I put together a ranking of the top 50 prep players in the class. I'd like to do the same for the college class or maybe an overall ranking, time permitting, but I figured that for the Jays, the prep class was the place to focus on.
It's a bit offense heavy, which makes sense for our strategy. I included quick scouting reports for each player, just based on what I could find researching. It seems unlikely that we get a shot at the top 6, so don't criticize my choices too much there!
This is pretty raw, so I want to hear your thoughts on who's too high and who's too low.
I hope the formating works!
Rank | Player | Position | Level | Quick Scouting Report |
1 | Lucas Giolito | RHP | HS | Excellent fastball and changeup, sharp curveball, good command, fast mover |
2 | Carlos Correa | SS | HS | Likely 3B, but potential to be perennial all-star |
3 | Byron Buxton | OF | HS | Upton Bros./Matt Kemp comp, high risk, mega-high reward |
4 | Albert Almora | OF | HS | Terrific makeup, terrific defense, great hit-tool, power potential |
5 | Max Fried | LHP | HS | Projectable, good fastball movement, very good curve, above average changeup, good command |
6 | Courtney Hawkins | OF | HS | Huge offensive upside, likely corner OF |
7 | Gavin Cecchini | SS | HS | Chance to be an excellent .300+ hitter with some power and good SS defense |
8 | Matt Smoral | LHP | HS | Above average fastball, great changeup, developing slider, high upside - comps to Madison Bumgarner |
9 | David Dahl | OF | HS | Colby Rasmus-comparison, sweet swing, power potential, could stay in CF |
10 | Lance McCullers Jr. | RHP | HS | Bloodlines, power pitcher, big fastball, good slider, needs to improve changeup - reliever? |
11 | DJ Davis | OF | HS | Elite speed, good hit tool and plate approach, slight power potential |
12 | Zach Eflin | RHP | HS | Low-90s FB with good movement, plus changeup, chance for good curveball, pitchability/projectability |
13 | Stryker Trahan | C | HS | Good hit and power potential, likely corner OF |
14 | Addison Russell | SS | HS | Chance to be a great hitter, likely 3B |
15 | Lewis Brinson | OF | HS | 5-tool potential, great makeup, raw skills but showing improvement |
16 | Joey Gallo | 3B | HS | Stanton-esque power potential, great arm, lacking hit tool |
17 | Lucas Sims | RHP | HS | Athletic, mid-90s FB, good curveball, potential for very good changeup, needs to be more consistent |
18 | Corey Seager | 3B | HS | Well-rounded, relatively lower risk, could be a good defender with strong bat |
19 | Tanner Rahier | SS | HS | May move to 2B or 3B, but can be a good all-around player w/ power at either |
20 | Carson Kelly | 3B | HS | Simple swing, power potential, great arm, little speed |
21 | J.O. Berrios | RHP | HS | Undersized, mid-90s FB, great curveball, feel for changeup, throws strikes, not tons of projection, signable |
22 | Walker Weickel | RHP | HS | Very projectable, low-90s FB can cut and sink, plus changeup, needs to improve curve and mechanics |
23 | Rio Ruiz | 3B | HS | Blood clot ruined season, but big time potential offensively and defensively |
24 | Jesmuel Valentin-Diaz | SS | HS | Switch-hitter, bloodlines, line drive swing |
25 | Daniel Robertson | 3B | HS | Solid hitter, power potential, strong arm, little speed |
26 | Nick Travieso | RHP | HS | 92-93 fastball, good slider, needs to improve changeup, clean/repeatable delivery |
27 | Hunter Virant | LHP | HS | Projectable, will need increased FB velo, clean delivery and throws strikes but pitches need work |
28 | Ty Hensley | RHP | HS | Big bodied, very good curveball, #2/3 potential |
29 | Chase DeJong | RHP | HS | Projectable, current low-90s FB, possible good curveball and changeup, simple delivery |
30 | Clint Coulter | C | HS | Big power potential, defensive potential |
31 | Steve Bean | C | HS | Excellent defensive upside, power potential, baseball IQ |
32 | Rock Rucker | OF | HS | Smooth swing, power potential, strong arm, likely corner OF |
33 | Duane Underwood | RHP | HS | Very athletic with a good fastball and a chance for two more good pitches |
34 | Trey Williams | 3B | HS | Bloodlines, sweet swing, good arm, inconsistent, big potential |
35 | Avery Romero | 3B | HS | Strong arm, good bat speed, power potential |
36 | Mitch Nay | OF | HS | Corner OF or 1B, big-time power but needs to work on hit-tool |
37 | Teddy Stankiewicz | RHP | HS | Projectability and pitchability, good fastball, good instincts, throws strike, but needs work |
38 | Ty Buttrey | RHP | HS | Big arm strength, good fastball and curveball, okay changeup, struggles with command |
39 | Kieran Lovegrove | RHP | HS | Good, simple mechanics, needs better velocity, projects as a back-of-rotation, ground-ball pitcher |
40 | Jesse Winker | OF | HS | Strong hit tool, corner OF, will need power |
41 | Keon Barnum | 1B | HS | Big time offensive potential but raw, and will need to hit to have any value |
42 | Tomas Nido | C | HS | Good bat speed, power, pitch recognition, strong arm |
43 | Mitchell Brown | RHP | HS | Good fastball, cutter and curveball, feel for change, durable body, control can improve - no. 3/4 potential |
44 | Brett Phillips | OF | HS | Likely CF with well-rounded defense great arm, good hit tool, light power |
45 | Edwin Diaz | RHP | HS | 92-95 fastball, incosistent curveball, possible reliever, signable |
46 | Clate Schmidt | RHP | HS | Plus fastball, potential plus curveball, good athlete but effort in delivery - sounds like a closer |
47 | Wyatt Mathieson | C | HS | Good bat speed, line drives but likely little power - not a plus bat outside of C |
48 | Timmy Lopes | 2B | HS | Likely 2B in future, line drive swing, strong makeup, good speed |
49 | Cody Poteet | LHP | HS | Undersized, 91-92 FB with good two-seam, great curveball, good changeup potential, not highest potential |
50 | D'Vone McClure | OF | HS | High upside in 3rd round, needs pitch recognition but potential elsewhere |