has found success in Ohio State’s rotation. Feltner generates easy velocity and throws his fastball 93-97 mph. His fastball is fairly straight, however, and he gets squared up more often than would be expected. He mixes in a split-changeup, which he throws to both righties and lefties, and a fringy slider. He has done a better job in the last year of commanding his fastball, but he is still averaging four walks per nine innings—a rate that will need to continue to improve. Feltner, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, has the size, stuff and arm action to start. But after finding success at the back of the bullpen, he may be better suited for short stints.

 

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J.J. Schwarz

4YR 1B/C

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '17 (38)

Scouting Report: Schwarz has been a prominent player dating back to his high school days, when he played on USA Baseball’s gold-medal winning 18U national team in 2013. He was an All-American as a freshman at Florida in 2015, when he hit .332/.398/.629 with 18 home runs. He didn’t reach those statistical heights again until this spring, but he’s been a constant presence in the heart of Florida’s lineup for the last four seasons. Schwarz, a righthanded hitter, has above-average power. That comes with a fair amount of swing and miss and there are questions about just how much he’ll hit in pro ball. Schwarz has a lot of experience handling elite pitching at Florida and he’s improved defensively in the last year. But his lack of athleticism behind the plate makes him a fringy defender and many scouts believe he’s better suited for first base, where he largely played last year. Regardless of where he ends up defensively, most of Schwarz’s value is tied to his bat.

 

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Carter Lohman

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Hamilton Southeastern HS, Fishers, Ind.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Louisville

Scouting Report: Lohman has continued to make strides on the mound over the last year and emerged this spring as the top prep pitcher in Indiana. He can run his fastball up to 92 mph and consistently works in the upper 80s. He has a good feel for his big, sweeping breaking ball and he mixes in a solid changeup that has sinking life. He locates his fastball well and fills up the strike zone. Lohman is listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, giving him a projectable look. He is committed to Louisville.

 

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Jonah Davis

4YR OF

Notes:

School: California

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 206 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Davis established himself as a regular in California’s lineup during his sophomore season, when he hit .275/.370/.403 in 45 games for the Bears, with most of his playing time coming in center field. As a junior, Davis has played left field, which is where he’ll likely profile in pro ball, and he’s had his best offensive season thanks to a career-best 13 home runs through 45 games. The power surge comes after the 5-foot-10 outfielder hit just two home runs in 164 at-bats as a freshman and sophomore. The breakthrough isn’t totally unprecedented, however, as Davis also hit nine home runs with a wood bat in the Northwoods League in 2016 before struggling in a brief stint in the Cape Cod League last summer. Davis doesn’t have an idyllic swing. There is a lot of movement in his hands during his load, which creates some timing issues, and his balance could improve. He has managed to find the barrel frequently enough for his plus raw power to translate into games, though his approach comes with a high strikeout rate that tracks back to every season and league he’s played in since getting to college. Most of Davis’ value is tied up in his bat as a corner outfielder, but he hit well early in the season in front of the right people, so a team might take a chance on his power potential and try to clean up the operation a bit in player development.

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Steve Hajjar

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Central Catholic, Lawrence, Mass.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Michigan

Scouting Report: Hajjar has seen his stock rise this spring, even if it’s still more likely that he honors his commitment to Michigan. The projectable, 6-foot-5, 210-pound lefthander can reach 93-94 mph with his fastball, although it more consistently comes across in the 89-92 mph range. Despite a jerky delivery and extended arm action, Hajjar shows decent feel for a 78-80 mph slider. The offering is inconsistent, sometimes lacking the tight spin it needs, but when he’s able to snap it off the pitch shows late bite and above-average potential. His changeup is well behind his fastball and slider and will need additional development to become an average third pitch. A good athlete, Hajjar typically pounds the strike zone with above-average control. He has more room on his frame to add weight and will likely throw harder in the future.

 

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Ford Proctor

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Rice

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Royals '15 (40)

Scouting Report: Proctor has been Rice’s shortstop since the second game of his freshman season. He immediately moved now-Rays infielder Tristan Gray to second base and has been Rice’s starter at shortstop ever since. He’s blossomed at the plate as a junior, hitting .346/.434/.514 with seven home runs as of mid-May. The question for Proctor is whether he can play shortstop in pro ball. His range is fringe-average at best, although his hands work fine and his above-average arm is plenty for the position. Proctor has enough bat to be a viable second base option if shortstop doesn’t work.

 

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Garrett McDaniels

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Pee Dee Academy, Mullins, S.C.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 160 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Coastal Carolina

Scouting Report: A pitchability lefthander who’s been up to 93 mph, McDaniels is a projectable Coastal Carolina commit who has shown three potential plus pitches. In addition to his sinking fastball, McDaniels has shown excellent feel to spin a 72-76 mph curveball with three-quarter breaking action, as well as a low-80s changeup that could be a third above-average offering in the future. McDaniels sat more in the upper 80s with his fastball throughout the summer, but he has a projectable, 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame that should be able to add more velocity in the future.

 

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Josh Watson

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Texas Christian

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Watson had one of the better freshman seasons in the country, as he hit .280/.398/.506 for the Horned Frogs and was equally impressive that summer at the Cape Cod League. He then suffered through a significant sophomore slump as he seemed to lose confidence at the plate. He’s bounced back as a junior, showing more fluid hands and a looser swing. Watson was hitting .320/.453/.534 in mid-May. He has a chance to be an above-average hitter, but he doesn’t show the at-least average power scouts are looking for in a left fielder.

 

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Kaleb Hill

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Watson Chapel HS, Pine Bluff, Ark.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-L | Commit/Drafted: Mississippi

Scouting Report: Hill, an Ole Miss signee, is a projectable lefthander who combines athleticism with solid present stuff. He will touch 90-92 mph, although he generally sits in the upper 80s right now. He’s shown he can control and locate his mid-70s curveball that has solid 12-to-6 shape. Hill helped lead Watson Chapel to the Arkansas 5A state championship game, where he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but ended up losing 1-0.

 

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Austin Wells

HS C

Notes:

School: Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Arizona

Scouting Report: Wells is a physical, lefthanded-hitting catcher with arm strength and obvious catch-and-throw talent. The only problem is that he hasn’t thrown much dating back to last summer. An Under Armour All-American, Wells was slated to catch at least part of the game, but couldn’t after dealing with an elbow injury. The issue has persisted into the spring and scouts haven’t been able to see him throw much at all. He’s tried to rest the arm and he also had a platelet rich plasma injection to try and sort out the issue. When healthy, Wells has previously shown above-average arm strength with accuracy to second base in the 2.00-second range—major league average for a pop time. He has a lot of strength in his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with above-average power and a chance for even more. Scouts praise his baseball IQ and intelligence, and coaches who have been around him admire his professional approach to the game and confidence in all areas. He would have been significantly higher up the board if healthy, and teams might prefer to let him get campus at Arizona, where his father, Greg, also played college baseball. If he’s fully healthy and able to start throwing again, then he has all the tools you want to see out of a prep catcher.

 

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Ryley Gilliam

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Clemson

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Gilliam had a breakout sophomore season for Clemson in 2017, seizing the closer’s role early in the year and then going on to pitch for both USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod League during the summer. Gilliam has been even better in 2018, finishing the regular season with a stingy 0.79 ERA, 11 saves and 50 strikeouts to 19 walks in 34.1 innings. Despite his smallish, 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame, Gilliam generates mid-90s velocity thanks to his lightning-quick arm speed. He works comfortably at 91-94 mph and can reach back for 95-96 when needed out of his upper three-quarters slot. A hard, high-spin power curveball is Gilliam’s out-pitch of choice—a plus, upper-70s hammer that Gilliam can spot on the corners or bury below the zone. With his electric fastball-curveball combo and a strong track record of closing games in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Gilliam could make a quick ascension through pro ball as a high-floor power reliever.

