Hrbowski

Mahtomedi’s senior left fielder Lincoln Rock came just shy of a home run in batting practice on Friday, which would have been a first of his high school career. Now he can spend the rest of his life telling stories about how Jack Schwietz and Weston Shelander hit the ball farther than he did, proving that pitchers rake.
 
Another note from Mahtomedi: During legion ball, pinch runner Brandon Anderson was ejected for playing the game too hard. Farmington nearly came back to win what had been a 12-2 game, thanks to their number nine hitter’s great at bats. Fortunately, their team had nothing on Chuck B.

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Tanner Houck - Photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics
 
Alex Faedo – rhp – Florida
Faedo entered the year as a potential #1 pick in the draft, but has fallen off considerably in his junior year. His plus slider and low nineties fastball are still good enough to get him drafted in the middle of the first round.
 
Griffin Canning – rhp – UCLA
Canning is a potential fast mover who will fit into the back of a big league rotation. He does not have overpowering stuff, but is polished enough that he will go in the back of the first round.
 
David Peterson – lhp – Oregon
Peterson is a lefty with a low nineties fastball and average slider who has pitched himself up draft boards this spring. Despite his dominant year for the Ducks, his lack of a great repertoire will cause him to become a bottom of the rotation pitcher or head to the bullpen.
 
Tanner Houck – rhp – Missouri
Houck was under consideration by the Twins as a potential #1 pick, but his stock has fallen and he is no longer in consideration to be one of the top ten picks. The big righty could end up being drafted by the Twins, albeit at the 35th pick.
 
Seth Romero – lhp – Houston
Romero has had an interesting spring. He got off to an exceptional start with Houston, but ended up getting suspended and then dropped from the team. There is uncertainty on where he will be drafted, but the Twins are unlikely to select him.
 
Alex Lange – rhp – LSU
Lange profiles as a late first round pick, where his mid-nineties fastball and plus curve will allow him to move quickly through an organization.
 
Nate Pearson – rhp – Central Florida JC
Pearson has electric stuff, but will be moved to the bullpen by the team that drafts him.
 
Brendon Little – lhp – State JC of Florida, Manatee – Sarasota
Little has a mid-nineties fastball and above average curve, but his changeup and control are below average. He will likely end up in a bullpen.
 
Dan Tillo – lhp – Iowa Wester CC
Tillo left Kentucky after one year, and is now committed to Arkansas. There is little chance he will ever pitch in the SEC again, due to being one of the top lefties available in the draft.
 
Mike Baumann – rhp – Jacksonville
Baumann played high school baseball for one of the top programs in the state of Minnesota, and was drafted by the Twins in the 34th round of the 2014 draft. I have heard comparisons to Lance Lynn, but teams are unsure if they want him to start or pitch out of the bullpen.

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#1 Kyle Wright – rhp – Vanderbilt
#2 J.B. Bukauskas – rhp – North Carolina
#3 MacKenzie Gore – lhp – North Carolina High School
#4 Pavin Smith – 1b – Virginia
#5 Austin Beck – of – North Carolina High School
#6 Brendan McKay – lhp – Louisville
#7 Hunter Greene – rhp – California High School
#8 Sam Carlson – rhp – Minnesota High School
#9 Jake Burger – 1b – Missouri State
#10 Alex Faedo – rhp – Florida
#11 Royce Lewis – of – California High School
#12 Adam Haseley – of – Virginia
#13 Evan White – 1b – Kentucky
#14 Nick Pratto – 1b – California High School
#15 D.L. Hall – lhp – Georgia High School
#16 Jeren Kendall – of – Vanderbilt
#17 Tanner Houck – rhp – Missouri
#18 Jacob Heatherly – lhp – Alabama High School
#19 Shane Baz – rhp – Texas High School
#20 Hagen Danner – rhp – California High School
#21 Brian Miller – of – North Carolina
#22 Alex Lange – rhp – LSU
#23 David Peterson – lhp – Oregon
#24 Greg Deichmann – 3b – LSU
#25 Logan Warmoth – ss – North Carolina
#26 Mike Baumann – rhp – Jacksonville
#27 Blayne Enlow – rhp – Louisiana High School
#28 Keston Hiura – 2b – UC Irvine
#29 Griffin Canning – rhp – UCLA
#30 Jordan Adell – of – Kentucky High School
#31 Nate Pearson – rhp – Florida JUCO
#32 Seth Romero – lhp – Houston
#33 Clarke Schmidt – rhp – South Carolina
#34 Nick Allen – ss – California High School
#35 Stuart Fairchild – of – Wake Forest
#36 Gavin Sheets – 1b – Wake Forest
#37 Trevor Rogers – lhp – New Mexico High School
#38 K.J. Harrison – 1b – Oregon State
#39 Heliot Ramos – of – Puerto Rico
#40 J.J. Matijevic – 1b – Arizona
#41 Connor Uselton – of – Oklahoma High School
#42 Ryan Vilade – 3b – Oklahoma High School
#43 Bubba Thompson – of – Alabama High School
#44 Wil Crowe – rhp – South Carolina
#45 Daniel Tillo – lhp – Iowa CC
#46 Mark Vientos – ss – Florida High School
#47 Tristan Beck – rhp – Stanford
#48 Brendon Little – lhp – Florida JUCO
#49 Brent Rooker – 1b – Mississippi State
#50 Riley Adams – c – San Diego

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I have already profiled Pavin Smith, Jeren Kendall, and Brendan McKay this year, but now it is time to take a brief look at the other top college hitters available in the 2017 MLB Draft.
 
Jake Burger – Third Base – Missouri State
Burger is one of the top hitters in the class, and he has put up monster numbers in the Missouri Valley Conference. He currently plays third, but will end up being a first base/designated hitter type as a professional.
 
Keston Hiura – Second Base – UC Irvine
Hiura has had his stock hurt by an elbow injury that could cause him to have Tommy John surgery, but his bat should not be underestimated because of this.
 
Adam Haseley – Outfield – Virginia
Haseley does not have any standout tool, but is well rounded enough to become an average big league leftfielder.
 
Evan White – First Base – Kentucky
White is the best pure hitter in college baseball’s best conference, and although he does not have the power associated with first base he is athletic enough to play the outfield.
 
Logan Warmoth – Shortstop – North Carolina
Warmoth is like Haseley and does not have one area of his game that wows you, but he should be a solid role player. He could reach the big leagues quickly, but some teams might have reservations because of some similarities to Levi Michael, who also starred as North Carolina’s shortstop, yet has not reached the majors in his six-year professional career.
 
Brian Miller – Outfield – North Carolina
Miller is another player from North Carolina who has drawn attention this spring, yet he has a higher ceiling than Warmoth. Miller will stick in centerfield as a professional, and his bat is good enough to get him to the big leagues. He has further to go than most of the other hitters on this list, but he could be very rewarding to the team that drafts him.
 
Greg Deichmann – Third Base – LSU
Deichmann was draft eligible last year, but fell to the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round because he planned to return to LSU for his junior year. His hitting has gotten even better this spring, and he is under strong consideration to be selected by the Twins with either the 35th or 37th overall pick.
 
K.J. Harrison – First Base – Oregon State
After Harrison’s fantastic start to his college career, evaluators considered him a potential number one pick, bit his bat has cooled and he is now viewed as a first baseman rather than a catcher.
 
