Top 50 Draft Prospects Scouting Reports
Scouting reports on the Top 50 from Baseball America’s Top 100 Draft Prospects were compiled from countless conversations with scouts, coaches and front office officials.
Reports written by Hudson Belinsky, Ted Cahill, J.J. Cooper, Michael Lananna and John Manuel.
1. A.J. Puk, lhp, Florida
The top-ranked player in Florida’s top-ranked 2013 recruiting class, Puk has developed into a potential top overall pick in college. He broke out as a sophomore, helping Florida to the College World Series and then pitching for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. A Preseason All-American, Puk was inconsistent at the start of the season and was briefly sidelined by back spasms. But he has since rounded into form and again looks the part of dominant starter. Puk throws his fastball in the mid to upper 90s and thanks to the downhill angle and the excellent extension his 6-foot-7 frame enables him to get, the pitch plays up even further. Puk’s slider and changeup both could use further refinement, but both have a chance to develop into average offerings. His slider sits in the mid-80s with horizontal sweeping action, though it can sometimes back up. Puk repeats his arm slot well and gets his torso over his front side consistently. When he stays balanced and online, he is very difficult for hitters to square up, even if they make contact. He throws a lot of strikes, particularly for someone of his size, and can locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. Puk’s overall skill set and body of work have positioned him to be the first college pitcher drafted, and he has the potential to become Florida’s first ever No. 1 overall pick.
2. Riley Pint, rhp, St. Thomas Aquinas High, Overland Park, Kan.
Just two years after high school righthander Tyler Kolek went second overall largegowdy
ly on the basis of a 100 mph fastball, Pint is a much better version of the same template with an exceptionally fast arm. Pint sits at 97-98 mph, regularly bumps 100 and has touched 102 with a fastball that has sink and tailing action. He also throws an 89-91 mph potentially plus changeup with deception and fade. He even has two separate breaking balls–a curve and a slider that both flash above-average. Pint is athletic–he was an excellent basketball player before focusing on baseball and he’s thrown less than many top high school arms. His delivery causes some concerns as he lands into a stiff front side, has a head whack at release and has some recoil which has at times caused his control to waver. In a best-case scenario he becomes a Justin Verlander-esque front-line ace. Like Pint, Verlander had problems with a stiff front side and control issues as an amateur but the Tigers were able to clean it up.
3. Jason Groome, lhp, Barnegat (N.J.) High
Groome is a physical lefthander with potential for a potent three-pitch mix. He spent his junior season at IMG Academy before moving back home to New Jersey for his senior year. He has wide shoulders and thick, well-developed muscles. Groome’s fastball can reach into the mid-90s, touching as high as 97, and he shows the ability to locate the pitch down and to either side of the plate. As he settles in, Groome usually pitches in the low 90s, sitting at 90-94. His best secondary pitch is a menacing curveball, thrown with upper-70s velocity and plus bite. He’ll have to work on staying on top of and behind the pitch more consistently, but it could develop into a plus-plus pitch down the line. Groome also mixes in a changeup, which he’s able to spot down in the strike zone. He has a sound delivery with a clean arm, with the strength to repeat his mechanics. Physically, Groome is as gifted as any player in the class. He is also younger than many of his peers, not turning 18 until August. Groome is committed to Vanderbilt, but he is expected to sign if he’s selected as high as his tools would indicate.’
4. Kyle Lewis, of, Mercer
In 2013, Georgia area scouts saw Lewis as a first baseman at Shiloh High. He had some power but his bat was raw. Undrafted that year, Kyle Lewis elected to attend Mercer, where he has blossomed into a top-of-the-draft talent. Lewis was more of a role player for the Bears as a freshman, but his stock soared as a sophomore, when he swatted 17 home runs and batted .367. Lewis went to the Cape Cod League for the summer and cemented himself as a first-rounder, showing power, arm strength and athleticism. Lewis is a righthanded hitter with plus-plus raw power. He has some swing-and-miss to his game, and his swing plane can be somewhat steep, but he’s developed a reputation for destroying mistake pitches and working at-bats until he gets the pitch he’s looking for. Lewis plays center field at Mercer and is likely to begin his pro career in center, but most feel that his tools will play better in right field. Lewis posts below-average run times to first base, reaching the bag between 4.3 and 4.6 seconds regularly, but his speed is better under way and some scouts like his defensive instincts. Should he have to move away from center, Lewis should fit well in right due to his excellent arm, which scouts have graded above-average to plus. There is some concern among evaluators about how Lewis’ success in the mid-major Southern Conference will carry over to pro ball, though his strong performance in the Cape Cod League has mostly muted those concerns.
5. Nick Senzel, 3b/ss, Tennessee
Senzel comes from a lauded 2013 Tennessee high school class that included fellow top prospects Jordan Sheffield and Will Craig. Senzel played at the powerhouse program at Farragut High alongside Kyle Serrano, but he was not drafted out of high school. Senzel showed solid tools at the East Coast Pro showcase prior to his senior year, but was not a high priority player for scouts to evaluate in high school. After two years at Tennessee, Senzel’s stock exploded last summer when he was the MVP of the Cape Cod League. His carrying tool is his righthanded bat. Senzel is a patient hitter with a mature approach and a swing that’s geared up for line drives. He makes consistent hard contact in games and in batting practice. Senzel shows the ability to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field or to his pull-side gap. He hits more for doubles than home runs at this point, but he can show raw power in batting practice when he’s asked to, leading some evaluators to believe that he will develop more game power as he continues to mature. This spring, Senzel has shown significantly improved defense in the infield, shifting to shortstop later in the season from third base. He reacts quickly and shows solid first-step quickness. Senzel has average arm strength and projects to stay in the left side of the infield. He runs well, with average speed down the line, but he has good baserunning instincts, allowing his speed to play even better.
