2015 MLB Draft Board: High school middle infielders to watch

2015 MLB Draft Board: High school middle infielders

Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS, Florida: Hits right, Florida State commit, widely regarded as the best overall player in the draft though he’s not expected to go first overall, expected to hit for power and average, can stay at shortstop according to most observers. Target Territory: First round, top five.

Cornelius Randolph, SS, Griffin HS, Georgia: Hits left, Clemson commit, scouts love the bat, will hit for average and get on base and produce at least solid power. Probably not a shortstop long-term, could wind up at second, third, or the outfield. Bat will carry anywhere. Target Territory: First round.

Nicholas Shumpert, SS, Highlands Ranch HS, Colorado: Hits right, son of Terry Shumpert, University of Kentucky commit. All tools are very good to excellent, good track record of hitting, has pop, runs well, questions about defense exist, had first round buzz six months ago but stock has slipped a bit, possibly due to prospect fatigue among evaluators. TT: Second round

Jalen Miller, SS, Riverwood International Charter School, Sandy Springs, Georgia: Hits right, Clemson commit, excellent defender who can definitely stay at shortstop, hits for average but lacks significant power projection. Would thrive in college but probably won’t get there. TT: Second round.

Cadyn Grenier, SS, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, Nevada: Hits right, Oregon State commit, great track record of hitting with speed and gap power in 5-10 body, may or may not stick at shortstop, makeup a positive. TT: Second round.

Jon India, SS, American Heritage School, Delray, Florida: Hits right, Florida commit, another guy with solid across-the-board assets and few serious weaknesses, plus makeup/instincts. Long-term position in question and hurts stock a little. TT: Second round.

Nick Madrigal, SS, Elk Grove HS, California: Hits right, Oregon State commit, would make a hell of a double play combo with Grenier if they get to college, contact hitter with plus instincts, second base is likely long-term position. TT: Third round.

Xavier LeGrant, SS, Phillip O. Berry Tech HS, Charlotte, North Carolina: Hits right, NC State commit, like most of these guys he’s an athlete with at least solid tools though he isn’t fully developed physically as yet, leading to questions on his upside with both offense and defense. TT: Fourth round.

L.T. Tolbert, SS-3B, IMG Academy: Hits left, South Carolina commit, fundamentally sound with chance to develop power to go with already-present polish, if he fills out too much he won’t stay at shortstop but that could result in better hitting. TT: Fifth round, but quite intriguing.

O’Neil Lochridge, SS-3B, St. Thomas More HS, Lafayette, Louisiana: Hits right, LSU commit, stands out for power potential and arm strength, unclear if he will have the range for shortstop but switch to third base or right field may be ultimate destiny. TT: Fifth round with signability risk.

John Cresto, SS, Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, California: Hits right, Santa Clara commit, seems to get lost in the shuffle but physical, has power potential, good arm, may move to third base if he grows too much past current 6-3, 200 frame. TT: Fifth round, but some rumors have him sooner. Or later, if signability is an issue.

Luke Wakamatsu, SS, Keller HS, Texas: Switch-hitter, son of coach Don Wakamatsu, Rice commit. Very polished but physically under-developed at his point, can stick at shortstop, another one who could go to college and be drafted much higher in three years. TT: Sixth round.

Yomar Valentin, SS, Carlos Beltran Academy, Puerto Rico: Switch-hitter, son of Jose Valentin, Auburn commit, could have more signability risk than typical for PR prospects, undersized at 5-7 but strong, fundamentally sound as you’d expect, could blossom in college. TT: Sixth round.

Andrew Noviello, INF-C, Bridgewater-Raynham HS, Bridgewater, Massachusetts: Hits left, University of Maine commit, draws praise for hitting skills but position very unclear; seen as second baseman, shortstop, catcher at various points, arm is best glove tool. TT: Sixth round or later, wild card.

Ethan Paul, 2B-SS, Newport HS, Bellevue, Washington: Hits left, Vanderbilt commit, draws big praise for hitting but tools fit best at second base, TT: Sixth round or later, but not likely to sign at that spot, could be much earlier pick in three years.

Zack Kone, SS, Pine Crest HS, Boca Raton, Florida: Hits right, Duke commit, stock has risen this spring with speed, good hitting, steadier defense. TT: Seventh round but not likely to sign there.

Charlie Donovan, SS, Westmont HS, Clarendon Hills, Illinois: Hits left, Michigan commit, one of the top high school players in the Midwest though generally expected to head for college and leap the list in three years. TT: Seventh round or later.

A.J. Graffanino, SS, Northwest Christian HS, Phoenix, Arizona: Switch-hitter, University of Washington commit, son of Tony Graffanino,good feel for the game but not physically developed as yet and expected to go to college unless he gets drafted way sooner than expected. TT: Eighth round or later.