2015 MLB Draft Board: High school right-handed pitchers to watch

2015 MLB Draft Board: High school right-handed pitchers

Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg HS, Pennsylvania: Alabama commit, ideal size at 6-5, 205, can hit mid-90s but secondary pitches and command need some polish, hardly unexpected. Top-of-the-rotation upside if all pitches come together. Target Territory: First round, anywhere from 10 to 20.

Ashe Russell, RHP, Catherdal HS, Indianapolis, Indiana: Texas A&M commit, similar size to Nikorak at 6-4, 195, cold-weather background, upside is similar too, mid-90s heat with secondary pitches that need development. Stock has been up and down a little but still a first rounder. TT: First round.

Donny Everett, RHP, Clarksville HS, Tennessee: Vanderbilt commitment, may have best fastball in high school ranks, upper-90s. Curve and change show promise as well but command has drawn mixed reviews despite stellar 125/8 K/BB this spring. Some people like him better than Nikorak and Russell. TT: First round.

Beau Burrows, RHP, Weatherford HS, Texas: Texas A&M commit, would make one hell of a one-two punch with Russell should they get to college, which seems unlikely. Stuff is right there with Russell and Everett but 6-0 size nicks his stock just a bit, probably unfairly. TT: Late first round/comp round.

Austin Smith, RHP, Park Visa Community HS, Boynton Beach, Florida: Florida Atlantic commit, well-known on showcase and international circuit, can hit mid-90s with little effort, curveball and change-up have promise but need more work, though command solid overall. TT: Comp round.

Peter Lambert, RHP, San Dimas HS, California: UCLA commit, has drawn a few breathless Zack Greinke comps due to athleticism and excellent pitchability though his stuff isn’t at that level yet, fastball in low-90s but has good curve and change. TT: Comp round, though stock has been rising.

Nolan Watson, RHP, Lawrence North HS, Indianapolis, Indiana: Yet another Vanderbilt commit, but rising stock might steer him away, rumors exist that he could go in first round. Velocity has picked up into 90s and already had a good slider and change-up, throws strikes. TT: Comp round.

Brady Singer, RHP, Eustis HS, Florida: University of Florida commit, another rising stock pitcher as fastball improved into 90s, good command and breaking stuff, change-up also improving along with the heater. Also projectable at 6-5, 180. TT: Comp round/second round.

Wesley Rodriguez, RHP, George Washington HS, Washington Heights, New York: University of Pittsburgh commit, clocked as high as 98 MPH and has a good curve, too. 5-11, 205 body hurts his stock compared to some of these more projectable types, but his arm strength is very attractive. TT: Second round/third round.

Jake Woodford, RHP, Plant HS, Tampa, Florida: University of Florida commit, well-built at 6-5, 210, works in low-90s with more possible, breaking ball and change-up need work but that’s not unusual, stock has risen this spring. TT: Second round/third round.

Drew Finley, RHP, Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego: Southern Cal commit, son of Dodgers scout David, quite polished and professional approach, velocity has picked up a bit, has a good curve too but reportedly appeared tired down the stretch. TT: Third round on merit, but could go sooner to the right team.

Tristan Beck, RHP, Corona HS, California: Stanford commit, hits 90 with lanky 6-4, 160 pound frame and heat might pick up as he matures, breaking ball and change-up need some work as does command. TT: Third round on merit, but he is a strong signability risk. If he goes to college, first-round potential in three years.

Triston McKenzie, RHP, Royal Palm Beach HS, Florida: Vanderbilt commit, hyper-projectable 6-5, 160 frame, already knows how to pitch and can change speeds but velocity is inconsistent. Might not go high enough to pass up college. TT: Third round.

Dakota Chalmers, RHP, North Forsyth HS, Gainesville, Georgia: University of Georgia commit, shot up boards when he was clocked at 98 but then people noticed that he has trouble throwing strikes (walked 37 in 51 innings). Raw, obviously, but high upside will attract someone. TT: Third round.

Alexis Diaz, RHP, Escuela Bonifacio Sanchez, Aibonito Pueblo, Puerto Rico: Brother of Mariners prospect Edwin Diaz, no college commitment. Loose and projectable 6-3, 175 body already generates 90 MPH fastballs, curve and change have potential. Hasn’t received as much attention as these other names, but he’s signable and talented. TT: Third/fourth round.

Michael Rivera, RHP, International Baseball Academy, Puerto Rico: Alabama State commit, mature body at 6-3, 225, can hit 92-93, breaking ball and change-up still need some work but not hard to see him developing into a three-pitch workhorse. Like Diaz he hasn’t received as much notice as he deserves with all the Florida and California high schoolers taking the oxygen of press attention, which is why I’m mentioning him instead of fifty other guys who could slot here. TT: Fifth round.

Right-handed pitching is a strength of the draft this year, so let’s discuss your favorite prep names not mentioned yet.