31. Tristen Lutz OF
Lutz stock has been up and down but he has the potential to be a Round 1 draft pick.
Lutz is big and the frame has some serious raw power in it but he maintains his above average athleticism on it. Lutz has potential to hit well for average and power. His swing looked better than ever this season as he positioned his hands higher in his stance resulting to being short on the swing. He also reduced his crouch that helped him increase the leverage in his swing. He has above average bat speed, ability to hit to all fields, solid approach from a prep player, and he proved he can hit well with wood bats with power. His power has potential to play anywhere as he matures in his frame. He only got average speed but he hustles well on the bases. His arm is a fit anywhere in the outfield as it is strong and accurate. He's improving his routes in the outfield and has the makeup to think he'll be above average in all three spots.
While he's not the five-tool player that teams dream, Lutz can impact on both offense and defense with his power bat and impressive defense.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55 | Speed 50 | Arm 60 | Glove 50
32. Blayne Enlow RHP
Very projectable and owner of one of the best breaking balls in this class, Enlow has a chance to be drafted in the first couple of rounds.
Enlow is someone that teams want to have as a pitcher with a tall and very projectable body. His fastball velocity fluctuated from as low as 88 to as high as 94 MPH with good running action and downhill plane. His projection might allow him to sit at around 91-94 MPH with a chance to reach 96. His curveball has been the one that didn't fluctuate as it got the potential to a plus or better pitch with consistent 11-5 break from his 6'4" frame. His changeup is pretty far behind but he has good feel for it and should be average for him in the future. His mechanics is athletic and he has good body control to project a soolid or better command but his arm action where he reaches back is a bit of a red flag for me.
Enlow is athletic, very projectable and has good stuff highlighted by his plus curveball but needs to fill out his frame to have a consistent fastball velocity to work on.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 60 | CH 45 | CMD 50+
33. Brendon Little LHP
After not getting playing time in the UNC in his freshman season, Little transferred to CSF and thrived as a potential first round pick.
Little's frame is mature and built to hold his fastball deep to his starts. His low-90s fastball can reach mid-90s up to 97 MPH last season at the Cape. The pitch has tremendous downhill plane down the zone thanks to an over the top release point and has some running action. The curveball is a phenomenal pitch from high-70s to low-80s with a 12-6 break and tremendous shape and break. His changeup is still developing but it got good sinking movement when thrown right. His mechanics is easy and his arm action is loose but he is still trying to harness both. Optimistically, he can have average command on all three pitches.
Little has two plus pitches on the left side that can make him reach the Majors as a lefty reliever but in order to reach his potential as a mid-rotation starter, he needs to develop his changeup and improve his command.
Lutz stock has been up and down but he has the potential to be a Round 1 draft pick.
Lutz is big and the frame has some serious raw power in it but he maintains his above average athleticism on it. Lutz has potential to hit well for average and power. His swing looked better than ever this season as he positioned his hands higher in his stance resulting to being short on the swing. He also reduced his crouch that helped him increase the leverage in his swing. He has above average bat speed, ability to hit to all fields, solid approach from a prep player, and he proved he can hit well with wood bats with power. His power has potential to play anywhere as he matures in his frame. He only got average speed but he hustles well on the bases. His arm is a fit anywhere in the outfield as it is strong and accurate. He's improving his routes in the outfield and has the makeup to think he'll be above average in all three spots.
While he's not the five-tool player that teams dream, Lutz can impact on both offense and defense with his power bat and impressive defense.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55 | Speed 50 | Arm 60 | Glove 50
32. Blayne Enlow RHP
Very projectable and owner of one of the best breaking balls in this class, Enlow has a chance to be drafted in the first couple of rounds.
Enlow is someone that teams want to have as a pitcher with a tall and very projectable body. His fastball velocity fluctuated from as low as 88 to as high as 94 MPH with good running action and downhill plane. His projection might allow him to sit at around 91-94 MPH with a chance to reach 96. His curveball has been the one that didn't fluctuate as it got the potential to a plus or better pitch with consistent 11-5 break from his 6'4" frame. His changeup is pretty far behind but he has good feel for it and should be average for him in the future. His mechanics is athletic and he has good body control to project a soolid or better command but his arm action where he reaches back is a bit of a red flag for me.
Enlow is athletic, very projectable and has good stuff highlighted by his plus curveball but needs to fill out his frame to have a consistent fastball velocity to work on.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 60 | CH 45 | CMD 50+
33. Brendon Little LHP
After not getting playing time in the UNC in his freshman season, Little transferred to CSF and thrived as a potential first round pick.
Little's frame is mature and built to hold his fastball deep to his starts. His low-90s fastball can reach mid-90s up to 97 MPH last season at the Cape. The pitch has tremendous downhill plane down the zone thanks to an over the top release point and has some running action. The curveball is a phenomenal pitch from high-70s to low-80s with a 12-6 break and tremendous shape and break. His changeup is still developing but it got good sinking movement when thrown right. His mechanics is easy and his arm action is loose but he is still trying to harness both. Optimistically, he can have average command on all three pitches.
Little has two plus pitches on the left side that can make him reach the Majors as a lefty reliever but in order to reach his potential as a mid-rotation starter, he needs to develop his changeup and improve his command.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 60+ | CH 50 | CMD 45
34. Tanner Burns RHP
Burns has put up some impressive power numbers as a hitter but will be definitely selected this year's draft as a pitcher.
A small pitcher with some shades of Dylan Bundy, Burns has filled up his frame already and only needs to mature up in his frame. Burns got power stuff, highlighted by a low to mid-90s fastball that reaches 97 MPH. The pitch is relatively straight but he manages to get downhill plane even when high the zone thanks to his mechanics and over the top release point. His power curveball has shown flashes of being a plus pitch, with knuckle-curve shape and bite thrown in the low-80s. It flattens out at times but has showed late, sharp bite more often than not. He has better feel for a changeup than a typical HS student with sink and could develop to a solid pitch. Burns has good tempo on the mound and solid mechanics to project an at least average command on the long run.
Burns might be small but he packs good stuff on his right arm with better pitchability than a typical high school pitcher.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CH 50+ | CMD 50+
34. Tanner Burns RHP
Burns has put up some impressive power numbers as a hitter but will be definitely selected this year's draft as a pitcher.
