61. M.J. Melendez C
Even though Melendez might not be the first prep catcher to be taken in this year's draft, he got the highest chance of sticking at the premium position at the end of the road.
Melendez has all the tools to stick at catcher throughout his career. He has superb athleticism behind the dish with plus lateral quickness, developing receiving with good hands, loose actions, tremendous reflexes, plus arm strength and good pop times. He tends to throw from his knees which affects the accuracy of his throws. He has considerable projection in his lean frame that projects above average to plus raw power. The biggest question mark for him is his ability to hit. I don't like how he swings the bat with bat wrap, a sloppy leg kick and a hacker mentality. The thing that he got is the exceptional bat speed which is plus-plus once he get his mechanics cleaned up. He got plus power potential to his left side with natural loft but his approach is very raw at this stage of his career.
Melendez has huge concerns with how much he'll hit for average and how much will he tap on his raw power but he got a big chance to reach the Majors with his defensive potential.
Grades: Hit 40 | Power 55 | Speed 35 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
62. Drew Ellis 3B/OF/1B
Ellis has taken a big step forward in terms of his offensive production this season and it catapulted him into the best college infielder conversation.
Ellis has good above average raw power that he started to translate into games this season. His swing is geared to hit fly balls and the power is more on his pull side, but he has showed ability to hit the other way with contact this season. He got good bat speed, strong load on his back side, plate discipline and will draw walks but his leg kick may throw him off his timing at times. Ellis has average speed and he will probably lose a step once he fills his still projectable frame more. His arm ans good hands will be a fit at third base but he can also play the outfield and at first base.
Ellis is a draft-eligible sophomore that hit with average and with power this season and if he can prove that he can stick at the hot corner, he will be picked high in draft day.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 40 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
63. Cole Brannen OF
Brannen has one of the best all around tools in this draft class.
Brannen has plus-plus speed and he uses it very well on the base paths as well as on the outfield, where he projects to be a plus defender. He got a compact bat with line-drive mentality but his raw power is only average at best. He doesn't really load up in his swing which limits how much power can he show in games. His swing can also get long and the bat doesn't travel the plate very well.
Brannen has an all around skillset highlighted by his plus-plus speed and defense but there are some issues with the bat to question how much can he hit in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 70 | Arm 50 | Glove 60
64. Quentin Holmes OF
You can call Homes the blur and I won't be too mad about it as he got probably the best speed that I have seen since Billy Hamilton.
He posted a 6.15 second 60-yard dash last season and that speed and knowledge to use it gives him potential to steal north of 40 bases per season and all the range that a prospect can dream at center field. His arm strength is fringe average at best but his routes and jumps are improving to project an above-average defender there. His swing has some questions as he tend to rely on his arms to swing his bat so there could be holes. His power projection is solid but the swing is more geared towards making contact. His athleticism bails him out often as he develops his hitting approach.
Holmes is not just all speed as he got the defensive chops to stay at center and hit quite a bit with his bat.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 75 | Arm 45 | Glove 55
65. K.J. Harrison 1B
A known commodity in high school, Harrison's bat is still around but dreams of being a catcher might have evaporated.
Harrison has the elements of a future solid hitter. He improved his approach this season by being patient and as a result, he cut down on his strikeouts. By doing that however, his power number suffered but I think his above-average raw can still be tapped consistently in games. His bat speed might only be solid average but he has the ability to put the barrel to the ball often. He has caught before and can still catch with solid footwork and good hands but the arm strength is only average and the athleticism might not be good enough to play there consistently. Defensively at first, he got solid range and good hands to be average there.
Harrison is restricted only at first base and he needs to tap on more of his power to be relevant at the pro level but there's no denying about his ability to hit.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 35 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
66. Gavin Sheets 1B
After posting modest stats in his first two seasons at Wake Forest, Sheets hit well in the Cape last summer and has broken out in a big way offensively this year.
Sheets has tons of raw power that he starting to tap on consistently. A lefty hitter, he has plenty of leverage in his swing and he can get out of any ballpark. He improved his plate discipline tremendously this year and started to get more selective, picking pitches to drive. The bat speed varies from average to above average but the swing itself can get long and his height can cause him to have holes at the plate. He is not a base stealing threat and his defense is fringy at first, it might be passable at the pro ranks.
Sheets has tons of raw power to produce at the middle of a lineup in pro ball with better ability to hit for average.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 60 | Speed 20 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
67. Daulton Varsho C/LF
Varsho is as unusual of a player in this year's draft as Evan White, but this time, it's behind the plate.
Even though Varsho has a strong and compact frame, his best tool is his raw speed and he uses it to post plus run times and be a base stealing threat, a huge rarity for a catcher. His tools behind the plate defensively is promising as he has good lateral agility, reaction time to block balls in dirt, and frame pitches but his arm strength is below average and he can only improve his pop time by improving his catch and throw. His swing looks good with good bat speed and utilizes the whole field with chance to hit for average and power. There are some concerns because he shifts his weight to his front foot too often and that could present problems in the future.
Varsho definitely has tools to be an everyday catcher with potential to hit and defend behind the dish but his speed and his arm strength might also give him a chance to try out left field in the future.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 50 | Speed 60 | Arm 40 | Glove 55
68. Jacob Heatherly LHP
Heatherly entered the year as being the prep lefty with one of the highest floors in the draft class but a pretty shaky performance in showcases leaves some doubts.
Heatherly got solid mechanics to throw pitches for strikes. His fastball sits in the low-90 range with slight run and sink. He can command his fastball quite well and has showed the ability to throw inside hitters well. His secondaries however receded compared to last season. His curveball while having above average break and shape has been inconsistent this season in terms of command and it can get slurvy. His slider has looked like a cutter this season and his changeup while being a solid in terms of break has been inconsistent. Heatherly's mechanics has nice tempo and rhythm and his arm action looks fine but needs more refinement. He's a solid athlete to repeat his mechanics well and flirt with solid command.
Heatherly's command has wavered at times this season and the less feel for his secondaries hurts his first round chances but a pitcher with athleticism and fastball command can still have teams draft him in the second or third round.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | SL 45 | CMD 50
69. Connor Wong C/OF/IF
Wong is one of the most versatile prospects in this year's class even though his primary position in the field is behind the dish.