6. Corey Ray, of, Louisville
A 33rd-round pick of the Mariners out of a Chicago-area high school, Ray opted to head to Louisville instead of signing, earned a spot in the starting lineup late in his freshman year and has been a star for the Cardinals ever since. Scouts have few concerns about his hit tool as they expect him to be at least an average hitter, especially after the refinement of his approach this spring. He has a short stroke and is balanced at the plate with a wide stance. Scouts had worried about Ray’s ability to hit lefthanders but as of early May he had an .865 OPS against them. Ray shows plus raw power and projects to hit 15-18 home runs as a pro. He’s a plus runner with the eye for stealing bases–he’s topped 30 steals for a second consecutive year and he’s done it with an 85 percent success rate. The questions with Ray revolve around his eventual defensive position. Scouts seems almost evenly divided over whether he’s a solid average to tick-above-average center fielder or a future left fielder. Even as a left fielder, Ray does enough things well to be a big league regular, but his eventual impact will be determined by whether he can stay up the middle.
7. Delvin Perez, ss, International Baseball Academy, Ceiba, P.R.
After a few down years, the talent level in Puerto Rico has rebounded in this year’s draft class, with Perez leading the way. He is on track to be the highest drafted player from the island since Carlos Correa went first overall in 2012. While Perez and Correa are both Puerto Rican shortstops, the comparisons don’t go much further. There are few questions about Perez’s ability to stay at shortstop; he shows first-step quickness, range to both sides, a plus or better arm, athleticism and smooth infield actions. He has excellent instincts and can make highlight reel plays look easy, though his quick feet and powerful arm can be difficult for him to control at times. Perez is not as advanced offensively. He is a plus runner with excellent bat speed and can hit blistering line drives, but his pitch recognition and plate discipline will need to improve to allow him to make consistent contact. As a result, he is one of the biggest risk-reward players in the class. Perez is not committed to college and will not turn 18 until November.
8. Mickey Moniak, of, La Costa Canyon High, Carlsbad, Calif.
Moniak starred for USA Baseball’s 18U national team last summer, helping the team win a gold medal while teaming with fellow Southern Californian Blake Rutherford in the American outfield. The two players regularly are compared to each other, with Moniak having a strong spring and moving up draft boards, with many ranking him ahead of Rutherford. He’s a hitter with feel for the barrel that evokes comparisons to Christian Yelich, a fellow SoCal prep outfield product, and solid power to the gaps. Moniak runs above-average underway but explodes around the basepaths and earns plus defensive grades in center field, capable of highlight reel catches as he turned in during the 2016 Area Code Games. He’s committed to UCLA.
9. Braxton Garrett, lhp, Florence (Ala.) High
Garrett has performed well on some big stages in the last year, helping Team USA win the gold medal at the 18U World Cup last fall and then throwing a four-hit shutout at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational in March. Garrett has the stuff to match his results. His curveball is his best pitch, earning easy plus grades for its tight spin and late 11-to-5 break. He is able to command his breaking ball, allowing him to throw it for strikes or make it a chase pitch to both righthanders and lefthanders. Garrett’s fastball sits in the low 90s and his changeup shows excellent promise, giving him the potential for three above-average or better offerings. He has a balanced, easy delivery that he repeats extremely well, allowing him to fill the zone with quality strikes. Garrett is committed to Vanderbilt.
10. Blake Rutherford, of, Chaminade College Prep, Canoga Park, Calif.
Rutherford has size, strength, athleticism and power potential for scouts to dream on, and would likely be the consensus top prep bat in the class if he had a more consistent spring or if he were a year younger. Rutherford turned 19 as the calendar turned to May, offering less projection than other prep outfielders, with a physically mature 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Scouts have to project on Rutherford’s home run power; he’s produced this spring after being the biggest bat last summer for USA Baseball’s 18U team. However, he hasn’t taken the next step with his power, at times trying too hard to pull and yank balls for power. When he stays with his approach, he’s as impressive as any prep hitter in the class, with power to all fields, a line-drive swing path that covers the plate and the athleticism for center field. Some scouts see him as a potential power-hitting center fielder in the Jim Edmonds mold.
11. Ian Anderson, rhp, Shenendohowa High, Clifton Park, N.Y.
Anderson’s prospect balloon started to inflate in the summer prior to his junior year, when he showed off his lanky, projectable frame at the Metropolitan Baseball Classic. Then, during his junior year, Anderson pitched against 2015 first-round pick Garrett Whitley. Anderson went on to become a regular on the showcase circuit. The wiry Vanderbilt signee showed a promising fastball in the summer, regularly sitting 89-93 and bumping 94. In the spring, Anderson’s velocity peaked even higher early in the season, reaching as high as 96 mph. The righthander complements his fastball with a late-breaking curveball in the upper 70s, which grades out as an above-average pitch, and a devastating mid-80s changeup, which garners plus grades from scouts. Anderson throws all three pitches from an identical release point, making his pitches difficult for hitters to identify. Anderson added a little bit of weight to his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame over the winter, but scouts are dreaming on him continuing to get stronger, wondering just how high his ceiling could be if he can add more strength. Anderson has battled pneumonia and an upper body injury this spring, but he’s shown enough at this point to put himself firmly in the first round, and he could go as high as the top five if he proves himself to be healthy over the final weeks of the season.
