2015 MLB Draft: prospects with major league bloodlines, part two

Genetics aren't everything, but they certainly don't hurt. There are many players from prominent baseball families eligible for the 2015 MLB draft. Many of these names are familiar, but a few are more obscure.

This is Part Two, following up yesterday's Part One. I apparently lost the ability to alphabetize properly yesterday, so we are backtracking a bit into the Ks here.

Nolan Kingham, RHP: The younger brother of Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Nick Kingham, Nolan is similar to his brother at the same stage: a high school arm from Nevada with reasonable polish and pitchability who is gradually picking up velocity. He is committed to the University of Texas. His brother was a fourth round pick in 2010 and Nolan could go in the same territory.

Matt Kroon, 3B: A high school infielder from Arizona, Matt is the son of former major league pitcher Marc Kroon. His dad was a fireballer but Matt is definitely a position player, featuring solid power and enough athleticism to stay at third base. He has a University of Oregon scholarship but his signability if he doesn't go early on draft day is unclear at this time.

Elih Marrero, C: The son of former major league catcher Eli Marrero, Elih is a high school backstop from Florida. He's just 5-9 but is quite athletic and (as you'd expect) is highly-regarded for his defense and polish behind the plate. A switch-hitter, his bat isn't as impressive as the glove but it has promise. He is committed to Mississippi State and may or may not go high enough in the draft to pass that up. If he does go to college, he would likely be a higher pick in 2018.

Tyler Nevin, 3B: Tyler's dad Phil Nevin was the first-overall choice in the 1992 draft. Tyler won't match that but he should be drafted early, perhaps as early as the second half of the first round. The California prep missed 2014 with Tommy John surgery but has rebounded this spring and shows potential as both a power hitter and solid gloveman at third. He has a UCLA commitment to fall back on if the draft doesn't develop to his liking and would certainly be a player to watch in 2018 if he goes to school.

Andy Pagnozzi, RHP: A high school pitcher from Arkansas, Pagnozzi is the son of former major leaguer Tom Pagnozzi. He has clean mechanics and good feel for his secondary pitches, but an upper-80s fastball may push him to college at the University of Mississippi.

Mariano Rivera, Jr, RHP: Rivera has an unusual profile as a bloodline player: he is a college pitcher at Iona who was viewed as only a marginal prospect entering 2015. That's no longer true following his excellent spring: 2.65 ERA, 113/27 K/BB in 85 innings, just 65 hits and zero homers allowed. His best pitch is his slider but sharper command and improved velocity (as high as 94) have boosted his stock. Although often projected as a reliever, he'll go in a single digit round.

Cole Sands, RHP: The younger brother of Chicago Cubs prospect Carson Sands, Cole is a right-hander from high school in Florida with an upper-80s/low-90s fastball and a full arsenal of secondaries including a curve, slider, and change-up. He has a Florida State scholarship. His brother was not a cheap sign (fourth round pick but an above-slot $1,100,000 bonus) and Cole will likely need a similar deal to pass up school.

Nick Shumpert, SS: A high school infielder from Colorado, Shumpert is the son of former major leaguer Terry Shumpert. Long a standout on the showcase circuit, Shumpert may be suffering from prospect fatigue among evaluators as his stock seems stagnant despite a strong spring and impressive physical tools including speed and power. He is committed to Kentucky but if he is drafted where his talent warrants that shouldn't be an issue.

Kyle Tucker, OF: The brother of Houston Astros prospect Preston Tucker, Kyle has one of the best bats in the high school class due to the power generated from a lean 6-4, 175 frame. A high schooler from Florida, his swing mechanics are unconventional and not everyone trusts them, but his track record is strong enough to generate rumors that he'll go in the top five. That would certainly be early enough to get him away from the University of Florida.

Lucas Wakamatsu, SS: A high school infielder from Texas, Lucas is the son of long-time coach Don Wakamatsu. A switch-hitter, he makes contact but doesn't have much power at this point, though that may come given his physical projectability. His glove is ahead of the bat and is very polished. He is committed to Rice.

Jose Vizcaino, JR, SS: Vizcaino Junior was the leading player for the Santa Clara Broncos this spring, hitting .335/.406/.588 with nine homers and 10 steals. Much more of a slugger than his dad was, he has legitimate sock but there are mixed opinions about how the bat will play at the highest levels in terms of OBP and batting average. He has the arm for shortstop but perhaps not the range or reliability, making third base a likely destination. He'll go in a single digit round.