A small pitcher with some shades of Dylan Bundy, Burns has filled up his frame already and only needs to mature up in his frame. Burns got power stuff, highlighted by a low to mid-90s fastball that reaches 97 MPH. The pitch is relatively straight but he manages to get downhill plane even when high the zone thanks to his mechanics and over the top release point. His power curveball has shown flashes of being a plus pitch, with knuckle-curve shape and bite thrown in the low-80s. It flattens out at times but has showed late, sharp bite more often than not. He has better feel for a changeup than a typical HS student with sink and could develop to a solid pitch. Burns has good tempo on the mound and solid mechanics to project an at least average command on the long run.
Burns might be small but he packs good stuff on his right arm with better pitchability than a typical high school pitcher.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CH 50+ | CMD 50+
35. Alex Lange RHP
Lange's inconsistency in terms of his stats and his stuff has his stock in as volatile of a situation as it can come.
Big and durable, Lange has the frame that can handle plenty of innings and sustain his velocity deep into counts. His fastball varies greatly from 90 to 96 MPH with good running action and downhill plane when thrown down in the zone. His feel for it comes and goes during starts where sometimes it is plus but at times it is merely average. His curveball however is a consistent plus pitch with a knuckle-curve grip thrown in the low-80s and has very sharp and late 11-5 movement. The pitch is a true swing and miss offering and he can locate it down the zone too. His changeup has some tumble when it's on but it tends to flatten when thrown up the zone. His mechanics is athletic and the arm action is good but his body control is a question as well as his feel for his fastball and changeup. All of it sums up to an average at best command for Lange.
Lange's curveball is a true plus pitch but after that is where it kind of fall apart in terms of his fastball velocity and command as well as a lack of developed changeup hints for a possible reliever role in the Majors.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 60 | CH 45 | CMD 45
36. Brian Miller OF
A consistent performer everywhere he's played during his college, Miller has been in some first round conversations due to his great Cape performance and a very good college career.
An above average athlete, Miller has three potential above average tools in his hitting ability, his speed and his defense. Miller got an advanced feel for squaring up baseballs and has the athleticism to adjust his swing midway. He also got a very good approach at the plate that can allow him to draw a healthy amount of walks but swings and misses on pitches due to his solid at best bat speed. While his swing has natural loft, his raw power is just average and his swing is geared more towards gap to gap power, where his plus raw speed can have a big impact. I project Miller to hit 10 homers per season at best. He knows he got plus speed and is an efficient base stealer that I can project 30 bases in a full season. His routes are improving well at center field after playing first base last season and he's an intelligent player that can learn quickly so I project him to be an above average to plus defensively in the future.
Miller has everything that you need a future leadoff hitter in the Majors with three above average tools and is a relatively high floor and his history with wood bats gives him a positive chance to reach there.
Grades: Hit 60 | Power 40 | Speed 60 | Arm 45 | Glove 55
36. Brian Miller OF
A consistent performer everywhere he's played during his college, Miller has been in some first round conversations due to his great Cape performance and a very good college career.
An above average athlete, Miller has three potential above average tools in his hitting ability, his speed and his defense. Miller got an advanced feel for squaring up baseballs and has the athleticism to adjust his swing midway. He also got a very good approach at the plate that can allow him to draw a healthy amount of walks but swings and misses on pitches due to his solid at best bat speed. While his swing has natural loft, his raw power is just average and his swing is geared more towards gap to gap power, where his plus raw speed can have a big impact. I project Miller to hit 10 homers per season at best. He knows he got plus speed and is an efficient base stealer that I can project 30 bases in a full season. His routes are improving well at center field after playing first base last season and he's an intelligent player that can learn quickly so I project him to be an above average to plus defensively in the future.
Miller has everything that you need a future leadoff hitter in the Majors with three above average tools and is a relatively high floor and his history with wood bats gives him a positive chance to reach there.
Grades: Hit 60 | Power 40 | Speed 60 | Arm 45 | Glove 55
37. Stuart Fairchild OF
Fairchild struggled with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last season that will leave a bad taste for teams but a breakout junior season has him poised to be picked in the first three rounds of the draft.
A plus athlete, Fairchild has plus raw speed that he uses well on the base paths to project at least 20 stolen bases per season but it's been even more impressive at the outfield. His routes are impressive in my eyes and he got the innate ability to play three outfield spots defensively well and has plenty of ability to make highlight defensive plays. His arm strength is fringy but isn't a liability at center or he could shift at left. At the plate, he brings his above average raw power but I have questions his ability to generate enough contact. His swing has some uppercut in it and while he can draw walks, he takes plenty of bad hacks which brings his overall approach into question.
Fairchild can play the outfield very well and has one of the best power-speed combination in the college ranks but his inability to hit well with wood bats while hitting well with composite bats makes me compared to J.B. Woodman.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 50+ | Speed 60 | Arm 45 | Glove 55
38. Steven Jennings RHP
Jennings is a quarterback that had his football career ruined when he tore his ACL last year. They say that when one door closes, another one opens and Jennings' football athleticism is now being applied on the mound as a top pitching prospect.
Jennings has feel for four pitches and room to fill his frame. His fastball touches 93 MPH but will typically be in 89-92 MPH with plenty of life and riding action in it when thrown up the zone. His plus arm speed makes his fastball jump on hitters but has developing feel for it. His mid-80s slider is his best secondary offering with a late and sharp like a slower cutter that has the potential to be a plus pitch once he fine tunes his feel for it. He also got a curveball and a projectable changeup. He currently has little feel for his stuff and that's understandable since he is just focusing on pitching full-time but there's plenty of optimism in the command department because of his very good athleticism and having one of the cleanest arm actions from a HS pitcher, releasing his pitches with little effort.
Now that he's focusing on baseball full-time, Jennings has plenty of ceiling with potential command of four offering highlighted by his fastball and slider and an easy mechanics.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 60 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | CMD 55
39. Clarke Schmidt RHP
Schmidt enjoyed a strong junior season and an uptick in stuff but torn his UCL, leaving questions on teams that will draft him.
Not the biggest pitcher in the world, Schmidt added 10 pounds to his frame and worked on strengthening his legs to take some pressure off his arm and it helped his velocity, reaching 96 MPH with his sinker with power sink. He can locate that pitch well down in the zone and it got bowling ball feel at times and his arm speed made that pitch have a feel that it comes quicker than most. His slider has improved and has shown to be a potential out pitch for him with very good downward movement. He can make hitters chase it or locate it down in the zone. His changeup has improved very well and flashed above average but he still is having a feel. The mechanics is drop and drive and his arm action isn't exactly pretty but he has good feel for his pitches to hint a solid command in the future.
With impressive mentality and good pitchability, Schmidt when healthy packs three at least solid pitches in a fastball-slider-changeup that he can throw for strikes but questions in his durability are prevalent now that he tore his UCL.
