Mack - Top 5 Outfielders (Projected Round Pick) in 2021 Draft

 

1.    James Wood                (projected top 10 pick)

 

OF      6-6      230      IMG Academy 

 

3-18-21 - Bleacher Nation -

 

High School Hitters - The One I Dream About Falling to 21: James Wood, OF, IMG Academy (FL). Drafting in the top 10 means that you had to endure a bad Major League season the year before, but it also means that you get to dream about getting athletes like Wood into your farm system. I see no scenario that Wood drops to the Cubs, but I wanted to put him here merely because this is to me what a first-round pick looks like.

 

3-12-21 - top hitters in draft -

 

#7. James Wood, OF

 

Perhaps one of the biggest center fielders in recent memory, the 6-6, 230-pound Wood is the class’s biggest riser, according to BA, due in part because of his added size. And the center field position reportedly isn’t a gimmick, either, as the 18-year-old Wood is said to have ran a 6.7-second 60-yard dash at PG National. In terms of the discrepancy between different sites, this one most likely is the largest. Wood ranks within the top 10 at BA, however at FanGraphs, he’s listed as a first baseman/DH with a scary profile at no. 72. Either way, there appears to be a ton of upside.

 

2.        Sal Frelick                    (projected 1st round pick)

 

OF      5-9     175     Boston College 

 

3-18-21 - Bleacher Nation -

 

College Hitters - The One I Dream About Falling to 21: Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College. The college hitter class seems not great this year, with a lot of struggles from some of the buzzier preseason names (Louisville’s Alex Binelas, Arkansas’ Christian Franklin, even Florida’s Jud Fabian). This has probably allowed for Frelick to jump firmly into the top 15, which is not the place you’d usually expect to find a 5-foot-9 outfielder. But I have to tell you: I love this kid’s swing, particularly the bat speed that I think won’t be overwhelmed at even the highest level.

 

 3-12-21 - royals review -

 

Since the summer, Sal Frelick started to take his game to the next level. Ticketed to play in the Cape Cod League, he had to take his game back to the Futures League after Covid shutdown the Cape season. He started the season there with a 17 game hitting streak which helped him put up a season line of .398/.473/.592 with three home runs in 24 games. Those numbers earned him League Top Prospect honors while showing a power uptick. That power has carried over to the college season with four home runs in his first 11 games after hitting just six in his first 54. His home run on Sunday against Auburn tied up the game after BC had started the inning trailing 9-1, eventually helping his team secure a series victory over the SEC school.

 

That power was the last aspect of the game that he needed. Now he looks like the full package with a gamer’s mentality, speed, power, and instincts. Before the season, the #7 pick may have been a stretch for Frelick, but if he continues as he has early in the season, the Royals could be lucky if he gets there.

 3.        Ethan Wilson                (projected top 15 pick)

 

OF      6-2     205     South Alabama 

 

2020 South Alabama stat line - 18-G, 71-AB, .282/.329/.465, 3-HR 

 

2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -

 

21. Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama

 

South Alabama is a pro-ball factory. In addition to serving as a launching pad for former All-Stars like Luis Gonzalez, David Freese, Lance Johnson, and Jon Lieber, the Jaguars have had 10 players popped in the past six drafts. The next South Alabama player to join the ranks will be Wilson, who has put himself on the radar by hitting .330/.425/.632 with 20 homers and 24 stolen bases for his collegiate career. Scouts have some concern about his long-term defensive value (he's a left fielder) and the stiffness in his swing, which has resulted in a 20-percent K rate. His feel for the zone and for hard contact should still enable him to go sometime in the first round. 

 

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.

4.        Jud Fabian                    (projected top 15 pick)

Mack - Fabian's stock has been dropping lately due to a, so far, horrible season.

 

OF    6-2     195     Florida 

 

3-12-21 - top hitters in draft -

 

#11. Jud Fabian, OF

 

One of the youngest college players in this class (doesn’t turn 21 until September), Fabian still has the experience of many players older than him as he’s already completed two seasons at the University of Florida. With the Gators as a freshman in 2019, Fabian started and played in 56 games, hitting .232 with 7 home runs before figuring things out in the Cape Cod League the following year, where he finished with a .290 AVG and 6 HR in 35 games. Scouts claim that Fabian has all-fields power, and at 6-2, 195 pounds, he could develop even more as he grows into his body. Defensively, he’s said to take solid routes in center field as well. So far in 2021, Fabian is hitting .273 with 5 homers through his first 13 games (including a game-tying RBI double against rival Miami back on February 22… shown above).

 

 3-1-21 - Prospect Live -

 

JUD FABIAN, OF, FLORIDA

 

10 FOR 22 (.455/.538/1.000) 4 HR, 12 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K

 

Oh what a difference a week can make. After stumbling out of the blocks, Fabian made up for lost time this week blistering pitches over the fence. Fabian was selling out for the fastball, and when he got one, he was swinging through it. Chalk it up as first day of school jitters.

 

Fabians’s four homers in five games came against Samford and North Florida, certainly less imposing programs than the Miami Hurricanes he opened with. Still a healthy amount of strikeouts in there for the Ocala, Fla. star, but his easy power is back and it certainly put on a show this week. Fabian nearly hit five homers this week had it not been for a spectacular play made by the Samford centerfielder.

 

Given the loud tools across the board and performances on the field, there’s no reason to sway on Fabian near the top of the first round, but the swing-and-miss will be something to monitor.

5.        Joshua Baez                (projected 2nd round pick)

 

OF      6-3     220     Dexter Southfield HS (MA) 

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

22. Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter Southfield HS, Brookline, Mass.

 

Baez has plus-plus raw power that is intriguing even if it comes with a less-than-ideal setup and swing. He's also been clocked at 97 mph off the mound. 

 

2-27-21 - top hs players -

 

Joshua Baez – Baez has as much raw power as anyone in the class, and he has a very strong arm that is perfect for right field. He strikes out a bit too much, but if he tones down his big swings he could excel in pro ball.

  

2-18-21 - PG - Top HS Prospects -

 

6 Joshua Baez

 

6-3  220  R/R OF Boston, MA Vanderbilt

 

Physical build with standout tools; big present power & more to come; big performance at WWBA Underclass with the bat; up to 92 mph as well. The Elite tools were on displays at the PG National and pretty polished in the box too. Big raw velocity on the mound, as well, peaking at 96.