Eight 2016 Draftees Showcasing Loud Tools As Pros

The following eight prospects apparently have the tools for the trade. We recognized all eight as having at least one best tool in their draft class, and now they are demonstrating that standout ability with successful pro debuts.

1. Nick Senzel, 3b, Reds

Standout Tool: Best Hitter (College)
Telling Statistic: .315 AVG at low Class A Dayton

Senzel took an unusual path to becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but after hitting .352/.456/.595 as a Tennessee junior, he has carried his hitting prowess into pro ball. In addition to his shiny batting average, he has drawn 27 walks and struck 24 extra-base hits through 47 Midwest League games.

2. Blake Rutherford, of, Yankees

Standout Tool: No. 2 Best Hitter (High School)
Telling Statistic: .376 AVG at Rookie-level Pulaski

Rutherford fell to the 18th overall pick because of signability concerns, but the Yankees are happy he did. With his line-drive swing, the Southern California prep star has benefited from a .500 average on balls in play, meaning there’s some luck involved, but it’s tough to argue with the results, including a 1.020 OPS in the Appalachian League.

3. Kyle Lewis, of, Mariners

Standout Tool: Best Power (College)
Telling Statistic: .530 SLG, .231 ISO at short-season Everett

A fantastic pro debut for the 11th overall pick ended with serious knee surgery following a home-plate collision in mid-July. Prior to that, Lewis showed the kind of power the Mariners envisioned. One evaluator said he was “killing good pitches,” and Mariners vice president of player personnel Tom Allison said Lewis was not intimidated by a jump from a mid-major program (Mercer) to pro ball. Lewis was hitting for power, controlling the strike zone and playing center field well enough that Seattle believes his long-term future remains bright.

4. Zack Collins, c, White Sox

Standout Tool: Best Strike-Zone Discipline (College)
Telling Statistic: 15.5 BB% at high Class A Winston-Salem

While Collins is hitting just .247 as he jumps from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the Carolina League, the former Miami standout is getting on base as projected (.364 OBP) while hitting for power. He works counts in his favor, content to take a free pass if he doesn’t get a pitch he wants to drive.

5. Delvin Perez, ss, Cardinals

Standout Tool: Best Speed (High School)
Telling Statistic: 11-for-12 SB in Rookie-level Gulf Coast League

Perez tumbled to the 23rd overall selection after a positive drug test became public just before the draft. The Cardinals accepted the risk because of the Puerto Rican teeanger’s size, quick-twitch athleticism and plus speed. That has been on display in the Gulf Coast League, where his 11 steals rank among the league leaders.

6. Alec Hansen, rhp, White Sox

Standout Tool: No. 3 Best Fastball (College)
Telling Statistic: Hit 98 mph at Rookie-level Great Falls

Projected as one of the top draft-eligible pitchers entering 2016, Hansen struggled as a junior at Oklahoma and fell to the 49th overall pick. The White Sox are thrilled he did. Great Falls pitching coach Matt Zaleski worked with Hansen on staying tall in his delivery and staying over the rubber, and the 6-foot-7 righthander has produced results in the Pioneer League. His velocity has ticked up to the mid-90s, and he has recorded a 1.23 ERA and 59 strikeouts through 37 innings.

7. Riley Pint, rhp, Rockies

Standout Tool: Best Fastball (High School)
Telling Statistic: Hit 101 mph at Rookie-level Grand Junction

The Kansas prep and fourth overall pick this year thrives largely on his arm strength. He touched 102 mph while pitching for St. Thomas Aquinas High and has often reached triple digits this summer. Because the Rockies don’t have a complex-based affiliate in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Pint jumped into the fray in the hitter-happy Pioneer League and has done well to record strikeouts (23 in 24 innings) abd prevent home runs (two in eight starts).

8. Eric Lauer, lhp, Padres

Standout Tool: Best Control (College)
Telling Statistic: 2.6 BB/9 at short-season Tri-City

Lauer recorded the lowest ERA (0.69) for a starter in NCAA Division I since 1979, and the Padres made him the 25th overall pick out of Kent State because of his polish and control. He has carried those attributes into the Northwest League, walking just six batters while striking out 25 in 21 innings.