Schmidt enjoyed a strong junior season and an uptick in stuff but torn his UCL, leaving questions on teams that will draft him.
Not the biggest pitcher in the world, Schmidt added 10 pounds to his frame and worked on strengthening his legs to take some pressure off his arm and it helped his velocity, reaching 96 MPH with his sinker with power sink. He can locate that pitch well down in the zone and it got bowling ball feel at times and his arm speed made that pitch have a feel that it comes quicker than most. His slider has improved and has shown to be a potential out pitch for him with very good downward movement. He can make hitters chase it or locate it down in the zone. His changeup has improved very well and flashed above average but he still is having a feel. The mechanics is drop and drive and his arm action isn't exactly pretty but he has good feel for his pitches to hint a solid command in the future.
With impressive mentality and good pitchability, Schmidt when healthy packs three at least solid pitches in a fastball-slider-changeup that he can throw for strikes but questions in his durability are prevalent now that he tore his UCL.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 55 | CH 50+ | CMD 50+
40. Tanner Houck RHP
Even though Houck is posting up solid numbers this season, his stuff backed up a bit especially with his fastball.
Long and wiry, Houck is one of the most enigmatic college pitchers in the draft. His fastball velocity has fluctuated wildly, from as low as 91 to as high as 98 MPH in college. A slower fsatball velocity won't likely to hurt its effectiveness as it got torrential sink that is a result of his funky mechanics and a low 3/4 slot. His secondaries are fringy and has yet to develop a complementary pitch for his fastball. his slider has showed flashes of being a solid pitch but is inconsistent and his changeup lacks refinement but is another average at best pitch. I don't like his mechanics because of its arm action but he has good body control and athleticism to project average or better command.
Houck is a one-trick pony right now with his plus power sinker but he needs to develop a couple of complementary pitches in order to be a rotation-type pitcher or else he'll be relegated to the bullpen.
Grades: FB 65 | SL 50 | CH 45 | CMD 50+
41. Mark Vientos 3B/OF/1B
The youngest player in the draft class, Vientos has been long known in the high school ranks as a potential impact player.
Vientos has a projectable body that looks to add more muscle and strength that gives him plus or more raw power but with limited athleticism, will likely move him from third base to possibly an outfield corner where his above average arm strength plays or at first due to his well below average speed. His hitting ability is obvious as he can translate his raw power into games but his swing right now is more line drive-oriented than a power-oriented one with plus bat speed thanks to his frame and strong wrists, consistently producing hard contact. He's still plenty raw at the plate but has a little better approach than hitters with the same age.
Vientos has all the ingredients to be a special hitter with ability to hit for average and power but his defensive home is his biggest question where he can slot in the hot corner or stay in right field once he matures.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55+ | Speed 30 | Arm 55 | Glove 45
41. Mark Vientos 3B/OF/1B
The youngest player in the draft class, Vientos has been long known in the high school ranks as a potential impact player.
Vientos has a projectable body that looks to add more muscle and strength that gives him plus or more raw power but with limited athleticism, will likely move him from third base to possibly an outfield corner where his above average arm strength plays or at first due to his well below average speed. His hitting ability is obvious as he can translate his raw power into games but his swing right now is more line drive-oriented than a power-oriented one with plus bat speed thanks to his frame and strong wrists, consistently producing hard contact. He's still plenty raw at the plate but has a little better approach than hitters with the same age.
Vientos has all the ingredients to be a special hitter with ability to hit for average and power but his defensive home is his biggest question where he can slot in the hot corner or stay in right field once he matures.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55+ | Speed 30 | Arm 55 | Glove 45
42. Hans Crouse RHP
A known commodity in the draft for a while now, Crouse is as intense of a competitor as you can find on the mound.
There's premium velocity coming from Crouse's right arm. His fastball can reach 97 MPH with good running action and his wiry but only slightly projectable frame could allow him to hold that velocity as he matures. His plus arm speed and deception in his mechanics allow the pitch to play up. His curveball has sweeping break but he uses it more as a chase pitch and can't locate it for strikes well. He doesn't throw his changeup that much but his arm speed allows him to have a good projection for the pitch. He can tinker with his windup a lot, from quick pitching to adding a shimmy like Johnny Cueto, but he always cocks his elbow high and loads to it consistently that I see him going through the knife some time in his career.
While I like his competitiveness and intensity on the field, Crouse's mechanics is a concern and a lack of feel for his secondaries might relegate him to the pen when he get called up by a Major League team.
A known commodity in the draft for a while now, Crouse is as intense of a competitor as you can find on the mound.
There's premium velocity coming from Crouse's right arm. His fastball can reach 97 MPH with good running action and his wiry but only slightly projectable frame could allow him to hold that velocity as he matures. His plus arm speed and deception in his mechanics allow the pitch to play up. His curveball has sweeping break but he uses it more as a chase pitch and can't locate it for strikes well. He doesn't throw his changeup that much but his arm speed allows him to have a good projection for the pitch. He can tinker with his windup a lot, from quick pitching to adding a shimmy like Johnny Cueto, but he always cocks his elbow high and loads to it consistently that I see him going through the knife some time in his career.
While I like his competitiveness and intensity on the field, Crouse's mechanics is a concern and a lack of feel for his secondaries might relegate him to the pen when he get called up by a Major League team.
Grades: FB 65 | CB 55 | CH 45 | CMD 45
43. Luis Campusano C
Campusano enters this draft as possibly the first true catcher to be taken and maybe as high as the first round.
Campusano's body is what you typically see on a catcher, one with thick torso and thighs and plus raw power and has added more muscle this season. His athleticism behind the dish is good and is a good blocker and excellent catch and throw skills with pop times hovering in the 1.80 second range thanks to an excellent arm strength. He improved in his lateral movement but still improving in his overall receiving skills to be a future solid or better defense behind the dish. Campusano's calling card is his plus raw power and the swing is geared to hit for power with very good leverage. He loads really well on his back side and has toned down his leg kick, allowing for his head to stay still and see the ball better. Even though he only got average bat speed, he makes hard contact often due to his raw strength. The swing can get long due to his ferocious hacks but has a good eye and knowhow on the box.
Campusano's rise towards possibly the first round is due to improvement of his already plus raw power that he manages to put in play in games and has possibly become the best catch and thrower in the draft class.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 30 | Arm 65 | Glove 50+
44. Garrett Mitchell OF
Garrett Mitchell might be the best pure athlete in this draft class but there are issues with his hitting ability as well as his diabetes.
