2016 MLB Draft: Alex Kirilloff, OF, New Kensington, Pennsylvania

Moving forward with our 2016 MLB draft prospect previews, we turn our attention to the high school hitting class once again, focusing on Pennsylvania high school outfielder Alex Kirilloff.

Attending Plum High School in New Kensington, Kirilloff may be a cold-weather player but he has an extensive baseball background, being the son of a hitting coach (you can find Dave Kirilloff's hitting videos all over Youtube) and being a strong presence on the summer showcase circuit. His family is quite religious; normally that isn't something worth mentioning in a profile like this but in Kirilloff's case the commitment is so strong that it is one of the first things everyone mentions when he comes up in conversation.

Alex is committed to Liberty University. He won't get to college, however, if he is drafted where his talent warrants.

Kirilloff is listed at 6-2, 195, a left-handed hitter and thrower born November 9th, 1997. His weakest tool is average running speed, though there's enough there for him to handle right field combined with an arm that draws 55-60 grades. He also has experience at first base and could certainly be a quality glove at that position if he loses too much speed as he matures.

Bat speed and raw power are considered his main strengths and this could be a 20+ homer bat eventually. There were some concerns with swing mechanics and pitch recognition last summer but word this spring is that he's closed up those issues and shows the ability to hit for both average and power against good pitching, as he's put in the hard work necessary to fix any approach flaws.

Kiriloff has done enough to get himself in to the first round, with late rumors putting him in the early teens.

Video from Prospect Pipeline