Wong is a prospect with good baseball athleticism and quick twitch muscles. He does offer some projection but looks to just mature in his frame without adding much weight. He's a savvy basestealer and can steal plenty of bases as a catcher in pro ball. The swing is simple and he does have some pop in it but it's more of a line drive swing and he looks to produce plenty of doubles in the future. I also have some worries about his overall feel to hit even though he has good bat speed. He's improved in his blocking and receiving behind the dish and he can stay there to be an average defender where his strong arm fits well yet he can also plenty of other positions in the infield and outfield.
Wong's overall skillset is good even though there's not one standout tool on display but his ability to play plenty of positions and ingredients to hit for average with some pop is intriguing.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 60 | Arm 55 | Glove 50
Even though Melendez might not be the first prep catcher to be taken in this year's draft, he got the highest chance of sticking at the premium position at the end of the road.
Melendez has all the tools to stick at catcher throughout his career. He has superb athleticism behind the dish with plus lateral quickness, developing receiving with good hands, loose actions, tremendous reflexes, plus arm strength and good pop times. He tends to throw from his knees which affects the accuracy of his throws. He has considerable projection in his lean frame that projects above average to plus raw power. The biggest question mark for him is his ability to hit. I don't like how he swings the bat with bat wrap, a sloppy leg kick and a hacker mentality. The thing that he got is the exceptional bat speed which is plus-plus once he get his mechanics cleaned up. He got plus power potential to his left side with natural loft but his approach is very raw at this stage of his career.
Melendez has huge concerns with how much he'll hit for average and how much will he tap on his raw power but he got a big chance to reach the Majors with his defensive potential.
Grades: Hit 40 | Power 55 | Speed 35 | Arm 60 | Glove 55
62. Drew Ellis 3B/OF/1B
Ellis has taken a big step forward in terms of his offensive production this season and it catapulted him into the best college infielder conversation.
Ellis has good above average raw power that he started to translate into games this season. His swing is geared to hit fly balls and the power is more on his pull side, but he has showed ability to hit the other way with contact this season. He got good bat speed, strong load on his back side, plate discipline and will draw walks but his leg kick may throw him off his timing at times. Ellis has average speed and he will probably lose a step once he fills his still projectable frame more. His arm ans good hands will be a fit at third base but he can also play the outfield and at first base.
Ellis is a draft-eligible sophomore that hit with average and with power this season and if he can prove that he can stick at the hot corner, he will be picked high in draft day.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 55 | Speed 40 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
63. Cole Brannen OF
Brannen has one of the best all around tools in this draft class.
Brannen has plus-plus speed and he uses it very well on the base paths as well as on the outfield, where he projects to be a plus defender. He got a compact bat with line-drive mentality but his raw power is only average at best. He doesn't really load up in his swing which limits how much power can he show in games. His swing can also get long and the bat doesn't travel the plate very well.
Brannen has an all around skillset highlighted by his plus-plus speed and defense but there are some issues with the bat to question how much can he hit in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 70 | Arm 50 | Glove 60
64. Quentin Holmes OF
You can call Homes the blur and I won't be too mad about it as he got probably the best speed that I have seen since Billy Hamilton.
He posted a 6.15 second 60-yard dash last season and that speed and knowledge to use it gives him potential to steal north of 40 bases per season and all the range that a prospect can dream at center field. His arm strength is fringe average at best but his routes and jumps are improving to project an above-average defender there. His swing has some questions as he tend to rely on his arms to swing his bat so there could be holes. His power projection is solid but the swing is more geared towards making contact. His athleticism bails him out often as he develops his hitting approach.
Holmes is not just all speed as he got the defensive chops to stay at center and hit quite a bit with his bat.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 40 | Speed 75 | Arm 45 | Glove 55
65. K.J. Harrison 1B
A known commodity in high school, Harrison's bat is still around but dreams of being a catcher might have evaporated.
Harrison has the elements of a future solid hitter. He improved his approach this season by being patient and as a result, he cut down on his strikeouts. By doing that however, his power number suffered but I think his above-average raw can still be tapped consistently in games. His bat speed might only be solid average but he has the ability to put the barrel to the ball often. He has caught before and can still catch with solid footwork and good hands but the arm strength is only average and the athleticism might not be good enough to play there consistently. Defensively at first, he got solid range and good hands to be average there.
Harrison is restricted only at first base and he needs to tap on more of his power to be relevant at the pro level but there's no denying about his ability to hit.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 35 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
66. Gavin Sheets 1B
After posting modest stats in his first two seasons at Wake Forest, Sheets hit well in the Cape last summer and has broken out in a big way offensively this year.
Sheets has tons of raw power that he starting to tap on consistently. A lefty hitter, he has plenty of leverage in his swing and he can get out of any ballpark. He improved his plate discipline tremendously this year and started to get more selective, picking pitches to drive. The bat speed varies from average to above average but the swing itself can get long and his height can cause him to have holes at the plate. He is not a base stealing threat and his defense is fringy at first, it might be passable at the pro ranks.
Sheets has tons of raw power to produce at the middle of a lineup in pro ball with better ability to hit for average.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 60 | Speed 20 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
67. Daulton Varsho C/LF
Varsho is as unusual of a player in this year's draft as Evan White, but this time, it's behind the plate.
Even though Varsho has a strong and compact frame, his best tool is his raw speed and he uses it to post plus run times and be a base stealing threat, a huge rarity for a catcher. His tools behind the plate defensively is promising as he has good lateral agility, reaction time to block balls in dirt, and frame pitches but his arm strength is below average and he can only improve his pop time by improving his catch and throw. His swing looks good with good bat speed and utilizes the whole field with chance to hit for average and power. There are some concerns because he shifts his weight to his front foot too often and that could present problems in the future.
Varsho definitely has tools to be an everyday catcher with potential to hit and defend behind the dish but his speed and his arm strength might also give him a chance to try out left field in the future.
Grades: Hit 50 | Power 50 | Speed 60 | Arm 40 | Glove 55
68. Jacob Heatherly LHP
Heatherly entered the year as being the prep lefty with one of the highest floors in the draft class but a pretty shaky performance in showcases leaves some doubts.
Heatherly got solid mechanics to throw pitches for strikes. His fastball sits in the low-90 range with slight run and sink. He can command his fastball quite well and has showed the ability to throw inside hitters well. His secondaries however receded compared to last season. His curveball while having above average break and shape has been inconsistent this season in terms of command and it can get slurvy. His slider has looked like a cutter this season and his changeup while being a solid in terms of break has been inconsistent. Heatherly's mechanics has nice tempo and rhythm and his arm action looks fine but needs more refinement. He's a solid athlete to repeat his mechanics well and flirt with solid command.