Mitchell's best tool is his plus raw athleticism and plus-plus raw speed, posting close to 80 times from home to 1B as a left handed hitter. He runs the bases very well, has showed the ability to steal bases efficiently and run good routes in the outfield. His solid but accurate arm is a perfect fit at center though he can play at right field as well. Mitchell got above average raw pop but he doesn't exactly tap into it on games. His bat plane is relatively flat and has some arm bar in his swing though his bat speed is legitimate plus. His power is more towards his pull side and because of his flat swing path, he has swing and miss issues against quality breaking balls. His approach at the plate is raw as well.
Mitchell got an exciting toolset to develop with tremendous ceiling but issues with how consistent can he hit for average and power as well as his Type 1 Diabetes will continue to cloud his draft stock.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 50 | Speed 70 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
45. Chris Seise SS
When Seise added up muscle to his frame this season, his hitting ability has started to catch up to his other impressive tools.
A plus athlete with plenty of quick twitch in his frame, Seise has a lean and projectable frame even after adding up a good 15 pounds on his frame. Seise's best tool is his pure speed, clocking plus-plus and he plays with a shade below that. When fully developed, he can steal upwards of 30 bases a season. He has shortened up his swing this year and that resulted to a much better hit and power projection. He's balanced at the plate with a short swing and good bat speed to think he'll have at least average hit tool. His eye and plate discipline needs to develop as it is raw but he hits baseballs hard and has showed ability to hit for some power. His plus-plus speed gives him tremendous range at shortstop with soft hands, easy actions and an above average arm. He might need to work on his shifting but has athleticism to do so.
Seise has the athleticism and tools to become a dynamic player on the field with at least plus speed, promising defense at short and improving ability to hit.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 65 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
46. Corbin Martin RHP
A top performer in the Cape Cod League, Martin has pitched in the rotation and in the pen this season and had experienced mixed results because of it.
Martin is an athletic pitcher with already a strong and mature frame that can hold up innings if he pitches in the rotation. As a starter, his fastball sits in the low-90s and can reach 94-95 MPH and he can reach as hard as 98 MPH in the pen when he throws at max effort. There's life in his fastball and stayed relatively straight when up the zone. Both his breaking balls flash above average or better but his curveball is better than his slider at the moment where it got sharp break in the zone but as a starter, the breaking ball selection comes and goes. His changeup improved with the same plus arm speed as his fastball and has become a solid pitch for him. His mechanics eased down then he moved to the rotation but his arm action is a bit worrying for me and he tends to overthrow at times, limiting his command.
Corbin has an arsenal of four above average or better pitches but the key for him to take off is to improve the command of his pitches in order to reach his full potential.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CL 55 | CH 50+ | CMD 45
43. Luis Campusano C
Campusano enters this draft as possibly the first true catcher to be taken and maybe as high as the first round.
Campusano's body is what you typically see on a catcher, one with thick torso and thighs and plus raw power and has added more muscle this season. His athleticism behind the dish is good and is a good blocker and excellent catch and throw skills with pop times hovering in the 1.80 second range thanks to an excellent arm strength. He improved in his lateral movement but still improving in his overall receiving skills to be a future solid or better defense behind the dish. Campusano's calling card is his plus raw power and the swing is geared to hit for power with very good leverage. He loads really well on his back side and has toned down his leg kick, allowing for his head to stay still and see the ball better. Even though he only got average bat speed, he makes hard contact often due to his raw strength. The swing can get long due to his ferocious hacks but has a good eye and knowhow on the box.
Campusano's rise towards possibly the first round is due to improvement of his already plus raw power that he manages to put in play in games and has possibly become the best catch and thrower in the draft class.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 30 | Arm 65 | Glove 50+
44. Garrett Mitchell OF
Garrett Mitchell might be the best pure athlete in this draft class but there are issues with his hitting ability as well as his diabetes.
Mitchell's best tool is his plus raw athleticism and plus-plus raw speed, posting close to 80 times from home to 1B as a left handed hitter. He runs the bases very well, has showed the ability to steal bases efficiently and run good routes in the outfield. His solid but accurate arm is a perfect fit at center though he can play at right field as well. Mitchell got above average raw pop but he doesn't exactly tap into it on games. His bat plane is relatively flat and has some arm bar in his swing though his bat speed is legitimate plus. His power is more towards his pull side and because of his flat swing path, he has swing and miss issues against quality breaking balls. His approach at the plate is raw as well.
Mitchell got an exciting toolset to develop with tremendous ceiling but issues with how consistent can he hit for average and power as well as his Type 1 Diabetes will continue to cloud his draft stock.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 50 | Speed 70 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
45. Chris Seise SS
When Seise added up muscle to his frame this season, his hitting ability has started to catch up to his other impressive tools.
A plus athlete with plenty of quick twitch in his frame, Seise has a lean and projectable frame even after adding up a good 15 pounds on his frame. Seise's best tool is his pure speed, clocking plus-plus and he plays with a shade below that. When fully developed, he can steal upwards of 30 bases a season. He has shortened up his swing this year and that resulted to a much better hit and power projection. He's balanced at the plate with a short swing and good bat speed to think he'll have at least average hit tool. His eye and plate discipline needs to develop as it is raw but he hits baseballs hard and has showed ability to hit for some power. His plus-plus speed gives him tremendous range at shortstop with soft hands, easy actions and an above average arm. He might need to work on his shifting but has athleticism to do so.
Seise has the athleticism and tools to become a dynamic player on the field with at least plus speed, promising defense at short and improving ability to hit.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 65 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
46. Corbin Martin RHP
A top performer in the Cape Cod League, Martin has pitched in the rotation and in the pen this season and had experienced mixed results because of it.
Martin is an athletic pitcher with already a strong and mature frame that can hold up innings if he pitches in the rotation. As a starter, his fastball sits in the low-90s and can reach 94-95 MPH and he can reach as hard as 98 MPH in the pen when he throws at max effort. There's life in his fastball and stayed relatively straight when up the zone. Both his breaking balls flash above average or better but his curveball is better than his slider at the moment where it got sharp break in the zone but as a starter, the breaking ball selection comes and goes. His changeup improved with the same plus arm speed as his fastball and has become a solid pitch for him. His mechanics eased down then he moved to the rotation but his arm action is a bit worrying for me and he tends to overthrow at times, limiting his command.