 

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Kody Clemens

4YR INF

Notes:

School: Texas

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Astros '15 (35)

Scouting Report: A 35th-round pick of the Astros out of high school, the youngest of the Clemens sons has blossomed as a junior. He struggled at the plate as a sophomore as he was limited to designated hitter because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Given a chance to get back into the field as a junior, Clemens’ bat awoke. He was hitting .345/.439/.680 in mid-May and he’s proven he can play a fringe-average second base. There are evaluators who are still skeptical as they note he’s already 22, which makes him as old as many of the senior signs.

 

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Sean Burke

HS RHP

Notes:

School: St. John's HS, Shrewsbury, Mass.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Maryland

Scouting Report: A Maryland commit, Burke has a projectable, 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame. He’s been up to 93 mph with his fastball, but he routinely pounds the strike zone with above-average command and a heater that sits in the 88-92 mph range. Burke’s low-70s curveball remains inconsistent, but scouts have seen enough flashes to project it as an at least average pitch in the future. Burke will also flash a changeup, although it remains a distant third pitch well behind his fastball and curveball.

 

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Ethan Smith

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Mount Juliet (Tenn.) HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Scouting Report: Smith is a relatively polished high school righthander with enough fastball (90-93 mph), an average slider and advanced control for his age. He likes to mess with hitters’ timing by varying the pace of his delivery and he’s shown plenty of feel for setting up and staying ahead of hitters. However, the Vanderbilt signee doesn’t have much projection left and at 19-years-old, he’s old for the draft class. Scouts might prefer to wait two years and see how he fares at Vanderbilt before cutting him a big check.

 

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Connor Kaiser

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Vanderbilt

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: There’s nothing flashy about Kaiser, but he’s a reliable shortstop who has average range and an above-average arm with a long track record of modest success while playing in the Southeastern Conference, which makes him a useful day two pick. Kaiser has a good frame with solid strength. He has the swing of a power hitter with a large load and a big leg kick to shift his weight. But the balls leaving the bat are more frequently ground balls and line drives than big flies. He had three home runs at the end of the regular season to go with a .284/.388/.402 stat line. He was also productive in the Cape Cod League last summer (.300/.403/.470).

 

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Austin Cox

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Mercer

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-3, 205-pound lefthander with a pair of above-average breaking balls, Cox has posted big strikeout rates for Mercer in the Southern Conference. However, he’s been hit regularly and has a poor statistical record outside of the strikeout numbers. A firm slider is his most consistent breaking pitch and it’s a current above-average offering, although at times he can get around the side of the ball. Cox also has curveball with more 1-to-7 shape that he gets on top of more regularly and with his arm slot, might be the best pitch for him in the future. Cox has been up to 94 mph this spring with his fastball, but that’s more of an average pitch that ticks lower as he gets deeper into games. Cox also has feel for a solid changeup. The stuff is all there for an interesting back-end starter, but Cox has some work to do in his delivery. He gets rotational at times and also cuts himself in his landing. He’s athletic enough to make the adjustments, but teams might also be leery of a small-school pitcher without much track record of success—elite strikeout rate or not.

 

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Chris Williams

4YR C

Notes:

School: Clemson

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 220 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '17 (31)

Scouting Report: A 31st-round pick of the Rays in 2017, Williams would have been drafted in the first five rounds had he not injured his shoulder on a pickoff attempt late in the season—an injury that required surgery in the offseason. Williams opened this season still less than 100 percent, and for precautionary reasons, Clemson has had him playing primarily first base. When healthy, Williams showed solid-average arm strength behind the plate, throwing out 50 percent of basestealers; his defensive game needs polish, but he profiles as an offensively geared catcher. His draft stock this year will depend on how teams view the medical reports on his right shoulder and whether they believe he’ll be able to stick at catcher long-term. At the plate, Williams has been one of the best power hitters in the Atlantic Coast Conference since transferring from Golden West (Calif.) JC prior to his sophomore year. The righthanded hitter possesses plus pull power and has hit 14 home runs in back-to-back seasons, but his pull-heavy approach leads to swing-and-miss issues and makes him a below-average hitter. Williams’ power will get him drafted, but he’ll be a much more attractive option if teams believe he can catch.

 

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Jackson Lueck

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Florida State

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | B-T: B-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: An athletic, switch-hitting outfielder from Orlando, Lueck was part of a deep freshman class at Florida State that included catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Cole Sands and Tyler Holton. Lueck made an immediate impact at the plate for the Seminoles, leading the team with a .379/.494/.576 slash line his freshman year and following it up with a similarly strong sophomore campaign. Lueck has at least a 50 grade on his bat using the 20-to-80 scouting scale, although some holes in his swing have been exposed in his junior year as he’s swung and missed at a high frequency. He finished the regular season batting .245/.364/.490 with a career-high 14 home runs, which could explain his increased strikeout numbers as bigger swings tend to lead to more empty swings. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Lueck has some projection in his frame and could grow into more power. A below-average defender, Lueck profiles as a corner outfielder at the next level and will go as high as his bat can take him.

 

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Justin Wrobleski

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Sequoyah HS, Canton, Ga.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Clemson

Scouting Report: An athletic lefthander, Wrobleski has solid strike-throwing ability with a fastball that’s mostly in the 88-92 mph range and a sharp slider. His fastball has been up to 94 mph at its peak, but it’s currently more of a fringe-average offering. His slider is his out-pitch—a low-80s breaking ball with late-biting action that was responsible for most of his strikeouts during the summer showcase circuit and is a 55-grade offering. At 6-foot-2, Wrobleski has a slightly lanky frame that can add more weight. He throws from an easy, three-quarter to low three-quarter arm slot, occasionally falling off to the third base side in his landing. Without a plus pitch, Wrobleski could end up at Clemson, where he’ll have a chance to dramatically improve his stock thanks to his tough, competitive mentality on the mound and his remaining projection.

 

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Sam Bordner

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Louisville

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Bordner capably served as Louisville’s closer, but in mid-April he was shut down with an elbow inflammation. Before his injury, Bordner’s track record of success bode well for him–he was a spectacular 2-0, 0.41 as a sophomore with 16 hits allowed in 43.2 innings. But even when healthy, his 90-92 mph heavy fastball (it’s touched 94-95) was more an above-average pitch than the plus fastball usually expected out of dominating reliever. Bordner’s breaking ball needs to get sharper as it earns 40-45 grades from scouts right now. Louisville hoped to see Bordner return for the NCAA tournament, but his injury status clouds his draft status.

 

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Michael Helman

4YR OF/2B

Notes:

School: Texas A&M

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Helman made an immediate impact for the Aggies, as he stepped in as the team’s second baseman and quickly became the Texas A&M leadoff hitter. He was leading the team in mid-May with a .365/.456/.521 slash line. Helman’s best attributes as a hitter are his ability to grind out at-bats, as he works counts and has above-average hand-eye coordination. Helman is a plus runner who understands leads well enough to be a basestealing threat in pro ball (he’s 11-for-13 on steals through mid-May). Defensively, he’s a fringe-average second baseman who is just adequate there with modest range and hands and a fringe-average arm. But he makes the routine plays at second, has played third base when he was at Hutchinson (Kan.) JC and probably best fits in pro ball as a rangy center fielder. Helman’s athleticism and his solid production makes him a useful day two pick who has some offensive potential and defensive versatility.