Brent Rooker – First Base – Mississippi State
Rooker has been on fire this spring, with a .421 batting average and 21 home runs. He is not a great defensive player, and obviously, his numbers will be deflated when he reaches the professional level, but he profiles as an early second round pick.

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken
 
Kyle Wright is a right-handed pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores who is one of the top players available in the draft. Wright is 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds, with the prototypical build that scouts love in pitchers.
 
Due to his strong commitment to Vanderbilt, he went undrafted as an Alabama high schooler and has since physically matured and added five miles per hour to his velocity. He got off to a slow start this spring, but he has turned that around in the last few weeks. Wright may have more momentum than any other college player and will be one of the first picks come June.
 
Wright uses a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, with occasional flashes into the upper nineties. His curveball should be above average, but early in the season he left it up in the zone too much, which got him into trouble. His slider is an above average pitch, yet there is some debate about whether it is a true slider or if it is more of a cutter. His fourth pitch is a changeup, and although it is behind his other pitches, it should develop into a usable big league offering.
 
Wright uses a long stride in his delivery, but he may lose too much of the momentum he gets into the ground. His upper half also gets slightly behind his lower half during his pitching motion, which sometimes causes him to have inconsistent release points. Even though there are some concerns about his mechanics, he makes it look rather pretty, and his issues should be smoothed out in the development process quickly. Control is not a big issue for Wright, and it should be at least average in the majors.
 
As the draft gets closer, Wright’s name has come up increasingly more often in talk involving the Twins. Teams selecting first in the draft tend to favor players with similar profiles to the Vandy right-hander, and the Twins have been watching him closely. If the Twins draft Wright, he should be in their rotation within the next two years, making him more appealing to a new front office than a player who is further away. College pitchers are not always a safe pick, with their careers often being derailed by injuries, but that is a risk you are taking with anyone. Regardless, when the Twins pick first next month, there is a good chance they will take Wright.
 
Wright was a favorite of scouts entering the season, and he maintained that status through a rough stretch. If he can continue his recent turnaround, he will be a top five draft pick. He has one of the highest ceilings among players in this class, with top of the rotation potential, and he could also move quickly through a system, giving the team that drafts him someone who could pay big dividends soon. Regardless of where he goes in the draft, Wright has a bright future ahead of him.

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A lot has changed on the draft scene since my last mock. I will do a new version with notes next week.
 
 
#1 Minnesota Twins – Kyle Wright – rhp - Vanderbilt
 
#2 Cincinnati Reds – Brendan McKay – lhp - Louisville
 
#3 San Diego Padres – Hunter Greene – rhp – CA High School
 
#4 Tampa Bay Rays – J.B. Bukauskas – rhp – UNC
 
#5 Atlanta Braves – MacKenzie Gore – lhp – NC High School
 
#6 Oakland Athletics – Pavin Smith – 1b - Virginia
 
#7 Arizona Diamondbacks – Royce Lewis – of – CA High School
 
#8 Philadelphia Phillies – Adam Haseley – of - Virginia
 
#9 Milwaukee Brewers – Jeren Kendall – of - Vanderbilt
 
#10 Los Angeles Angels – Alex Faedo – rhp - Florida
 
#11 Chicago White Sox – Sam Carlson – rhp – MN High School
 
#12 Pittsburgh Pirates – Keston Hiura – 2b – UC Irvine
 
#13 Miami Marlins – D.L. Hall – lhp – GA High School
 
#14 Kansas City Royals – Jordan Adell – of – KY High School
 
#15 Houston Astros – Evan White – 1b - Kentucky
 
#16 New York Yankees – Nick Pratto – 1b – CA High School
 
#17 Seattle Mariners – Shane Baz – rhp – TX High School
 
#18 Detroit Tigers – Trevor Rogers – lhp – NM High School
 
#19 San Francisco Giants – Austin Beck – of – NC High School
 
#20 New York Mets – Jake Burger – 3b – Missouri State
 
#21 Baltimore Orioles – Logan Warmoth – ss – North Carolina
 
#22 Toronto Blue Jays – Blayne Enlow – rhp – LA High School
 
#23 Los Angeles Dodgers – Bubba Thompson – of – AL High School
 
#24 Boston Red Sox – Seth Romero – lhp – No School
 
#25 Washington Nationals – Alex Lange – rhp - LSU
 
#26 Texas Rangers – Tristan Lutz – of – TX High School
 
#27 Chicago Cubs – Griffin Canning – rhp - UCLA
 
#28 Toronto Blue Jays – David Peterson – lhp - Oregon
 
#29 Texas Rangers – Corbin Martin – rhp – Texas A&M
 
#30 Chicago Cubs – Wil Crowe – rhp – South Carolina
 
#31 Tampa Bay Rays – Heliot Ramos – of – Puerto Rico
 
#32 Cincinnati Reds – Quentin Holmes – of – NY High School
 
#33 Oakland Athletics – Garrett Mitchell – of – CA High School
 
#34 Milwaukee Brewers – Hans Crouse – rhp – CA High School
 
#35 Minnesota Twins – Tanner Houck – rhp - Missouri
 
#36 Miami Marlins – Brian Miller – of – North Carolina
 
#37 Minnesota Twins – Hagen Danner – rhp – CA High School

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken
 
Kyle Wright is a right-handed pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores who is one of the top players available in the draft. Wright is 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds, with the prototypical build that scouts love in pitchers.
 
Due to his strong commitment to Vanderbilt, he went undrafted as an Alabama high schooler and has since physically matured and added five miles per hour to his velocity. He got off to a slow start this spring, but he has turned that around in the last few weeks. Wright may have more momentum than any other college player and will be one of the first picks come June.
 
Wright uses a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, with occasional flashes into the upper nineties. His curveball should be above average, but early in the season he left it up in the zone too much, which got him into trouble. His slider is an above average pitch, yet there is some debate about whether it is a true slider or if it is more of a cutter. His fourth pitch is a changeup, and although it is behind his other pitches, it should develop into a usable big league offering.
 
Wright uses a long stride in his delivery, but he may lose too much of the momentum he gets into the ground. His upper half also gets slightly behind his lower half during his pitching motion, which sometimes causes him to have inconsistent release points. Even though there are some concerns about his mechanics, he makes it look rather pretty, and his issues should be smoothed out in the development process quickly. Control is not a big issue for Wright, and it should be at least average in the majors.
 
As the draft gets closer, Wright’s name has come up increasingly more often in talk involving the Twins. Teams selecting first in the draft tend to favor players with similar profiles to the Vandy right-hander, and the Twins have been watching him closely. If the Twins draft Wright, he should be in their rotation within the next two years, making him more appealing to a new front office than a player who is further away. College pitchers are not always a safe pick, with their careers often being derailed by injuries, but that is a risk you are taking with anyone. Regardless, when the Twins pick first next month, there is a good chance they will take Wright.
 
Wright was a favorite of scouts entering the season, and he maintained that status through a rough stretch. If he can continue his recent turnaround, he will be a top five draft pick. He has one of the highest ceilings among players in this class, with top of the rotation potential, and he could also move quickly through a system, giving the team that drafts him someone who could pay big dividends soon. Regardless of where he goes in the draft, Wright has a bright future ahead of him.

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken
 
Kyle Wright is a right-handed pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores who is one of the top players available in the draft. Wright is 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds, with the prototypical build that scouts love in pitchers.
 