Corbin has an arsenal of four above average or better pitches but the key for him to take off is to improve the command of his pitches in order to reach his full potential.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CL 55 | CH 50+ | CMD 45
47. Wil Crowe RHP
Crowe had Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss his junior season but a strong return this season has him back at the conversation in the first couple of rounds.
Crowe's height and body is workhorse-quality but his stockiness needs good conditioning. His stuff is back from his pre-TJ days. His fastball can reach 97 MPH but is more 92-95 MPH with good sinking action. His curveball is back to being a potential hammer when it's on with a 11-5 break at high-70s and his slider is also good swing and miss offering. His changeup has taken a back seat on his slider but has the potential to still be average. His command hasn't came back quite yet from his pre-TJ days and his mechanics has some effort but he makes it work to project a solid command on his pitches.
Crowe is back and healthy again post-TJ with potential four pitches that he can throw for strikes quite well but he needs some polishing to be a potential mid-rotation guy.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 50
48. Hagen Danner RHP/C
A two-way prospect that has been known for a long while now, Danner has the potential to be both an everyday player behind the dish and a potential mid-rotation starter.
Danner doesn't got flashy athleticism but he's the guy the plenty call a baseball body. As a pitcher, he got plus fastball velocity that can reach 94 MPH that typically sits at 88-92 MPH. has plenty of movement even when thrown high in the zone and coming from an over the top release point. His curveball and changeup has flashes of being above-average though the former has better chance to reach its potential. He repeats his mechanics well even though his arm swing is wide. He has plenty of feel for his pitches and the velocity can improve if he focuses on pitching.
As a catcher, he got good, strong hands to frame pitches well and a plus arm. The blocking and overall receiving needs work but his athleticism shows behind the dish to project a solid or better defender. His swing is geared towards hitting in the gaps but there's more power to come if he focuses on hitting. His very good approach at the plate and a direct bat path and solid or better bat speed to project he'll be a solid hitter. His speed is below average but is better than plenty of his contemporaries.
Danner will improve his tools if he focuses on just one ability but I see him better off as a catcher than a pitcher.
Grades (Hitter): Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 35 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
Grades (Pitcher): FB 55 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | CMD 55
49. Tristan Beck RHP
Beck hasn't come back this season as he is still on the disabled list and rehabbing a back injury but there's a new video out where I can finally gauge Beck.
Beck is very wiry even though he has filled up his frame a bit compared to his high school days. Beck still looks more of the same pitcher that I saw last year, showcasing very good feel for three pitches. His fastball is still more of less the same pitch in the low-90s. The pitch is relatively straight and flattens out when thrown high in the zone due to intense drop and drive in his delivery but he is able to control and command it on both sides. His changeup showed flashes of being a plus pitch with the same arm action as his fastball with very good tumbling action. He can throw it on both sides on the plate against any hitter and has immense confidence on the pitch. His curveball is more of less the same, a potential solid third pitch with nice shape and solid break.
Beck is a pitcher with considerable ceiling left in his right arm as he is still sightly projectable and is able to throw his three pitches for strikes.
Grades: FB 50+ | CH 60 | CB 50+ | CMD 55
50. Michael Mercado RHP
Mercado has a lot of similarities to Tristan Beck as a Stanford commit with a very wiry and projectable frame that will be more of a pitchability-type of guy than a true flamethrower.
Mercado is currently at 88-92 MPH but when he adds more muscle in his frame, he can add more velocity and sustain it deep in starts. His curveball has sharp, power bite and a potential above average offering. His slider is a decent pitch and he got a feel for a changeup that looks to be an average third pitch for him in the future. Mercado has one of the best pitching mechanics in this draft class and he has good feel for his fastball, curveball and his changeup that he can throw for strikes. All of that points to a possible above average control and command in the future.
Mercado has plenty of ceiling with a wiry and projectable frame and impressive feel for pitching and has plenty of floor as long as he can prove he can improve his durability.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 55 | SL 50 | CH 50 | CMD 55
51. Jeter Downs SS
Born in the island of St. Andres in Colombia, Downs has showed his all around tools to the plate this year.
Downs has above average athleticism in his pocket and got a strong build that could add more weight if not just maturing into it. At the box, Downs has the tools to be a solid hitter, with loose and quiet stance and load. There's plenty of looseness in his swing and he produces loud contact often with above average bat speed. The swing plane is direct and is more of a line-drive swing with gap-to-gap approach but he can develop more power if he adds a tiny bit of loft alongside the maturation of his impressively strong frame. He got above average at best speed but he knows how to use it very well. He steals bases with very good jumps and is a smart runner on the bases. His speed gives him plenty of range at shortstop where he's got soft hands and nice control on his movements either going left or right with above average arm strength.
Downs has the skillset to become a potential impactful shortstop offensively and defensively with 5 solid or better tools and an unparallel intensity and competitive spirit on the field.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 50+ | Speed 55 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
52. Brent Rooker 1B/OF
Rooker posted the best stats from a college player this season and against the best conference in college baseball that's the SEC that catapulted him to a possible Day 1 pick.
Rooker has a large frame that oozes power projection but he still has solid speed coming out of it and while he can steal plenty of bases in college, I don't see him stealing more than 10 in pro ball. Rooker has improved his simplifying his stroke and improving his stance, generating better bat speed and maintaining a balanced set up. He has incorporated his power better in games and projects for above average or better with more towards his pull side. There's swing and miss to his game due to his height but has solid approach. He can play the outfield but the possibility of losing a step as he gets older will shift him to be a full-time first baseman.
Rooker might be a redshirt junior this season but he offers one of the best power potential in a year that the college hitters class lacks quality depth.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55+ | Speed 45 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
53. Ryan Vilade 3B
Vilade is one of the best performers in high school last season after performing well last summer for the Pan American Championships.
Vilade is one of the best power prospects in the prep class, with a powerful swing and having room to fill in his 6'2" frame. His power is more on the pull side and he can be a potential 20 homer threat once he matures. It's not all power though as he can generate good amount of contact and hit for a solid average. His swing can get long at times and the current approach is still raw. He got average speed but he lacks the athleticism requisite for a shortstop and his plus arm strength suits better at third base where his good instincts and soft hands fits well there as a possible solid defender.
Vilade has power in his bat and in his arm to project a future everyday third baseman in pro ball with solid hitting ability and defense.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 45 | Glove 60 | Glove 50
54. Alex Scherff RHP
Scherff's premium stuff, build and ceiling has him firmly in the Day 1 conversations.