 

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Zach Haake

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kentucky

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: After pitching sporadically at Arkansas State as a freshman, Haake transferred to John A. Logan (Ill.) JC for his sophomore season, showed power stuff and became one of the key signees in Kentucky's 2017 recruiting class. Haake began his Wildcats career in the bullpen as a power setup man, but moved to the weekend rotation after Zack Thompson went down with an elbow injury. In short stints, he's been electric, including two perfect innings when matched up against Florida's Brady Singer. But Haake has not shown the ability to succeed a second time through the order, which explains why is overall stats are ugly. There are scouts who see him as a starter, as Haake will flash three above-average pitches. His 93-97 mph fastball earns 70 grades from some scouts, while his 82-85 mph slider is a plus pitch and he’ll flash an above-average 86-88 mph changeup at his best. Haake lands onto a stiff front side and he gets off-line, which impacts his control at times, but his arm action is clean. Haake’s stuff will likely push him into the third or fourth round, despite an ugly stat line. He’s most likely a power reliever in pro ball, but with three pitches, there’s still plenty of reasons to dream.

 

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Riley Thompson

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Louisville

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 206 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Yankees '17 (25)

Scouting Report: A 37th-round pick of the Reds out of high school and a 27th round pick of the Yankees last year as a redshirt freshman, Thompson’s stuff is every bit as good as anyone who will be taken in the first round. He has a mid-90s fastball that will tickle triple digits and a power curve that can be a devastating weapon when he’s locked in. Despite two pitches that can earn 70 grades from scouts and an average changeup, Thompson has had little on-field success. He missed the 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 4.02 ERA as a redshirt freshman, but had to be shut down at the end of the season with a sore arm. He began this season in Louisville’s rotation but slid to the bullpen and has struggled to be effective in either role. Thompson had a 7.26 ERA in mid-May and was allowing more than a hit per inning. Thompson’s problem has always been his well below average control. When he runs into trouble, innings quickly get away from him and he’s yet to show the ability to diagnose and fix delivery flaws in the middle of an inning.

 

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Bryce Reagan

HS SS

Notes:

School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: S-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas

Scouting Report: A switch-hitting infielder committed to Texas, Reagan would have been one of the best prospects out of New Hampshire this spring but transferred to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to play alongside Blaze Alexander. The move allowed Reagan to face much better competition, but also meant he had to split time at shortstop with Alexander, who is the superior defender. Reagan has a solid arm that would likely be enough for the position with good footwork as well, but scouts think he’ll be a better fit at third base or second base in the future. He is a below-average runner. His swing from the left side is more advanced than his righthanded swing. From the left side he is more fluid and natural, compared to a stiffer swing from the right side. He showed real talent with the bat during the summer, including a loud East Coast Pro showcase performance. He has a strong work ethic and passion for the game. From a professional perspective, scouts saw less out of his bat than they wanted and he looked more like just another solid player in Florida compared to a big fish in a smaller pond back in New Hampshire. A team that believes in his bat could still buy him out of a strong Texas commit.

 

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Seth Halvorsen

HS RHP/OF

Notes:

School: Heritage Christian Academy, Maple Grove, Minn.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Missouri

Scouting Report: There’s a lot to like about Halvorsen’s arm, but while the Missouri signee can flash some 95-97s early in outings, he doesn’t maintain that velocity and soon settles into an 88-92 mph range that’s still solid for a teenage righthander. His curveball is inconsistent. Evaluators say they believe Halvorsen prefers to play shortstop where his arm is easily plus. He has some quick twitch attributes and is an above-average runner. He has the athleticism to play both ways at Missouri, but scouts don’t really see him as a pro prospect as a hitter just yet.

 

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Devin Mann

4YR 2B

Notes:

School: Louisville

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A career .286/.404/.454 righthanded hitter with 14 home runs in 538 at-bats for Louisville, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mann has shown flashes of greatness but has never quite put it all together. He’s a disciplined hitter who works deep counts, controls the strike zone well and spoils pitcher’s pitches until he gets something he likes. In 2018, he’s walked more (53) than struck out (43) and has at least solid-average hitting ability with a quick, level swing that currently produces more doubles than over-the-fence pop. He nearly raised his season average to .300 in one week with a sizzling-hot ACC Tournament in late May in which he homered twice, but in that same tournament he committed three costly errors at second base—two in the championship game against Florida State that led to big offensive innings. Mann is a fringy defensive second baseman at best, with an average arm and range but at times clunky hands and awkward reactions. At one point a plus runner, Mann has slowed to fringier speeds, limiting his defensive versatility. Mann will get drafted for his track record of hitting at Louisville and if teams believe there’s more power potential to unlock, but he’ll need to ride that bat in pro ball due to his lack of defensive tools. He could eventually move to left field at the next level.

 

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Josh Winder

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Virginia Military Institute

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: In 2017, Winder set the Virginia Military Institute single-season record for both strikeouts (112) and innings pitched (107.2) while posting a 3.59 ERA. He excited scouts with a plus fastball in the mid-90s that he located well to both sides of the plate. In 2018, the stuff hasn’t been quite as good, as the 6-foot-5 righthander has been more in the 91-92 mph range and fallen into the upper 80s as he’s gotten into the third or fourth inning and beyond. His slider has backed up as well and it’s more of a fringe-average pitch after being a solid out-pitch last year. While he still managed a respectable walk rate with 19 free passes in 85 innings (2.01 BB/9), his strike-throwing has backed up this spring. He’s fanned 91 batters through 85 innings and posted a 5.40 ERA in 14 starts. Winder could still get taken in the fifth or sixth round by a team that’s confident he’ll get back to his 2017 version, but his stock has slipped a bit this spring.

 

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Kyle Hess

HS OF

Notes:

School: Donegal HS, Mount Joy, Pa.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Pittsburgh

Scouting Report: Solid across the board, Hess is a speedy outfielder with a chance to stick in center field who has shown some feel to hit and has average raw power. Hess isn’t overflowing with tools—his best is his running ability, which is plus at times but likely closer to above-average. He has fringe-average arm strength and lacks overall twitchiness, but scouts like the simplicity of his lefthanded swing. A Pittsburgh commit, Hess is seen as singable and a team who likes his odds to stick in center field could draft him among the top five rounds.

 

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Cole Henry

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Florence (Ala.) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Henry, listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, is a big, physical righthander with a power arm to match. His fastball typically sits in the low 90s and he’s run it up to 97 mph—velocity that he figures to reach more consistently as he continues to develop. He throws both a power breaking ball and a changeup. He repeats his delivery well and has shown the ability to pound the strike zone. Henry is committed to Louisiana State and will be a draft-eligible sophomore in two years if he makes it to Baton Rouge.

[TheHurl]

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Kendall Logan Simmons

HS 3B/SS

Notes:

School: Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, Ga.

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Georgia Tech

Scouting Report: Something of a split-camp player, Simmons has a few plus tools including 60-grade raw power and a plus arm, but teams are mixed on his ability to stick at shortstop, as well as his feel to hit. He had a poor summer with a lot of swing and miss, but when Simmons does connect with balls they go a long ways and he’s driven homers with authority in front of the right people at times. The power comes more from natural strength than twitchiness, which doesn’t ease the concerns that he’ll always swing and miss too much to get the most of his juice in-game. Defensively, Simmons has solid hands and defensive actions but again, he’s not super twitchy and he’s just an average runner, leading many teams to look at him as a third baseman. His spring was inconsistent and he’d occasionally start to barrel balls all over the field, but scouts would also leave fields wondering if he would ever hit, in part because the competition he’s facing is not great. There’s a good chance Simmons gets drafted higher than his ranking as some teams think he’s a shortstop with a plus arm, plus power and a chance to hit while an equal amount see a third baseman with raw power but no way to get to it consistently.