Heatherly's command has wavered at times this season and the less feel for his secondaries hurts his first round chances but a pitcher with athleticism and fastball command can still have teams draft him in the second or third round.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | SL 45 | CMD 50
69. Connor Wong C/OF/IF
Wong is one of the most versatile prospects in this year's class even though his primary position in the field is behind the dish.
Wong is a prospect with good baseball athleticism and quick twitch muscles. He does offer some projection but looks to just mature in his frame without adding much weight. He's a savvy basestealer and can steal plenty of bases as a catcher in pro ball. The swing is simple and he does have some pop in it but it's more of a line drive swing and he looks to produce plenty of doubles in the future. I also have some worries about his overall feel to hit even though he has good bat speed. He's improved in his blocking and receiving behind the dish and he can stay there to be an average defender where his strong arm fits well yet he can also plenty of other positions in the infield and outfield.
Wong's overall skillset is good even though there's not one standout tool on display but his ability to play plenty of positions and ingredients to hit for average with some pop is intriguing.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 60 | Arm 55 | Glove 50
70. Jake Eder LHP
Big, power lefties are pretty rare commodity in every draft but Eder packs one to the table.
Eder has a tall and strong frame with room to mature. He got a 92-95 MPH fastball that can blow by hitters with good life and can locate it pretty well when it's on. His curveball has 1-7 break and flashed above average at best with late, sweeping break although it is inconsistent. His changeup is more of a show me pitch with some sink and good velocity difference. His arm action is easy but the other parts of his mechanics needs plenty of work especially on his balance and he tends to be late on his release point.
Eder has big time arm, potential above average curve and easy mechanics but command issues might temper his draft stock as well as his strong Vanderbilt commitment.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 45
71. Daniel Cabrera OF
Cabrera has some potential as a lefty starter but his pure hitting ability is the one that teams usually dream on.
With a profile similar to Reds prospect Jesse Winker, Cabrera has the tools presently and in the future to be an at least above average hitter. He is free and easy in the batter's box with a smooth leg kick that lands strong. His bat reaches far back but isn't a true concern because he has such good feel for the barrel. The swing path is a little flat but it stays on the zone for a very long time and he has the strong wrists to turn on pitches but he needs to fill out his frame to project average power in his bat. His approach at the plate is very mature for his age and that helps his hitting ability. He improved his body in the offseason but still projects to be an average runner at the bases and in the outfield. While he has high-80s velocity on the mound, it is better suited in left field where he has the potential to be average defensively.
Cabrera might a bat-first prep outfielder but the ceiling on his hitting ability is tremendous that he can be a top prospect even with just the bat, just like Jesse Winker.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50 | Speed 50 | Arm 50 | Glove 50
72. Jacob Pearson OF
Pearson might be one of the best combination of hitting ability and speed in this draft class.
Pearson has one of the purest hit tool from the prep ranks with a simple approach, above average bat speed and natural feel to hit. An above average to plus athlete, Pearson loads up on his back side well and has the ability to adjust himself mid-swing. His eye is developing and he got strong wrists to put up at least 15 homers once he matures. He attributed hitting more homers to finishing up his swing better. A plus runner, he can stretch singles into doubles and make a considerable impact on the bases as a stealer and runner. He had labrum surgery before and his arm strength isn't still quite back and will probably be below average at best. His routes in the outfield also needs work as he looks to be locked in either left or center.
Pearson has some serious hitting ability and plus speed to be a dynamic leadoff hitter in full potential with some pop but he needs to develop the instincts if he wants to play in center.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 60 | Arm 35 | Glove 50
73. JJ Matijevic 1B/2B
Matijevic mashed in his junior season for Arizona, leading the college nation in doubles and one of the best in terms of batting average.
Matijevic has continuously showed good doubles power throughout college and in his 2 years in the Cape Cod League. His stance is vertical and his swing path is a little long and doesn't stay in the zone for long so there will be holes in it to think that he'll probably get beaten by breaking balls but he has very good feel for the barrel. He has showed good approach and eye in the Cape and has steady eye at the plate this season with good pitch recognition. A better runner than plenty of first baseman, I have recorded solid to above average home to 1st times and he could steal a handful and more. I think he has the chops and solid athleticism to try out at second base.
Matijevic has a less pop than your typical first baseman but he has good doubles power and is a better runner than others so he can probably try out at second base in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 45 | Arm 45 | Glove 50
74. Greg Deichmann OF/1B
Deichmann has become one of the best sources of power in the college class and has put on a great junior year while playing in the SEC.
Deichmann is a physical player with plenty of raw power that shows up in games. His swing is geared for power as it got a natural uppercut on it with good bat speed and utilizes his lower half to hit high arcing shots more to his pull side. He will always be prone to swings and misses due to his bat path and stiffness in his swing but he has a good eye at the plate and will draw walks. His speed is below average and would likely move out of right field if his speed will become a liability for him. He might move to left field in the long run or first where he can be an average defender there with a luxury of a strong arm.
Deichmann has all the ingredients of a three true outcomes player where he can hit plenty of homers, draw a fair share of walks and strike out plenty of times while finding a true defensive home.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 55 | Speed 40 | Arm 55 | Glove 45
Pearson might be one of the best combination of hitting ability and speed in this draft class.
Pearson has one of the purest hit tool from the prep ranks with a simple approach, above average bat speed and natural feel to hit. An above average to plus athlete, Pearson loads up on his back side well and has the ability to adjust himself mid-swing. His eye is developing and he got strong wrists to put up at least 15 homers once he matures. He attributed hitting more homers to finishing up his swing better. A plus runner, he can stretch singles into doubles and make a considerable impact on the bases as a stealer and runner. He had labrum surgery before and his arm strength isn't still quite back and will probably be below average at best. His routes in the outfield also needs work as he looks to be locked in either left or center.
Pearson has some serious hitting ability and plus speed to be a dynamic leadoff hitter in full potential with some pop but he needs to develop the instincts if he wants to play in center.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 60 | Arm 35 | Glove 50
73. JJ Matijevic 1B/2B
Matijevic mashed in his junior season for Arizona, leading the college nation in doubles and one of the best in terms of batting average.
