Time for a peak at a few of the players who've caught my eye and may be under consideration (or not) at picks 67 and 103. Obviously it'll depend heavily on who I take with 29, 35, and 41. That has the potential to be an extremely, extremely HS-heavy portion of the draft, but I could take three college guys just as easily depending on who happens to be there. If the latter happens, I'll be looking to break the bank in these rounds.
Tyler Frank SS Florida Atlantic
Hidden gem potential right here. I'm a lot more ready to gamble on him actually being able to play SS than, say, Cadyn Grenier hitting. Kind of a lower-middle-class man's Nico Hoerner offensively.
Tim Cate LHP UConn
It's been a slog, but maybe Cate's stock has finally degraded to the point that I won't feel bad about taking him. Basically a college version of what Rob Kaminsky was when he was 18, before he stopped throwing with conviction and became a stumpy stiff. Cate's getting some reliever heat now, and to be sure he'd be something else in that role and will move very fast, but I'm not ready to totally throw out starting. Really athletic delivery, could have some upside.
Nick Northcut 3B OH HS
Literally cannot heap enough praise on this guy. Northcut has a lot of things working against him signing. He's old enough to be an eligible sophomore, he's committed to Vandy, Cold Weather Player, plus he's on the smaller side and kind of out of shape so at first glance looks like a very low ceiling player, but I don't care. I'm in. I've seen him compared to Joe Rizzo (who I picked in our mock a couple years ago), which makes a certain amount of sense as they're both in the same broad category of Northern 3B with safe bats and shitty physiques. I loved Rizzo's bat and thought he could definitely stick at 3B...I still do, but he's been red hot garbage statistically so far at the plate. Northcut doesn't cut the same fire hydrant figure and has incredibly smooth actions in everything he does, I think he's some better conditioning away from being a plus defender. I'd take him in the first round if I thought I had to. I think he could be a top 10 pick in 2 years.
Simeon Woods-Richardson RHP TX HS
A very young two-way prospect who also plays third and has some power, but clearly a pitcher. A lot to hammer out, but a lot of raw materials. He's showing average velocity and the makings of a curve already with low effort. It'll be a whole process.
Braxton Ashcraft RHP TX HS
Another great piece of clay. Has a ways to go. Evident athleticism on the mound, I could see him taking a path where he tones down his delivery and becomes a control/command guy, or growing into a beast who averages 96. Either path is asking a lot, of course, but upside is very, very high for this range.
Elijah Cabell OF FL HS
Big time athlete with great bat speed and deficient skill. Legitimately elite COF tools, except for the whole hitting thing. Amateur-ly: 60 power, 60 run, 70 arm, 55 D (cause who knows?)...30 hit? On the older side and maybe a Workout warrior, but seems to come by it honestly. Might be worth a flier.
Nick Decker OF NJ HS
Sort of the antithesis of Cabell. A maximizer. A middling athlete with a bulky, maxed-out frame and a strong approach a swing designed to smash baseballs to RF. Not much room for error, but I like what I see.
Kyle Bradish RHP New Mexico State
Maybe my favorite college pitcher this year from the word go. He's been piling up the Ks all year as well as on Cape and I'm guessing he'll be a FABIO superstar, but always been a bit wild and hasn't improved in that area at all throughout his career. Looks very deceptive and has the potential for a deep repertoire. A lot going on mechanically: he gets to a straight OTP delivery with extreme spinal tilt and equally extreme abduction, so I'm not totally sold on his ability to put those control issues behind him. Still a horse to bet on, I think, and underrated by most lists I've seen.
Aaron Hernandez RHP Texas A&M Corpus Christie
Occasionally unhittable, always ungoogleable. Thin as a rail with a frenetic pace to his delivery. Similar to Bradish in a lot of ways in his overall profile as a guy with command issues, I buy MOR starter upside, and has a clear mid to high leverage relief path as well, which is a type I'm naturally high on.
Carlos Cortes DH/UTIL South Carolina
Carries the fun distinction of being a switch thrower, and the less fun distinction of profiling poorly at virtually every position. He was a 30 runner in HS but looks in much better shape now and I bet he's closer to average now. I think he looks fantastic at the plate. Just a sophomore and has put up very strong K/BB/ISO rates in both the SEC and the CCL. Extremely safe bat I'll be considering in the 3rd.
Landon Marceaux RHP LA HS
A 6 foot righty with a name like that almost has to honor his LSU commitment, right? Stuff reminds me CJ Van Eyk, one of my faves from last year who ended up going to school (dropped the ball there eh?). Smaller righties without much projection have a tough hill to climb, but curve is already nasty. If he goes to school he will inevitably shred SEC hitters and probably ends up an early 2 pick.
Garrett Wade LHP AL HS
Not unlike a lefty version of Marceaux. Famous for his spin rates on his fastball and breaking ball. He may not become too much more than he is right now, I think what he is right now is actually very good but the need to watch him do it is one I can respect. Not agree with, mind you, but respect.
Steven Gingery LHP Texas Tech
Just in case I'm totally out of ideas. Probably more of an R4 target. Would've dominated if he were healthy, and I'm not overly worried about TJ as a rule.
Round 4 names?:
Richard Palacios SS Towson
Wrapped up a great college career with an extraordinary season, despite a late slump: .200+ ISO, 25 SB 1 CS 52 BB against 16 K. Probably won't hit for a ton of power in the pros but athleticism and track record makes him very interesting.
Ryan Olenek UTIL Ole Miss
A barrel of fun. Built like Chris Sale and plays like Josh Harrison. He has cut his K rate to a ridiculous degree this season. Exceedingly aggressive hitter. Maybe has the chops for the IF and the wheels for the OF with a projectable bat.
Frank German RHP North Florida
Hidden away a bit. Outstanding statistical performer, pitched well in the CCL too in small sample size.
Bren Spillane OF Illinois
Hulk Smash! Spillane has had a monster season with 22 homers in 166 ABs. Slugging .922. BABIP has been pushing .500 all year. 62% of his hits this year have been for extra bases. All fields approach. Strikes out like crazy. Singularly short track record but I could see him being A Thing. Aggressive comps would be Domingo Santana and Tyler Austin. Less aggressive would be countless powerful flameouts.
PJ Hilson OF AR HS
Little guy but has a lot of juice. Plus runner with a plus arm, who also pitches. He would be an overdraft for sure but I have a feeling.
Addison Barger SS FL HS
BA's blurb compared him to Logan Warmoth, which was not quite how I envision Barger, but the broad strokes are about right. Has an aggressive, kind of...gadgety swing? Late bloomer physically. Has the quiet upside that comes with looking like a regular person.
Aaron Ashby LHP Crowder JC
Popped up out of nowhere after adding a few ticks to his fastball. Insane K numbers at the JuCo level and passes the eye test.
Kyle Datres 3B North Carolina
Another possible utility fit. Has a good approach and a pretty good athlete, might have some power potential as well.
Nick Dunn 2B Maryland
Great hitter. K rate is well below 10% for his college career, and started hitting for power this year. Showed exceptionally well in the Cape Cod League. Miniature Brandon Lowe.
Taj Bradley RHP GA HS
85 youth tool, which is definitely up the Indians alley. I'm not married to that angle, but on the extremes it's definitely interesting. Quite raw, unsurprisingly, but I love his arm action, velocity is trending up and could trend up much further and become one of the steals of the draft.
Noah Song RHP Navy
Has the makings of a very good reliever at the least, but let's make sure he gets the expedited Griffin Jax treatment and he's allowed to avoid his Mickey Mouse military commitments.