 

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Noah Davis

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: UC Santa Barbara

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Davis established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in the draft class with a stellar stint in the Cape Cod League last summer, but injuries limited him to just two starts this spring and he had Tommy John surgery in March. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Davis was in second-round consideration prior to surgery. He’s an athletic righthander who sits 92-95 mph, reaches 97 and commands his fastball to both sides of the plate. Davis backs up his heater with a plus slider in the low 80s that has the sharpness and depth to be a swing-and-miss pitch in pro ball, and his changeup is a projectable third pitch that flashes average. While Davis’ injury hurts his draft stock, he still projects to be picked in the top 10 rounds, with some teams interested in the top five. He won’t be ready to pitch again until summer 2019, but his upside as a mid-rotation starter has teams believing he’s worth the wait.

 

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Zack Kone

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Duke

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 202 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Though he didn’t draw quite as much buzz as Duke teammates Griffin Conine and Jimmy Herron, Kone was a Cape Cod League all-star in the summer of 2017 and has been a three-year starter for the Blue Devils with a track record of hitting. Kone has inconsistent—and sometimes violent—righthanded swing mechanics, but he has excellent feel for barreling the baseball and could hit more consistently with some polish. A thick-bodied shortstop at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Kone throws with a plus arm that could also play at third base if he outgrows the position. Kone shows average raw power in batting practice but hasn’t yet been able to unlock it in games. He’s an intriguing prospect whose value would increase if he can smooth over his rough edges in the batter’s box.

 

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Cooper Stinson

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Norcross (Ga.) HS

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 240 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Duke

Scouting Report: The younger brother of Graeme, a flamethrowing sophomore reliever for Duke, Stinson is a big, 6-foot-6, 240 pound righty out of Georgia who’s made big strides in the last year. Previously a soft bodied pitcher in the 88-90 mph range with mediocre spin, Stinson popped a bit at Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship, where he was in the 90-93 mph range and showed feel for an average slider. This spring he’s touched 94 mph and he routinely shows a power slider that in the mid 80s that looks like a future plus pitch. On top of that, Stinson also has a split-change that he breaks out occasionally and also has the look of a 60-grade offering. With a clean arm action and above-average body control, Stinson is an appealing and projectable arm who should be throwing in the mid 90s with more regularity in the future thanks to a strong arm and big frame. A team might like that overall package now, but he could easily get to Duke, where he will work on improving his command and poise on the mound, and attempt to gain consistency that he currently lacks.

 

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Jonathan Bowlan

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Memphis

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 237 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Bowlan is a massive, 6-foot-6, 260-pound righthander who went from being a part-time starter/reliever as a sophomore to a weekend starter as a junior. He’s pitched better than his 2-9, 3.71 record would indicate. He’s allowed 93 hits in 85 innings, but he’s only walked 18 while striking out 104. His stuff has stayed firm as a starter and he sits 91-94 and touches 95 with a three-pitch mix while carrying that velocity deep into games. His changeup and slider are both below-average pitches right now, but they flash potential to be at least average offerings eventually. Bowlan has the frame to be a durable back-end starter and unlike a lot of big-boned pitchers, he already has solid body control and above-average control for his age.

 

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Kevin Vargas

HS SS

Notes:

School: International Baseball Academy, Salinas, P.R.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 173 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida International

Scouting Report: Perhaps the most well-known Puerto Rican player in the 2018 draft class because of his participation in high profile showcases like the Under Armour All-America Game and Perfect Game All-American Classic in 2017, Vargas is a 6-foot-2, 173-pound shortstop who has shown exciting defensive potential but has a light bat. Scouts who saw him this spring at Puerto Rico’s Excellence Tournament—one of the biggest events of the spring for P.R. draft-eligible players—thought he had backed up across the board, however. After showing solid defensive actions and above-average raw arm strength throughout the summer, Vargas didn’t stand out defensively at the event, and also struggled with the bat. If his defensive ability has gone backwards, it’s a much tougher profile for Vargas since teams were already projecting heavily on his bat improving. Vargas is committed to Florida International.

 

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Kyle Molnar

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: UCLA

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Cardinals '15 (25)

Scouting Report: Molnar was a potential second-round pick out of high school who dropped because of his strong commitment to UCLA, and he delivered on the hype by leading all Bruins starters in wins and ERA as a freshman. But Molnar has thrown only one inning in the two years since, halting his expected rise to the top of his class. He had Tommy John surgery after his freshman year and missed all of 2017, and a setback with his elbow delayed his return to mid-April of this year, 22 months after surgery. Molnar pitched one inning in his return, left the game and didn’t pitch the rest of the season. Despite his alarming health record, Molnar’s promise as a physical righthander who can hold mid-90s velocity has teams interested in the top 10 rounds. How comfortable team doctors feel with Molnar’s medicals will have as much impact on his draft placement as anything. He has the option to return to school as a redshirt junior.

 

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Andrew Perez

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: South Florida

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 217 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: South Florida’s closer, Perez has posted a 2.65 ERA in 34 innings this season and been seen regularly thanks to the presence of highly-touted lefthander Shane McClanahan. Perez is a talented southpaw in his own right, though he’s definitely a relief arm whereas McClanahan only might be. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound lefty throws a fastball that has been up to 95 regularly towards the end of the season, sitting in the 93-94 mph range in one inning starts and dropping down to 91-92 if he throws multiple innings. Perez’ breaking ball has also improved this spring, though it’s still just an average, 75-81 mph hard slurve, though Perez dubs it a slider. Perez could go in the latter half of the top 10 rounds thanks to a strikeout rate that’s been higher than 10 batters per nine innings each year in the American Athletic Conference and a significantly improved walk rate this spring.

 

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Austin Hansen

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Oklahoma

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Hansen has been a reliable late-inning option for the Sooners this season as he attacks hitters with a little more varied assortment than most power relievers. He mixes a 93-95 mph fastball and a solid-average curveball and changeup. At his best Hansen will touch a 96, but that velocity usually tails off, especially when he’s working back-to-back days, which feeds scouts concerns about his 6-foot frame.

 

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Ryan Cusick

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Avon (Conn.) Old Farms HS.

Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Wake Forest

Scouting Report: Listed at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Cusick is a strong, physical righthander who received positive reviews for remaking his body over the winter. Cusick’s fastball has touched 97 mph in the past, although he more regularly sits in the 92-94 mph range. He shows feel for a slider, although the pitch remains inconsistent. Cusick’s control is currently below-average and his overall feel to pitch is lacking. He has a starter’s build, but scouts see him more as a reliever right now. He is committed to Wake Forest, where developing his offspeed offerings and improving his command should be his primary focuses.

 

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Justin Lewis

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kentucky

Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Rays '17 (11)

Scouting Report: Lewis was all set to sign with the Rays as an 11th-round pick last summer, but when the Rays didn’t sign supplemental first-round pick Drew Rasmussen, it meant that they didn’t have the money to sign Lewis. So Lewis returned for his redshirt junior year at Kentucky and once again proved to be a very reliable Sunday starter. Lewis’ plus split-changeup is a weapon with excellent deception and late tumble. His fastball is also above-average, as he’ll touch 93-94 mph at his best, and he has a fringe-average slider. Lewis is long, lean and athletic, but he could use some additional strength. His velocity tailed off badly in 2017 and he was trying to survive with a high-80s fastball by the end of the year.