12. Matt Manning, rhp, Sheldon High, Sacramento
Manning’s 6-foot-11 father Rich spent parts of two seasons in the NBA, and Matt’s brother Ryan took a medical redshirt basketball at Air Force this winter, where he’s a 6-foot-6 wing. The younger Manning stands 6-foot-5, averaged 19.4 points per game this winter in hoops and is signed to play both sports at Loyola Marymount. Manning has plenty of projection remaining in his frame, which has room to carry much more than his listed 195 pounds. Manning has made a jump from last summer’s showcase circuit, with his significant athletic ability allowing him to improve by leaps. He’s shortened his arm stroke in the back, allowing him to repeat his release point and improve his command of the strike zone. He’s pitching with a plus fastball that has reached 96-97 mph, with some reports of him up to 99, and was throwing more strikes with his curveball and changeup. His secondary pitches remain inconsistent, but he’s repeating his delivery better than ever, emerging as the draft’s top pitcher in the Golden State.
13. Dakota Hudson, rhp, Mississippi State
Tall and raw-boned out of high school, Hudson has added 25 pounds over three seasons at Mississippi State. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder found the range last summer in the Cape Cod League and has continued the momentum, for the most part, as a junior after pitching just 34 innings in his first two seasons for the Bulldogs. Hudson was contending to be the No. 2 college pitcher in the class, after Florida’s A.J. Puk, thanks to a four-pitch mix that starts with a fastball that at its best sits 94 mph and ranges from 92-96 mph. His velocity and command have wavered a bit as he blew past his career high for innings. Hudson’s hard curveball is plus on its best days in the 78-82 mph range, and he complements it with a an upper-80s cutter and solid-average changeup that help him combat lefthanded hitters better than in the past (.267 opponents average vs. .229 for righthanded hitters). Hudson’s fastball command is below-par for the typical top-10 pick but his electric stuff could push him up into that range.
14. Alex Kirilloff, of, Plum High, New Kensington, Pa.
Kirilloff is one of the better quick-twitch athletes in this year’s class. The son of a hitting coach, Kirilloff’s offensive game is built around his exciting power potential. He is a lefthanded hitter with plus raw power. Coming from the Pittsburgh area, Kirilloff’s lack of exposure to high-level pitching showed on in the showcase circuit, as he often chased pitches outside of the strike zone and struggled to consistently time quality pitching. As some of that rust shook off, Kirilloff began to emerge offensively, with strong performances towards the end of the summer. He also played first base for much of the showcase circuit, but he has solid-average raw speed and has played center field for his high school team this spring. Kirilloff has a exceptional arm, which earns plus or better grades from scouts, making him a natural fit for right field if he moves off center field at the next level. There are some mechanical concerns with his swing, as he bars his lead arm, but he’s shown the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field at times. Kirilloff is deeply religious, and he committed to Liberty as an underclassmen. His games this spring have drawn hoards of evaluators, including general managers.
15. Zack Collins, c, Miami
Collins has had a prolific career at Miami since deciding to attend school and pass on signing with the Reds as a 27th round pick in 2013. He was the Freshman of the Year in 2014 and continued producing at an elite rate throughout his career for the Hurricanes. Through April, he was hitting .417/.580/.713 with nine home runs while serving as Miami’s regular catcher. Collins has plus power, and does a good job of getting to it in game action. He has excellent plate discipline, working counts and waiting for pitches that he can drive. He has walked twice as often as he has struck out this spring. Coming into the year, many doubted Collins’ ability to stay behind the plate as a professional. But he has shown marked improvement this spring. While it’s unlikely he’ll ever be an above-average defender, he has enough catch-and-throw skills to give him a chance to catch as a professional. Thanks to his improved catching skills and another big spring at the plate, Collins looks like a likely first-round pick.
16. Josh Lowe, 3b, Pope High, Marietta, Ga.
Lowe is one of the best pure athletes in this year’s class. He comes from a strong baseball tradition; his father was a fifth-round pick out of high school, and his older brother Nathaniel plays first base for Mississippi State. Lowe showed potential both as a pitcher and as a hitter on the showcase circuit. He has a lean, 6-foot-4 frame with wide, sloped shoulders. Lowe dropped jaws when he displayed his plus-plus raw power during batting practice at the East Coast Pro showcase in August, and hit well in games on the showcase circuit. He does have some swing-and-miss to his game, and has been hot and cold at times this spring, leading different teams to evaluate him differently based on when they’ve seen him. Lowe is a plus runner and he has plus arm strength at third base, though his defense will need refinement going forward. On the mound, Lowe has shown a promising fastball at 91-94, a plus changeup and a wipeout slider. Some evaluators believe he could be a high draft pick even if he were only a pitcher, but his offensive upside will likely land him in the first round.
17. Nolan Jones, ss, Holy Ghost Prep, Langhorne, Pa.
In the summer leading up to his senior year, Jones was a wiry 6-foot-5 shortstop. Scouts watched him transform into a prospect throughout the summer. Jones made steady adjustments to his swing and caught up to quality pitching. He showed plus raw power and his arm receives above-average to plus grades from scouts. At shortstop, Jones showed smooth actions and promising glove work during the summer, but 6-foot-5 shortstops don’t often stick at the position long term. Jones had not been in a weight room prior to August, and he added roughly 30 pounds of good weight. He showed exceptional power during a strong week at the WWBA tournament in Jupiter, likely cementing himself as a day one draft pick. Jones has also received some draft interest as a pitcher, though he sees himself as a position player. Jones also has a hockey playing background, and his older brother is a legitimate hockey prospect and will attend Penn State next year.