Matijevic has continuously showed good doubles power throughout college and in his 2 years in the Cape Cod League. His stance is vertical and his swing path is a little long and doesn't stay in the zone for long so there will be holes in it to think that he'll probably get beaten by breaking balls but he has very good feel for the barrel. He has showed good approach and eye in the Cape and has steady eye at the plate this season with good pitch recognition. A better runner than plenty of first baseman, I have recorded solid to above average home to 1st times and he could steal a handful and more. I think he has the chops and solid athleticism to try out at second base.
Matijevic has a less pop than your typical first baseman but he has good doubles power and is a better runner than others so he can probably try out at second base in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 45 | Arm 45 | Glove 50
74. Greg Deichmann OF/1B
Deichmann has become one of the best sources of power in the college class and has put on a great junior year while playing in the SEC.
Deichmann is a physical player with plenty of raw power that shows up in games. His swing is geared for power as it got a natural uppercut on it with good bat speed and utilizes his lower half to hit high arcing shots more to his pull side. He will always be prone to swings and misses due to his bat path and stiffness in his swing but he has a good eye at the plate and will draw walks. His speed is below average and would likely move out of right field if his speed will become a liability for him. He might move to left field in the long run or first where he can be an average defender there with a luxury of a strong arm.
Deichmann has all the ingredients of a three true outcomes player where he can hit plenty of homers, draw a fair share of walks and strike out plenty of times while finding a true defensive home.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 55 | Speed 40 | Arm 55 | Glove 45
75. Bryce Bonnin RHP/SS
Bonnin is a two-way player from Texas that can play shortstop with good actions and with very good athleticism and speed but the future looks to be on the mound.
Bonnin has the athleticism to add on more muscle in his high-waisted, athletic frame. His fastball sits at low-90s that hits 95 MPH early in his starts that got a chance to add more once he matures. The fastball has very good life even when up the zone and it gets on hitters quick because of his long extension and he throws it in front of his body in a high 3/4 release point with good feel. He got a solid slider with potential for above average with tight spin and late vertical on it that he can throw for strikes or gets hitters to chase. He doesn't need a change yet but it projects to be average or better if he has the same sinking action as his fastball. He got loose mechanics with very good feel for his body. I don't really like the long arm action at the back and he loads his elbows after but he repeats it well and throws strikes with it. Even though the mechanics is drop and drive in nature, he gets very good life on his pitches and throws strikes with it.
Bonnin has an athletic body and a live fastball-slider combo and even though the mechanics is loose, his arm action worries be a bit once he gets older and he might be destined to be a reliever with his very good two-pitch mix.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 55 | CH 45 | CMD 50
Bonnin is a two-way player from Texas that can play shortstop with good actions and with very good athleticism and speed but the future looks to be on the mound.
Bonnin has the athleticism to add on more muscle in his high-waisted, athletic frame. His fastball sits at low-90s that hits 95 MPH early in his starts that got a chance to add more once he matures. The fastball has very good life even when up the zone and it gets on hitters quick because of his long extension and he throws it in front of his body in a high 3/4 release point with good feel. He got a solid slider with potential for above average with tight spin and late vertical on it that he can throw for strikes or gets hitters to chase. He doesn't need a change yet but it projects to be average or better if he has the same sinking action as his fastball. He got loose mechanics with very good feel for his body. I don't really like the long arm action at the back and he loads his elbows after but he repeats it well and throws strikes with it. Even though the mechanics is drop and drive in nature, he gets very good life on his pitches and throws strikes with it.
Bonnin has an athletic body and a live fastball-slider combo and even though the mechanics is loose, his arm action worries be a bit once he gets older and he might be destined to be a reliever with his very good two-pitch mix.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 55 | CH 45 | CMD 50
76. Riley Adams C
Adams has established himself as the best college catcher available in the draft after hitting twice as many homers this season as with his first two season combined.
Adams is very tall for a catcher, almost as tall as Joe Mauer and it gives him plus raw power at the plate. At the plate, Adams has the eerily similar stance with Kris Bryant that works for Bryant in terms of average and power, Adams hasn't translate the power as much. The stance has become too crouched for him that limits his ability to hit for average and saps some of his power. While he takes his fair share of walks, the stance together with his height will make him strike out at a pretty high clip. He has a solid arm behind the dish and has the athleticism to stay there but his actions hasn't been very impressive for me.
With plus raw power, Adams will likely stay at catcher before moving to first base as better defenders will move him there but as long as he polishes his stance at the plate to better translate his power, he'll play in the Majors.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 55 | Speed 30 | Arm 50+ | Glove 50
Adams has established himself as the best college catcher available in the draft after hitting twice as many homers this season as with his first two season combined.
Adams is very tall for a catcher, almost as tall as Joe Mauer and it gives him plus raw power at the plate. At the plate, Adams has the eerily similar stance with Kris Bryant that works for Bryant in terms of average and power, Adams hasn't translate the power as much. The stance has become too crouched for him that limits his ability to hit for average and saps some of his power. While he takes his fair share of walks, the stance together with his height will make him strike out at a pretty high clip. He has a solid arm behind the dish and has the athleticism to stay there but his actions hasn't been very impressive for me.
With plus raw power, Adams will likely stay at catcher before moving to first base as better defenders will move him there but as long as he polishes his stance at the plate to better translate his power, he'll play in the Majors.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 55 | Speed 30 | Arm 50+ | Glove 50
77. Chris McMahon RHP
A two-sport athlete, McMahon clearly has a better potential in baseball than in basketball.
McMahon throws hard, up to 95 MPH on his fastball. The fastball is relatively straight but it jumps on hitters thanks to his plus arm speed and gets some life when thrown down in the zone. He flips a curveball that doesn't have plenty of depth but has sharp, movement reminiscent of a knuckle-curve. He has a changeup that got some sink and run that projects to be solid when he works on it. He got good feel for his three pitches and while his mechanics and athleticism gives him potential to add on more velocity once he fills in his body a bit. While his mechanics has some crossfire action in it, it doesn't look like it will be a liability. The arm action is where I have concerns as he loads on his elbows and throws with more effort than usual.
McMahon has starting pitcher potential with three pitches that he can throw for strikes well but the arm action in his mechanics gives me some pause.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | CMD 50
A two-sport athlete, McMahon clearly has a better potential in baseball than in basketball.