 

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Jacen Roberson

HS OF

Notes:

School: Garces Memorial HS, Bakersfield, Calif.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 176 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Cal State Bakersfield

Scouting Report: Roberson is a throwback as the rare modern three-sport athlete. He was a wide receiver on his high school football team, a guard on the basketball team and the star center fielder of the baseball team. Roberson skipped the showcase circuit because of his other sports commitments, but evaluators found him and were immediately drawn to his lefthanded bat and supreme athleticism. Roberson is a twitchy, 6-foot-1, 170 pounds with some of the best hand speed in the region. That hand speed leads to exceptional bat speed and he makes consistent contact with superb hand-eye coordination. Some scouts project him as an average hitter with average power, but others see a raw bat path that takes his swing in and out of the zone quickly and worry he’ll struggle against higher-level pitching. Roberson is an above-average to plus runner who has a chance to be a plus defender in center field and he has a plus arm. Those who believe in Roberson’s bat are interested as high as the third round, but others don’t believe he’ll hit enough to project as more than a backup outfielder. He is committed to Cal State Bakersfield.

 

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Victor Vodnik

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Rialto (Calif.) HS

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Cal State Northridge

Scouting Report: No pitcher has been drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. Vodnik is about to change that. The quick-armed, 5-foot-11 righthander popped up at the WWBA World Championships last fall throwing 95 mph and scouts stayed on him all year. Vodnik is raw and undersized, but his arm strength is undeniable. He sits at 92-93 mph and holds it well, and he touched 96 mph in the spring. His slider is self-taught and a little crude, but he flashes some above-average offerings at 84-87 mph. Vodnik received little development or coaching in Rialto, a poverty-stricken area with little baseball infrastructure, so he doesn’t repeat his arm slot or release point and he needs a lot of coaching to smooth out his delivery. Vodnik is committed to Cal State Northridge but expected to sign. He projects as a two-pitch power reliever and is expected to be drafted in the middle of the top 10 rounds.

 

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Ty Madden

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Cypress (Texas) Ranch HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas

Scouting Report: A year ago, Madden, a Texas signee, was a 6-foot-4 flagpole. He’s gained nearly 40 pounds since then as his frame has caught up to his growth spurt. He already can touch 96 mph and will sit 90-94 with a plus fastball and he throws a slider that is easily plus at its best. But right now he can’t maintain either pitch or his control consistently over the length of an outing. That inconsistency may ensure he gets to Texas, but if he continues to add strength, he could climb a number of spots on this list in a few years.

 

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J.J. Montgomery

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Central Florida

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Montgomery’s older brother Christian was selected in the 11th round out of high school by the Mets in 2011, but J.J. has a chance to go higher after a strong season with Central Florida. Splitting time evenly between starting and reliever, Montgomery posted a 2.49 ERA through 16 games and 61 innings, with 72 strikeouts and 18 walks. He profiles better as a reliever at the next level, with a fastball that’s better out of the bullpen, touching 95-96 mph. He has a fringe-average slider in the 79-83 mph range, and as a starter he also used a cutter and a 81-82 mph changeup at times, but had a tendency to slow his arm down with these pitches.

 

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Kyle Luckham

HS RHP

Notes:

School: El Dorado HS, Placentia, Calif.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Cal State Fullerton

Scouting Report: Luckham’s coming-out party came in his junior year, when he pitched a complete game in the section quarterfinals to beat a Huntington Beach (Calif.) team led by Nick Pratto and Hagen Danner. He followed that performance with a strong senior season, putting himself in consideration for the top 10 rounds. Luckham is a strong, quick-armed righthander who pitches at 90-91 mph and touches 93-94. His fastball sinks with hard action in on righthanders, and as such he likes to pitch inside. Luckham’s best secondary offering is a firm changeup with late fade that projects as a plus pitch. Luckham’s arm action and high-effort delivery aren’t conducive to spinning the ball, so his curveball is below-average and evaluators have a tough time projecting it for more. He’s also physically maxed out in his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. Luckham projects as a reliever with his delivery and lack of a breaking ball, but his arm strength will get him drafted. He is committed to Cal State Fullerton and comes from an academic background, so he could be a tough sign.

 

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R.J. Freure

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Pittsburgh

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A hard-throwing righthanded reliever at Pittsburgh, Freure throws a plus fastball in the 92-95 mph range and can spin a powerful, downer curveball that’s also a plus pitch—giving him the raw stuff necessary to be a shutdown reliever. He struck out a ludicrous 95 batters in 58.2 innings (14.57 K/9) this spring, with all but one appearance coming out of the bullpen. The question mark with Freure surrounds his ability to throw enough strikes to have success at the next level. Scouts label him with 30-grade command and his walk rate backs that up, with 35 free passes issued through 58.2 innings (5.37 BB/9) this season. A native of Burlington, Ont., Freure was a member of Team Canada’s 18U junior national team in high school.

 

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Tyrus Greene

4YR C

Notes:

School: California

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A lefthanded-hitting catcher, Greene has hit at every level he’s ever played, including a .336/.423/.415 career slash line at California through 48 games this spring. He has good bat-to-ball skills with an unorthodox swing, and he’s athletic enough to make it work—as evidenced by his statistical performance. He has also hit well in wood-bat leagues, with a .307/.385/.353 line in the Northwoods League in 2017 and a .295/.439/.386 line in the Alaskan Summer League in 2016. Greene is just 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with well below-average power, but he has a chance to be an average defender with an average throwing arm.

 

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Mason Montgomery

HS LHP

Notes:

School: Leander (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Texas Tech

Scouting Report: Montgomery was one of the Texas prep pitchers who took a step forward as a senior. After sitting at in the low-90s previously, he jumped up to 94-96 mph at his best early in his senior year, leading to teams circling back to take a closer look. But the Texas Tech signee was unable to maintain that velocity jump consistently, as he settled back into the low-90s. His control and his breaking ball are also less consistent than scouts would like. He could be a high-risk, high-reward pick this year, but scouts would get a much better idea of what Montgomery is going to develop into if he heads to Texas Tech.

 

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Devlin Granberg

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Dallas Baptist

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 224 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Granberg has been one of the most productive hitters in the country this year. As of mid-May he was hitting .408/.520/.612 and showing the ability to drive the ball while making plenty of contact. Granberg is a plus hitter who handles velocity with no issues. His swing also allows him to generate some loft that could develop into average power. Granberg has sneaky above-average speed as well–he had swiped 19 bags in 20 attempts. That speed hasn’t helped him yet in the outfield where he’s fringe-average defender in left field at best. His below-average arm is overtaxed in right field. He can also play an adequate first base. Granberg is a productive senior sign who has legitimate potential as well as a nice price.

 

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Tyler Holton

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Florida State

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Marlins '17 (35)

Scouting Report: If Holton were righthanded, there’s a chance he isn’t on this list at all. Holton throws a well below-average fastball that sits in the mid-80s and tops out at 89 mph, and he has thrown just 4.2 innings this spring after tearing his UCL in February. Because he’s left-handed, however, teams will more easily overlook his lack of pure stuff. If healthy, he would have ranked among the top 200 prospects in the draft class because of an impressive resume in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Holton was named first team all-ACC in 2017 and was a second team All-American after posting a 2.34 ERA in 119 innings with 144 strikeouts and 33 walks. Holton was also the best starter for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2017, when he posted a 0.69 ERA over in 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and just two walks. Without an average fastball, Holton excels because of his ability to effectively spot pitches in and out of the zone. He also has a plus changeup and a curveball that was showing improvement over the summer. His changeup is his only plus offering, but each of his pitches will play down at the next level because no professional hitter will be challenged by his fastball. There is a professional precedent in Brewers lefthander Brent Suter–who averages 86 mph with his fastball—and Holton has been compared to him at times. Suter is three inches taller, however, and there are more medical questions with Holton as well.

