2021 Minnesota Top MLB Draft Prospects
Today, Baseball America rolls out its state-by-state rankings for the 2021 MLB Draft. Additionally, you can find our:
500 Draft Rankings | 2021 MLB Mock Draft | MLB Draft Tracker
1. Will Rogers, C, Mounds View HS, Arden Hills, Minn. (BA RANK: 211)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 215 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Arizona State
Rogers is a catcher with some power who has impressed scouts with interesting traits and some triple-digit exit velocities off the bat. There’s a chance he doesn’t stay behind the plate, which could potentially relegate him to becoming a righthanded-hitting first baseman, but he’s been garnering increased attention of late. He’s committed to Arizona State and could get there, but there’s enough to like in the bat for someone to take a chance on him.
2. Zack Raabe, 2B, Minnesota (BA RANK: 278)
Source: 4YR • Ht: 5-10 • Wt: 180 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Never Drafted
Raabe is an undersized second baseman with big league bloodlines who has carried the lineup at Minnesota. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder has an unbelievable approach at the plate with a hitter’s vision, incredible bat-to-ball skills, and solid strike zone awareness. He carried the incredible start he was off to last season into this year until running into a slump down the stretch. Raabe finished the season with a .315/.407/.532 slash line with six homers, 20 walks and 17 strikeouts, but some scouts surmise that the pressure of hitting over .400 for half the year with little help from the rest of the lineup caused his dropoff. His tools are limited, but he flashed some more power this year. He’s defensively average and limited to second base, with an OK arm and a below-average run tool. The 21-year-old has a tough profile but he can really rake.
3. JP Massey, RHP, Minnesota
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-5 • Wt: 180 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Never Drafted
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound righthander at Minnesota has a big frame and has shown athleticism, but hasn’t performed the way anyone hoped he would. In nine games and four starts over 20 innings for the Gophers this season, Massey allowed 24 earned runs, walked 33 and struck out 22. His delivery and velocity have regressed but he still has the stuff to be attractive to teams, having been up to 97 mph with a good slider in the past. He’s also thrown a changeup and a curveball, but neither are viable weapons as of yet and he might profile better as a two-pitch reliever in the future.
4. Tucker Novotny, LHP, Park HS
Source: HS •
5. John Bezdicek, LHP, Southwest Minnesota
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-3 • Wt: 200 • B-T: R-L •
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