McMahon throws hard, up to 95 MPH on his fastball. The fastball is relatively straight but it jumps on hitters thanks to his plus arm speed and gets some life when thrown down in the zone. He flips a curveball that doesn't have plenty of depth but has sharp, movement reminiscent of a knuckle-curve. He has a changeup that got some sink and run that projects to be solid when he works on it. He got good feel for his three pitches and while his mechanics and athleticism gives him potential to add on more velocity once he fills in his body a bit. While his mechanics has some crossfire action in it, it doesn't look like it will be a liability. The arm action is where I have concerns as he loads on his elbows and throws with more effort than usual.
McMahon has starting pitcher potential with three pitches that he can throw for strikes well but the arm action in his mechanics gives me some pause.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 50+ | CH 50 | CMD 50
78. Evan Skoug 1B/C
A hot commodity in his HS, Skoug could've been a first rounder if he had a solid spring but the bat receded this season.
Skoug has the potential to hit for power in the pro ranks. His mature frame oozes raw power and translates it with his bat, with a strong lower half and load in the box. While he has the ability to draw walks, his pitch recognition became worse this season as he racked up far too many strikeouts and he needs to improve on that front to became an at best average hitter. He plays catcher and has the ability to play there in pro ball but he'll definitely move to first base because he doesn't have the athleticism, quickness and plus arm to stick there long-term.
Whether he sticks behind the plate or play in the cold corner, Skoug will be carried by his bat and his raw power but there are a lot of questions on his bat right now whether he'll hit enough in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 40+ | Power 55 | Speed 20 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
79. Blaine Knight RHP
A draft eligible sophomore, Knight throws hard but he could return to Arkansas for his junior year as he looks to improve on his stuff.
Knight is has a really wiry frame and should look on to add to his 165 lb. frame but doesn't project to add much since he has a narrow frame. His fastball is a true plus one that can reach 97 MPH and will sit in the low-90s that he commands well. It got some life and downhill plane on it and could be sitting mid-90s if he adds on his frame, if not hold his velocity deep into games. His slider can cross up between a true cutter with tight break or a true slider with loopy break. His changeup is average right now and stay that way in the future. His mechanics has some dangerous elements in it with some effort but he has good body control and projects to have above average command.
Knight has a big fastball and knows how to command it but his secondaries needs refinement to improve his ceiling from a back-end to a mid-end starter option.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 55
80. Morgan Cooper RHP
Cooper already had Tommy John in the past but his strong junior season has him potentially in day 1 conversations.
Cooper has a solid and strong build with a prototypical pitcher's frame. His fastball is in the low-90s with good life throughout the zone and he can improve his velocity and life, up to mid-90s consistently, on his best days. His hard breaking ball has the shape of a knuckle-curve in the mid-80s that flashes above average with sharp and short vertical break in it. His changeup is an average pitch with good fade. His delivery is a little stiff and his arm action is late at front foot contact that helps him add velocity but produces concerns over his long-term value but he's been a good strike-thrower with good feel for his pitches and should have average command.
Cooper has the size and stuff to be a starter but his mechanics and his medical history might move him to the bullpen where his fastball could experience an uptick in velocity.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CH 50 | CMD 50
81. Michael Gigliotti OF
An up and down junior season has put Gigliotti's stock in high water after being the best player in the Cape Cod League.
Gigliotti's best asset is his speed which is a consistent way above-average tool that he uses defensively as a potential plus fielder with great jumps and routes where his below average arm strength is good enough for him to stay at center or as a potential perennial 40 steals threat in his peak. I have questions in his swing and approach. He got an excessive leg kick that throws off his timing and spreads too much at front foot landing and should be shortened up. He has the ability to hit for average with a line drive swing with gap-to-gap power ceiling but his approach at the plate is very passive and tends to bunt too much instead of driving hittable pitches to the gaps.
Gigliotti has the athleticism and tools to be a defensive center fielder and it's up to his bat if he will be an everyday player instead of a bench one.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 35 | Speed 65 | Arm 40 | Glove 60
A hot commodity in his HS, Skoug could've been a first rounder if he had a solid spring but the bat receded this season.
Skoug has the potential to hit for power in the pro ranks. His mature frame oozes raw power and translates it with his bat, with a strong lower half and load in the box. While he has the ability to draw walks, his pitch recognition became worse this season as he racked up far too many strikeouts and he needs to improve on that front to became an at best average hitter. He plays catcher and has the ability to play there in pro ball but he'll definitely move to first base because he doesn't have the athleticism, quickness and plus arm to stick there long-term.
Whether he sticks behind the plate or play in the cold corner, Skoug will be carried by his bat and his raw power but there are a lot of questions on his bat right now whether he'll hit enough in pro ball.
Grades: Hit 40+ | Power 55 | Speed 20 | Arm 50 | Glove 45
79. Blaine Knight RHP
A draft eligible sophomore, Knight throws hard but he could return to Arkansas for his junior year as he looks to improve on his stuff.
Knight is has a really wiry frame and should look on to add to his 165 lb. frame but doesn't project to add much since he has a narrow frame. His fastball is a true plus one that can reach 97 MPH and will sit in the low-90s that he commands well. It got some life and downhill plane on it and could be sitting mid-90s if he adds on his frame, if not hold his velocity deep into games. His slider can cross up between a true cutter with tight break or a true slider with loopy break. His changeup is average right now and stay that way in the future. His mechanics has some dangerous elements in it with some effort but he has good body control and projects to have above average command.
Knight has a big fastball and knows how to command it but his secondaries needs refinement to improve his ceiling from a back-end to a mid-end starter option.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 55
80. Morgan Cooper RHP
Cooper already had Tommy John in the past but his strong junior season has him potentially in day 1 conversations.
Cooper has a solid and strong build with a prototypical pitcher's frame. His fastball is in the low-90s with good life throughout the zone and he can improve his velocity and life, up to mid-90s consistently, on his best days. His hard breaking ball has the shape of a knuckle-curve in the mid-80s that flashes above average with sharp and short vertical break in it. His changeup is an average pitch with good fade. His delivery is a little stiff and his arm action is late at front foot contact that helps him add velocity but produces concerns over his long-term value but he's been a good strike-thrower with good feel for his pitches and should have average command.
Cooper has the size and stuff to be a starter but his mechanics and his medical history might move him to the bullpen where his fastball could experience an uptick in velocity.
Grades: FB 60 | CB 55 | CH 50 | CMD 50
81. Michael Gigliotti OF
An up and down junior season has put Gigliotti's stock in high water after being the best player in the Cape Cod League.