 

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Joseph Menefee

HS LHP

Notes:

School: George Ranch HS, Richmond, Texas

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: Menefee could have pitched his way into early Day Two consideration thanks to a low 90s fastball and a potentially plus slider. Some scouts thought his approach and delivery would eventually lead to a move to the bullpen, but he’ll almost assuredly make it to Texas A&M now as he injured his elbow and had Tommy John surgery in March. Menefee played with the 18U National team last summer, where he threw five shutout relief innings, with six strikeouts and four walks.

 

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A.J. Graffanino

4YR SS

Notes:

School: Washington

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Indians '15 (26)

Scouting Report: One of the most talented defenders in college baseball, Graffanino wasn’t able to showcase the leather as much this spring, as he missed almost the entirety of March and April with hamstring issues. When healthy, Graffanino is a quick-twitch infielder with range and average arm strength. There could easily be above-average arm strength in Graffanino’s tank, but scouts have rarely seen the 6-foot-2 shortstop completely air it out on throws. Some scouts believe Graffanino will need more polish defensively as a pro, as he tends to speed up the game and plays on a turf field at Husky Ballpark, where it’s easy to pick up bad defensive habits. Still, he projects as an above-average defender in the future. Offensively, his bat is light and although he’s hit better this spring in a shortened season, scouts have too frequently watched him try to slap the ball and get on base with above-average speed out of the lefthanded batter’s box. Graffanino came into Washington as a switch-hitter, but now hits exclusively from the left side.

 

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Dexter Jordan

HS OF/3B

Notes:

School: Hattiesburg (Miss.) HS

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisiana-Lafayette

Scouting Report: Jordan teamed with fellow draft prospect Joe Gray to lead Hattiesburg to the Mississippi 5A state championship this season with Jordan allowing one run in five innings to get the win while also providing three hits and three RBIs in the championship game. Jordan’s pro future will be as a position player, although what position that will be is much less clear. Jordan can play second or third base and left or right field. His best positional fit is probably third base where he has an average arm and average range. Scouts love Jordan’s mature makeup and intense on-field approach. Overall, there are a lot of average tools on Jordan’s scouting report. He is an average runner with an average arm, average defense and potentially average power. Like it is for many high school hitters, the big question is whether his hit tool will also get to average. Some scouts think it will, which is why he could hear his name called on day two of the draft.

 

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Nick Pogue

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Eau Gallie HS, Melbourne, Fla.

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida

Scouting Report: Perhaps the best No. 2 pitcher in the high school ranks, Pogue has been the 1b to Carter Stewart for Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.) High this spring and bears a striking resemblance to the likely first-round pick with a 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame. Pogue’s current stuff isn’t quite as loud as Stewart’s, although Pogue consistently throws in the 91-93 mph range with a heavy, sinking fastball that has good angle. He also has the makings of an above-average, 77-81 mph curveball with 12-to-6 shape that shows late-breaking action and depth at times, but the pitch remains inconsistent. He’s flashed a low-80s changeup with solid armspeed, giving him three viable offerings down the line. He might be best served enrolling at Florida, where he can sharpen his secondary pitches as well as his command. He has the traits of a starting pitcher at the next level and scouts have seen him frequently this spring.

[TheHurl]

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Jon Olsen

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: UCLA

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Olsen pitched well when he was on the mound this year, but staying on the mound was a problem. After showing well for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer, Olsen had an emergency appendectomy in January, took a horrific line drive off his face in March that required orbital bone surgery, and in May had season-ending elbow surgery. In between it all, Olsen pitched to a 2.20 ERA in six starts, earning wide admiration for his toughness. The 6-foot-3 Olson relies on pitchability and craftiness to succeed. His fastball sits 88-89 mph and touches 91, but it plays up with command and running life. Olsen particularly excels at pitching inside with his fastball and elevating it. Olsen’s best secondaries are his potential above-average slider and average curveball, and he also has a firm changeup that is fringe-average but usable. Olsen lacks big stuff, but he pitches off guts and command and hasn’t failed yet. His latest elbow injury may cause him to return to school for his senior year.

 

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Nelson Maldonado

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Maldonado was the leading hitter on the Gators’ 2017 national championship team and he’s put together another solid season in 2018. Maldonado has excellent plate discipline, understanding of the strike zone and barrel control. Those attributes have helped him walk more than he’s struck out during his career and made him a consistent presence in the Gators’ lineup. The righthanded hitter has average power and shows it most when he can turn on the ball. Maldonado has mostly served as Florida’s designated hitter and profiles best in left field in pro ball. Without premium tools, there’s a lot of pressure on Maldonado’s hitability to carry him, but an analytically inclined team figures to value his skillset enough to call his name in the top 10 rounds.

 

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Chris Machamer

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kentucky

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Machamer stepped in as the setup man to 2017 sixth-round pick Logan Salow as a true freshman. After Salow left, Machamer went from solid setup man to dominating closer. He showed an ability to work multiple innings although he's rarely worked on back-to-back days because of that. Machamer's velo ticked up from the low 90s to touch more 94s and 95s as the season wore on. He throws plenty of strikes with an average fastball, setting up an above-average slider that has good late break and an average changeup. As a draft-eligible sophomore, Machamer has leverage if he opts to return to Kentucky, but his stuff is good enough for a team to consider spending to land him.

 

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Eric De La Rosa

JC OF

Notes:

School: Grossmont (Calif.) JC

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: De La Rosa is a late-blooming outfielder who transferred from San Jose State and laid waste to the California JC circuit this spring, batting .434 with 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. De La Rosa has a long, lean, athletic physique at 6-foot-4, 175 pounds and shows hints of all five tools. He is an above-average runner with long strides who glides to balls in center field, where he should stick in pro ball. He shows plus raw power, runs the bases well and has an average arm. The concern about De La Rosa is he feasted on poor pitching and he showed a propensity to expand the strike zone when faced with better velocity. Scouts who like De La Rosa see a player whose tools keep getting better and think he could grow into an everyday regular with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases. Others are skeptical of his age and competition level and think he’ll run into trouble hitting in the low minors.

 

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Adam Hackenberg

HS C

Notes:

School: Miller School, Charlottesville, Va.

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Clemson

Scouting Report: A big, 6-foot-2, 225-pound backstop with a mature body, Hackenburg stands out for his plus raw power and tremendous arm strength—drawing 70 grades from many scouts who have seen him throw from behind the plate. Hackenburg had a very loud tournament at last fall’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., catching for the Canes’ National Team and splitting time behind the dish with Anthony Seigler. Offensively, he doesn't have great feel for the strike zone currently, but his swing is solid enough to allow his power to play in-games. There is some work to do in cleaning up his actions behind the plate, as Hackenburg’s receiving and blocking are both below-average and he has some stiffness, but he is athletic enough to make the necessary adjustments and could develop into an above-average defender. A Clemson commit, Hackenburg is one of the smartest kids in his high school class.

 

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Brett Conine

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Cal State Fullerton

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Conine saved 25 games the last two seasons as Cal State Fullerton’s closer, including the clinching victories in the Stanford Regional and Long Beach Super Regional in 2017. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Conine is dependent on his velocity for success because his fastball is straight and lacks life. He gets swings and misses when he’s at his best, regularly reaching 95 mph. At other times, his velocity drops to 90-91 mph and he gets hit around. He gave up more than one hit per inning as a junior because he spent more time at his lower velocity. Conine’s best secondary offering is an above-average, power curveball in the 79-80 mph range and he can throw his changeup for a strike as well. Conine has a chance to move fairly quickly as a reliever in pro ball, but only if he can find a way to maintain the upper end of his velocity range. He projects to be picked toward the back of the top 10 rounds.