18. Connor Jones, rhp, Virginia
Jones was a potential first-round talent out of high school—No. 34 in the 2013 BA 500—but the Chesapeake, Va., product fell to the 21st round after alerting teams he intended to honor his commitment to Virginia. That decision has paid dividends. As a sophomore, Jones was the anchor of a national championship-winning pitching staff, and as a junior, Jones has established himself as one of—if not the—safest college righthander on the board. Athletic with a clean delivery, which includes Virginia’s patented squat, Jones commands a heavy 90-92 mph sinker low in the zone and can reach back for 95-96 mph with his four-seamer. His low-to-mid 80s slider has flashed plus since high school. In lieu of a changeup, Jones tinkered with a splitter grip near the end of his freshman season, and the pitch has since become a key part of his arsenal, operating in the high 80s. Though relatively low-risk, Jones’ ceiling is likely that of a No. 3 starter, although some scouts view him as more of a No. 4 or 5.
19. Joey Wentz, lhp, Shawnee Mission East High, Prairie Village, Kansas
Scouts have been waiting for the day Wentz was draft eligible since he began impressing as a skinny 6-foot-5 sophomore with a low-80s fastball and plenty of room to grow. He’s filled out since then to become a power lefty with present stuff and the potential to add even a little more as he reaches his 20s. A first baseman with plus raw power and swing-and-miss issues on the showcase circuit last summer, Wentz is much more intriguing as a 89-96 mph lefthander with a potentially plus low-to-mid-70s curveball and some feel for a changeup. Wentz didn’t give up a hit until his fifth start of the season–he had one hit allowed in his first 30 innings. A Virginia commit, Wentz combination of potentially plus stuff and advanced control will likely keep him from pitching for the Cavaliers.
20. Forrest Whitley, rhp, Alamo Heights High, San Antonio, Texas
Whitley impressed last summer on the showcase circuit and with Team USA’s 18U team but scouts were a little less enamored with his body. Whitley had a great 6-foot-7 frame, but at 250 pounds he was a little soft with too much weight in his butt and belly. To his credit, Whitley has worked hard to lose 20-30 pounds for his senior season, while keeping his arm strength. He did break the thumb on his non-throwing hand during workouts, forcing him to miss a little time, but he’s shown no ill effects since returning to the mound. Whitley sits in the low-90s and has touched 96-97 mph and mixes in a tight high 80s slider that sacrifices depth for power. He also throws a curveball and changeup that need further refinement. Whitley is a Florida State signee, but he projects to go well enough in the draft to keep him from college.
21. Buddy Reed, of, Florida
A three-sport star at St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., Reed was the leading scorer on the school’s soccer team and a standout hockey player. But he eventually settled on baseball, and was drafted in the 35th round by the Rangers in 2013. He continued on to Florida, where he has blossomed on the diamond. Reed is an electric player, capable of impacting the game in a variety of ways. He has well-above average speed that he uses well both in the outfield and on the base paths. He covers ground easily in center field and has plus arm strength, making him one of the best defensive outfielders in the country. A switch hitter, Reed is still raw at the plate. There’s more swing and miss in his game than is ideal for a top-of-the-order hitter, and his lefthanded swing is a work in progress. He has raw power, but it remains to be seen just how big a part of his game it will be in the future. This spring, Reed has been good but not great, allowing evaluators to draw a clear line between him and the college outfielders ranked ahead of him. Reed has significant upside, but the team that drafts him may have to be a little more patient than is typically necessary with a top college position player.
22. Bryan Reynolds, of, Vanderbilt
Reynolds comes from a strong high school program at Brentwood (Tenn.) High, and was a part of the historically good 2013 Tennessee high school class. Reynolds has a well-established track record as a three-year starter and steady performer for Vanderbilt, and he played for Team USA as a rising sophomore and had a strong summer in the Cape Cod League leading up to his junior year. Reynolds is a switch-hitter with intriguing raw power from both sides of the plate. That power has begun to translate into game action this spring, and some scouts project him to hit 15-20 home runs at the highest level. His power does, however, come with some swing-and-miss concerns. He plays center field for the Commodores and could begin his pro career at the position, but he is a tick below-average runner with average arm strength. Reynolds is considered one of the safer prospects in the class, though he lacks a high ceiling.
23. Jordan Sheffield, rhp, Vanderbilt
Coming out of high school, Sheffield was a high-end prospect. His fastball had reached 97 in the fall of his senior year, but fell off in the spring and he eventually needed Tommy John surgery and chose to honor his Vanderbilt commitment. After missing his freshman season, Sheffield showed off his explosive arm speed as a reliever as a sophomore, and he showed flashes of brilliance, though he battled command issues. This spring, the 6-foot, 185-pounder has shown improved command and an explosive arsenal of pitches. His plus-plus arm speed allows him to sit in the mid-90s deep into games, and he shows the ability to reach 98 whenever he needs to. Sheffield throws a downer curveball that projects as an average or slightly better pitch, and he has gained confidence in his changeup, giving him three quality pitches. He’s one of the few college pitchers trending in the right direction, and he’s likely to be a day one pick.
