Ryan Schimpf

No one is projecting Schimpf as a future American League MVP, but his game is reminiscent of Dustin Pedroia's. Schimpf is a diminutive (listed at 5-foot-9, 181 pounds) second baseman who's a force at the plate. Schimpf would have led the Valley League in batting (.392) and slugging (.763) last summer if he hadn't fell short of qualifying because he arrived late from the College World Series, and he led Louisiana State with 19 homers entering this year's CWS. Schimpf hits lefthanded and has a shorter stroke than Pedroia's, and uses excellent pitch recognition and quick wrists to repeatedly square up balls on the barrel of his bat. He's an aggressive hitter yet has walked as much as he has struck out this spring. Schimpf has average speed and good instincts on the bases. He's a versatile defender who began this season at second base before shifting to the outfield so the Tigers could get freshman shortstop Austin Nola's glove into the lineup. Schimpf's bat profiles much better at second base and will be able to play there in pro ball. He's an adequate defender there, reliable if not spectacular. He has fringy arm strength and needs to work on his double-play pivot. Schimpf figures to get drafted between the fourth and seventh round.