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Around SBN: Breeders' Cup 2011 Full Coverage
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Top High School Hitters for 2011 Draft, Part Two

Here is a look at more high school hitters for the 2011 draft. Part One of this report was posted Friday.

The goal is to cover anyone who looks like a potential first round pick.

Star-divide

 

Travis Harrison, OF-3B, Aliso Viejo, California: 6-2, 215, bats right. USC commitment. Big-time power potential, good arm, runs decently for a big guy right now but might slow down in time. Draft stock seems all over the place; some like him at the bottom of the first round, others don't have him as high as the supplemental. I'm trying to find out more about this. VIDEO:

Austin Hedges, C, San Juan Capistrano, California: 6-1, 205, hits right. UCLA commitment. Very good defensive catcher and will certainly stick there as a pro. Would go in first round some years, but probably not this year. There are concerns about his bat, and he's strongly committed to college, meaning he won't be cheap to sign. Should still go on the first day though if he falls too far he'll require over-slot money. VIDEO:

Francisco Lindor, SS, Clermont, Florida: 5-11, 175, hits both. Florida State commitment. Rated as a late-first round talent pre-season due to athleticism and defense, he's hit well enough this spring to move him into the Top Ten and maybe even the Top Five. He can hit, he can run, he can field. VIDEO:

Christian Lopes, SS, Huntington Beach, California: 6-1, 185, hits right. USC commitment. Not the toolsiest player in the universe and probably won't stick at shortstop, but he's got an extremely polished approach at the plate, great plate discipline with some pop. Not a first rounder but could go in the second or third round. Not related to Davey Lopes. VIDEO:

Brandon Nimmo, OF, Cheyenne, Wyoming: 6-2, 180, hits left. University of Arkansas commitment. No high school baseball where he lives, but scouts are very familiar with him due to Legion ball and the showcase circuit. Left-handed hitter with tools, raw power, good speed, and more polish than you would expect given his background. Draft status a little hard to read. He has late first-round tools and could go there, but might drop a bit if teams don't feel they've gotten a good enough look at him. VIDEO:

Dwight Smith, JR OF, Peachtree City, Georgia: 5-11, 185, hits left. Georgia Tech commitment. Another bloodline player, Smith is a good athlete and a very polished hitter who should provide a high batting average, OBP, and decent power. Ultimate upside isn't quite as high as some of the other HS OF available, but his polish gives him a good chance to reach his ceiling. Late first round or supplemental pick. VIDEO:

Bubba Starling, OF, Gardner, Kansas: 6-5, 200, hits right. University of Nebraska commitment. Best high school athlete in the draft, and that's saying something given the depth this year. Power, speed, throwing arm, terrific athleticism, complete package. Won't be cheap to buy away from Cornhusker football, but he'll go very early. Local player for the Royals, will they pick him at Number Five? VIDEO:

Trevor Story, SS, Irving, Texas: 6-0, 170, hits right. LSU commitment. Strong throwing arm, good athlete, has some power, may be able to stick at shortstop at higher levels. Moving up draft boards, could go in the supplemental round. VIDEO:

Blake Swihart, C, Rio Rancho, New Mexico: 6-1, 180, bats both. University of Texas commitment. Switch-hitting power stands out, and he has the physical tools (including a plus throwing arm) to remain behind the plate, though he needs more polish and experience. High school catchers are a risky demographic, but scouts seem sold on Swihart as a mid first-rounder. VIDEO:

Charlie Tilson, OF, New Tier, Illinois: 6-0, 170, hits left. University of Illinois commitment. Cold-weather outfielder but scouts are very familiar with him after a strong summer performance. Great athlete, very good speed, will show some power at times but more of a line drive guy. Doesn't have a great arm but runs well enough to play center and is a fine fielder. Second round possibility, maybe supplemental. VIDEO:

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Phil Evans

Just looking back at your two lists, noticing that Phil Evans wasn’t listed. Just wondering how come? I’ve seen some mention him as a potential back-of-first round, supplemental round guy, so just curious what the knocks on him are. Thanks! And thanks for the lists as a whole, been an awesome overview.

by 4dizzle on Apr 18, 2025 10:18 AM EDT reply actions  

Harrison

is getting a variety of evaluations. He and Delmonico seem to generate the greatest diveregence of opinion among top h.s. bats at the moment, Delmonico’s based more on positional concerns than with the stick. Those who like Harrison see a polished, professional power bat with enough athleticism to play 1B or an OF corner (think Matt Davidson) while others just feel there’s “something missing” as S.I.‘s (formerly BA’s) Dave Perkin put it.

I really think Lopes is being severely underrated, and some team is going to score with him on Day One. Could move very quickly if he signs. Very balanced at the plate, and I think there’s some power in there. H.S. kids get buried once evaluators tag them with a lack of projectability.

by blackoutyears on Apr 18, 2025 10:31 AM EDT reply actions  

Christian Lopes

It is mentioned that he has major league bloodlines & I was reasonably certain he wasn’t related to Davey, but is it somebody else?

I agree with the comment above that he is likely being underrated quite a bit & especially so if he goes somewhere after the supplemental 1st round.

by Matt0330 on Apr 18, 2025 11:15 AM EDT reply actions  

lopes

yeah, for some reason I thought he was related to Davey Lopes but i double-checked and he’s not. I fixed it.

Very interesting player though.

by John Sickels on Apr 18, 2025 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

Lopes Family

No relation to Davey, but Christian’s younger brother Timmy Lopes is a top 2012 shortstop prospect.

by Kapellmeisters on Apr 18, 2025 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

You're not the first

to make that surmise, John. Matt Garrioch thought the same thing. Easy mistake, sort of like the Karsten Whitson/Ed Whitson confusion (though the Whitsons are related IIRC).

by blackoutyears on Apr 19, 2025 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Starling...

“…Will [the Royals] pick him at #5?”

Will he still be available at #5?

-peter

by PeterF on Apr 18, 2025 11:37 AM EDT reply actions  

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