2019 Draft – More New Players Shooting Up the Mocks

Good morning.

Last Sunday, we told you about five players that are shooting up the mocks and need to added to your watch board.

This week, we have five more for you to read about and add to your hit list.

In no particular order, they are:

      Hunter Bishop - OF – Arizona State –

      Lone Star Ball - Hunter Bishop is a 6’5”, 210 lb., lefthanded hitting and righthanded throwing outfielder in his junior season at Arizona State. Bishop was ranked #96 on the Baseball America top 500 board in 2016 as a two-sport guy as a high school senior, but his bonus demands led to him dropping all the way to the 24th round, when the San Diego Padres drafted him, but were unable to sign him. 

BA described him as having at the time “an exciting package of athleticism, power and speed,” and his strong junior season has put to rest at least some of the questions about his hit tool. He’s fast, he has a good arm, and he has 70 raw power, so while there are some concerns he may move to a corner outfield spot from center field, he’s still considered one of the top players in the draft.

Baseball America has Bishop ranked #7 currently on their top 400 list, saying he projects as an average hitter, which, combined with his other tools, would make him a very solid major leaguer. MLB Pipeline also has Bishop ranked at #7 on their board, saying that his bat speed and power make up for the significant swing-and-miss in his game. Keith Law has Bishop at #8 on his board, as does Fangraphs.

2019 stats through 5-19:  199-AB, .362/.486/.804/1.290, 22-HR, 61-RBI

 

      Keoni Cavaco   - 3B – Eastlake HS (CA) – Bleed Cubbie - Keoni Cavaco is a prep third baseman at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California. His commitment is with San Diego State. I have no objections to San Diego State, but it’s far less of a baseball factory than most of the commitment homes of many of the top fifty options. Cavaco has been making a steady climb, and is placing at 25 as I submit this. It was lower when I started. Listed at 6-foot even and 185, Cavaco has “helium.”

      Will Wilson     - 2B – NC State –

      The Goodphight - Onto Wilson, a 6’0” 175lb NC State Junior, he’s a right handed hitting and throwing Shortstop. Scouting reports are mixed on where he’ll play as a pro. He’s an average runner, but there are plenty of slower players who are great shortstops (neither Andrelton Simmons nor Freddy Galvis are setting any land speed records). His range isn’t great, but he’s a smart player who positions himself well. His footwork is fine and his arm I have seen listed as Above Average to Plus (depending upon the report). He has played both Short and Second Base for NC State, so there’s little uncertainty he can play Second if the arm or range prove a problem at Short.

As a hitter Wilson has average power with plus bat speed. I can see a guy who could hit 15-20 Homers per year in the Majors. When I look at College hitting stats the first thing I look at K:BB ratio. I ideally want a guy with more walks than K’s. 

Barring that, I want it as close to even as possible. Wilson’s BB rate has risen every year (to 12.6% this year), while his K rate has dropped for 18.3% as a Freshman to 14.6% this year. That’s pretty close to ideal and with him maintaining a .272 ISO it’s easy to see why his draft stock is on the rise.

2019 stats through 5-19:  202-AB, .361/.450/.703, 16-HR, 56-RBI

      John Doxakis   - LHP – TAMU –

      College Baseball Daily - Another left-handed pitcher to make this list, Texas A&M’s John Doxakis turned himself into a top prospect with a stellar sophomore season. As a freshman he struggled to the tune of a 5.44 ERA in 49.2 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.37.That summer he posted a 1.08 ERA in the Alaska Summer League over 25 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.88. 

He started 14 games as a sophomore for Texas A&M and posted a 2.70 ERA in 93 innings pitched with 92 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.08.

This past summer he threw four scoreless innings in the Texas Collegiate League, while also playing for the US Collegiate National Team.

Any pitcher who puts up those numbers in the SEC will draw the attention of scouts. If Doxakis can repeat that performance as a junior he’ll do just fine in the 2019 MLB Draft.

2019 stats through 5-19: 14-starts, 7-3, 2.01, 89.2-IP, 96-K

      Spencer Jones - LHP/1B – La Costa Canyon (CA) HS - PG - Spencer Jones is a 2019 LHP/1B/OF with a 6-7 210 lb. frame from Encinitas, CA who attends La Costa Canyon HS. Very long and tall build, very lanky and physically projectable. Long time two-way prospect who has made tremendous progress as a left handed pitcher, delivery is much more compact and downhill than when previously seen, high 3/4's arm slot with a tall and fall delivery, still refining ability to repeat but clearly a primary pitcher now. 

Fastball was up to 93 mph, very good angle when down in the zone. Curveball had serious spin and power with late 1/7 biting action when he was on top of it. Flashed two plus pitches with lots of potential for more. 6.76 runner, very loose and athletic for his size.. Left handed hitter with an upper body swing and plenty of pull side juice when he gets the barrel out.