2017 State Draft Report: Tennessee

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

Vanderbilt’s continual success has been very good for area scouts covering Tennessee. Year after year, the Volunteer State manages to produce first-round picks, largely because of the Commodores. This year is no different as Kyle Wright is the potential No. 1 pick and Jeren Kendall could give Vanderbilt and the state of Tennessee two first round picks. The prep class offers high ceiling arms like Steven Jennings, Jordan Fowler and Hugh Fisher.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt (2)
2. Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt (18)
3. Steven Jennings, RHP, Dekalb County HS, Smithville, Tenn. (49)
4. Michael Gigliotti, OF, Lipscomb (71)
5. Spencer Strider, RHP, Christian Academy of Knoxville (139)
6. Will Toffey, 3B/2B, Vanderbilt (162)
7. Philip Clarke, C, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville (167)
8. Reed Hayes, RHP/DH, Vanderbilt (200)
9. Jordan Fowler, LHP, Dyer County HS, Newbern, Tenn. (209)
10. Jason Delay, C, Vanderbilt (256)
11. Hugh Fisher, LHP, Briarcrest Christian School, Memphis (326)
12. Ricky Karcher, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC (343)
13. Jordan Rodgers, 3B, Tennessee (396)
14. Hunter Martin, RHP, Tennessee (409)
15. Brady Puckett, RHP, Lipscomb (433)
16. Mason Hickman, RHP, Pope John Paul II HS, Hendersonville, Tenn. (437)
17. Mathew Ruppenthal, RHP, Vanderbilt (444)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2017 Draft Map

18. Terry Tatum, OF, Houston HS, Germantown, Tenn.
19. Zach Warren, LHP, Tennessee
20. Hunter Stratton, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
21. Ian McWilliams, RHP, Beech HS, Hendersonville, Tenn.
22. Hagen Owenby, C, East Tennessee State
23. Chase Wallace, RHP, Sevier County HS, Sevierville, Tenn.
24. Travis Moths, RHP, Tennessee Tech
25. Collin Snider, RHP, Vanderbilt
26. Colton Hatchock, RHP, Memphis
27. Maddux Conger, RHP, Vanderbilt
28. Weston Bizzle, RHP, Christian Brothers HS, Memphis
29. Sam Gardner, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
30. Jeffrey Passantino, RHP, Lipscomb
31. Shaddon Peavyhouse, RHP, Unicoi County HS, Erwin, Tenn.
32. Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy
33. Duncan Pence, 2B, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
34. Hunter Wolfe, SS, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
35. Brandon Trammell, 1B, Bearden HS, Knoxville
36. Ro Coleman, OF, Vanderbilt
37. Alex Robles, RHP, Austin Peay
38. Aaron Brown, RHP, Mount Juliet (Tenn.) HS
39. Nile Ball, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
40. Kyle Serrano, RHP, Tennessee
41. David Bates, RHP, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville

Terry Tatum, OF, Houston HS, Germantown, Tenn.
Tatum is a quick-twitch athlete. He has a wiry, projectable body and quick hands that allow him to generate solid-average bat speed. Tatum is raw in terms of barrel awareness and pitch recognition. He’s an above-average runner underway.

Zach Warren, LHP, Tennessee
Warren made promising steps forward as a sophomore and played for Team USA’s collegiate national team as a rising junior. He struggled mightily as a junior, posted a 6.31 ERA and striking out a pedestrian 34 batters in 51.1 innings. A team taking Warren will hope to get him back on the right track. When he’s right, he’s a solid athlete and a strikethrower, showing the ability to pound the strike zone with command. His fastball typically works in the upper 80s with late sinking action, and he shows some feel to spot his short, slurvy breaking ball.

Ian McWilliams, RHP, Beech HS, Hendersonville, Tenn.
McWilliams is a classic projection righthander, with an athletic delivery and room to fill in his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame. He pitches in the upper 80s with his fastball now, but projects to add velcoity as he gets stronger. McWilliams shows feel for spinning his mid-70s curveball, which flashes sharp bite but also has a tendency to sweep early. McWilliams is the younger brother of Diamondbacks prospect Sam McWilliams.

Chase Wallace, RHP, Sevier County HS, Sevierville, Tenn.
Wallace isn’t overpowering—his fastball works mostly in the upper 80s. At the next level, Wallace’s game will be built around his deception and the late movement on his pitches. He hides the ball well and generates impressive extension off the rubber. Wallace throws a sharp top-to-bottom curveball that projects as an above-average or better offering. He’s got a little projection left in him because of his athleticism and arm speed.

Collin Snider, RHP, Vanderbilt
After being a productive bullpen arm for Vanderbilt as a sophomore, Snider struggled to repeat that performance as a junior, posting a 5.17 ERA in 31.1 innings. He can still cut or sink his low 90s fastball—which bumps 94—but he’ll need to improve his slider to give him a more formidable swing-and-miss offering.

Colton Hatchock, RHP, Memphis
Hathcock made 14 starts as a sophomore, then split time between starting and reliever as a junior. He has a low 90s fastball and flashes average offspeed stuff.

Maddux Conger, RHP, Vanderbilt
As a draft-eligible sophomore, Conger has taken some steps forward, but he’s likely to return to Vanderbilt next year. Conger throws a low 90s fastball and a hard, biting slider in the mid-80s. His fastball flashes sink and arm-side run. Conger posted a 5.12 ERA and will have to become more consistent to make it as a righthanded reliever.

Weston Bizzle, RHP, Christian Brothers HS, Memphis
Bizzle has a quick arm and competitive fire on the mound. He’s severely undersized at 5-foot-10, but he’s a well-gathered athlete and could some day pitch in the low-to-mid-90s consistently because of his arm speed. He has effortful mechanics and isn’t likely to be a high draft pick. Bizzle is committed to Chipola (Fla.) JC.

Sam Gardner, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
An Alabama signee who was mostly 91-94 in the fall and occasionally touching 95, Gardner racked up an insane 72 strikeouts in 45 innings on the mound for Walters State, good for a 14.4 K/9. In addition to his fastball, Gardner throws a plus slider that’s 78-80 mph.

Jeffrey Passantino, RHP, Lipscomb
Passantino was arguably the most dominant pitcher in the Cape Cod League as a rising junior, posting a 1.13 ERA in 55.2 innings. This spring, Passantino posted a robust 95-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ration. He’s not overpower, throwing his fastball in the mid to upper 80s. He has a sharp slider and shows flashes with a curveball too. Passantino’s loud performance could intrigue some teams, but he could also end up back at Lipscomb for one more year.

Ro Coleman, OF, Vanderbilt
Coleman is a plus-plus runner underway and was batting .311 through Vanderbilt’s regional victory over Clemson. Coleman is one of the smallest players in the country, listed at 5-foot-5 and 155 pounds. He’s a long shot to make it to the big leagues, but his blazing speed and good makeup will be enough for him to earn an opportunity.

Nile Ball, RHP, Walters State (Tenn.) JC
A Missouri signee, Ball spent most of his time coming out of the bullpen for a Walter State team loaded with pitching depth. He posted a 2.19 ERA after striking out 27 batters in 24.2 innings. He throws 89-92 and also has a playable slider out of a three-quarter arm slot.