2-12-21 - Sun Belt -
Player of the Year: Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama
Wilson was voted a first-team Preseason All-American by major league scouting directors and is a projected first-round pick. He can do a bit of everything at the plate and hit .282/.329/.465 with three home runs and six stolen bases. He has a lot to live up to between his draft status and winning both the conference’s player and freshman of the year awards in 2019, but he has the tools to be one of the best hitters in the country.
Mack’s spin -
Wilson will be a late first round pick.
2-12-21 - Sun Belt -
Pitcher of the Year: Aaron Funk, RHP, Arkansas-Little Rock
Funk was excellent in 2020 and threw two gems to close out the season. He on March 1 struck out 17 batters against North Alabama and then held Southern Mississippi to one run in a five-hitter the following week. He finished the season 2-0, 2.01 with 37 strikeouts and eight walks in 31.1 innings. Now, the fourth-year junior will lead the Trojans rotation and look to build on that success.
Mack’s spin -
The first I have heard about the Funk man.
Will watch out for more into on him.
2-11-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB
If you're a believer in two-sport athletes, Jay Allen is your flavor. A 3-star QB is committed to play baseball and football for the University of Miami. He plays a fantastic centerfield, good runner, and can really handle a stick.
Mack’s spin -
I agree with Joe.
Allen has ++ defensive skills in center, blazing speed, and is already a good spray hitter.
A solid second day pick.
2-11-21 - Ian Smith @FlaSmitty
His name is James Wood. Oppo 2 run HR off a Brandon Barriera SL. Look at this hand strength.
98 off the bat, 371ft.
Doug @FTLO_Baseball
Top FL HS's going at it last few days and I am falling in love with James Wood. Every club has important eyes down at these games, and you better believe Wood is on the Mets radar.
Mack’s spin -
Wood is a solid first round pick.
Needs to work some on his defensive game but this is pure power from this projected right fielder.
2-11-21 - Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB
Jonathan Santucci entered 2020 as a bat, but after touching 94 w/a CB and CH as a lefty, some scouts now view the Mass. native as a pot. arm. Regardless, he's one of the best athletes in the 2021 class. He'll be in play in the Top 100 picks.
Mack’s spin -
I project Santucci as a late second day outfield pick.
2-10-21 - Big West -
Pitcher of the Year: Trenton Denholm, RHP, UC Irvine
Denholm was the pick for this award last year and after he opted to return to UCI for a fourth season due in part to the shortened draft, he’s the pick again. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff but has an advanced feel for pitching and control and is difficult to square up. For his career with the Anteaters, Denholm is 15-14, 2.96 with 166 strikeouts and 55 walks and a 1.07 WHIP in 198 innings. He also excelled in the Cape Cod League, where he did not allow an earned run in 31.2 innings over two summers.
Mack’s spin -
A solid second day pick.
2-10-21 - Dan Zielinski III @DanZielinski3
Eric Cerantola (@Eric_Cerantola4) hopes to take the next step in his development this spring. Read about the @HailStateBB right-handed pitcher's development, skills and status as a top #MLBDraft prospect here:
Joe @JoeDoyleMiLB
We've been very public about our 2021 expectations for Eric Cerantola at @ProspectsLive. Firmly believe he has some of the, if not the best pure stuff in the class.
Mack’s spin -
I have Cerantola as a solid second round pick.
I am currently determining where he ranks there and it will be posted up soon in my current mock draft postings.
2-9-21 - Perfect Game Florida @Florida_PG
Jose Pena (2021 FL) looked good through 3 scoreless earlier. Easy athleticism, sat 92-94 with good life. Breaker flashed some sharp bite in the upper-70s.
Vinnie Cervino @vcervinoPG
Pena filled it up for the most part, easy to see a lot more velo given the athleticism too. He’s steadily improved over the past calendar year and he’s a #mlbdraft name to monitor.
Mack’s spin -
Prospect Live projects him in the 200th pick range.
I simply don’t have enough info on this guy to make an educated guess.
2-9-21 - Perfect Game Florida @Florida_PG
Jac Caglianone (2021, Plant HS) smokes this the other way for his second single of the night. Power hitting LHH who’s made strides on the mound and started tonight’s game
Vinnie Cervino @vcervinoPG
One of the bigger risers in the early going of this #mlbdraft cycle, Caglianone was electric early. Up to 96 with flashes of a plus, hammer SL @ 80-84. Big angle and easy athleticism, a ton to dream on
Mack’s spin -
This is the first I have heard of Cagil… Jac.
We’ll keep a look see out for more info on him.
2-9-21 - Big 10 Preview -
Player of the Year: Grant Richardson, OF, Indiana.
Richardson had a strong freshman season in 2019 but was well on his way to a breakout 2020. He hit .424/.453/.797 with five home runs in 14 games. He was leading the Big Ten in home runs, slugging percentage and runs (21) early in the season and gives the Hoosiers an anchor for what has the potential to be a high-powered offense.
2-9-21 - Big 10 Preview -
Pitcher of the Year: Steven Hajjar, LHP, Michigan.
This is a year for premium pitching in the Big Ten and Hajjar enters the season with the highest profile. The third-year freshman has limited innings under his belt in college because he missed the 2019 season due to a torn ACL, but he was outstanding in the early going in 2020. He has three above-average pitches, and his 6-foot-5 frame makes for a tough at-bat.
7 comments:
Aaron Funk, I just read, is 6'5", 215, and 2 days ago, Baseball America wrote this: Pitcher of the Year: Aaron Funk, RHP, Arkansas-Little Rock ... The Louisiana native has a powerful arm and can run his fastball up to 97 mph.
Sounds like a real climber to me. I guess Funk doesn't throw Junk.
Again, lots of talent from various guys.
Mack, in the 1840's, you would have been out in California, sifting thru silt to find gold nuggets. You've found lots of gold in this draft.
Thank you Tom.
Funk is the perfect example of how deep the right handed pitcher talent goes in this draft.
With all the Gold in the draft, wonder how many will not sign and instead wait until next year where there may be less competition for $
They probably will sign THIS YEAR because next year's draft projects to be the sunami of drafts.
Mack, free agency then could be depressed in a few years as the tsunami of 2021 and 2022 draftees explode on the major league stage. Supply/demand balance could get skewed.
Mack - you always do a fantastic job with information on potential draftees. I don't know how you find the time for all the extensive research it must take. Keep up the great work.
Herb, very well said, as always.
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