Due to his strong commitment to Vanderbilt, he went undrafted as an Alabama high schooler and has since physically matured and added five miles per hour to his velocity. He got off to a slow start this spring, but he has turned that around in the last few weeks. Wright may have more momentum than any other college player and will be one of the first picks come June.
 
Wright uses a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, with occasional flashes into the upper nineties. His curveball should be above average, but early in the season he left it up in the zone too much, which got him into trouble. His slider is an above average pitch, yet there is some debate about whether it is a true slider or if it is more of a cutter. His fourth pitch is a changeup, and although it is behind his other pitches, it should develop into a usable big league offering.
 
Wright uses a long stride in his delivery, but he may lose too much of the momentum he gets into the ground. His upper half also gets slightly behind his lower half during his pitching motion, which sometimes causes him to have inconsistent release points. Even though there are some concerns about his mechanics, he makes it look rather pretty, and his issues should be smoothed out in the development process quickly. Control is not a big issue for Wright, and it should be at least average in the majors.
 
As the draft gets closer, Wright’s name has come up increasingly more often in talk involving the Twins. Teams selecting first in the draft tend to favor players with similar profiles to the Vandy right-hander, and the Twins have been watching him closely. If the Twins draft Wright, he should be in their rotation within the next two years, making him more appealing to a new front office than a player who is further away. College pitchers are not always a safe pick, with their careers often being derailed by injuries, but that is a risk you are taking with anyone. Regardless, when the Twins pick first next month, there is a good chance they will take Wright.
 
Wright was a favorite of scouts entering the season, and he maintained that status through a rough stretch. If he can continue his recent turnaround, he will be a top five draft pick. He has one of the highest ceilings among players in this class, with top of the rotation potential, and he could also move quickly through a system, giving the team that drafts him someone who could pay big dividends soon. Regardless of where he goes in the draft, Wright has a bright future ahead of him.

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken
 
Kyle Wright is a right-handed pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores who is one of the top players available in the draft. Wright is 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds, with the prototypical build that scouts love in pitchers.
 
Due to his strong commitment to Vanderbilt, he went undrafted as an Alabama high schooler and has since physically matured and added five miles per hour to his velocity. He got off to a slow start this spring, but he has turned that around in the last few weeks. Wright may have more momentum than any other college player and will be one of the first picks come June.
 
Wright uses a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, with occasional flashes into the upper nineties. His curveball should be above average, but early in the season he left it up in the zone too much, which got him into trouble. His slider is an above average pitch, yet there is some debate about whether it is a true slider or if it is more of a cutter. His fourth pitch is a changeup, and although it is behind his other pitches, it should develop into a usable big league offering.
 
Wright uses a long stride in his delivery, but he may lose too much of the momentum he gets into the ground. His upper half also gets slightly behind his lower half during his pitching motion, which sometimes causes him to have inconsistent release points. Even though there are some concerns about his mechanics, he makes it look rather pretty, and his issues should be smoothed out in the development process quickly. Control is not a big issue for Wright, and it should be at least average in the majors.
 
As the draft gets closer, Wright’s name has come up increasingly more often in talk involving the Twins. Teams selecting first in the draft tend to favor players with similar profiles to the Vandy right-hander, and the Twins have been watching him closely. If the Twins draft Wright, he should be in their rotation within the next two years, making him more appealing to a new front office than a player who is further away. College pitchers are not always a safe pick, with their careers often being derailed by injuries, but that is a risk you are taking with anyone. Regardless, when the Twins pick first next month, there is a good chance they will take Wright.
 
Wright was a favorite of scouts entering the season, and he maintained that status through a rough stretch. If he can continue his recent turnaround, he will be a top five draft pick. He has one of the highest ceilings among players in this class, with top of the rotation potential, and he could also move quickly through a system, giving the team that drafts him someone who could pay big dividends soon. Regardless of where he goes in the draft, Wright has a bright future ahead of him.

http://www.the3rdmanin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-MLB-Draft.png
 
Sam Carlson is a right-handed pitcher out of Burnsville High School in Minnesota who is committed to the Florida Gators. Carlson is listed at 6’4” and 195 pounds, with a projectable body that will add a lot of strength as he gets older. Because his season started later than most, scouts have gotten a later look at him than some of the other top prep pitchers. Nevertheless, they have come away impressed with his calm presence on the mound and advanced feel for pitching. Carlson has risen swiftly up draft boards this spring, and after scouting him this comes as no surprise.
 
Carlson’s pitching repertoire consists of three above average pitches that he can throw for strikes. He throws his fastball in the 92-94 mph range, which he commands down in the zone very well. His slider is good enough to be an out pitch, sitting in the low 80s with some bite to it. His changeup has good deception, and is one of the best among pitchers in this year’s draft class. His understanding of pitching elevates him over most high school pitchers across the country, and there are no concerns about him being just a thrower.
 
Carlson has above average control, which can be attributed to clean pitching mechanics. There is not a whole lot of effort in his delivery, and he has nice arm action. The team that drafts him will likely have him use his lower half more, but that is a natural part of the development process and is not something he needs to worry about in high school. As he matures his velocity will get better, which paired with his secondary offerings makes him a likely middle of the rotation pitcher down the road with a ceiling of a number two starter. Pitching in a cold-weather state has caused him to fly under the radar, but when he reaches the professional level he could surprise many.
 
Many teams have Carlson near the top of their board, including the Mariners, Giants, and Blue Jays. Teams that pick in the top ten that have interest are the Braves and Brewers, who both have histories of taking high school players. The Pirates have been keeping a close eye on him, and since people are having a tough time pegging their potential pick we could see a surprise there. As the draft approaches, more information will come out about which teams like him the most. You could speculate all day on who will draft Carlson, but I think that he could go higher than what most publications are predicting.
 
Overall, Carlson should be in the conversation as the best prep pitcher in the class. Hunter Greene and Shane Baz receive more hype, but Carlson has better pitchability than either of them. The Florida commit is also a good hitter, so if he makes it to college he will be a two-way player. Since he will be chosen in the first round his chance to hit at a higher level will likely be in a National League ballpark, but that is a ways down the road. When Carlson hears his name called on June 12th, he will be one of the top picks from Minnesota in draft history.

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J.B. Bukauskas is a right-handed pitcher for the University of North Carolina who has the best pitching repertoire available in this year’s draft. Bukauskas is listed at 6’0” and 195 pounds, and with his delivery and pitch mix he reminds me of a smaller Matt Cain. A native of Virginia, Bukauskas played high school baseball for the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, where he quickly ascended draft boards during his senior year. In 2014, he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 20th round after asking teams to not draft him, and he ultimately made the predictable decision to attend college. With his electric pitching style and presence on the mound, he has the potential to separate himself from all other players in this year’s class.
 
Bukauskas’s repertoire consists of three pitches: Fastballs, sliders, and changeups, with all being above average or average. His fastball reaches the upper nineties, and he works with it on both sides of the plate. His slider is nothing short of nasty, and he can throw it at ninety miles per hour with the bottom falling out, making it nearly unhittable. His changeup will need the most improvement, but it should at least be an average major league offering. His command of his pitches has improved throughout his years at college, and will likely get even better.
 
