MLB draft prospects:
College catcher, son/namesake of former big-leaguer top our list.
❚ How a hot prospect found power, Page 9
Nick Shnider of DraftSite.com looks at the top 30 prospects in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, which runs June 3-5.
1. Adley Rutschman, C, 6-2, 216, Oregon State: Rutschman is the clear-cut favorite as he has continued to improve, tapping into even more raw power while significantly increasing his walk rate. Scouts project him to be a .300 hitter who shows no flaws defensively.
Could go: No. 1 as Rutschman is being touted the best catching prospect since Buster Posey. The Orioles need a backstop to lead the franchise rebuild.
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, 6-1, 180, Colleyville (Texas) Heritage HS: Scouts have seen him drastically improve swing-andmiss issues this season and he’s now showing the ability to spray the ball all over the park. These improvements match well with his size, speed and power.
Could go: Second overall to the Kansas City Royals. As the son of former No. 3 pick in 1985, he’s one of the best overall prospects in the past decade.
3. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, 6-0, 215, California: Vaughn put up one of the best offensive seasons in Cal history in 2018, tying the home run record (23). He has shown an ability to hit with power to all fields and his plate discipline is potentially better than any other prospect.
Could go: Second overall, but likely third to further enhance the Chicago White Sox’s supertalented farm system and then quickly become an impact hitter in the middle of their lineup.
4. CJ Abrams, SS, 6-2, 185, Blessed Trinity Catholic High (Roswell, Georgia): Abrams’ most notable asset is his blazing speed. Being a left-handed batter means he’s getting out of the box and down the line that much faster. He rarely ever swings and misses, so scouts think he could develop into a plus hitter at the big-league level. He has improved his strength consistently and scouts believe he could eventually hit with average power.
Could go: No. 4 to the Marlins or No. 3 if Chicago would rather go after a middle infielder.
5. Riley Greene, OF, 6-2, 185, Hagerty (Oviedo, Florida) High: Greene is probably the best pure hitter in this prep class who has been so consistent against top-level pitching. Greene probably won’t play center at the next level since his defense is poor, so he will move to left or right.
Could go: No. 3-No. 7. Likely No. 5 to Detroit Tigers, as they could use pop in their future, and he looks like a future middle-of-the-order powerhouse.
6. J.J. Bleday, OF, 6-3, 205, Vanderbilt: Bleday was one of the most respected hitters in the country after leading Vanderbilt in hitting (.368) but then added power this season. This young outfielder’s power surge has greatly improved his draft stock and, along with a smooth, refined swing, is the reason he’ll be picked early in the first round.
Could go: No. 5-No. 10. Likely sixth overall pick to the San Diego Padres, as this organization is on the rise and looking for impact power close to the majors. However, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter recently saw him go 5for-5 in an SEC tournament game.
7. Nick Lodolo, LHP, 6-6, 185, TCU: Lodolo is a rare college arms who has had multiple years starting in college. He already has above-average command of three solid pitches. Lodolo has proved himself in a difficult Big 12 Conference.
Could go: Seventh to the Cincinnati Reds, who need pitching to go along with the hitting prospects like Nick Senzel, Jose Peraza and Eugenio Suarez that they’ve developed.
8. Hunter Bishop, OF, 6-5, 210, Arizona State: After being drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2016, Bishop chose to pursue college and hone his craft. Bishop has a huge frame with athleticism, power and speed and has a good chance to stay in center field with his plus running ability and great instincts tracking fly balls.
Could go: No. 8 to the Texas as the Rangers, who are in the midst of rebuilding a winner around players like outfielder and former Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun.
9. Alek Manoah, RHP, 6-6, 260, West Virginia: Manoah is a presence on the mound with his size, and intimidation is part of the repertoire. He has improved his command and mostly used two pitches this season, a power fastball that sits in the middle to upper 90s and a hardbreaking slider.
Could go: Tenth to the San Francisco Giants, a franchise that needs talented young arms. If he falls, it won’t be by much as the Mets (No. 12), Twins (13) and Phillies (14) all need pitchers.
10. Shea Langeliers, C, 6-1, 190, Baylor: Langeliers is a complete catching prospect, but his defense is what has scouts enamored. He is a pitch-framer and moves extremely well behind the plate. He also has a strong arm and high baseball IQ.
Could go: In top 15 or middle of the first round, depending on how teams view their catching needs.
11. Bryson Stott, SS, 6-3, 200, UNLV: Stott is a highly touted offensive shortstop. He also showcased excellent glove work, impressive footwork and body control along with accurate throws for USA’s Collegiate National Team. He continued to show his outstanding offensive power to all fields during the college season.
Could go: No. 12 overall to the New York Mets, as they have been trying to find a shortstop for some time. Some scouts have noted that a switch to third base may help his future, but there is no doubt Stott will go early in the first round.
12. Zack Thompson, LHP, 6-2, 225, Kentucky: Thompson has been one of the best pitchers in the SEC. He made great strides this year with his command, and he struck out nine or more batters in 10 of his first 12 starts, including 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout against Georgia.
Could go: No. 10 or 11 to the Giants or Blue Jays, as they both could use top-line pitching. 13. Corbin Carroll, OF, 5-10, 170, Lakeside High (Seattle): Carroll is polished at the plate for a high schooler and would be a top-5 pick if it wasn’t for his size. He is already an above-average hitter, with a terrific feel for the strike zone, and he could develop above-average power. He has plus speed and elite defense. Could go: No. 9 to the Atlanta Braves, as they could use another promising outfielder to pair with Ronald Acuna.
