UPDATE: MLB Draft - Top 3B

1. Matt Davidson - Yucaipa (Calif.) HS -6-2, 225… hits for average… Aflac All-America (won HR derby)… David Wright type ceiling… homered in first game in 2009… 18 years old… Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, CA. 6′3, 210, Bats R, Throws R… verbally committed to Southern Cal… one of the best power hitters in this year's high school class… very good pull power… covers the plate well… speed is average… strong arm… could move to 1B soon… from realsportsbloggers, who picked Matt 23rd overall: This one was a tough one, and with the Nationals are back on the board, and they will have their choice between the top college lefty or the beginnings of the top of the prep class. With Strasburg already in the fold, the Nationals might choose one of the prep bats in an effort to keep some money free to sign some other guys in the lower rounds. That doesn’t mean they won’t get a top talent. Matt Davidson is the top prep bat in this draft. He is a big kid that might not remain at the hot corner, but his bat is good. His best tool is his bat, his power potential in particular, which is among the highest among the prep bats in this drat class. In addition, he also makes decent contact and has shown the beginnings of some plate discipline. There have been some reports that he has improved his defense to the point where he’s tolerable, and could be acceptable in time. So, Davidson is my pick here…for now anyway. The Astros haven’t been known to make the best draft picks when their turn comes up.


2. Kyle Seager - North Carolina… junior… 6-1/187… also plays 3B… L/R… second team All-America in 2008… .381 (45-118) with 32 RBI in 29 ACC games… considered a pure hitter… pro arm… 2009 thru 4-1-09: .376, 1HR, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs in 28 G, .523 slug%, .461 OBP, 6-6 SB… good overall hitting ability though only limited power…

3. Joey Rendon – (previously unranked) – College of Charleston… thru 5/6: .457/14 HRs/49 RBIs

4. Anthony Rendon – (previously unranked) – Rice… thru 5/6: .374

5. Troy Channing (previously unranked) – St. Mary’s CA… thru 5/6: .377/19 HRs…


6. Chris Dominguez - Louisville… junior… 6-4, 240… R/R… 2009 Sporting News Preseason Player Of The Year… 2008: .365/13 doubles/21HR/75RBI. Drafted in the 5th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2008… massive… crushes the ball… too many Ks… A+ power… MLB arm… through 4/23: .340/.450/.613, 10 HRs… has refined his swing, walk rate much higher this season… defense still an issue…


7. Jayce Boyd - J.M. Tate Senior HS (FL)… 6-3, 170, R/R… very talented defensively… named the top prospect at the 2008 Under Armour Showcase… projects out as possible 1Bman…

8. Nick Cuckovich - Lambrick Park Secondary… 6-2, 190… RH… compact swing… excellent defensive player, especially arm speed… 7.07 in the 60…

9. Richard Shaffer - senior, Providence Sr. H.S. (NC)… 6-3, 190 R/R… heavy duty bat… projects out as a 30+ HR threat… not the best third baseman and could project out as a 1B….

10. Stuart Tapley - FSU… 5-10, 204… R/R… First team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Rivals.com… 2008: .383/.472 OBP…

11. Mike Spina - Cincinnati… senior… 6-0, 219, R/R… drafted by the Twins in the 45th round of the 2008 draft… 2008: 21 HRs, 79 RBIs

12. Kevin Mahoney - Canisius… senior… 6-0, 195, L/R… all-time school leader in runs scored, hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases… named 2008 Rawlings Coastal Plains Offensive Player of the Year: .324/47R/13 HR46 RBI/.593 SLG

13. Jacob Lamb - Bishop Blanchet HS… 6-3, 190 senior… slow 7.28 in 60… above-average arm…

14. Tom Mendonca – Fresno State – as of 4-7, best hitting 3B in nation: .327/.437/.700

15. Derek Spencer – Bowling Green – junior – named MAC player of the week 4/27… hitting for season as of 4/27: .384

16. Tony Thompson – (previously unranked) – Kansas… thru 5/6: .363/15 HRs…

17. Dan DiBartolomeo – (previously unranked) – West Virginia… thru 5/6: .417

18. Brent Greer – (previously unranked) – Western Carolina… thru 5/6: .414…

19. Rawley Bishop – (previously unranked) – Middle Tennessee State… thru 5/6: .389/9 HRs…

20. Jake Smith – (previously unranked) – Alabama… thru 5/6: .357/16 HRs…

21. Brian Besl – (unlisted) – Ohio… senior… 5/11: named MAC player of the week: .583 OBP…