The main concerns that scouts have about Bukauskas are his violent delivery and small size, which leads some to conclude that he will end up in a bullpen. He has already diminished the effort he uses while pitching, but has still managed to maintain his velocity, and with the right development he could continue to do this. His control has also improved with the changes in his delivery, and his walk rates have gone down every year in college. His size should not be a big concern, since many other pitchers with similar builds have had a significant amount of success in the big leagues, including Tim Lincecum, Sonny Gray, and Marcus Stroman. Even if Bukauskas moves to a bullpen, he could be an elite reliever.
 
Bukauskas could potentially be selected first in the draft, but the talk involving him and the Twins has subsided as the draft gets nearer. Right now, it looks as if the Twins will take a pitcher, and Bukauskas has a higher ceiling than any other college pitcher available. Most people think the Twins will take either a high upside player like Hunter Greene, or a potentially quick mover like Brendan McKay, but Bukauskas could be the perfect combination of the two, albeit a less physical one. Most right-handed pitchers who are selected first overall are much taller than Bukauskas, with recent examples being Kris Benson, Matt Anderson, Bryan Bullington, Luke Hochevar, Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Mark Appel. Few of them had big league success, making me wonder if height is the best way to separate hard throwing pitchers.
 
Bukauskas has been overlooked by many so far, but that could quickly change in the future. His athleticism and competitive nature make him fun to watch, and he has performed consistently against some of the best college competition. Some teams think that the injury risk with Bukauskas is too great to select him, but injuries are something you can get with any pitcher. The team that roles the dice and decides to take the undersized righty could get a future number one starter. Regardless of risk, Bukauskas is the best player available.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.dth/28424_0412_baseballvsncstate_gargan196p.jpg
 
J.B. Bukauskas is a right-handed pitcher for the University of North Carolina who has the best pitching repertoire available in this year’s draft. Bukauskas is listed at 6’0” and 195 pounds, and with his delivery and pitch mix he reminds me of a smaller Matt Cain. A native of Virginia, Bukauskas played high school baseball for the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, where he quickly ascended draft boards during his senior year. In 2014, he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 20th round after asking teams to not draft him, and he ultimately made the predictable decision to attend college. With his electric pitching style and presence on the mound, he has the potential to separate himself from all other players in this year’s class.
 
Bukauskas’s repertoire consists of three pitches: Fastballs, sliders, and changeups, with all being above average or average. His fastball reaches the upper nineties, and he works with it on both sides of the plate. His slider is nothing short of nasty, and he can throw it at ninety miles per hour with the bottom falling out, making it nearly unhittable. His changeup will need the most improvement, but it should at least be an average major league offering. His command of his pitches has improved throughout his years at college, and will likely get even better.
 
The main concerns that scouts have about Bukauskas are his violent delivery and small size, which leads some to conclude that he will end up in a bullpen. He has already diminished the effort he uses while pitching, but has still managed to maintain his velocity, and with the right development he could continue to do this. His control has also improved with the changes in his delivery, and his walk rates have gone down every year in college. His size should not be a big concern, since many other pitchers with similar builds have had a significant amount of success in the big leagues, including Tim Lincecum, Sonny Gray, and Marcus Stroman. Even if Bukauskas moves to a bullpen, he could be an elite reliever.
 
Bukauskas could potentially be selected first in the draft, but the talk involving him and the Twins has subsided as the draft gets nearer. Right now, it looks as if the Twins will take a pitcher, and Bukauskas has a higher ceiling than any other college pitcher available. Most people think the Twins will take either a high upside player like Hunter Greene, or a potentially quick mover like Brendan McKay, but Bukauskas could be the perfect combination of the two, albeit a less physical one. Most right-handed pitchers who are selected first overall are much taller than Bukauskas, with recent examples being Kris Benson, Matt Anderson, Bryan Bullington, Luke Hochevar, Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Mark Appel. Few of them had big league success, making me wonder if height is the best way to separate hard throwing pitchers.
 
Bukauskas has been overlooked by many so far, but that could quickly change in the future. His athleticism and competitive nature make him fun to watch, and he has performed consistently against some of the best college competition. Some teams think that the injury risk with Bukauskas is too great to select him, but injuries are something you can get with any pitcher. The team that roles the dice and decides to take the undersized righty could get a future number one starter. Regardless of risk, Bukauskas is the best player available.

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Jeren Kendall is a centerfielder for the Vanderbilt Commodores who is regarded as the top outfielder available in the 2017 draft. Kendall is 5’10’’ and weighs 180 pounds, and is often referred to as a smaller version of Jacoby Ellsbury. The Commodores’ outfielder played prep baseball at Holmen High School in Wisconsin and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 30th round, but chose to attend college. Kendall bats left and throws right, with natural athleticism adding to all areas of his game. To see what he offers as a prospect we will have to look at the basic areas of his game.
 
The most important aspect of Kendall’s game is his hit tool, which has caused scouts a lot of concern. Jeren is a line drive hitter with a simple load, which is what you want from hitters. His lower half has become more synchronized with the rest of his swing since his high school days, but he will still occasionally get off balance with his back leg, causing him to have trouble hitting breaking balls. The main concern with him as a hitter is pitch recognition, and he admits that even when he is hitting well he cannot tell his teammates what pitches he is getting. As a result, there is a lot of swing and miss in his game, which has taken a toll on both his season and his draft status.
 
Kendall has average power, and should be able to hit about 15 home runs on average when he reaches the big leagues. Offensively he profiles as a number two hitter in the order, with his plus speed giving him a chance to beat out routine grounders and steal bases. His speed and above average arm strength make him a great centerfielder, and now that Bryan Reynolds has left Vanderbilt for pro ball he has been given more chances to play at the premium spot. Because of Kendall’s defensive abilities, teams believe that Kendall will still be able to contribute in the majors even if his hitting never pans out. He is a good student and has a winning personality, and evaluators believe that he will work hard to make the needed adjustments.
 
The Twins have the first pick in the draft, and they have been looking at Kendall this spring. There are other players who are currently higher on their board, but if his hitting picks up in the next six weeks he could make a case to be taken first in the draft. Some sources from the industry say that Kendall is the Twins favorite hitter in the draft class, and if they decide to go that route, he would be the favorite to be picked. Minnesota has a history of taking players brimming with athleticism, but with the new regime in the front office that could change. If the Twins are concerned about similar college players not having had success in the big leagues they may stay away, but Darin Erstad did have success after being taken first overall in the 1995 draft.
 
Having looked at the basic areas of his game, it is easy to see why scouts like him, but it is also obvious that he will have a lot to work on once he gets drafted. Most people, like one Friday night starter in the SEC who I talked to, say others are better hitters, but that Kendall is one of the best all-around players in college. He will have to make progress as a hitter, since very few players get into major league lineups because of their defense, but he is talented enough to do that. Improving his pitch recognition and hitting to all fields would go a long way in advancing his career. Kendall would be a top five pick if the draft were held today, and when it is held in June he will likely be one of the first prospects to go.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Alex-Faedo-0199.jpg
Alex Faedo (All rights to Andrew Woolley)
 
Today I begin my coverage of the 2017 MLB Draft, which starts on June 12. I am going to provide some updates on the overall performance of the top players, prospect profiles, prospect rankings, and mock drafts, so have fun!
 
Jeren Kendall is a player that scouts have been watching for some time, and now that he is draft eligible he will be getting even more attention this spring. Kendall’s first week has been interesting, with Jeren maintaining a high batting average, but also striking out as often as he gets a hit. When Kendall hits the ball it becomes must watch baseball, with his blazing speed making routine groundballs difficult plays for the infielders. When Kendall is on his game he can drive the ball into the gaps, but to become a consistent player he will need to make some adjustments. There have been no concerns about the Vanderbilt centerfielder’s fielding and base running skills.
 