24. Justin Dunn, rhp, Boston College
In 2015, Chris Shaw became the fifth first-rounder drafted out of Boston College. This year, Dunn could be the sixth. The athletic righthander began the season pitching out of the bullpen, but his lightning quick arm and promising offspeed pitches forced him into the Eagles’ rotation. Dunn is slight in stature, with some scouts questioning his listed 6-foot-2, 184-pound frame. While he is short physically, his stuff isn’t. He pitches consistently at 92-95 and touching as high as 97 at times with his fastball. His best secondary pitch is his slider, thrown with tight spin, vertical shape and mid-80s velocity. He throws a curveball that has similar shape to his slider, but breaks more loosely and grades out as a below-average pitch, though its presence can disrupt hitters’ timing. Dunn has shown feel for a changeup at times, showing the ability to locate the pitch at hitters’ knees. His performance as a starter has encouraged teams that he can start long term, as he has held velocity well deep into his outings.
25. Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State
Everything has gone well for Lauer as a junior. Kent State’s Friday starter has seen his velocity tick up to 90-92 mph from the 88-90 he sat in the past with a free-and-easy delivery. He’s dominated the MAC this year, ranking among national leaders with a sub-1.00 ERA for most of the season and he’s finished off his business degree in only three years. Lauer has dominated college hitters with a four-pitch mix. He can work his fastball in and out and up and down. He generally works down in the zone, but will elevate above a hitter’s hands late in counts. He has improved his mid-70s curveball to the point where it flashes average, using it to set up a short, late 82-86 mph above-average slider. He doesn’t use his changeup all that often, but it flashes average as well.
26. T.J. Zeuch, rhp, Pittsburgh
Zeuch established himself as a prospect to follow with a strong freshman campaign, and then he develop into the ace of Pitt’s staff as a sophomore. He missed the beginning of this spring with a groin injury, but got off to a strong start when he did take the mound. Zeuch’s best pitch is his fastball, which sits at 92-94 and sometimes touches higher. Zeuch’s extra large, 6-foot-7 frame allows him to generate solid extension towards home plate, making his pitches even more difficult for hitters to pick up out of his hand. His fastball also shows both sink and arm-side run, making it an effective ground ball-inducing pitch. His offspeed pitches, a slider and changeup, receive fringe-average grades from scouts, but he has solid command of his arsenal and repeats his delivery well. The development of his offspeed pitches will dictate his ultimate ceiling.
27. Robert Tyler, rhp, Georgia
After missing most of his sophomore season with arm issues, Tyler returned with authority for the end of the 2015 season, then showed elite velocity as a member of Team USA’s Collegiate National Team. Tyler’s bread is his big fastball, which sits in the mid-90s and touches as high as 99. His butter is his changeup, a pitch he locates down and away from hitters effectively, garnering above-average or plus grades from scouts. Tyler’s breaking ball received atrocious reviews from scouts prior to this spring, but he has adopted a knuckle-curve grip and had some success with the pitch. While it still lacks the consistency to warrant an average grade, it could play as a below-average pitch whose presence keeps hitters honest. The righthander can sometimes struggle with the timing of his delivery, with his front side landing early or flying open at times. His lack of consistency and lack of a potent breaking pitch lead some evaluators to believe he belongs in the bullpen, but there are plenty of believers in his ability to start.
28. Will Benson, of, The Westminster Schools, Atlanta
Benson has arguably the best bat speed in the class, prep or high school. He’s a lefthanded hitter with a deep load and a barred lead arm in his swing. Benson showed plus-plus raw power throughout the summer, though his ability to get to his power is still a question due to concerns that some scouts have about his hitting ability. Benson does not consistently use his lower half, forcing him to commit to swinging at pitches early. His bat path can be a bit steep, leading to a tendency to roll over pitches and hit them on the ground with topspin. His measurables are solid, with a strong arm for right field and plus speed in the 60-yard dash, though his aggressive swing can cause him to get out of the box slowly, leading to below-average run times to first base. Benson’s 6-foot-5 frame and Atlanta-area roots lead to comparisons to Jason Heyward, but the questions on hitting ability make him a boom-or-bust type of prospect. Benson values his academics and is committed to play at Duke.
29. Jared Horn, rhp, Vintage High, Napa, Calif.
Horn has added strength to his athletic 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame and has taken Northern California’s prep ranks by storm this spring after pitching in the Area Code Games the last two summers. A California commit, Horn evokes comparisons physically to pitchers from Gerrit Cole to Brad Penny, and while he doesn’t have Cole’s upper-90s fuel at the same stage of development, he pitches with some of the aggression that marked both big league righthanders. He has energy in his delivery abut has body control and throws quality strikes with a lively mid-90s fastball that regularly reaches 96. Horn’s changeup and breaking ball remain inconsistent and well behind his fastball, though his changeup has had its moments and his curveball shows proper spin and power at times.
30. Zack Burdi, rhp, Louisville
Burdi is part of the first family to ever have two members of the century club. His older brother Nick, a reliever in the Twins organization and 2014 second-round pick, has touched 100 mph pretty regularly going back to his days at Louisville and now Zach has done the same. Burdi sits 97-99 and touches 100 regularly as the Cardinals’ closer. Burdi pitches from an extremely closed setup. Working exclusively from the stretch he sets up on the far righthand side of the rubber with his front foot pointed back towards shortstop as he begins his delivery. Using a very modest leg lift, Burdi generates exceptional velocity because of a very fast arm. What separates Burdi from most college relievers is his three-pitch mix. Because his arm works well and he has a plus changeup as well as a less consistent but hard 85-89 mph slider that has flashed plus, there are scouts who believe that some team will take him early to see if he can start. But many scouts believe his future lies in the bullpen where his fringe-average control fits better.
