2017 State Draft Report: New Mexico

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

For a state that often doesn’t have a top 10 round pick, New Mexico manages to produce more first round picks than one might expect. Between Blake Swihart and D.J. Peterson, the state has already had two first-round picks this decade. Trevor Rogers could be a third this year.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Trevor Rogers, LHP, Carlsbad (N.M.) HS (31)
2. Luis Gonzalez, OF, New Mexico (86)
3. Carl Stajduhar, 1B, New Mexico (356)
4. Marcel Renteria, RHP, New Mexico State (483)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2017 Draft Map

5. Jonathan Stroman, RHP/1B, La Cueva HS, Albuquerque, N.M.
6. Greg Popylisen, OF, New Mexico State
7. Garrett Gouldsmith, C/2B, Rio Rancho (N.M.) HS
8. Dan Hetzel, OF, New Mexico State
9. Marcus Still, OF, New Mexico State

Jonathan Stroman, RHP/1B, La Cueva HS, Albuquerque, N.M.
Stroman was one of the leaders of a La Cueva high school team that lost its first game of the season before going on a 26-game winning streak to win the New Mexico 6A State Championship. Along the way, Stroman led the team with 81 strikeouts in 58.2 innings while posting a 0.60 ERA.

Greg Popylisen, OF, New Mexico State
The Twins drafted Popylisen in the 30th round of the 2015 draft thanks to 80-grade speed, bat-to-ball skills and a solid arm in center field. Instead, Popylisen went to New Mexico State, where he continued to hit at a high level. Over his four years between El Paso Community College and New Mexico State, he’s never hit below .319 and never had an on-base percentage below .410. During that time he’s also stolen 68 bags and been caught just seven times—a 90 percent success rate.

Dan Hetzel, OF, New Mexico State
Hetzel matched the home run total of his sophomore and junior seasons combined this spring, hitting 14 homers and more than doubling his isolated power from 2016 (.308 to .146).

Marcus Still, OF, New Mexico State
Still was drafted in the 31st round of the 2016 draft by the Blue Jays, out of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Rather than signing, he joined New Mexico State and hit .298 while stealing 13 bases in 18 chances.