We move along to another Vanderbilt player, but this time a pitcher. Righty Kyle Wright’s first two games have been what you would expect from him, with decent starts in both outings. Wright will not miss a ton of bats, but he does have good control for a young pitcher. Wright is a natural athlete and will be a player to watch in the months leading up to the draft.
 
The next player to look at is another big righty pitching in the SEC, but with even more dominating stuff. Alex Faedo is one of the leading candidates to be taken with the first pick of the draft, and if he shows he is healthy he could become a lock to be taken with the first pick, and although I have objections to that I will leave that to be explained in an upcoming blog post. Faedo has been missing bats this season, but he was also hit well for his standard on opening day. The Gator’s Friday night starter has been in the spotlight for his whole college career, and he will continue to be down the road.
 
One player who has been utterly dominant over his first two starts is J.B. Bukauskas, with 21 strikeouts in 13 scoreless innings. Bukauskas is a small guy, but if you were reading the radar gun you would never guess that, with his dazzling fastball reaching the high nineties. Some scouts say that he uses too violent of a delivery to stick in the rotation, but some of the most successful small pitchers in the majors used a violent delivery. If Bukauskas continues to dominate his critics will get quiet.
 
Brendan McKay is the top two-way player in the nation, and has dominated the competition at the college level. McKay’s ceiling is a middle of the rotation starter, but if he gets drafted as a hitter he will be limited to first base. Because of the Louisville Cardinal’s consistent playing he has made a name for himself, but he will have trouble when the competition gets tougher.
 
We move back to big righties from the SEC, but this time with Mizzou’s Tanner Houck. Houck has been striking out batters this spring, but when he has not been doing that he has been getting hit, with 8 earned runs served up in 10 innings. Houck needs to stop running up his pitch count so quickly, which has limited him in the number of innings he has been able to throw this year. If Houck can lock in this season he will move into the area of the first overall pick.
 
Alex Lange is the final player who I am covering with this post, and of course he is a big righty from the SEC. Lange has been sharp this spring, showing improvement in his command and keeping his pitch count low. Lange has a good fastball along with the best breaking ball in the draft class, so if he can stay in the zone this spring he should find his name being mentioned as a potential number one pick.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Alex-Faedo-0199.jpg
Alex Faedo (All rights to Andrew Woolley)
 
Today I begin my coverage of the 2017 MLB Draft, which starts on June 12. I am going to provide some updates on the overall performance of the top players, prospect profiles, prospect rankings, and mock drafts, so have fun!
 
Jeren Kendall is a player that scouts have been watching for some time, and now that he is draft eligible he will be getting even more attention this spring. Kendall’s first week has been interesting, with Jeren maintaining a high batting average, but also striking out as often as he gets a hit. When Kendall hits the ball it becomes must watch baseball, with his blazing speed making routine groundballs difficult plays for the infielders. When Kendall is on his game he can drive the ball into the gaps, but to become a consistent player he will need to make some adjustments. There have been no concerns about the Vanderbilt centerfielder’s fielding and base running skills.
 
We move along to another Vanderbilt player, but this time a pitcher. Righty Kyle Wright’s first two games have been what you would expect from him, with decent starts in both outings. Wright will not miss a ton of bats, but he does have good control for a young pitcher. Wright is a natural athlete and will be a player to watch in the months leading up to the draft.
 
The next player to look at is another big righty pitching in the SEC, but with even more dominating stuff. Alex Faedo is one of the leading candidates to be taken with the first pick of the draft, and if he shows he is healthy he could become a lock to be taken with the first pick, and although I have objections to that I will leave that to be explained in an upcoming blog post. Faedo has been missing bats this season, but he was also hit well for his standard on opening day. The Gator’s Friday night starter has been in the spotlight for his whole college career, and he will continue to be down the road.
 
One player who has been utterly dominant over his first two starts is J.B. Bukauskas, with 21 strikeouts in 13 scoreless innings. Bukauskas is a small guy, but if you were reading the radar gun you would never guess that, with his dazzling fastball reaching the high nineties. Some scouts say that he uses too violent of a delivery to stick in the rotation, but some of the most successful small pitchers in the majors used a violent delivery. If Bukauskas continues to dominate his critics will get quiet.
 
Brendan McKay is the top two-way player in the nation, and has dominated the competition at the college level. McKay’s ceiling is a middle of the rotation starter, but if he gets drafted as a hitter he will be limited to first base. Because of the Louisville Cardinal’s consistent playing he has made a name for himself, but he will have trouble when the competition gets tougher.
 
We move back to big righties from the SEC, but this time with Mizzou’s Tanner Houck. Houck has been striking out batters this spring, but when he has not been doing that he has been getting hit, with 8 earned runs served up in 10 innings. Houck needs to stop running up his pitch count so quickly, which has limited him in the number of innings he has been able to throw this year. If Houck can lock in this season he will move into the area of the first overall pick.
 
Alex Lange is the final player who I am covering with this post, and of course he is a big righty from the SEC. Lange has been sharp this spring, showing improvement in his command and keeping his pitch count low. Lange has a good fastball along with the best breaking ball in the draft class, so if he can stay in the zone this spring he should find his name being mentioned as a potential number one pick.

Image courtesy of Jamie Squire/Getty Images
 
Chris Devenski will become an ace.
Chris Devenski is the most underrated player in baseball, and I am on a mission to let everybody know who he is. After his rookie year with the Houston Astros last year he was still largely ignored, so let me give you a briefing. Devenski has one of the best changeups in baseball, and it is no small stretch to say that he can rival the changeup of Kyle Hendricks, and having a signature pitch that is one of the best in the league gives him a jump start on the long list of pitchers waiting to become household names. He also has a sneaky fastball, and a slider that can get batters to chase. Keep an eye on the Astros righty this year.
 
Sonny Gray will be a top 10 starting pitcher.
Sonny Gray has become known as the undersized righty who once made it big in the majors, but his real claim to fame is getting exceptional horizontal movement on his pitches, and in doing so he outpaces all other right handed pitchers in the league. Gray has struggled with injuries in the past season, but if he is healthy he has the potential to be a top ten pitcher in wins above replacement, something he has never done before. Here is a not so bold prediction: Sonny Gray will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
 
Brian Dozier will be the top second baseman in baseball.
If you had told me in July of 2015 that in 2016 Brian Dozier would hit over 40 homers I would not have been surprised, but if you had told me that exactly one year later I would have been. That is how good Dozier’s second half was last year, which led some to say that his outburst was an unrepeatable fluke and that he will come back to earth this year. One thing that naysayers do not consider is that there were some legitimate changes to Dozier’s approach at the plate, and his torrid second half was the result of some hard work. If Dozier can bring the changes over to this year look for him to outperform Altuve, Murphy, and other star second basemen.
 
Mac Williamson will be the Giants starting left fielder.
Mac Williamson is another player whom you may not have heard of before, but the corner spot is up for grabs this spring and there is no clear favorite for the job, so even if he does not win the spot right out of camp he should still have a chance to steal it midseason. Williamson has raw power that he can tap into, and if he can start elevating the ball better in games he could collect thirty round trippers. The Giants are perennial contenders for the pennant, and if Williamson gets a starting role look for him to a force at the plate.
 