 

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Christopher Williams

HS OF/LHP

Notes:

School: River Ridge HS, Woodstock, Ga.

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Florida International

Scouting Report: Williams is an interesting two-way player who most teams prefer as a hitter because of his extremely loose hands and average raw power at the plate, as well as his plus arm in the outfield. A Florida International commit, Williams is still raw at the plate, but his bat speed and the looseness of his swing have scouts and crosscheckers alike excited for his future potential. Most of his power is of the doubles variety presently, although he has hit several home runs to right-center, which helps when projecting his power in the future. An average runner, Williams profiles best as a corner outfielder, where his arm is strong enough to play in right field. Evaluators are mixed on his potential on the mound, with some scouts giving him a fringe-average fastball grade with a promising slider that cuts in on lefthanded hitters. Others say Williams’ fastball is poor with a fringe-average delivery and strike-throwing ability.

 

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Braydon Fisher

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Clear Falls HS, League City, Texas

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Lamar

Scouting Report: Fisher is another Texas prep arm who has done a lot to help himself this spring. A well-built 6-foot-4, 180-pound righthander, Fisher has seen his velocity tick up during his senior season. After topping out at 91-92 mph in showcases last summer, he’s touched 96 this spring. The Lamar signee now sits 92-96 mph at his best with a slurvy breaking ball and a developing changeup.

 

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Mattheu Nelson

HS C

Notes:

School: Calvary Christian HS, Clearwater, Fla.

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Florida State

Scouting Report: A solid, all-around catcher committed to Florida State, Nelson impressed scouts over the summer with solid-average arm strength that has a chance to be plus in the future thanks to an above-average release. Scouts believe he will be a solid or above-average defensive catcher, with the ability to throw with both strength and accuracy from his knees. Offensively, Nelson has a compact, level swing with average bat speed that’s more suited for spraying doubles to all fields than hitting home runs. He has present strength in his compact, 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame, but it’s hard to project him with much more than average power in the future.

 

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Brandon Dieter

HS SS/RHP

Notes:

School: South Hills HS, West Covina, Calif.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Stanford

Scouting Report: Dieter might be one of the best high school baseball players in the class, but the Stanford commit has no carrying tool and because of that he is somewhat of a polarizing figure. There are teams who don’t have him on their board and want to see him go to Stanford, where he would be able to prove he can succeed against Pac-12 competition. Other teams are already intrigued by his hitting ability, defensive actions and the overall polish surrounding his game. A two-way player for South Hills (West Covina, Calif.) High and a utility player on Team USA’s 18U club, Dieter has advanced strike-throwing ability but is without a plus pitch on the mound. At shortstop, he is solid defensively but doesn’t have great range and is a below-average runner. As a pitcher, Dieter throws a fastball that’s usually in the 87-90 mph range and has been up to 92 mph at times, though not regularly. He also has good feel to spin and locate a mid-70s curveball, although his most useful swing-and-miss offering is a low-80s changeup with excellent fading life. It’s hard to project much more to come on the mound, however, as Dieter is just 6-foot, 175 pounds and without more than average arm speed. Most teams see his professional future as a hitter. He’s shown excellent hands and glovework at shortstop and has enough arm for the position, but many scouts believe he’ll have to move to second or third because of his lack of quickness. That puts more pressure on Dieter’s bat. He’s shown great feel for the barrel throughout the summer and spring, but it might not be enough for a team to buy him out of his Stanford commitment. He’s a player who could shoot up draft boards after proving he can hit in college. Dieter is also an extremely smart player with off-the-charts makeup and work ethic.

 

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Steven Kwan

4YR OF

Notes:

School: Oregon State

Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Kwan leads things off in Oregon State’s potent lineup and has proven to be an on-base machine. He is a nightmare for opposing pitchers and is one of the toughest players to strike out in Division I baseball. After striking out around seven percent of the time through his first two seasons with the Beavers, Kwan has cut that rate to 4.8 percent in 2018, striking out just 12 times through his first 199 at-bats. His walk rate has done the exact opposite, shooting from under three percent during his freshman season to over 17 percent through his first 49 games this spring—even more impressive when considering Kwan’s poor power. A rangy center fielder, Kwan has a slap-hitting approach, spraying the ball to all fields and getting on base with above-average speed. While there are questions regarding how his approach will pan out in pro ball, Kwan has hit well over .300 in each of his last two seasons at Oregon State and has a strong track record of hitting in wood-bat leagues. He hit .304/.381/.342 in 26 games in the Cape Cod League last summer. Because of his ability to play above-average defense in center field and his speed, Kwan projects as a fourth outfielder whose bat might be too light to ever make him a regular.

 

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Ethan Reed

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Southern California

Scouting Report: Reed is a projectable righthander who had a loud Area Code Games performance in 2017 and left scouts excited about what he would do in the spring. At the summer showcase event, Reed sat 90-93 mph with his fastball and occasionally reached the mid-90s with present physicality and a quick arm. Scouts came away slightly disappointed this spring, however, as Reed never took the step forward many evaluators expected to see. He pitched mostly in the 87-89 mph range and touched 91-92 on only a few occasions. A basketball player in the winter, scouts felt like Reed never really got his legs under him for baseball season. And while he did show improved feel to spin an average curveball, the pitch remains inconsistent and is below-average at times. With a 6-foot-4 frame and impressive arm speed, there’s still a lot to like with Reed, but teams might have to project more than they expected at this point. He is committed to Southern California.

 

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Michael Byrne

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Florida

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Byrne in 2017 was thrust into the closer’s role for Florida and thrived. He had an All-American season as he led the nation with 19 saves and helped the Gators win the national championship. Byrne does not fit the typical closer’s profile, however. His fastball sits 90-92 mph, but he does an exceptional job of spotting it and keep it down in the zone. His slider is his primary secondary pitch and he also has a changeup, but he rarely shows it in short stints. Byrne has excellent pitchability and a feel for his craft. Without plus stuff he has to be fine to succeed and he doesn’t fit today’s profile for a reliever, but after excelling over the last two years in the Southeastern Conference and in the Cape Cod League, he’ll be given a chance to prove himself in pro ball.

 

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Trevor Casanova

4YR C

Notes:

School: Cal State Northridge

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-R | Commit/Drafted: Mariners '17 (14)

Scouting Report: A 14th-round pick of the Mariners out of El Camino (Calif.) JC last year, Casanova transferred to Cal State Northridge and tied for the Big West Conference batting title with a .345 average as the Matadors’ starting catcher. Casanova rarely jumps out to observers, but they often look up and see Casanova had the best game of anyone on the field. A 6-foot, 205-pound lefthanded hitter, Casanova takes good swings that produce a lot of contact and average power. His bat path is sound, but his bat speed is below-average, which concerns evaluators when he faces better velocity. Defensively, Casanova is a decent athlete who is a potential average receiver with fringe-average arm strength. Scouts have reservations because Casanova lacks a plus tool and he put up his big numbers against second-tier competition, but he still projects to go in the top 10 rounds as an athletic, lefthanded-hitting catcher with a loud track record.

 

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Brandon Schrepf

HS OF/RHP

Notes:

School: Gulf Breeze (Fla.) HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: South Florida

Scouting Report: A 6-foot-3 outfielder with some athleticism and strength, Schrepf had a loud fall with the bat, homering at multiple events including the Florida Diamond Club showcase and Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championships. A South Florida commit, Schrepf has loose and quick hands that give him above-average bat speed, but he’ll need to clean up some of the moving parts in his load to hit better pitching at the next level. Schrepft starts his swing with a significant leg kick and also has a lot of bat waggle and hand movement up until contact, which leads to poor impact at times. When he does square the ball up, Schrepf shows above-average power, and he has a frame that should be able to add more strength as he continues to develop. An average runner, Schrepf is quicker underway than out of the box. He has solid-average arm strength and is likely a corner outfielder in the future.