Gigliotti's best asset is his speed which is a consistent way above-average tool that he uses defensively as a potential plus fielder with great jumps and routes where his below average arm strength is good enough for him to stay at center or as a potential perennial 40 steals threat in his peak. I have questions in his swing and approach. He got an excessive leg kick that throws off his timing and spreads too much at front foot landing and should be shortened up. He has the ability to hit for average with a line drive swing with gap-to-gap power ceiling but his approach at the plate is very passive and tends to bunt too much instead of driving hittable pitches to the gaps.
Gigliotti has the athleticism and tools to be a defensive center fielder and it's up to his bat if he will be an everyday player instead of a bench one.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 35 | Speed 65 | Arm 40 | Glove 60
82. Joe Perez RHP/3B
While Perez is also a third base prospect with massive raw power, Perez's right arm on the mound is much more interesting.
Perez has an elite arm, capable of pumping 92-97 MPH fastballs with sink and life when he gets on top of it. There could be more velocity once he matures in his frame but is more likely to stay in that range. His slider has massive sweeping break that flashes plus but is very much inconsistent. His changeup doesn't project as well as his fastball and slider but should be average. His mechanics is athletic and has high effort especially in his arm but when toned down, it has some resemblance to Jose Fernandez.
Perez should be an interesting pitching prospect with an elite fastball and potential wipeout slider but his lack of feel for his pitches and his high-effort mechanics might send him to the bullpen.
Grades: FB 70 | SL 55 | CH 40 | CMD 45
83. Calvin Mitchell OF/1B
Mitchell has always been one of the best hitters in the prep class but a shaky turned to solid senior season has his draft stock on the green.
The other Mitchell isn't as athletic as Garrett (no relation) but has a better bat projection. Mitchell has above average or better raw power and it shows in his smooth, left handed swing. He might be selling out on power early but went back to what works and has enjoyed a scorching second half. He got a natural feel for the barrel with above average bat speed and strong wrists, and he's able to employ an all-field approach with power. The swing is direct and has leverage to lift pitches out of the park. Aside from his bat, the other tools are fringy, where he doesn't look like an impactful runner and will slow down as he fills his body, his arm strength is fringy so he's relegated to left field or even shift to first base.
Mitchell's stock is heavily-reliant on his bat and with the way he's swinging it, he could reach his ceiling as a bat-first player.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 40 | Arm 45 | Glove 45
84. Greg Jones SS/OF
Jones popped onto the draft scene after gaining half a foot in height and 20 pounds in his frame while retaining all the impressive tools that he has.
Jones has tremendous athleticism and it shows in games with some projection in his frame. His raw power is sneaky and he could evolve to a double digit homer threat. A switch hitter, Jones looked better when batting left handed but has similar swing profiles on both sides. While having a leg kick as big and as long as his isn't the worst thing in the world, drifting forward while swinging needs to be removed and it limits his game power by a good amount. While he's all out swinging right now, a good coach that will tame down his approach will make him an average hitter. His legendary 3.85 seconds home-to-first time in his left side is very impressive but he doesn't always play with high energy and his defensive actions and hands could move him to center, where his plus arm and better instincts plays well.
Jones has tremendous potential in terms of speed and athleticism but he needs to clean up his hitting approach to reach his ceiling.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 80 | Arm 60 | Glove 50
85. Luis Gonzalez OF
A talented two-play college player from New Mexico, Gonzalez will definitely stay in the outfield.
Gonzalez has the tools to stay in center field armed with an above-average speed, an arm that can pump 90 MPH on the mound, and very good jumps and capable of making tough plays. At the box, he's an advanced hitter with the potential to be an above average hitter in the future. He got a great eye at the plate that positions himself to favorable counts and take plenty of walks. His bat speed is just average but he has a natural ability to put the barrel to the ball, generating loud contact and adjusting mid swing. His power projection is fringy and is more gap oriented but has showed true homer power on his pull side.
With good athleticism, hitting ability, competitiveness, and ability to stay in center, Gonzalez is one of the safest picks out there.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 55 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
86. Jake Thompson RHP
One of the aces of the best team in college baseball, Thompson has been one of the best college pitchers available in the draft.
Thompson has a stocky frame that gives him potential to handle starting games and stay in the rotation. His fastball can reach mid-90s in shorter bursts but is more in the low-90s more often than not. His short arm action together with his frame hides the ball in his body well when he throws, resulting to his fastball playing up. His low to mid-80s slider is above average where the break varies from short but sharp to a sweeping kind. His changeup is an average pitch and he can flip a slow curveball or two in games that is more of a show-me pitch. Even though he has simple mechanics currently with loose arm action, his body control is questionable that he will hold his command deep into starts in pro ball.
Thompson has the ingredients to be a solid starter with four pitches or he can focus on his fastball and slider and be a good reliever with closer upside.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 55 | CH 50 | CB 45 | CMD 45
87. Adam Hall SS
One of the best Canadian prospects in this draft class, Hall has a good chance to stick in the dirt.
Hall's best tool is his speed which is plus-plus that gives him tremendous range at short and ability to steal plenty of bases after refinement. His arm strength is right around average and the looseness that he has should allow him to stay at short but if not, he'll move to the other side or to the outfield. His swing features an arm bar but he has very good bat speed and wiry strength to project average power in his ceiling. His approach is currently raw but has the ability to generate hard contact with his line-drive swing.
Hall packs considerable ceiling with his speed, wiry strength and athleticism, and his ability to stay at short but it will be up to his bat to reach his full potential.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 65 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
88. Mason House OF
Possibly the biggest popup name this year, House flashed all the tools but doesn't attend big showcases in order for scouts to get a good feel for him.
House got a projectable and extremely athletic frame, giving him tons of raw power, and plenty of speed on the bases. There's looseness in his swing with leverage to hit balls out of the park but there are questions of him against good quality pitching and with wooden bats whether he can translate his ability there. His got above average speed and is quicker once he gets going. His arm is solid and he can play center but his profile as a potential power hitter will likely move him to right.
House has all the tools to be a superstar but the biggest question is the lack of track record against quality competition and that will likely be the difference maker for him.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 60 | Speed 55 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
89. Tony Dibrell RHP
One of the best performers in the Cape last summer, Dibrell improved his stock after a very solid junior season for Kennesaw State.