31. Logan Shore, rhp, Florida
While rotation mate A.J. Puk is the better professional prospect, Shore has been the more consistent player for Florida, serving as the Gators’ Friday starter almost from the start of his college career. Shore is a significant prospect in his own right. He was drafted in the 29th round out of high school, pitched for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer and earned Preseason All-America honors this spring. Shore has a good understanding of his craft and pounds the strike zone with his whole arsenal. His best pitch is his plus changeup, which he liberally uses against lefthanders and righthanders alike. His fastball sits in the low 90s with good life and excellent command. His slider shows shape, but sometimes breaks early and could be a hittable pitch at the next level. Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Shore has some physicality to him, and could develop into a workhorse starter in the big leagues.
32. Taylor Trammell, of, Mount Paran Christian School, Kennesaw, Ga.
Trammell made a name for himself on the showcase circuit with his blazing speed. He is a plus-plus runner in game action, with the ability to reach first base in less than 4.1 seconds after the ball comes off his bat. Trammell also shows upside with the bat; he has above-average bat speed and a sound understanding of the strike zone. Trammell made steady progress throughout the summer and fall, and has shown intriguing power this spring, with some rating it as an average tool. One of the biggest weaknesses in his game was his arm strength, and he worked hard in the offseason to improve it. What was once graded as a well below-average tool now earns 45 grades from some scouts, giving him enough arm strength for center field. Trammell is an exceptional athlete and the needle is pointing up on him. He is committed to Georgia Tech, but his strong spring performance could make him a day one pick.
33. Anthony Kay, lhp, Connecticut
A 29th round pick of the Mets out of high school, Kay was one of three promising Long Island prep arms, with Stephen Woods and Matt Vogel also showing promise. All three chose to go to college, and Kay has emerged as the best of the group. The ace of UConn’s staff, Kay throws three pitches for strikes. His fastball works in the low 90s and touches 95 early in his starts. Scouts see his changeup is an above-average or plus pitch; it shows both fade and tumble and generates swings and misses from righthanded hitters regularly. Kay has a tendency to throw his changeup from a slightly lower arm slot, giving scouts concerns that elite hitters will be able to see the pitch coming. He throws a breaking ball with slurvy shape. Kay usually throws the pitch against righthanded hitters, and has not thrown it with conviction this spring. Kay is on the shorter side, standing at 6-foot, but he has a wide, sturdy build.
34. Matt Thaiss, c, Virginia
When Thaiss came to Virginia from Jackson (N.J.) Memorial High, he wasn’t proficient enough behind the plate to catch every day and played sparingly his freshman year. Injuries forced the Cavaliers’ hand in 2015, and Thaiss became the primary catcher, where he’s been for two springs. He has more than enough arm for the position, but many scouts aren’t sold on his receiving and blocking skills despite the work he’s put into both. Thaiss’ lefthanded bat is his most lucrative tool; there’s little doubt he’ll hit. He’s been a force in the middle of Virginia’s order for two seasons, spraying line drives and packing above-average power into his 6-foot, 195-pound frame. Thaiss has excellent feel for the strike zone and rarely strikes out. Through his first 182 at-bats this spring, he struck out just eight times to 32 walks. Thaiss’ bat will get him drafted, but he could go early to a team that believes in his catching ability.
35. Cal Quantrill, rhp, Stanford
Quantrill’s father Paul pitched in the majors for parts of 14 seasons and is Canada’s all-time leader in games pitched. Quantrill grew up around big league clubhouses and starring for Canadian national teams before arriving at Stanford, after turning down the Yankees as a 26th-round pick in 2013. He made his reputation as a collegian instantly, becoming the first Cardinal freshman to start Opening Day since Mike Mussina in 1988 and leading the team to a regional victory at Indiana. He pitched in relief on one day’s rest in the regional, beating Kyle Schwarber, Sam Travis and the Hoosiers, and was the Coastal Plain League’s No. 1 prospect that summer, including a start where he flashed premium stuff against USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. However, Quantrill has made just three starts since then, all of them in 2015. He had Tommy John surgery March 20 that year and hasn’t pitched in a game since. Stanford and his family have remained mum on his return. When healthy, Quantrill pitches off an 89-94 mph fastball with sinking life and a plus changeup with similar life and action. He has thrown both a slider and curveball in the past, flashing average with a slider in the 78-80 mph range. If Quantrill doesn’t return to the mound for the Cardinal, he’ll likely throw bullpens or simulated games just before the draft, presenting a true wild card for June.
36. Alex Speas, rhp, McEachern High, Powder Springs, Ga.
Speas is an athletic righthander with explosive raw arm strength. He has a quick tempo delivery that he’s still figuring out how to control, but he shows impact stuff on the mound. His plus-plus arm speed allows him to fire mid-90s bullets with life, and scouts have seen him reach as high as 97, though there may be even more in the tank. Speas has shown a power slider thrown in the mid-80s with 10-to-4 snap and the ability to compete in the strike zone. His changeup also showed promise for some scouts who saw him this spring, and could give him a useable third offering. Despite his athleticism, Speas can sometimes struggle to find his arm slot and repeat the finish of his upper half. As a result, some scouts have seen below-par outings from Speas, leading teams to value him very differently based on when they’ve seen him.
37. Heath Quinn, of, Samford
Samford has produced two top-five rounds picks in draft history – both outfielders. Quinn is on track to become the third, joining former Bulldogs Phillip Ervin (first, 2013) and Brandon Miller (fourth, 2012). Quinn has been a productive power hitter throughout his college career, and has spent much of this spring among the nation’s home run leaders. The righthhanded hitter has plus power and knows when to attack pitches to make the most of it. There are some holes in his swing, but he shows good plate discipline and will work his share of walks. Quinn is a capable corner outfielder, grading out as average or slightly above average for his speed, arm and defense. He is a prototypical run-producing corner outfielder.