Keon Broxton will be the first 30-30 player since 2012.
Keon Broxton flew under the radar last year, but the center fielder for the Brewers will not be able to do that for much longer. His unique skill set will elevate him above the competition, and Broxton will be on the road to superstardom. Broxton has some concerns, and the fact that he strikes out at a ridiculous rate is one of them. If he can keep a high batting average on balls in play he will still be on base enough to worry pitchers.
 
Freddie Freeman will be the top hitter in the National League.
Freddie Freeman did not get enough attention last year because he played on a terrible team, so he was virtually ignored when it came to MVP talk. The Braves’ new ballpark dimensions are more favorable to a lefty hitter than Turner Field, so Freeman has an extra advantage this year, even though he does not need it. It may surprise you, but in recent years Freeman put up similar numbers compared to David Ortiz, and since Ortiz is now retired, baseball fans will need to find a new favorite lefty hitter. We cannot ignore Freeman for much longer.
 
Trea Turner will be the best player on the Washington Nationals.
Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, and Daniel Murphy all play on the Nationals, but Trea Turner is really that good. Turner has blazing speed and surprising power, and with his return to his natural position of shortstop his fielding will no longer hurt his value. Something else that Turner has working for him is that he will get a chance at a full season, and in 73 games last year he hit 13 home runs and stole 33 bases. Another plus is that he will have Harper and Murphy hitting behind him, which is something almost all other hitters would covet.
 
Andrew Miller will win the American League Cy Young.
It is getting to the point where the great relievers in baseball can no longer be ignored, and Andrew Miller or the Orioles Zach Britton have the best chance to take home the coveted award. I am going with Miller over Britton because of Miller’s higher strikeout rates. If Miller takes home the award baseball writers will not only have to ignore the fact that Miller is not a starter, but also that he is not even a closer. I am guessing that if they lay aside one prejudice they can lay aside another.
 
The Athletics will make the playoffs.
It seems like the Oakland A’s are never projected to make the playoffs, but they are a team that can be put together in bits and pieces and come away with a championship caliber club. 2017 should be no exception, and even though the Athletics have already been projected to have a losing record, they quietly have a solid roster. The pitching staff will be the leading force for the A’s, with Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea being the headliners, and the lineup is solid, which makes the Athletics a legitimate contender.
 
The Houston Astros will defeat the Washington Nationals in the World Series.
The Washington Nationals are loaded with talent, but the Houston Astros are a very exciting bunch in 2017. With no mention of the Chicago Cubs or the Boston Red Sox this prediction may surprise some, but the best team in the regular season usually does not win the World Series, and last year’s Cubs were the exception to the rule. The Astros pitching staff is the biggest concern for them right now, but if Dallas Keuchel can get back to his 2015 form they will not need to worry, and I already have pegged Chris Devenski for a breakout year, which would be huge for this team. Overall, the Astros are a great team.

Image courtesy of Jamie Squire/Getty Images
 
Chris Devenski will become an ace.
Chris Devenski is the most underrated player in baseball, and I am on a mission to let everybody know who he is. After his rookie year with the Houston Astros last year he was still largely ignored, so let me give you a briefing. Devenski has one of the best changeups in baseball, and it is no small stretch to say that he can rival the changeup of Kyle Hendricks, and having a signature pitch that is one of the best in the league gives him a jump start on the long list of pitchers waiting to become household names. He also has a sneaky fastball, and a slider that can get batters to chase. Keep an eye on the Astros righty this year.
 
Sonny Gray will be a top 10 starting pitcher.
Sonny Gray has become known as the undersized righty who once made it big in the majors, but his real claim to fame is getting exceptional horizontal movement on his pitches, and in doing so he outpaces all other right handed pitchers in the league. Gray has struggled with injuries in the past season, but if he is healthy he has the potential to be a top ten pitcher in wins above replacement, something he has never done before. Here is a not so bold prediction: Sonny Gray will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
 
Brian Dozier will be the top second baseman in baseball.
If you had told me in July of 2015 that in 2016 Brian Dozier would hit over 40 homers I would not have been surprised, but if you had told me that exactly one year later I would have been. That is how good Dozier’s second half was last year, which led some to say that his outburst was an unrepeatable fluke and that he will come back to earth this year. One thing that naysayers do not consider is that there were some legitimate changes to Dozier’s approach at the plate, and his torrid second half was the result of some hard work. If Dozier can bring the changes over to this year look for him to outperform Altuve, Murphy, and other star second basemen.
 
Mac Williamson will be the Giants starting left fielder.
Mac Williamson is another player whom you may not have heard of before, but the corner spot is up for grabs this spring and there is no clear favorite for the job, so even if he does not win the spot right out of camp he should still have a chance to steal it midseason. Williamson has raw power that he can tap into, and if he can start elevating the ball better in games he could collect thirty round trippers. The Giants are perennial contenders for the pennant, and if Williamson gets a starting role look for him to a force at the plate.
 
Keon Broxton will be the first 30-30 player since 2012.
Keon Broxton flew under the radar last year, but the center fielder for the Brewers will not be able to do that for much longer. His unique skill set will elevate him above the competition, and Broxton will be on the road to superstardom. Broxton has some concerns, and the fact that he strikes out at a ridiculous rate is one of them. If he can keep a high batting average on balls in play he will still be on base enough to worry pitchers.
 
Freddie Freeman will be the top hitter in the National League.
Freddie Freeman did not get enough attention last year because he played on a terrible team, so he was virtually ignored when it came to MVP talk. The Braves’ new ballpark dimensions are more favorable to a lefty hitter than Turner Field, so Freeman has an extra advantage this year, even though he does not need it. It may surprise you, but in recent years Freeman put up similar numbers compared to David Ortiz, and since Ortiz is now retired, baseball fans will need to find a new favorite lefty hitter. We cannot ignore Freeman for much longer.
 
Trea Turner will be the best player on the Washington Nationals.
Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, and Daniel Murphy all play on the Nationals, but Trea Turner is really that good. Turner has blazing speed and surprising power, and with his return to his natural position of shortstop his fielding will no longer hurt his value. Something else that Turner has working for him is that he will get a chance at a full season, and in 73 games last year he hit 13 home runs and stole 33 bases. Another plus is that he will have Harper and Murphy hitting behind him, which is something almost all other hitters would covet.
 
Andrew Miller will win the American League Cy Young.
It is getting to the point where the great relievers in baseball can no longer be ignored, and Andrew Miller or the Orioles Zach Britton have the best chance to take home the coveted award. I am going with Miller over Britton because of Miller’s higher strikeout rates. If Miller takes home the award baseball writers will not only have to ignore the fact that Miller is not a starter, but also that he is not even a closer. I am guessing that if they lay aside one prejudice they can lay aside another.
 
The Athletics will make the playoffs.
It seems like the Oakland A’s are never projected to make the playoffs, but they are a team that can be put together in bits and pieces and come away with a championship caliber club. 2017 should be no exception, and even though the Athletics have already been projected to have a losing record, they quietly have a solid roster. The pitching staff will be the leading force for the A’s, with Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea being the headliners, and the lineup is solid, which makes the Athletics a legitimate contender.
 