Athletic and projectable, Dibrell shows it off in every start. Dibrell has three pitches that grade as above average or better. His fastball sits at 93-94 MPH and can reach as high as 96 early on but dipped late due to overuse and fatigue. Once he matures in his frame, he looks to sustain his early season fastball velocity deep into starts. His changeup has tremendous projection, with a potential plus or better offering with plenty of fade and velocity separation with the same arm action and plus arm speed as his fastball. His curve and slider morphs at times but the latter is a potential solid offering with good two-plane break on it. His mechanics is athletic and has drop and drive elements but produces downhill plane on his pitches. The arm action should be cleaned up in order to improve his command towards average.
Dibrell has the elements to be a good starting pitcher with a solid three-pitch mix with plenty of room to improve in his frame and in his mechanics.
Grades: FB 60 | CH 60+ | SL 50 | CB 45 | CMD 50
90. Tyler Johnson RHP
Even though he's the closer for the pitching-rich South Carolina team, Johnson still has the tools to become a starter.
With a frame that looks heavier than the listed 180 pounds, Johnson can surely hold his velocity to the later innings. Johnson's fastball reached 99 MPH early in the season and sits 93-97 MPH. It doesn't feature a lot of life but he can spot it well on the corners. His slider is a solid offering with plenty of horizontal break thanks to his mechanics. His mechanics has deception and features a big crossfire but he stayed on line at the plate more often than not and has good feel for the two pitches and could add a changeup that projects to be average.
Johnson has closer upside with his two-pitch mix and deceptive mechanics but optimistic teams will try him be a starter but needs to develop his changeup to make it happen.
Grades: FB 65 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 55
91. Kevin Smith 2B/SS
A top performer with wood bats, Smith hasn't translated his performance with wooden bats to the regular season but he's still one of the highest rated middle infielders in this class.
Smith got a good amount of raw power in his frame that gives him chance for plenty of homers. While has got a solid stance and swing mechanics at the plate with plenty of bat speed, he has plenty of swing and miss in his game which brings the question of how much he'll hit in pro ball with his questionable pitch recognition and approach. His approach to power his also more to his pull side so he really needs to hit. He has below average speed so he'll move to second base as he gets older and has the potential to be solid or better defender there with smooth transfer, good recognition, and his average but accurate arm fits better there.
Smith has the power to be a power-hitting middle infielder in pro ball but there's plenty of questions on how much he'll hit and his transition to second base as he gets older.
Grades: Hit 40+ | Power 50+ | Speed 40 | Arm 50+ | Glove 55
92. Sam Keating RHP
Keating has been as consistent of a pitcher in one of the top prep schools in the country, Canterbury. While he's used as a two-way player, Keating's future is definitely on the mound.
Keating entered this season with more bulk in his wiry frame especially in his torso. That added weight helped improve his fastball velocity from high-80s to a more respectable low-90s offering. The pitch has some tailing action but most of it are relatively straight. He also kills some of its life when thrown up in the zone but has downhill plane when thrown down because he gets on top of it. He got a good curveball with 11-5 break that got good shape and solid break but he doesn't get on top of it at times. He got a short slider but with sharp break. His changeup has fade and looks to be a future above average one once he develops because of his arm action. His mechanics has tempo and he has his arm up very early in his drive. Even though he's only an solid average athlete, he can fill out his frame without affecting his athleticism and his feel for his mechanics with good arm speed.
Keating might not have a high ceiling compared to his peers but he got a still projectable frame with four pitches that he can throw for strikes with a good and sound delivery.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 50 | CH 50+ | SL 50 | CMD 50+
Thank you for taking the time reading my reports and tune in on my draft reactions in Giants Farm!
While Perez is also a third base prospect with massive raw power, Perez's right arm on the mound is much more interesting.
Perez has an elite arm, capable of pumping 92-97 MPH fastballs with sink and life when he gets on top of it. There could be more velocity once he matures in his frame but is more likely to stay in that range. His slider has massive sweeping break that flashes plus but is very much inconsistent. His changeup doesn't project as well as his fastball and slider but should be average. His mechanics is athletic and has high effort especially in his arm but when toned down, it has some resemblance to Jose Fernandez.
Perez should be an interesting pitching prospect with an elite fastball and potential wipeout slider but his lack of feel for his pitches and his high-effort mechanics might send him to the bullpen.
Grades: FB 70 | SL 55 | CH 40 | CMD 45
83. Calvin Mitchell OF/1B
Mitchell has always been one of the best hitters in the prep class but a shaky turned to solid senior season has his draft stock on the green.
The other Mitchell isn't as athletic as Garrett (no relation) but has a better bat projection. Mitchell has above average or better raw power and it shows in his smooth, left handed swing. He might be selling out on power early but went back to what works and has enjoyed a scorching second half. He got a natural feel for the barrel with above average bat speed and strong wrists, and he's able to employ an all-field approach with power. The swing is direct and has leverage to lift pitches out of the park. Aside from his bat, the other tools are fringy, where he doesn't look like an impactful runner and will slow down as he fills his body, his arm strength is fringy so he's relegated to left field or even shift to first base.
Mitchell's stock is heavily-reliant on his bat and with the way he's swinging it, he could reach his ceiling as a bat-first player.
Grades: Hit 55 | Power 50+ | Speed 40 | Arm 45 | Glove 45
84. Greg Jones SS/OF
Jones popped onto the draft scene after gaining half a foot in height and 20 pounds in his frame while retaining all the impressive tools that he has.
Jones has tremendous athleticism and it shows in games with some projection in his frame. His raw power is sneaky and he could evolve to a double digit homer threat. A switch hitter, Jones looked better when batting left handed but has similar swing profiles on both sides. While having a leg kick as big and as long as his isn't the worst thing in the world, drifting forward while swinging needs to be removed and it limits his game power by a good amount. While he's all out swinging right now, a good coach that will tame down his approach will make him an average hitter. His legendary 3.85 seconds home-to-first time in his left side is very impressive but he doesn't always play with high energy and his defensive actions and hands could move him to center, where his plus arm and better instincts plays well.
Jones has tremendous potential in terms of speed and athleticism but he needs to clean up his hitting approach to reach his ceiling.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 80 | Arm 60 | Glove 50
85. Luis Gonzalez OF
A talented two-play college player from New Mexico, Gonzalez will definitely stay in the outfield.
Gonzalez has the tools to stay in center field armed with an above-average speed, an arm that can pump 90 MPH on the mound, and very good jumps and capable of making tough plays. At the box, he's an advanced hitter with the potential to be an above average hitter in the future. He got a great eye at the plate that positions himself to favorable counts and take plenty of walks. His bat speed is just average but he has a natural ability to put the barrel to the ball, generating loud contact and adjusting mid swing. His power projection is fringy and is more gap oriented but has showed true homer power on his pull side.