38. Joe Rizzo, 3b, Oakton High, Vienna, Va.
Rizzo dazzled on the showcase circuit, especially at Perfect Game National and East Coast Pro, displaying a plus lefthanded hit tool and excellent feel for the barrel. With his stocky 5-foot-11, 215-pound frame, Rizzo shows plus raw power in batting practice that plays closer to average power in games. He’s the starting shortstop at Oakton High in Vienna, Va., but scouts aren’t sure where his body and defensive skill set fit best. He has experience playing third base and has worked out for teams as a catcher, although his long arm action hampers his throwing from behind the plate, and he could potentially end up at first base. A South Carolina commit, Rizzo should entice teams with his natural hitting ability but will need to find a position.
39. Kyle Muller, lhp, Dallas (Texas) Jesuit Prep
Muller’s stock has risen during his senior season as he’s dominated while showing improved velocity. Pitching in the competitive Dallas metroplex area, Muller, a Texas signee, struck out a national high school record 24 straight batters over two starts and recorded 36 consecutive outs on strikeouts. He now sits 90-92 mph more consistently after hovering at 87-89 regularly last summer. His delivery is clean and his arm works well with little effort. Muller’s improved velocity has come with pitching on plenty of rest, and there are some concerns about how well he can maintain that velocity throwing every fifth day. Muller’s slurvy breaking ball has sharpened up and gotten harder but neither it nor his changeup have shown true plus potential. He’s is a legitimate prospect as a first baseman/outfielder with well-above-average righthanded power (he hits righthanded but throws lefthanded both as a pitcher and in the field) and would be a two-way contributor if he made it to the Longhorns, but his chances of turning into a future No. 3 or No. 4 starter will likely take the bat out of his hands.
40. Brandon Marsh, of, Buford (Ga.) High
Marsh is this year’s Georgia pop-up prospect, as he was injured last summer and was not a showcase regular. He performed well at Perfect Game’s High School Showdown and scouts have flocked in to see him since. His measurable tools are loud; he is a plus runner with a bazooka for an arm. Some evaluators are all in on Marsh, believing in his ability to hit. He has line drive ability, and is content to line the ball into the gaps and allow his speed to play around the basepaths. The way the ball comes off his bat leads some scouts to project power in his future thanks in part to a physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame and present strength from a player who was a strong football player at Buford High. Some evaluators compare him to Colby Rasmus, a similarly tooled up lefthanded-hitting outfielder Georgia’s prep ranks. He is committed to Kennesaw State, though scouts believe he is signable.
41. Kevin Gowdy, rhp, Santa Barbara (Calif.) High
Another UCLA commit (along with SoCal preps such as Mickey Moniak and Blake Rutherford), Gowdy has a projectable, young pitcher’s body at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. He’s been well schooled with considerable polish, combining athleticism and working with Cubs scout Tom Myers as a pitching coach since he was nine. The Cubs don’t pick until the third round, and there’s no shot Gowdy will last that long. An alum of USA Baseball’s 18U team last summer as well as the Area Code Games, Gowdy has had some velocity fluctuations this spring, at times sitting in the upper 80s. At his best, he’s sat 92-93 mph and touched 94-95, and he commands it and makes adjustments with it, showing a high baseball IQ. He calls his breaking ball a curveball, and at times it’s another plus pitch, with east-west action that prompts some to classify it as a slider. His clean arm action and low-maintenance delivery are more plusses for Gowdy, who also shows a feel for using his at least solid-average changeup. He could go out as high as the second round.
42. Cody Sedlock, rhp, Illinois
Sedlock pitched only sporadically as a freshman and sophomore at Illinois as he waited his turn behind upperclassmen like Tyler Jay and Kevin Duchene. This year, Sedlock moved into the Friday starter role and has responded with flashes of dominance as every offering has gotten better. Sedlock’s curveball and slider both are above-average at their best and his changeup flashes average as well. His low-to-mid-90s fastball shows good plane and sink. Sedlock’s dominance this year has come with some caveats. He’s pitched a lot–he had a 10 ? inning, 132-pitch, 14-strikeout outing against Ohio State and he’s topped 110 pitches in five of his first 11 starts.
43. Drew Mendoza, ss/3b, Lake Minneola (Fla.) High
Mendoza was the leading scorer on Lake Minneola High’s basketball team this winter, and carried his strong performance over to the diamond this spring. The lefthanded hitter has impressed scouts with his hitting prowess, becoming one of the fastest rising players in the draft, although opinions are notably mixed on how much ceiling he has. Mendoza is a shortstop in high school, but listed at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, he is likely to move to third base at the next level. His bat should profile at the hot corner, particularly as he adds strength to his frame and learns to tap into his raw power even more. He has plus arm strength, but he will need to work on his hands and footwork to ultimately stay in the infield. Mendoza is committed to Florida State.
44. Will Craig, 3b/rhp, Wake Forest
Craig went to the same high school as current Tigers lefthander Daniel Norris—Science Hill High in Johnson City, Tenn. He was also a member of the same 2013 Tennessee prep class that included Nick Senzel and Jordan Sheffield, among others. Most schools who saw Craig in high school liked him more as a pitcher, but he’s flipped the script at Wake Forest, where he’s been one of the country’s best statistical hitters. With his thick 6-foot-3, 235-pound body, Craig has hit double-digit home runs the past two springs and has great feel for the strike zone. But due to the hitter friendliness of Wake Forest’s home park and a lackluster showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, some scouts question how much Craig’s power will translate with a wood bat. Craig’s future position is also in question. He has the arm strength to play third—he throws in the low- to mid-90s off the mound—but his body and range could force a move to first base.