Scherff already have a mature and strong frame that don't really offer projection but can improve down the road. His fastball is a plus-plus pitch or better velocity-wise, throwing it up to 99 MPH and consistently at 93-96 MPH. It got some life when thrown down the zone but was thrown with some effort. His changeup is the best from the high school ranks, a solid pitch currently with same arm action and arm speed as his fastball that's a potential above average or better. His curveball has improved to generate some swings and misses with flashes of sharp 10-4 movement. His mechanics isn't the smoothest and his arm action has stab that put some effort in his elbow and that affects his command at times. He projects to have average command on the long run.
Scherff improved his curveball to become a viable third pitch to project him to be a mid-rotation starter but there will be concerns with his mechanics to project him being a power reliever in the Majors.
Grades: FB 70 | CH 55+ | CB 45 | CMD 50
55. Tommy Mace RHP
Mace is just a pop up prospect that I have recently seen but he has tremendous potential as a pitcher.
Mace has more mass than fellow prep righty Caden Lemons and is more built to endure high amount of innings as well as better athleticism. His fastball reached as high as 94 MPH in stints with plenty of life and jumps on hitters due to his short arm action. He can add more velocity in it as he bulks up in his frame. His curveball has late and tight 12-6 break that flashes plus due to the same arm speed as his fastball but is inconsistent at times in terms of sharpness. He doesn't throw a changeup from what I've seen but his arm action gives promise to an average one. He can also add a slider in the future. He has cleaned up his mechanics this year and has good extension at the plate with a simpler and shorter arm action that gives promise in the command department.
Mace is an exciting pitcher with the height, projectability, good feel for his plus stuff highlighted by his fastball and curve that gives him plenty of ceiling.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 60 | CH 45 | CMD 50
56. Kevin Merrell SS/CF
Merrell is one of the few college middle infield prospects who has seen their stock boost throughout the season.
A former top sprinter, Merrell brings the athleticism and the 80 speed in the baseball field. He is always clocked at below 4 seconds from home to first base and he uses his speed really well in the bases and in the field, giving him outstanding range at short. He has some tools to play at short where his average but accurate arm gives him a chance but his glove-hand ball transfer and his throwing mechanics at short doesn't look promising there and should move to center field in the long run. In the box, he really focuses on making contact where he doesn't have any load at all, stripping him off of any power. Instead, he moves his front foot forward and peppers the whole field with line drives with a flat swing but with above average bat speed. He can draw walks and make deep counts to be a future average hitter.
Merrell has all the tools to be a great leadoff hitter with a top-of-the-scale speed, ability to hit for contact with very little power and draws talks with a potential solid defense in the outfield and a touch less in the infield.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 20 | Speed 80 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
57. Brady McConnell SS
McConnell is one of the well known prep middle infield prospects but his questionable performance this year and last summer makes him a risky pick.
Ultra wiry prospect with plenty of quick twitch muscles, McConnell has plenty of projection in his frame to improve his overall strength and endurance that he desperately needs. He should be able to stick at short in the long run with his impressive body control, range and smooth actions together with his plus arm strength. His speed hovers from plus to plus-plus and it makes him a big base stealing threat once he improves his overall technique. His hitting and hitting for power are the concerns for me. He might be too crouched and too spread out in the box and his sweeping leg kick and the swing is a little sweepy that has me pausing. But the positives are that his loose actions shows in the box and the swing has natural loft with good bat speed. His wrists aren't that strong so it will be more of a gap power in the long run once he adds more power in his frame.
McConnell will really stick at short as a potential above average defender there and will steal plenty as long as he improves his overall hitting ability and adds strength in his frame.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 65 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
58. Matt Tabor RHP
One of the most notable risers in this draft class, Tabor has risen towards Day 1 talks after enjoying an uptick in stuff while showing the same good pitchability that he had last year.
Tabor is very wiry and very athletic on the mound, which calls for projection but not a lot, maybe a good 15 pounds to be added. Working with intense tempo on the mound, Tabor can throw three pitches for strikes. His fastball can sit at 93 MPH and has reached 96 at times. The pitch has good late life and he has showed good ability to command it on both sides. His changeup is an impressive one with same delivery as his fastball in the low-80s with plenty of sink and running action with is fastball. His curveball is a potential above average offering with sharp 11-5 break in the high-70s. His mechanics has a lot of energy in it and his arm action is fast and athletic. Even though he got plus athleticism and body control, he still needs to tone down his mechanics a bit to ensure better command. His feel for his stuff though is plenty good that I project him to have solid or better command.
Tabor may be undersized but teams that believe in him see a future mid-rotation option with three pitches that can get hitters out well and can be thrown for strikes consistently.
Grades: FB 60 | CH 55+ | CB 50+ | CMD 50+
59. Conner Uselton OF
Uselton has a two-sport background and that gives him plenty of potential but also plenty of risk, one of the biggest in the class.
Uselton has exceptional athleticism and potential for four above-average to plus tools, with his plus raw power in his frame that gives him plenty of raw strength in his swing to generate great bat speed, plus raw speed that he can use in center field but his plus arm strength will make him likely to move at right field because he might lose a step once he adds more muscle in his frame, and has defensive instincts to have above-average defense in either center or right field. The biggest question mark is his ability to hit. While he has the bat speed to hit baseballs to all fields, his approach is very raw at the plate and often has a homer-happy mentality where he can be beaten by fringy breaking balls and good sequencing. The leg kick is also keeping him back as it throws his eye out of the ball at times.
Uselton has the chance to be a special player, somewhere in the lines of Adell and Beck, with amazing array of tools and potential but he has worse hitting projection than the best and would likely make him a bust rather than a success.
Grades: Hit 40 | Power 55 | Speed 60 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
60. Caden Lemons RHP
Still very far from his ceiling, Lemons has all the tools to be an exciting pitcher.
Lemons is very wiry that oozes projection in his durability and his stuff. He can reach 96 MPH right now and would sit at low-90s but I can really see him throw harder once he fills out his frame. The fastball has some life but he's more reliant on pure velocity than movement in this point. He can flip a breaking ball with his slider more advanced than his curveball. The slider flashes some sharp bite but the curveball leaves plenty to be desired and he struggles to repeat his release point because of some max effort in his mechanics and can be rooted to his height. The changeup flashes potential to be average with some fade. He improved his mechanics but he will still throw across his body a bit and the mechanics should be toned down in order to achieve at best average control and command.
Lemons is quite similar to Indians prospect Triston McKenzie, a guy that oozes projection, throws hard already, and can flip a breaking ball but is still miles away from his true ceiling of a top of rotation guy if it call comes together.