14. Jackson Rutledge, RHP, 6-8, 250, San Jacinto College
(Pasadena, Texas): Rutledge has become the top junior college prospect in the class with his fastball that consistently sits in the upper 90s. He also has two plus breaking pitches, a slider and a curveball.
Could go: In the top half of the first round, specifically to the Twins (13th) or Angels (15th). He could be a very good No. 2 starter.
15. Matt Allan, RHP, 6-3, 210, Seminole High (Sanford, Florida): Allan pairs his mid-90s fastball with a 12-to-6 curveball. He hasn’t shown much of his changeup, but scouts think it can be a plus offspeed pitch down the line. Allan has also improved his command and strike-throwing ability.
Could go: To the Twins or Angels, who need pitching prospects to bolster their farm systems. 16. Josh Jung, 3B, 6-2, 215, Texas Tech: Jung has been one of the best and most productive college players over the past three seasons, with solid awareness of the strike zone and the ability to go deep into counts.
Could go: He has a big, strong frame, yet his approach at the plate makes him a midround pick.
17. Brennan Malone, RHP, 6-4, 210, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida): Malone has got great arm action and a powerful arsenal of pitches. He throws a mid- to high-90s fastball along with two plus breaking balls and a well-developed changeup. Could go: The Angels (15th), Cardinals (19th) or Mariners
(20th), as these are teams that need pitching. Someone would get a big-time steal in the middle of the first round. 18. Logan Davidson, SS, 6-3, 195, Clemson: Davidson is built like a brick wall for a middle infielder. He doesn’t have the most proficient bat, but his plus speed and raw power suggest he can become an above-average major league hitter.
Could go: Middle of round one. Teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates (18th) and Seattle Mariners (20th) seeking to solidify their defense look like ideal landing spots for the shortstop.
19. Daniel Espino, RHP, 6-2, 210, (Statesboro) Georgia Premier Academy: Despite Espino’s unconventional arm action, he may have the greatest upside of all pitchers. His fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched 100. Espino also has two plus breaking pitches, a curve and a slider, which have a sharp, late-breaking action.
Could go: Perhaps No. 26 by the Diamondbacks, as they have shown a niche for developing big, power arms like Taijuan Walker, Jon Duplantier and Archie Bradley. 20. Michael Busch, 1B-OF, 6-0, 207, North Carolina: Busch possesses an uncanny ability to hit for average with his extreme knowledge of the strike zone but also hit with power to all fields. He also has become an outstanding defensive first baseman. Could go: Second half of the first round, perhaps to the Rays (22nd). Colorado could use another stud outfielder. 21. Seth Johnson, RHP, 6-1, 200, Campbell: Johnson played two seasons at two-year Louisburg (North Carolina) College as a shortstop. His velocity has continued to climb throughout the season, and he has developed two pretty good breaking pitches. Could go: No. 9 or 21 to Atlanta. Good chance the Braves will use one of their first-round picks on a solid college pitcher. 22. Kameron Misner, OF, 6-4, 213, Missouri: He has all of the tools to be one of the most talented in the class. He can hit and run and has great instincts and a ton of raw power. But he struggled against top pitching.
Could go: No. 22nd to the Rays, who have shown they’re willing to take risks. 23. George Kirby, RHP, 6-4,
201, Elon: Kirby has been one of the best strike-throwers in the country with an outstanding command of the zone. He has some history coming out of the bullpen during his time in the Cape Cod League, which has impressed scouts.
Could go: No. 25 to the Dodgers, who are in the same position as the Braves, with two first-round picks, and they’ll likely use those picks to take a pitcher and a position player. 24. Will Wilson, SS, 6-1, 184, North Carolina State: He’s been one of the most consistent hitters in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has plus raw power yet lacks plus speed and footwork defensively. Many scouts assume he’ll move to second. Could go: Possibly No. 20 to Seattle, who could grab their middle infielder if Stott and Davidson are drafted.
25. Brett Baty, 3B, 6-2, 200, Lake Travis High (Austin, Texas): He has tremendous
strength and plus bat speed to go along with an advanced approach and understanding of what the pitcher wants to do.
Could go: No. 17 to the Washington Nationals or No. 19 to the Cardinals, who both could use a big bat in their near futures. 26. Braden Shewmake, SS, 6-4, 190, Texas A&M: Shewmake is another super-athletic college shortstop. Offensively, Shewmake hasn’t shown tremendous raw power, but he has consistently shown he can hit against top-level pitching.
Could go: No. 24 to the Indians, with whom he could stick as a utility guy. 27. Kody Hoese, 3B, 6-4,
200, Tulane: Hoese shot up the boards with a giant junior season with big power numbers. Scouts will be skeptical but some lucky team could walk away with the steal of the draft.
Could go: No. 28 to the Brewers as they have a need at corner infielder, but shouldn’t fall out of the first round.
28. Hunter Barco, LHP, 6-4, 210, Bolles High (Jacksonville) : Scouts have raved about Barco’s professional makeup,
and he has time to grow into his frame. Committing to Florida could make him a tough sign, but if he does, it could mean a great pickup for a team.
Could go: No. 32 to Astros, a team in great big-league position willing to grasp for upside.
29. Jack Leiter, RHP, 6-0, 200, Delbarton High (Morristown, New Jersey) : The son of 19-year MLB veteran Al Leiter is possibly the most polished prep pitcher but not the most imposing presence. He is also expected to be a very tough sign, as he committed to Vanderbilt, a program that has turned good pitchers into great pitchers.
Could go: Late in the first round. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Astros could all use pitching.
30. Rece Hinds, 3B, 6-4, 210, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida): He has big power potential and a pretty right-handed swing. He also has one of the strongest arms in the draft.
Could go: Day 1, potentially at No. 27 if Hinds is on the board when the Cubs are around.