The Houston Astros will defeat the Washington Nationals in the World Series.
The Washington Nationals are loaded with talent, but the Houston Astros are a very exciting bunch in 2017. With no mention of the Chicago Cubs or the Boston Red Sox this prediction may surprise some, but the best team in the regular season usually does not win the World Series, and last year’s Cubs were the exception to the rule. The Astros pitching staff is the biggest concern for them right now, but if Dallas Keuchel can get back to his 2015 form they will not need to worry, and I already have pegged Chris Devenski for a breakout year, which would be huge for this team. Overall, the Astros are a great team.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/m-basebl/auto_bsilarge/10896374.jpeg
 
Zack Burdi is a 6'3", 210 lb. pitcher for the University of Louisville who was undrafted out of high school. Burdi's fastball usually sits in the 95-98 miles per hour range, but he can reach triple digits at times, and his slider and changeup are both very good pitches. The Cardinals' closer is being considered both as a reliever and a starter by teams this spring, and if a team believes he can start he is a likely first round pick. Zack puts a maximum effort into his delivery, and that could scare away some teams who might take him in the first round, but his arm action is relatively clean. If Burdi is a reliever he is a quick to the big leagues future closer, and this gives him the rare combination of both a high ceiling and floor. Burdi is one of the fastest rising college pitchers in this year's draft, and if he continues to rise he could be a top twenty pick on June 6th. The Twins drafted Burdi's brother Nick in the second round of the 2014 draft, and there is beginning to be a lot of talk about Zack being the pick at #15, so he is definitely a player to be watching.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/m-basebl/auto_bsilarge/10896374.jpeg
 
Zack Burdi is a 6'3", 210 lb. pitcher for the University of Louisville who was undrafted out of high school. Burdi's fastball usually sits in the 95-98 miles per hour range, but he can reach triple digits at times, and his slider and changeup are both very good pitches. The Cardinals' closer is being considered both as a reliever and a starter by teams this spring, and if a team believes he can start he is a likely first round pick. Zack puts a maximum effort into his delivery, and that could scare away some teams who might take him in the first round, but his arm action is relatively clean. If Burdi is a reliever he is a quick to the big leagues future closer, and this gives him the rare combination of both a high ceiling and floor. Burdi is one of the fastest rising college pitchers in this year's draft, and if he continues to rise he could be a top twenty pick on June 6th. The Twins drafted Burdi's brother Nick in the second round of the 2014 draft, and there is beginning to be a lot of talk about Zack being the pick at #15, so he is definitely a player to be watching.

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Ian Anderson is a 6'3", 170 lb. right handed pitcher out of Shenendehowa High School in New York. Anderson has a repertoire of a mid nineties fastball, a slider that has potential as an out pitch, and a solid changeup. Ian can really pitch, as he is more than just a thrower, and his poise is very advanced for a prep player. His delivery is mechanically sound, and that will help his slight build hold up over the long season. The Vanderbilt commit could be a tough sign for the team that drafts him, but his athleticism and overall high ceiling are too much for teams to pass on him in the first round. Anderson has been compared to Walker Buehler because of their similar frames, but even if Ian stays healthy he will take a much longer time to develop than Buehler will. The Twins are a possible landing spot for Anderson, whom teams have not gotten much of a chance to see this spring because of an injury, but now that he is back on the mound he is moving up boards.

Top 60 Twins Prospects 2016:
 
1. Jose Berrios
2. Max Kepler
3. Nick Gordon
4. Jorge Polanco
5. Tyler Jay
6. Stephen Gonsalves
7. Nick Burdi
8. Lewis Thorpe
9. Kohl Stewart
10. Adam Brett Walker
11. J.T. Chargois
12. Felix Jorge
13. Engelb Vielma
14. Taylor Rogers
15. Alex Meyer
16. Brandon Peterson
17. Wander Javier
18. Jermaine Palacios
19. Jake Reed
20. LaMonte Wade
21. Tanner English
22. Lewin Diaz
23. Daniel Palka
24. Yorman Landa
25. Fernando Romero
26. Randy Rosario
27. Amaryus Minier
28. Travis Blankenhorn
29. Aaron Slegers
30. Niko Goodrum
31. Travis Harrison
32. Mason Melotakis
33. Stuart Turner
34. Mitch Garver
35. Brian Navarreto
36. Trey Cabbage
37. Trevor Hildenberger
38. Lachlan Wells
39. Rainis Silva
40. Huascar Ynoa
41. Kuo Hua Lo
42. Chris Paul
43. Corey Williams
44. Kolton Kendrick
45. Zach Granite
46. Jorge Fernandez
47. Sam Gibbons
48. Logan Darnell
49. D.J. Baxendale
50. Luke Bard
51. Michael Cederoth
52. Ryan Eades
53. Dereck Rodriguez
54. Rafael Valera
55. Luis Arraez
56. Luke Westphal
57. D.J. Hicks
58. Jason Wheeler
59. James Beresford
60. Alex Wimmers

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Joshua Lowe is a 6'4", 190 lb. two way player who is committed to Florida State University. Lowe will likely be drafted as a position player because he will hit for power as he physically matures, is an above average runner, and plays good defense. Josh will play third if he is drafted as a position player, and his great arm and quickness makes him the best defensive third baseman at the top of this year's class. As a hitter he uses a slight open stance and short stroke that helps him barrel up the ball well, with most scouts believing he will be an average big league hitter. The Georgia native is also getting some consideration as a pitcher, but his inconsistent secondary offerings limit his ceiling. The right handed thrower sits in the 91-93 miles per hour range with his fastball and tops out at 95. The Minnesota Twins are big fans of Lowe, who has a high ceiling as an offensive player, yet if he does not work out as a hitter they can always move him to the mound.

Below is my personal top 25 draft board along with a very brief synopsis of each player:
 
#1 - Kyle Lewis - Mercer University - OF - 6'4", 195 lb.
The best hitter in the class, but will likely move from center field to right as his career moves along.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHjMtL91tU
 
#2 - Delvin Perez - IBA (Puerto Rico) - SS - 6'3", 165 lb.
A Gold Glove caliber shortstop who's hitting is improving.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtaJ6PNt3Bo
 
#3 - Jason Groome - Barnegat (New Jersey) - LHP - 6'6", 220 lb.
Being ineligible to play on his high school baseball team will not hurt his stock. He reminds me of a healthy Brady Aiken, who was his former teammate.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ2jz0OuTro
 
#4 - Nick Senzel - University of Tennessee - 3B - 6'1", 205 lb.
Senzel is a very polished hitter who has raised some questions about where his defensive home will be.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj6s5UkiuB8
 
#5 - Riley Pint - St. Thomas Aquinas (Kansas) - RHP - 6'4", 195 lb.
The flame thrower from Kansas has the highest ceiling of any pitcher from this class, but there are concerns about his delivery.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coxD18F9M0w
 
#6 - Corey Ray - Louisville - OF - 5'11", 185 lb.
Ray is a smooth hitting center fielder who was not talked about very much coming out of an Illinois high school, but has broke at Louisville.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87MWG-5mV9k
 
#7 - Blake Rutherford - Chaminade College Prep (California) - OF - 6'2", 190 lb.
The top high school hitter from the United States has enough tools to be an all-star at the big league level.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zr8UaFx4ng
 
#8 - AJ Puk - University of Florida - LHP - 6'7", 230 lb.
The big lefty has not pitched as well as people hoped he would, but he still has a high enough ceiling to be in the top ten.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBPIfADmcHU
 
