Drafted in the 6th round (169th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 (signed for $262,500).
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With the talent in the Cape Cod League down again in 2016, Rutherford was an early standout. He batted .278 and hit four home runs and 11 doubles--good for a .765 OPS. Rutherford followed up his strong summer with an strong spring; he was batting .338 at the end of the regular season. Nothing about Rutherford is overly exciting; scouts are critical of his swing mechanics and throwing motion at shortstop. Many, however, often note that he's consistently on time at the plate and making the plays in spite of how he looks doing it. Rutherford can find the barrel consistently and hit low trajectory line drives. He's a near-average runner and his power plays mostly to the gaps. He was among the nation's leaders in doubles this season, and could come into a little more power as he learns to loft the ball as a professional. Nothing about his game is elite, but Rutherford does a lot of things well and is a college middle infielder, a coveted draft commodity. He's likely to be selected in the top five rounds.
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Draft Prospects
With the talent in the Cape Cod League down again in 2016, Rutherford was an early standout. He batted .278 and hit four home runs and 11 doubles--good for a .765 OPS. Rutherford followed up his strong summer with an strong spring; he was batting .338 at the end of the regular season. Nothing about Rutherford is overly exciting; scouts are critical of his swing mechanics and throwing motion at shortstop. Many, however, often note that he's consistently on time at the plate and making the plays in spite of how he looks doing it. Rutherford can find the barrel consistently and hit low trajectory line drives. He's a near-average runner and his power plays mostly to the gaps. He was among the nation's leaders in doubles this season, and could come into a little more power as he learns to loft the ball as a professional. Nothing about his game is elite, but Rutherford does a lot of things well and is a college middle infielder, a coveted draft commodity. He's likely to be selected in the top five rounds.
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