With good athleticism, hitting ability, competitiveness, and ability to stay in center, Gonzalez is one of the safest picks out there.
Grades: Hit 50+ | Power 45 | Speed 55 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
86. Jake Thompson RHP
One of the aces of the best team in college baseball, Thompson has been one of the best college pitchers available in the draft.
Thompson has a stocky frame that gives him potential to handle starting games and stay in the rotation. His fastball can reach mid-90s in shorter bursts but is more in the low-90s more often than not. His short arm action together with his frame hides the ball in his body well when he throws, resulting to his fastball playing up. His low to mid-80s slider is above average where the break varies from short but sharp to a sweeping kind. His changeup is an average pitch and he can flip a slow curveball or two in games that is more of a show-me pitch. Even though he has simple mechanics currently with loose arm action, his body control is questionable that he will hold his command deep into starts in pro ball.
Thompson has the ingredients to be a solid starter with four pitches or he can focus on his fastball and slider and be a good reliever with closer upside.
Grades: FB 60 | SL 55 | CH 50 | CB 45 | CMD 45
87. Adam Hall SS
One of the best Canadian prospects in this draft class, Hall has a good chance to stick in the dirt.
Hall's best tool is his speed which is plus-plus that gives him tremendous range at short and ability to steal plenty of bases after refinement. His arm strength is right around average and the looseness that he has should allow him to stay at short but if not, he'll move to the other side or to the outfield. His swing features an arm bar but he has very good bat speed and wiry strength to project average power in his ceiling. His approach is currently raw but has the ability to generate hard contact with his line-drive swing.
Hall packs considerable ceiling with his speed, wiry strength and athleticism, and his ability to stay at short but it will be up to his bat to reach his full potential.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 45 | Speed 65 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
88. Mason House OF
Possibly the biggest popup name this year, House flashed all the tools but doesn't attend big showcases in order for scouts to get a good feel for him.
House got a projectable and extremely athletic frame, giving him tons of raw power, and plenty of speed on the bases. There's looseness in his swing with leverage to hit balls out of the park but there are questions of him against good quality pitching and with wooden bats whether he can translate his ability there. His got above average speed and is quicker once he gets going. His arm is solid and he can play center but his profile as a potential power hitter will likely move him to right.
House has all the tools to be a superstar but the biggest question is the lack of track record against quality competition and that will likely be the difference maker for him.
Grades: Hit 45 | Power 60 | Speed 55 | Arm 50 | Glove 55
89. Tony Dibrell RHP
One of the best performers in the Cape last summer, Dibrell improved his stock after a very solid junior season for Kennesaw State.
Athletic and projectable, Dibrell shows it off in every start. Dibrell has three pitches that grade as above average or better. His fastball sits at 93-94 MPH and can reach as high as 96 early on but dipped late due to overuse and fatigue. Once he matures in his frame, he looks to sustain his early season fastball velocity deep into starts. His changeup has tremendous projection, with a potential plus or better offering with plenty of fade and velocity separation with the same arm action and plus arm speed as his fastball. His curve and slider morphs at times but the latter is a potential solid offering with good two-plane break on it. His mechanics is athletic and has drop and drive elements but produces downhill plane on his pitches. The arm action should be cleaned up in order to improve his command towards average.
Dibrell has the elements to be a good starting pitcher with a solid three-pitch mix with plenty of room to improve in his frame and in his mechanics.
Grades: FB 60 | CH 60+ | SL 50 | CB 45 | CMD 50
90. Tyler Johnson RHP
Even though he's the closer for the pitching-rich South Carolina team, Johnson still has the tools to become a starter.
With a frame that looks heavier than the listed 180 pounds, Johnson can surely hold his velocity to the later innings. Johnson's fastball reached 99 MPH early in the season and sits 93-97 MPH. It doesn't feature a lot of life but he can spot it well on the corners. His slider is a solid offering with plenty of horizontal break thanks to his mechanics. His mechanics has deception and features a big crossfire but he stayed on line at the plate more often than not and has good feel for the two pitches and could add a changeup that projects to be average.
Johnson has closer upside with his two-pitch mix and deceptive mechanics but optimistic teams will try him be a starter but needs to develop his changeup to make it happen.
Grades: FB 65 | SL 50+ | CH 45 | CMD 55
91. Kevin Smith 2B/SS
A top performer with wood bats, Smith hasn't translated his performance with wooden bats to the regular season but he's still one of the highest rated middle infielders in this class.
Smith got a good amount of raw power in his frame that gives him chance for plenty of homers. While has got a solid stance and swing mechanics at the plate with plenty of bat speed, he has plenty of swing and miss in his game which brings the question of how much he'll hit in pro ball with his questionable pitch recognition and approach. His approach to power his also more to his pull side so he really needs to hit. He has below average speed so he'll move to second base as he gets older and has the potential to be solid or better defender there with smooth transfer, good recognition, and his average but accurate arm fits better there.
Smith has the power to be a power-hitting middle infielder in pro ball but there's plenty of questions on how much he'll hit and his transition to second base as he gets older.
Grades: Hit 40+ | Power 50+ | Speed 40 | Arm 50+ | Glove 55
92. Sam Keating RHP
Keating has been as consistent of a pitcher in one of the top prep schools in the country, Canterbury. While he's used as a two-way player, Keating's future is definitely on the mound.
Keating entered this season with more bulk in his wiry frame especially in his torso. That added weight helped improve his fastball velocity from high-80s to a more respectable low-90s offering. The pitch has some tailing action but most of it are relatively straight. He also kills some of its life when thrown up in the zone but has downhill plane when thrown down because he gets on top of it. He got a good curveball with 11-5 break that got good shape and solid break but he doesn't get on top of it at times. He got a short slider but with sharp break. His changeup has fade and looks to be a future above average one once he develops because of his arm action. His mechanics has tempo and he has his arm up very early in his drive. Even though he's only an solid average athlete, he can fill out his frame without affecting his athleticism and his feel for his mechanics with good arm speed.
Keating might not have a high ceiling compared to his peers but he got a still projectable frame with four pitches that he can throw for strikes with a good and sound delivery.
Grades: FB 55 | CB 50 | CH 50+ | SL 50 | CMD 50+
Thank you for taking the time reading my reports and tune in on my draft reactions in Giants Farm!
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