2016 State Draft Report: Kansas

CROP RATING
	One for the books
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

Number of players drafted in 2015: 14.

The high school talent in Kansas keeps getting better thanks to improved instruction and competiton, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime class. There were 14 players drafted from Kansas last year, only one of which was picked in the top 10 rounds. This year, there should be at least two first-round picks and 11 Kansas players made the #BA500.

Riley Pint is one of the best high school prospects to ever come out of Kansas. The same can be said for Joey Wentz. In most years, Nonie Williams would easily be the best high school prospect in the state. It’s a great year for Kansas baseball.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Riley Pint, rhp, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Overland Park, Kan. (National Rank: 2)
2. Joey Wentz, lhp, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan. (National Rank: 26)
3. Nolan Williams, ss, Kansas City, Kan. (no school) (National Rank: 106)
4. Ryan Zeferjahn, rhp, Seaman HS, Topeka, Kan. (National Rank: 149)
5. Sam Tewes, rhp, Wichita State (National Rank: 159)
6. Michael Tinsley, c, Kansas (National Rank: 294)
7. Cole Duensing, rhp, Blue Valley Northwest HS, Overland Park, Kan. (National Rank: 381)
8. Willie Schwanke, rhp, Wichita State (National Rank: 415)
9. Lucas Krull, lhp, Mill Valley HS, Shawnee, Kan. (National Rank: 453)
10. Tommy Barnhouse, rhp, Leavenworth (Kan.) HS (National Rank: 477)
11. Brylie Ware, dh, Neosho County (Kan.) CC (National Rank: 500)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

12. Carson LaRue, rhp, Cowley (Kan.) CC
13. Ben Krauth, lhp, Kansas
14. Jordan Tyler, lhp, Kansas State
15. Sam Gilbert, rhp, Kansas
16. Colby Wright, 2b, Kansas

 

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Carson LaRue, rhp, Cowley (Kan.) CC – LaRue dominated Kansas junior college hitters, striking out 133 in 102 innings. A transfer from Oklahoma State, he mixes three pitches and has shown plus velocity (92-94 mph) at his best.

Ben Krauth, lhp, Kansas – Krauth is a short (6-foot, 190-pound) lefty with below-average stuff but a track record of success thanks to an above-average changeup, command and his ability to mix pitches. Krauth’s split-change is a swing-and-miss offering that is easily his best pitch. It’s why he struck out 10 per nine as a senior. He really uses his below-average fastball (84-88 mph) to set up the change. He also throws a below-average slider and has added a get-over curveball that is a well below-average offering but one that works as an early count change of pace.

Jordan Tyler, lhp, Kansas State – Tyler is a big (6-foot-2, 250-pound) lefty reliever with enough stuff (88-90 mph fastball and slurvy breaking ball) to be a potential late-round pick.

Sam Gilbert, rhp, Kansas – Gilbert has enough of a fastball (91-92 mph) to get drafted. He’s a short (5-foot-11) righthander who served as a setup man for the Jayhawks.

Colby Wright, 2b, Kansas – Wright turned himself into a draftable player by tapping into power that he had not shown in his first three years at Kansas–he hit six home runs this season and slugged .563 after hitting one in his first three seasons. A second baseman without a plus tool, Wright does have a track record of getting on base and doesn’t strike out. He is fringy at second or third base.