50)
Player: Logan Wyatt | Position(s): 1B | |||
School (ST): Louisville | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Left | Throws: Right | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 230 lbs. | |
Quick Report: Louisville certainly has not hurt at the first base position transitioning from Brendan McKay to Logan Wyatt. Wyatt has some power, but it is more raw than game power at the moment, while his best trait is his approach at the plate. He walks significantly more often than he strikes out and often makes solid contact. He could become a plus defender at first, but to truly become an impact player he may need to sacrifice some contact to improve the power numbers. | ||||
49)
Player: George Kirby | Position(s): RHP | |||
School (ST): Elon | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 205 lbs. | |
Quick Report: While Kyle Brnovich is the Elon pitcher whose numbers jump off the page, Kirby is the one with the higher pro ceiling. His fastball has touched 97 in relief but sits more low-90s as a starter. He has both a slider and curve, with the curve being the better pitch although both could develop into solid pitches. The change is one that provides great debate, some feel it has a ceiling of average, while others think it could be plus. I would like to see more movement on the pitch, but the arm action is good. He can spot all his pitches and should be given every opportunity to stick as a starter as a pro. | ||||
48)
Player: Myles Austin | Position(s): SS | |||
School (ST): Westlake (GA) | Grade: High School | |||
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 184 lbs. | |
Quick Report: Long bodied and possessing a long swing, there are some concerns about Austin’s ability to make consistent contact, but he is incredibly toolsy. Still incredibly slender, the ball does jump off the bat projecting to above average future power. The big question is what position he will play, as he shows the actions needed to stick in the middle infield, but the arm may not be enough to stick at short. I think a future move to center is probable, but it will all be dependent on how much athleticism he loses as he fills out his frame. | ||||
47)
Player: Ryne Nelson | Position(s): RHP | |||
School (ST): Oregon | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 175 lbs. | |
Quick Report: Nelson’s draft value will be heavily reliant on how his command looks in the starting rotation with the Ducks this Spring. He has shown the ability to reach the high-90s with his fastball and possesses a slider that is above average to plus. The mechanics could use some cleaning up as there are a lot of moving parts but, if he does end up settling in the bullpen, he could be a shutdown arm. | ||||
46)
Player: Tyler Callihan | Position(s): 3B | |||
School (ST): Providence (FL) | Grade: High School | |||
Bats: Left | Throws: Right | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 211 lbs. | |
Quick Report: There is little doubt as to whether Calihan will hit or not, the real questions come on the defensive side of the ball. He has enough arm to stick at third, but the glove is questionable at best. He has been experimenting behind the plate where his bat would make him elite, but I don’t foresee that lasting. He has plus raw power and a good eye at the plate, so his draft stock will be driven based on where a team sees him settling defensively. | ||||
45)
Player: Brett Baty | Position(s): 3B | |||
School (ST): Lake Travis (TX) | Grade: High School | |||
Bats: Left | Throws: Right | Height: 6’3” | Weight: 210 lbs. | |
Quick Report: There might not be anyone with as much power upside as Baty but, like Calihan, defense is a question. He has more than enough arm strength to stick at third, but the accuracy throwing across the diamond is a real concern. At the plate, he has a compact swing from the left side that allows him to make more contact than most prep power bats and shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields. The fact he would be a draft eligible sophomore should he go to Texas could be a factor in his signability, but the bat should have him drafted early enough to sign. | ||||
44)
Player: Kameron Misner | Position(s): OF | |||
School (ST): Missouri | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Left | Throws: Left | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 219 lbs. | |
Quick Report: A guy who I may be painfully low on, Misner has played mostly first base and left field in his injury riddled career at Missouri. He has a smooth left-handed swing and has shown flashes of real power while being much more athletic than the positions played suggest. Some feel he could play center at the next level, but I like him as an elite left fielder who can hit towards the top of a lineup. | ||||
43)
Player: Erik Miller | Position(s): LHP | |||
School (ST): Stanford | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Left | Throws: Left | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 240 lbs. | |
Quick Report: There are few players in this year’s draft class with more question marks than Miller. Based on pure stuff, he should be in the conversation to go 1-1, but his inconsistency and mechanics have many doubting he will be drafted on day one. The arm comes from an odd low 3/4 slot and with a lot of bend while he lands early on a stiff front leg. If the mechanics can be cleaned up, his high-90s fastball and true plus slider could prove to be the best two pitch combo of any lefty in the draft. | ||||
42)
Player: Chase Strumpf | Position(s): 2B | |||
School (ST): UCLA | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 195 lbs. | |
Quick Report: In high school he blocked future number one overall pick, Royce Lewis, at shortstop, but has been a second baseman since arriving at UCLA and that is where he will stick in pro ball. His defensive skills won’t wow anybody, but he can make all the plays. He has an elite eye at the plate with more pop than you would expect given his stature. He is one of the better bat-to-ball hitters in the class who is really only this low because of his inability to play a premier defensive position. | ||||
41)
Player: Drew Mendoza | Position(s): 3B | |||
School (ST): Florida State | Grade: Junior | |||
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 225 lbs. | |
Quick Report: There isn’t anyone who fits the “three true outcomes” mold more in this draft than Drew Mendoza. He has true plus power and a very good eye at the plate, but he swings and misses far too often. The defense is a massive question, possessing the arm to stay at third but the rest of his defensive profile suggests he could be below average even at first. If he can cut down on the strikeout rate to make the power more consistent, he might be one of most impactful bats in the draft. | ||||
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