Grades: FB 65 | SL 50+ | CB 45 | CH 45 | CMD 45
Crowe had Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss his junior season but a strong return this season has him back at the conversation in the first couple of rounds.
Crowe's height and body is workhorse-quality but his stockiness needs good conditioning. His stuff is back from his pre-TJ days. His fastball can reach 97 MPH but is more 92-95 MPH with good sinking action. His curveball is back to being a potential hammer when it's on with a 11-5 break at high-70s and his slider is also good swing and miss offering. His changeup has taken a back seat on his slider but has the potential to still be average. His command hasn't came back quite yet from his pre-TJ days and his mechanics has some effort but he makes it work to project a solid command on his pitches.
Crowe is back and healthy again post-TJ with potential four pitches that he can throw for strikes quite well but he needs some polishing to be a potential mid-rotation guy.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 50
48. Hagen Danner RHP/C
A two-way prospect that has been known for a long while now, Danner has the potential to be both an everyday player behind the dish and a potential mid-rotation starter.
Danner doesn't got flashy athleticism but he's the guy the plenty call a baseball body. As a pitcher, he got plus fastball velocity that can reach 94 MPH that typically sits at 88-92 MPH. has plenty of movement even when thrown high in the zone and coming from an over the top release point. His curveball and changeup has flashes of being above-average though the former has better chance to reach its potential. He repeats his mechanics well even though his arm swing is wide. He has plenty of feel for his pitches and the velocity can improve if he focuses on pitching.
As a catcher, he got good, strong hands to frame pitches well and a plus arm. The blocking and overall receiving needs work but his athleticism shows behind the dish to project a solid or better defender. His swing is geared towards hitting in the gaps but there's more power to come if he focuses on hitting. His very good approach at the plate and a direct bat path and solid or better bat speed to project he'll be a solid hitter. His speed is below average but is better than plenty of his contemporaries.
Danner will improve his tools if he focuses on just one ability but I see him better off as a catcher than a pitcher.
Grades (Hitter): Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 35 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
Grades (Pitcher): FB 55 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | CMD 55
49. Tristan Beck RHP
Beck hasn't come back this season as he is still on the disabled list and rehabbing a back injury but there's a new video out where I can finally gauge Beck.
Beck is very wiry even though he has filled up his frame a bit compared to his high school days. Beck still looks more of the same pitcher that I saw last year, showcasing very good feel for three pitches. His fastball is still more of less the same pitch in the low-90s. The pitch is relatively straight and flattens out when thrown high in the zone due to intense drop and drive in his delivery but he is able to control and command it on both sides. His changeup showed flashes of being a plus pitch with the same arm action as his fastball with very good tumbling action. He can throw it on both sides on the plate against any hitter and has immense confidence on the pitch. His curveball is more of less the same, a potential solid third pitch with nice shape and solid break.
Beck is a pitcher with considerable ceiling left in his right arm as he is still sightly projectable and is able to throw his three pitches for strikes.
Grades: FB 50+ | CH 60 | CB 50+ | CMD 55
50. Michael Mercado RHP
Mercado has a lot of similarities to Tristan Beck as a Stanford commit with a very wiry and projectable frame that will be more of a pitchability-type of guy than a true flamethrower.
Mercado is currently at 88-92 MPH but when he adds more muscle in his frame, he can add more velocity and sustain it deep in starts. His curveball has sharp, power bite and a potential above average offering. His slider is a decent pitch and he got a feel for a changeup that looks to be an average third pitch for him in the future. Mercado has one of the best pitching mechanics in this draft class and he has good feel for his fastball, curveball and his changeup that he can throw for strikes. All of that points to a possible above average control and command in the future.
Mercado has plenty of ceiling with a wiry and projectable frame and impressive feel for pitching and has plenty of floor as long as he can prove he can improve his durability.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 55 | SL 50 | CH 50 | CMD 55
51. Jeter Downs SS
Born in the island of St. Andres in Colombia, Downs has showed his all around tools to the plate this year.
Downs has above average athleticism in his pocket and got a strong build that could add more weight if not just maturing into it. At the box, Downs has the tools to be a solid hitter, with loose and quiet stance and load. There's plenty of looseness in his swing and he produces loud contact often with above average bat speed. The swing plane is direct and is more of a line-drive swing with gap-to-gap approach but he can develop more power if he adds a tiny bit of loft alongside the maturation of his impressively strong frame. He got above average at best speed but he knows how to use it very well. He steals bases with very good jumps and is a smart runner on the bases. His speed gives him plenty of range at shortstop where he's got soft hands and nice control on his movements either going left or right with above average arm strength.
Downs has the skillset to become a potential impactful shortstop offensively and defensively with 5 solid or better tools and an unparallel intensity and competitive spirit on the field.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 50+ | Speed 55 | Arm 55 | Glove 55
52. Brent Rooker 1B/OF
Rooker posted the best stats from a college player this season and against the best conference in college baseball that's the SEC that catapulted him to a possible Day 1 pick.
Rooker has a large frame that oozes power projection but he still has solid speed coming out of it and while he can steal plenty of bases in college, I don't see him stealing more than 10 in pro ball. Rooker has improved his simplifying his stroke and improving his stance, generating better bat speed and maintaining a balanced set up. He has incorporated his power better in games and projects for above average or better with more towards his pull side. There's swing and miss to his game due to his height but has solid approach. He can play the outfield but the possibility of losing a step as he gets older will shift him to be a full-time first baseman.
Rooker might be a redshirt junior this season but he offers one of the best power potential in a year that the college hitters class lacks quality depth.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 55+ | Speed 45 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
53. Ryan Vilade 3B
Vilade is one of the best performers in high school last season after performing well last summer for the Pan American Championships.
Vilade is one of the best power prospects in the prep class, with a powerful swing and having room to fill in his 6'2" frame. His power is more on the pull side and he can be a potential 20 homer threat once he matures. It's not all power though as he can generate good amount of contact and hit for a solid average. His swing can get long at times and the current approach is still raw. He got average speed but he lacks the athleticism requisite for a shortstop and his plus arm strength suits better at third base where his good instincts and soft hands fits well there as a possible solid defender.
Vilade has power in his bat and in his arm to project a future everyday third baseman in pro ball with solid hitting ability and defense.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 45 | Glove 60 | Glove 50
54. Alex Scherff RHP
Scherff's premium stuff, build and ceiling has him firmly in the Day 1 conversations.
