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3/19/17

Mack – Top Seven First Basemen in 2017 MLB Draft


Good morning.

This is the current consensus ranking of first basemen eligible for the draft. I will update and post this up to Draft Day. Currently, only seven cut the mustard.

The top seven are –

1.     Pavin Smith                   Virginia

When The Giants Come To Town: - Pavin Smith is a powerful 1B prospect from Univ. of Virginia, 1 of just 7 college hitters in mlb.com's top 50 draft prospects.  He can both hit and hit for power with strong walk rates and relatively low K rates(note the reversed K/BB in 2016 college season).  Since he's pretty much limited to 1B, he's going to have to hit a ton, but he appears to be capable of doing just that.



2.     Alex Toral                      Archbishop Edward McCarthy HS (FL)

Road To Wrigley:- Big, physical 2017 player that has a strong mature body. Left-handed bat is carrying tool with a simple, clean stroke that has very good leverage to it. Ball jumps off his bat, he is comfortable driving balls gap to gap with lots of raw power when the ball is lofted. His natural stroke is more suited for deep line drives, where he cuts the ball in half – though he did hit a few big BP home runs. Very few holes in his swing for a young hitter.



3.     Tim Elko                          Hillsborough Senior HS (FL)

Perfect Game: - Big power potential. Raked all summer long at WWBA. PG All American



4.     J.J. Matijevic                 Arizona

Scout: - Always known as an advanced bat, Matijevic has an explosive swing from the left-side. The load and ability to utilize his lower half have shown above-average power potential, helped by a swift and smooth line drive swing. The power numbers have not shown up just yet, but Matijevic has shown good extension at the end of his swing and added a bit of loft which should see the home run totals rise. Matijevic does have a strong approach, but is still learning to make adjustments. With time, he should become an all around plus hitter with plus power potential.



5.     Evan White                    Kentucky

Baseball America: - Watch White scoop throw after throw at first, watch him antagonize opposing pitchers—he hit .376/.419/.535 in 2016—and it’s clear just how much Votto has rubbed off on him. Now a junior, White has established himself as one of the premier first basemen in the country, winning a gold glove in 2016, playing for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team over the summer and ranking No. 33 overall on the preseason College Top 100 draft prospects.



6.     Ryan Noda                     Cincinnati

BearCat Journal: - Noda was promoted to the varsity team near the end of his freshman season and blossomed into a star. As a junior, he batted .497 with 16 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Last season, he hit .432 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 12 homers and 14 stolen bases. He’s hoping to earn early playing time at UC.



7.     Nick Brueser                 Hamilton HS (AZ)

AZCentral: - It doesn't matter how many accolades you throw at him. Nick Brueser never stops working. After he was named the National Junior Player of the Year last high school baseball season by MaxPreps.com, the Chandler Hamilton first baseman was right back on the field, working on his hitting...




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