45. Jesus Luzardo, lhp, Stoneman Douglas High, Pompano Beach, Fla.
Luzardo appeared to be on his way to pitching himself into the first round this spring. But that early-season momentum was halted when he suffered an injury and required Tommy John surgery in March. Luzardo first stood out for his pitchability and offspeed stuff. But before his injury this spring, he showed improved velocity, running his fastball up to 97 mph. He more typically threw the pitch in the low 90s with good sinking action. He has a good feel for his changeup, which projects as a plus pitch, and can show multiple looks with his breaking ball. Luzardo commands his full arsenal well, and has an advanced understanding of hi scraft. He is committed to Miami, though he could be in play as high as the second round.
46. Daulton Jefferies, rhp, California
Jefferies was the third pitcher drafted in a five-year span out of NorCal’s Buhach Colony High in Atwater, Calif. Like predecessors Brett Mooneyham (Stanford) and Dylan Floro (Cal State Fullerton), he went the college route, and the 6-foot, 180-pounder had emerged as one of the nation’s top starters this spring, getting off to a 6-0, 1.29 start. He hasn’t pitched since March due to a shoulder injury, which initially was reported as a calf strain, leading to some consternation from scouts. Jefferies has durability questions, as he missed time as a sophomore as well, though he pitched for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer. Jefferies has shown 93-94 mph fastball velocity at his best but usually pitches with an average 90-92 mph fastball that he locates well, setting up his plus changeup that some scouts have flirting with 70 grades thanks to his good arm speed and the pitch’s excellent action, with both sink and fade. Jefferies’ slider is at least average, though it can get sweepy at times as well. His Cal team has missed his mound presence and his dominance.
47. Anfernee Grier, of, Auburn
After a quiet freshman year at Auburn, Grier, the son of former Cardinals farm hand Antron, broke out last spring, leading the team in hitting (.323) and runs (41). His performance landed him a spot on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, but his playing time in the summer was limited due to illness. Grier has continued his strong performance at the plate this spring, and his average was hovering around .400 at the end of April, to go with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases. Grier has an impressive set of tools. He has above-average raw power, and does a good job of getting to it when he turns on pitches. He has plus speed, which plays well both on the base paths and in the outfield, where he is a plus defender. He has fringy arm strength, but tracks down balls well and profiles as a center fielder. For all of Grier’s production and raw tools, however, he can be pitched to. He struggles to recognize off-speed pitches, a hole Southeastern Conference pitchers have been able to take advantage of this spring. In SEC play, his numbers dip precipitously, particularly his slugging percentage, which is 130 points lower than his overall numbers. Still, with his enticing package of athleticism and tools, a team will likely take a chance on Grier on the first day of the draft. He should easily better both his 39th-round selection by the Tigers in 2013 and his father’s sixth-round pick in 1987.
48. Austin Hays, of, Jacksonville
Hays began his college career at Seminole State JC (Fla.) before transferring to Jacksonville for his sophomore year. He had a solid first season with the Dolphins, but has taken a significant step forward this spring. He has become the focal point of Jacksonville’s lineup, and leads the team in most offensive categories. Hays has above-average power, and the righthanded hitter has shown good contact skills. His above-average arm strength fits well in right field, where he is a solid defender. Hays’ overall package gives him a chance to become a prototypical right fielder.
49. Carter Kieboom, ss/3b, Walton High, Marietta, Ga.
Kieboom comes from a baseball family; his older brother Spencer is a prospect in the Nationals’ system, and his brother Trevor plays at Georgia. Carter is the best prospect of the brood. He showed impressive timing and bat speed at the plate throughout much of the showcase circuit leading up to his senior year, though he had a rough week at the WWBA tournament in Jupiter, Fla. This spring, Kieboom showed impressive first-step quickness and range at shortstop, leading some evaluators to believe that he can stick at the position, at least early in his career. Kieboom’s selective approach offensively is ahead of his years, but not necessarily conventional for his gap-to-gap skill set. He has some rough edges to him, but has done enough to push himself into day one consideration. Earlier in his high school career, he pitched ambidextrously, though his future is a shortstop. Kieboom is committed to Clemson.
50. Jeff Belge, lhp, Henninger High, Syracuse
When scouts were following Syracuse-area prospect Scott Blewett in 2014, they saw him make a start against Belge. Then a sophomore, the lefthanded Belge opened eyes when his fastball reached 94 mph. Belge hasn’t quite put it all together since then, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. As a rising senior on the showcase circuit, his velocity worked more at 89-92 and dropped off quickly. This spring, Belge has made himself a bit of a wild card. In one start, scouts had him sitting 92-95, with some reporting that he had hit 96 multiple times, and showing a potentially plus curveball. The next time out, in front of a packed house of high-level scouting officials, Belge struggled and his velocity backed up. He is a physical specimen, sitting at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, and he has an athletic, balanced delivery and a clean arm action. There are also some concerns about his medical history, as he is nearly blind in one eye, complicating his draft status even further. If Belge pitches well down the stretch, there’s no telling how high he could push himself up. If he is not drafted high, he could honor his commitment to St. Johns.
Comments are closed.