 

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Jonathan Heasley

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Oklahoma State

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 216 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A draft-eligible sophomore, Heasley’s results haven’t matched his stuff. He can touch 94-95 mph with his fastball, his power slider can earn above-average grades and he mixes in a below-average curve and change as well. But he’s proven very hittable this spring as he’s moved from a relief role to a spot in Oklahoma State’s rotation. Heasley’s below-average control needs to improve. He was 3-6, 6.72 at the end of the regular season with 86 hits allowed in 71 innings, 36 walks and 72 strikeouts.

 

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Vinny Tosti

HS OF

Notes:

School: Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Oregon

Scouting Report: Tosti had high hopes after playing in the Perfect Game All-America Classic and Area Code Games last summer, but nothing went right for him on or off the field during his senior year. His home burned down in the Northern California wildfires in the fall, so he transferred from Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, Calif.) High to Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif. A strained hamstring caused him to miss the start of the season, and upon his return he pulled his other hamstring, keeping him out more than half the year. At his best, Tosti is a physical outfielder who flashes plus speed and extra-base power. But this year he struggled badly with breaking balls and had a lot of swing and miss to his game, while his speed played down because he was slow to accelerate. That lack of hitability and speed caused many evaluators to drop him down their board, even taking into account his injuries and off-the-field circumstances. Tosti’s past success in Northern California is what drives his draft stock and could still get him picked in the top 10 rounds. He is committed to Oregon.

 

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Brandon Birdsell

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Conroe (Texas) HS

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M

Scouting Report: Birdsell, a Texas signee, has one of the best arms in Texas, as he’s shown he’s fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery he had in 2016. The righthander can sit 91-93 mph and touch 95. His feel for pitching and his secondary offerings have work to do to catch up to his fastball, but his frame, athleticism and fast arm could entice teams that he’s worth being patient.

 

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Fabian Pena

4YR C

Notes:

School: Manhattan

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A stocky, 5-foot-11, 205-pound catcher, Pena is a strong catch-and-throw backstop who profiles well defensively. He also showed some feel to hit during his first two years with Manhattan in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, but that ability didn’t show up in the same way this spring. Pena hit just .255/.365/.411 with six home runs in 2018 after hitting .330 or better in each of his first two seasons. Pena has plus raw power and homered nine times as a freshman. He has hit with pop in wood-bat leagues as well, most notably when he recorded a .282/.342/.485 slash line with four home runs and nine doubles in 30 games in the Valley League in 2016. He held his own in the Cape Cod League in 2017 but didn’t have the same power, hitting .275/.344/.388 with two home runs in 24 games. With a pull-oriented approach and a down spring, scouts see Pena as having a backup profile. He does, however, have the soft hands, reliable receiving ability and arm strength to project as a plus defender.

 

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Bryce Tucker

4YR LHP

Notes:

School: Central Florida

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: A deceptive lefthanded reliever with some funk in his delivery, Tucker has had success as Central Florida’s closer in each of the last two seasons. He had a phenomenal sophomore campaign in 2017, when he posted a 1.66 ERA in 38 innings with 55 strikeouts and 12 walks. His performance hasn’t been as polished this spring, as Tucker’s walk rate has jumped significantly, although his ERA is still solid and he is striking out batters at an encouraging clip. Tucker throws a fastball in the 88-92 mph range and the pitch plays up thanks to a delivery that has the lefthander crouched and his upper half tilted toward first base through his release. Tucker also throws a curveball in the mid- to upper 70s. His control issues date back to his time with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer, when he walked six batters in 10 innings—though he still struck out 18. He fields his position well and also has a quick pickoff move to first base.

 

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Michael Grove

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: West Virginia

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Grove was shaping up to be a priority follow this year as he showed a mid-rotation caliber arm for West Virginia last season before he blew out his elbow in his ninth start of the season. He hasn’t pitched in a game this year as he recovers, but pre-injury he was blowing away hitters with a 93-96 mph fastball and a plus breaking ball with above-average control. Grove’s injury status makes him a true wild card for the draft, but a team willing to take a chance could end up landing a second/third round talent in a later round.

 

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Jared Poland

HS 2B/3B/RHP

Notes:

School: Cathedral HS, Indianapolis

Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Louisville

Scouting Report: Louisville went heavy on Indiana prep players in its 2018 recruiting class and Poland is one of the best of the bunch. The righthanded hitter has a compact swing and consistently barrels up balls thanks to his feel for hitting and quick hands. He has some pop in his bat, but his approach lends itself more to hard line drives than home runs right now. Poland, an above-average runner, can play second or third base, but he doesn’t truly profile at either position. If he gets to Louisville, as expected, he’ll get a chance to be a two-way player thanks to his fastball-curveball combination on the mound.

 

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Joey Murray

4YR RHP

Notes:

School: Kent State

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Scouting Report: Murray is a favorite of scouts and coaches because of his ability to generate swings and misses with very modest velocity. He’s had one of the best seasons in college baseball, posting a 8-1, 1.63 line during the regular season with only 44 hits allowed and 132 strikeouts in 88.1 innings. Murray’s fastball sits 87-90 mph, but he blows away hitters like he’s throwing 97 mph. Murray draws comparisons to former MAC pitcher of the year Josh Collmenter, who has had a nine-year big league career after sliding to the 15th round because of his modest fastball. Murray has exceptional deception, but it’s hard to give the 6-foot-2 righthander anything more than an average grade on his fastball because of its lack of velocity. His curveball and slider are both fringe-average pitches, but his swings and misses mainly come from the fastball. He doesn’t really mix in much of a changeup yet. Murray’s lack of velocity limits how highly he will be picked, but unlike Collmenter, he could jump into day two.

 

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Cody Roberts

4YR C/OF

Notes:

School: North Carolina

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 202 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Marlins '17 (38)

Scouting Report: A three-year starter for North Carolina behind the plate and a 38th-round draftee of the Marlins as a sophomore, Roberts is as defensively advanced as they come at the college level. An excellent receiver who routinely catches mid-90s velocity at UNC, Roberts’ throwing arm earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scale, and he has above-average athleticism and versatility for a catcher. He’s made several starts in right field for the Tar Heels this spring. Roberts’ bat is his big question mark. At one point batting leadoff for UNC to start the season, Roberts cooled to a .277/.374/.391 line by season’s end. The righthanded hitter doesn’t project to hit for much power at the next level, but he makes decent contact, and with his defensive prowess, he just needs to hit enough to not be a liability. Roberts is a safe pick with a high floor as a backup catcher at the pro level. His bat will determine how much staying power he has.

 

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Cristian Sanchez

HS RHP

Notes:

School: Centreville (Va.) HS

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Virginia

Scouting Report: A rail-thin, wiry righthander committed to Virginia, Sanchez has a ton of projection thanks to his quick arm and projectable frame. He was up to 92-93 mph with his fastball during the fall, and he has great life on the pitch currently, but more often than not he’s in the upper 80s. His offspeed offerings are intriguing as well, as Sanchez has feel to spin a curveball that could turn into a plus pitch down the line. He’s inconsistent presently, losing command here and there at times and most of his big time stuff has come in shorter stints. With more weight added to a 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame that can take a lot more, scouts think he will throw with an above-average fastball down the line with a curveball that can be a real outpitch. A Virginia commit, Sanchez is expected to be a tough sign if he’s taken near where his ranking suggests.