2019 Draft – Top Five Third Baseman in the Draft

Good morning.

         

Josh Jung – Texas Tech

          6-2, 215, R/R

2080 Baseball - 

After a strong freshman season in which he slashed .306/.395/.453 on his way to being named the top freshman in the Big-12, Jung outdid himself as a sophomore. This spring, the Texas Tech infielder is leading the conference in hitting (.384), on-base percentage (.490), runs (68), and RBI (77) as the Red Raiders continue their post-season run into Super Regionals.

There’s plenty of physicality in his broad-shouldered frame, making him an imposing figure in the batter’s box. Jung takes professional at-bats, controlling the strike zone and punishing any mistake that catches too much plate. A gap-to-gap hitter, Jung’s raw power is at least above-average, with additional projection remaining. He’s a below-average runner, with limited range at the hot corner, but his hands and footwork are both adequate and his arm is plus, with easy carry across the diamond. Jung’s strong spring earned him a spot on the Collegiate National Team this summer where he’ll slot into on a highly impressive infield with big time offensive chops.

         
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At the plate is where Jung really shines. The young infielder has a lightning-quick bat and simple stroke, which he uses to drive balls to the gaps. Thus far, Jung hasn’t shown a ton of home run power, and his style at the plate might make him more of a plus contact/average power bat, but there is raw power in his frame that may yet be untapped. This will likely be the part of Jung’s profile on which evaluators are divided most- but personally I’m not sure Jung needs to hit for a ton of power to be valuable. Jung has a strong approach- patient, but not passive- and there is some projection still remaining in his 6’2” frame. I tend to be very high on hitters who couple plus bat speed with feel, and Jung checks both boxes emphatically.

Though he won’t provide much value with his glove or legs, Jung nonetheless has the look of a first-round pick at this point thanks to his feel for hitting. Having demolished Big-12 pitching for two years straight, including a 2017 campaign that earned him Top Big-12 Freshman honors, Jung’s bat can’t have many doubters remaining. The cornerstone of a solid Texas Tech club, Jung will have plenty of eyes on him in the spring and could be a Golden Spikes threat if he can maintain his torrid 2018 pace. Personally, I am high on his ability to do so.

         

         

          Rece Hinds – Niceville HS (FL)

                  

6-4, 210, R/R                                   

Perfect Game – 

Hinds is a 2019 SS/3B/OF with a 6-4 210 lb. frame from Niceville, FL who attends Niceville HS. Big and strong athletic build, long arms and room to get stronger. Third base tools defensively, has outstanding raw arm strength, good one spot lower half quickness and athleticism. Right handed hitter, elite level power with big raw bat speed and extension through contact, can get long and around the ball at times but can launch them to where others can't when everything comes together, has the ability to drive the right centerfield gap at times as well.

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Like Bobby Witt Jr., Hinds played up last summer, joining the 2018 draft class during several showcase events. His standout tool is his prodigious power from the right side, a result of equal parts bat speed and sheer strength. That strength was on display at the Under Armour All-America Game last July, as the then 17-year-old snapped his wood bat over his knee with relative ease when frustrated with his performance in the homerun derby.

Currently a shortstop, Hinds may soon grow off the position, with third base or a corner outfield spot being the most obvious landing spot. His arm would be an asset at either spot, although his below average speed could make him a better fit for the hot corner. Hinds is an LSU commit and while Tigers seemingly have done well to get many their top 2018 recruits to Baton Rouge, getting a premier talent such as Hinds to campus is always a difficult proposition.

                  

                  

          Drew Mendoza – Florida State

      

    6-4, 200, L/R

Fueled By Sports - 

Mendoza started to turn heads when he hit a 93 mph fastball from Brady Singer out of the park. He has a smooth, fluid swing that generates tremendous bat speed. Line driver with very good plate approach and power potential, more of a doubles hitter at this point. Mendoza will most likely grow out of shortstop and looks like a future third baseman at this point in his development. He has a strong arm and an above average glove, so he should make a solid big league third baseman.

         

                  

          Tyler Callihan – Providence Christian HS (FL)

                 

  6-1, 200, L/R

    

MyMLB.com -  "Some evaluators believe that Callihan is a first-round-caliber hitter thanks to a strong lefthanded swing and consistent hard contact. He likely won’t fit in the middle of the infield but has a chance to stick at third base with continued work, though could still move to first base. "

          Perfect Game - 

Tyler Callihan is a 2019 SS/2B/3B with a 6-1 200 lb. frame from Neptune Beach, FL who attends Providence HS. Big and strong athletic build, pretty mature physically. Left handed hitter, hits from a wide base, lots of bat speed with quick hands and the ability to whip the barrel, very adaptable swing, will stay inside frequently and line the ball around the middle of the field but has the ability to turn and lift when he recognizes his pitch, has always hit high level pitching and is one of the most experienced hitters in the class, highest level performance record. 7.08 runner, is light and quick on his feet for his size, has sure quick hands at the ball and good arm strength, solid at second base now but has the tools for third as well.

          
                  Brett Baty -  Lake Travis HS (TX)

                 

  6-3, 210, L/R

  Perfect Game  - Brett Baty is a 2019 3B/1B with a 6-3 205 lb. frame from Spicewood, TX who attends Lake Travis HS. Big and strong physical build, pretty mature physically. Left handed hitter, sets up with his hands close to his body, good flow into his swing, has lift out front, creates very good bat speed at times, pull and lift approach, drives off his back hip well, best when he gets extended through contact. 7.23 runner, has good footwork at third base with playable arm strength, balanced athletic actions. Bat is his tool.

                   2080 Baseball - Baty anchored the lineup of the Rangers team in Long Beach, putting together consistently quality at-bats with hard game contact all week at the Area Code Games. Listed at 6’3’’ and 210 pounds—though perhaps both taller and broader than that already—he’s a pro-framed body with enough present strength for game power with wood, impressive for any rising high school senior. The ball makes a different sound off his bat and jumps off the barrel to both fields from a smooth, low-effort stroke with excellent hip torque and quick hands. Baty showed he can work counts and hits with a plan, taking close pitches to get to fastball counts in a few of his plate appearances. His body type and left-handed power check the boxes of a pro third baseman, where his arm grades as average to a tick above. Baty’s range and lateral mobility are fringy, and if he moves to first base (where he already gets occasional reps) or left field, it will be more because of his actions than any problem with the arm-strength.