2018 MLB Draft: Round three review, spots 79-88

Kris Dunn has been writing up reviews of the 2018 MLB draft classes and where the top prospects fit onto each team’s MLB Pipeline prospect list.

As a companion series to Kris’ fine work, I have been doing a quick summary of the players drafted in the first round and second this year and how they are doing so far, plus an educated guess about where they will begin 2019.

Click here for Part One, spots 1-10

Click here for Part Two, spots 11-20

Click here for Part Three spots 21-30

Click here for Part Four, spots 31-40

Click here for Part Five, spots 41-50

Click here for Part Six, spots 51-60

Click here for Part Seven, spots 61-68

Click here for Part Eight, spots 69-78

We will finish round three this week then pivot to 2019 prospect lists!

79) Kody Clemens, 2B, Detroit Tigers: Son of Roger, out of the University of Texas, hit .302/.387/.477 in 149 at-bats in Low-A but slipped to .238/.283/.357 in 42 at-bats after moving up to High-A, a good start overall, glove steady, should return to High-A to open 2019.

80) Jake Wong, RHP, San Francisco Giants: From Grand Canyon University, posted 2.30 ERA in 27 innings in Northwest League, 27/6 K/BB, sleeper type with low-90s fastball, good change-up, throws strikes, gets grounders, probably begins 2019 in Low-A but could move up quickly.

81) Konnor Pilkington, LHP, Chicago White Sox: Lefty from Mississippi State University, hit hard in short-leash small-sample pro debut with 21 hits and 13 runs in 14 innings between Arizona and Pioneer Leagues, he should be better than that in larger sample, probably opens 2019 in Low-A.

82) Bren Spillane, OF, Cincinnati Reds: From the University of Illinois, hit .236/.375/.439 in 148 at-bats in the Pioneer League, 30 walks, 76 strikeouts; right field profile with plus raw power but some contact concerns, should open in Low-A.

83) Carlos Cortes, 2B, New York Mets: From the University of South Carolina, hit .264/.338/.382 with 17 walks, 34 strikeouts in 178 at-bats in the New York-Penn League, needs more polish on defense, should open in Low-A.

84) Owen Miller, SS, San Diego Padres: From Illinois State University, excellent debut hitting .336/.386/.460 between Northwest and Midwest Leagues, hit 19 doubles in 298 at-bats and was impressive enough to move up to Double-A for the Texas League playoffs; might return there to open 2019 but High-A is more likely, should not be overlooked in deep system.

85) Hogan Harris, LHP, Oakland Athletics: Lefty from University of Louisiana-Lafayette, can hit 98 MPH, didn’t pitch in pro ball due to elbow problems, status for 2019 depends on health of course.

86) Connor Kaiser, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: Infielder out of Vanderbilt hit .212/.303/.260 in 104 at-bats in the New York-Penn League then .302/.338/.381 in 63 at-bats after moving up to Low-A; excellent defensive reputation and made just one error in pro ball, could open in either Low-A or High-A.

87) Blaine Knight, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: University of Arkansas product, pitched 10.1 innings in NY-P with 2.61 ERA, 8/3 K/BB, throws four quality pitches for strikes, likely begins in Low-A but another college arm who could move quickly.

88) Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: High school arm from Magnolia, Texas, threw two shutout innings in rookie ball, power sinker type, could have gone in first round and it took overslot $2,400,000 bonus to sign him away from Texas Christian; probably begin in short-season ball.