#9 - Josh Lowe - Pope (Georgia) - 3B/RHP - 6'4", 190 lb.
The Georgian has enough potential to be a top ten pick as either a pitcher or an infielder.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbS9R2AVEM
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsAes1cnLIM
 
#10 - Connor Jones - University of Virginia - RHP - 6'2", 200 lb.
Jones is a power pitcher who does not get a whole lot of strikeouts, but has still pitched well this spring.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RuepXaBGRY
 
#11 - Logan Shore - University of Florida - RHP - 6'1", 210 lb.
The Minnesota boy has the best pitchability in the draft.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_XsAbBow7w
 
#12 - Ian Anderson - Shenendehowa (New York) - RHP - 6'3", 170 lb.
Anderson has shot up draft boards this spring, but he could be a tough sign.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0CF1acgJnA
 
#13 - Will Benson - The Westminster Schools (Georgia) - OF - 6'6", 220 lb.
Another athletic Georgian who could pay big dividends to the team that drafts him.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4QE8b93Fow
 
#14 - Daulton Jefferies - University of California - RHP - 6'0", 180 lb.
Jefferies has the same kind of size and stuff that Logan Shore has.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2yWUM4rK7M
 
#15 - Mickey Moniak - La Costa Canyon (California) - OF - 6'2", 190 lb.
The center fielder from southern California is a solid hitter whose athleticism will be a plus.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx_mP-ZZuP0
 
#16 - Kevin Gowdy - Santa Barbara (California) - RHP - 6'4", 170 lb.
Gowdy is a slender righty from the baseball hotbed of southern California who has good pitchability.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvQkQv5KoUI
 
#17 - Nolan Jones - Holy Ghost (Pennsylvania) - SS - 6'4", 185 lb.
Jones probably will not stick at shortstop, but could instead become a great hitter who could play all over the diamond.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sszk0W9QGUE
 
#18 - Alex Speas - McEachern (Georgia) - RHP - 6'4", 190 lb.
The righty from Georgia has filthy stuff that could one day put him at the top of a rotation, but he has a relatively low floor.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_FvLphEuk
 
#19 - Chris Okey - Clemson - C - 5'11", 195 lb.
Okey is the best catcher in the class and has hit well this spring.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_FOH8w_TwI
 
#20 - Braxton Garrett - Florence (Alabama) - LHP - 6'3", 190 lb.
Garrett has a terrific curve that he pairs with a solid fastball, which gives him some big upside.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzpL3zmwWYw
 
#21 - Eric Lauer - Kent State - LHP - 6'3", 205 lb.
The crafty lefty has pitched to the tune of microscopic ERA of 0.90 and 11.04 strikeouts per nine this spring.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvLFkqzuUqE
 
#22 - Alec Hansen - Oklahoma University - RHP - 6'7", 235 lb.
Hansen has been terrible this spring, but he still has a ton of upside.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyEukxrhB-0
 
#23 - Dakota Hudson - Mississipi State - RHP - 6'5", 205 lb.
The righty from Tennessee has thrown so well this spring that he is beginning to shoot up draft boards.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uO3eLZWCPA
 
#24 - Bryan Reynolds - Vanderbilt - OF - 6'2", 210
The best player from the baseball factory of Vanderbilt is an on base machine that should stick in centerfield.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjuhIkDv2A
 
#25 - Jordan Sheffield - Vanderbilt - RHP - 6'0", 185 lb.
Sheffield comes from a baseball family that includes Gary and Justus Sheffield, but Jordan is making a name for himself at Vanderbilt where he has struck out 11.45 batters per nine.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9qVReXfD8

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/48490219ecb45dfdc7394e363d72ad00f93ab68b/c=0-162-3456-2754&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/FortMyers/2014/11/03/twinsmolitorbasebalbuit.jpg
Steve Senne, AP
 
Early on Monday morning Terry Ryan heard loud clamoring outside his office at 1 Twins Way which he thought sounded like some unruly protestors, and upon getting up out of his chair he realized that he was right, but instead of being greeted by angry, old, white men shouting, "Make the bullpen great again!" or mourning the loss of Blaine Boyer or Doug Bernier he was met by a bunch of millennials. These people seemed to have taken a dislike to the Minnesota Twins' baseball hats which are adorned with the familiar TC logo, and were claiming that it was showing obvious hatred and intolerance. A shocked Ryan stepped back and said, "How so? And why are you blaming me? I never had the authority to make that decision!" He was answered with the throats of about sixty, and was able to pick out of the babble, "It stands for Totally Canadian!" "Terrible Cuban!" "TED CRUZ!" Ryan was horrified that they would take a baseball hat so out of proportion, but hoping to pacify them he asked, "What do you want us to do?" to which they replied, "Change the hat logo to the initials of our candidate!" Seeing that they hadn't been clear about who they were endorsing, he found it necessary to ask who it might be, and found out it was Bernie Sanders. Ryan withdrew to have a meeting with Mr. St. Peter and Mr. Pohlad, and when they found out about the demands they wholeheartedly agreed to meet them. Mass production will begin shortly, and upon the completion of the product a free hat will be sent to every man, woman, and child living in Twins Territory, and embroidered on it will be:
 
Brought to you by the Twins front office, BS.
 
 
An extra note:
The headline the next day for Salon was: Years of injustice end, Minnesota Twins Finally feel the Bern!, meanwhile on Breitbart: Ryan once again caves to liberals....

Luke Pettersen is an infielder on the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher baseball team. He is currently studying entrepreneurial management, marketing, baseball, and video games.
 
My love for baseball began long before I knew how to pick up a bat. The first day I arrived home from the hospital, I hunkered into a sling close to my dad’s chest while he chased my brothers around the bases in the backyard (it seems the youngest child doesn’t get the royal treatment).
 
As I grew older, I perched on his back in the third base coaching box where I held the best view for all the little league games. My parents frequently recall the first time I held a bat and how I wiggled it and squatted low into my stance, peering at an imaginary pitcher on the mound. In my opinion, I’m just lucky I watched more left-handed hitters those first few years.
 
I first learned competition in the backyards of a suburban neighborhood. In a community full of future collegiate athletes, the older and more developed opponents tended to prevail. And as kids do, I looked up to all of them. So naturally, I tagged along day after day, even through defeat.
 
One of my biggest role models emerged from that neighborhood crew, my brother AJ, who some of you may be familiar with through his posts on Twins Daily. I had the privilege of watching his career unfold as a division I, and eventually, professional baseball player. All the while, I focused on my own aspirations, following in his footsteps to one day wear the maroon and gold.
 
I accomplished my goal through numerous failures, lots of video, an incredibly supportive family, and a little bit of luck. It’s an odd feeling when a dream becomes a reality… but for me, it has simply triggered greater ambitions.
 
Through a year and a half of collegiate baseball I have formed friendships around the country, experiencing the highs of highs and the lows of lows, sharing abundant laughs and most significantly, learning about myself.
 
I like turf, knocking a three pointer with a hand in my face, moms frozen dinners, and hitting tees. I dislike snow (unless there’s enough to cancel class), rocks in the infield, and Brussels sprouts.
 
I hope to share insight into the everyday life of a collegiate athlete, from the ups and downs of road trips, to the hours of video games in the offseason.
 
If there’s anything you’d like me to write about, leave a comment. I’m all ears.
 
Go around the bases and learn more about me at http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/103015aaa.html
 
 
You can follow Luke on twitter @Lpett47