Scherff already have a mature and strong frame that don't really offer projection but can improve down the road. His fastball is a plus-plus pitch or better velocity-wise, throwing it up to 99 MPH and consistently at 93-96 MPH. It got some life when thrown down the zone but was thrown with some effort. His changeup is the best from the high school ranks, a solid pitch currently with same arm action and arm speed as his fastball that's a potential above average or better. His curveball has improved to generate some swings and misses with flashes of sharp 10-4 movement. His mechanics isn't the smoothest and his arm action has stab that put some effort in his elbow and that affects his command at times. He projects to have average command on the long run.
Scherff improved his curveball to become a viable third pitch to project him to be a mid-rotation starter but there will be concerns with his mechanics to project him being a power reliever in the Majors.
Grades: FB 70 | CH 55+ | CB 45 | CMD 50
55. Tommy Mace RHP
Mace is just a pop up prospect that I have recently seen but he has tremendous potential as a pitcher.
Mace has more mass than fellow prep righty Caden Lemons and is more built to endure high amount of innings as well as better athleticism. His fastball reached as high as 94 MPH in stints with plenty of life and jumps on hitters due to his short arm action. He can add more velocity in it as he bulks up in his frame. His curveball has late and tight 12-6 break that flashes plus due to the same arm speed as his fastball but is inconsistent at times in terms of sharpness. He doesn't throw a changeup from what I've seen but his arm action gives promise to an average one. He can also add a slider in the future. He has cleaned up his mechanics this year and has good extension at the plate with a simpler and shorter arm action that gives promise in the command department.
Mace is an exciting pitcher with the height, projectability, good feel for his plus stuff highlighted by his fastball and curve that gives him plenty of ceiling.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 60 | CH 45 | CMD 50
56. Kevin Merrell SS/CF
Merrell is one of the few college middle infield prospects who has seen their stock boost throughout the season.
A former top sprinter, Merrell brings the athleticism and the 80 speed in the baseball field. He is always clocked at below 4 seconds from home to first base and he uses his speed really well in the bases and in the field, giving him outstanding range at short. He has some tools to play at short where his average but accurate arm gives him a chance but his glove-hand ball transfer and his throwing mechanics at short doesn't look promising there and should move to center field in the long run. In the box, he really focuses on making contact where he doesn't have any load at all, stripping him off of any power. Instead, he moves his front foot forward and peppers the whole field with line drives with a flat swing but with above average bat speed. He can draw walks and make deep counts to be a future average hitter.
Merrell has all the tools to be a great leadoff hitter with a top-of-the-scale speed, ability to hit for contact with very little power and draws talks with a potential solid defense in the outfield and a touch less in the infield.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 20 | Speed 80 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
57. Brady McConnell SS
McConnell is one of the well known prep middle infield prospects but his questionable performance this year and last summer makes him a risky pick.
Ultra wiry prospect with plenty of quick twitch muscles, McConnell has plenty of projection in his frame to improve his overall strength and endurance that he desperately needs. He should be able to stick at short in the long run with his impressive body control, range and smooth actions together with his plus arm strength. His speed hovers from plus to plus-plus and it makes him a big base stealing threat once he improves his overall technique. His hitting and hitting for power are the concerns for me. He might be too crouched and too spread out in the box and his sweeping leg kick and the swing is a little sweepy that has me pausing. But the positives are that his loose actions shows in the box and the swing has natural loft with good bat speed. His wrists aren't that strong so it will be more of a gap power in the long run once he adds more power in his frame.
McConnell will really stick at short as a potential above average defender there and will steal plenty as long as he improves his overall hitting ability and adds strength in his frame.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 65 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
58. Matt Tabor RHP
One of the most notable risers in this draft class, Tabor has risen towards Day 1 talks after enjoying an uptick in stuff while showing the same good pitchability that he had last year.
Tabor is very wiry and very athletic on the mound, which calls for projection but not a lot, maybe a good 15 pounds to be added. Working with intense tempo on the mound, Tabor can throw three pitches for strikes. His fastball can sit at 93 MPH and has reached 96 at times. The pitch has good late life and he has showed good ability to command it on both sides. His changeup is an impressive one with same delivery as his fastball in the low-80s with plenty of sink and running action with is fastball. His curveball is a potential above average offering with sharp 11-5 break in the high-70s. His mechanics has a lot of energy in it and his arm action is fast and athletic. Even though he got plus athleticism and body control, he still needs to tone down his mechanics a bit to ensure better command. His feel for his stuff though is plenty good that I project him to have solid or better command.
Tabor may be undersized but teams that believe in him see a future mid-rotation option with three pitches that can get hitters out well and can be thrown for strikes consistently.
Grades: FB 60 | CH 55+ | CB 50+ | CMD 50+
59. Conner Uselton OF
Uselton has a two-sport background and that gives him plenty of potential but also plenty of risk, one of the biggest in the class.
Uselton has exceptional athleticism and potential for four above-average to plus tools, with his plus raw power in his frame that gives him plenty of raw strength in his swing to generate great bat speed, plus raw speed that he can use in center field but his plus arm strength will make him likely to move at right field because he might lose a step once he adds more muscle in his frame, and has defensive instincts to have above-average defense in either center or right field. The biggest question mark is his ability to hit. While he has the bat speed to hit baseballs to all fields, his approach is very raw at the plate and often has a homer-happy mentality where he can be beaten by fringy breaking balls and good sequencing. The leg kick is also keeping him back as it throws his eye out of the ball at times.
Uselton has the chance to be a special player, somewhere in the lines of Adell and Beck, with amazing array of tools and potential but he has worse hitting projection than the best and would likely make him a bust rather than a success.
Grades: Hit 40 | Power 55 | Speed 60 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
60. Caden Lemons RHP
Still very far from his ceiling, Lemons has all the tools to be an exciting pitcher.
Lemons is very wiry that oozes projection in his durability and his stuff. He can reach 96 MPH right now and would sit at low-90s but I can really see him throw harder once he fills out his frame. The fastball has some life but he's more reliant on pure velocity than movement in this point. He can flip a breaking ball with his slider more advanced than his curveball. The slider flashes some sharp bite but the curveball leaves plenty to be desired and he struggles to repeat his release point because of some max effort in his mechanics and can be rooted to his height. The changeup flashes potential to be average with some fade. He improved his mechanics but he will still throw across his body a bit and the mechanics should be toned down in order to achieve at best average control and command.
Lemons is quite similar to Indians prospect Triston McKenzie, a guy that oozes projection, throws hard already, and can flip a breaking ball but is still miles away from his true ceiling of a top of rotation guy if it call comes together.
Grades: FB 65 | SL 50+ | CB 45 | CH 45 | CMD 45
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