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1.17 Tampa Bay Rays - Josh Sale, OF, Bishop Blanchet HS (WA)

By Andy Seiler

The Rays selected Josh Sale. Here's his profile:

 

Josh Sale   Position: OF   School: Bishop Blanchet HS   State: WA   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 205

Bats: L   Throws: R   Birth Date: 7/5/91   Seiler Rating: 1B3   Commitment: Gonzaga

Josh Sale is a powerful high school outfielder from Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle. Sale lacks the general athleticism of a typical high school outfielder pick, but with a bat that’s practically unrivaled for its balance, he’s going to be a very high pick. He comes from an interesting background, as both of his parents are bodybuilders, and he himself is a gym rat. That kind of work ethic also carries itself onto the field, where he’s considered one of the best players for makeup. Putting this together with his physical tools, it’s easy to project him as a potential all star at one of the corner outfield spots, depending on how one might rate his range. At the plate, he’s easily the most well-rounded hitter in the class, even more than fellow prospect Bryce Harper. Harper has more power, but Sale isn’t far behind. His hit tool alone is a plus tool, and when combined with plus-plus raw power, you have yourself an elite hitting prospect. That’s where the elite tools stop, however, and this is where the more traditional scouts that love athleticism start to pick. He’s a below-average runner with a fringe-average arm and fringe-average fielding tools in the outfield, and while there’s some belief that he could handle right field reasonably well, those that point to his arm think he’ll play left field or even first base. If he even becomes an average defender, though, it will be a huge success, as his bat will be the thing that carries him through the levels of the minor leagues. He should be picked within the first twenty picks of the first round, and since he’s reportedly signable for slot money, could go as high as the top ten overall.

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