Mack - More Weekly Draft Notes

5-4-21 - BA -

 

Peyton Stovall, SS, Haughton (La.) HS — No. 37 (+41)

 

Stovall was one of the earliest risers on draft boards once the season got started and he only continues to climb. How many high school hitters in the Southeast are going to be drafted in front of him when July rolls around? The list is going to wind up being pretty short. The hit and power tools are both real and he’s been one of the best prep performers in the country, tallying his 15th home run of the season last week.

 

Mack’s spin -

Moved him up to my 4^th second baseman.

 

5-4-21 - BA -

 

Matt Mikulski, LHP, Fordham — No. 40 (+85)

 

Mikulski shortened up his arm action—which you can see here—this year, increased his stuff and has essentially dominated the Atlantic 10 Conference every time he’s taken the mound. He posted his sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season on Saturday against Massachusetts, when he punched out 11 batters and walked four over 5.2 innings. That made him the second pitcher among Division I arms to reach 100 strikeouts on the season (Jack Leiter was first) and he’s sitting with a 1.33 ERA, 102 strikeouts and 23 walks. He’s one of several college lefthanders who are moving up boards, though certainly the most prominent.

 

Mack’s spin -

My 21^st southpaw.

 

5-4-21 - BA -

 

Matheu Nelson, C, Florida State — No. 43 (+258)

 

Nelson was unranked on our previous list, which is an indictment on us and also a credit to what he’s done this season. After OPSing .885 as a freshman in 2019 and .794 during the shortened 2020 season, Nelson has exploded this season, hitting .341/.445/.867 with 20 home runs and a massive 1.312 OPS. Pair those numbers with defensive tools that scouts think have a chance to be above-average and it’s hard to see Nelson lasting very long at all come draft time. If he keeps hitting at this sort of pace for the rest of the season a No. 43 ranking will seem light.

 

Mack’s spin -

A rise of 258 slots!

I’m telling ya… when this draft starts, this kid could wind up being a first round pick.

 

5-3-21 - Prep Baseball Report  @prepbaseball

 

Player of the Year Watch

 

Chase Petty tossed a complete game, no hitter with 18 strikeouts (sat 95-99 mph) while helping himself at the dish w/ a 2-run bomb.

 

Mack’s spin -

You can see why I had this kid early on as my 1.10 pick.

Right now… my 11^th RHP in the 2^nd round.

 

5-3-21 - Lookout Landing -

 

Will Bednar

 

Final Thoughts - Frankly, you have the Justin Dunn starter kit here. It’s a good fastball, comfortably above average with the potential of a plus offering with some refinement at the next level. It’s a wicked breaking ball with big, aggressive two-plane break; a true swing-and-miss slider. The changeup will be a big undertaking and important should he reach his low 3/high 4 ceiling in a rotation. There’s certainly a non-zero chance Bednar ends up in a bullpen for a championship team, but if for some reason this type of arm talent falls to the beginning of the second round, the Mariners should have interest.

 

Mack’s spin -

I have Bednar as my 12^th RHP, just behind Chase Petty.

 

5-3-21 - Danny Hacker @theGREATdanny94

 

I notice he’s not in here but what do you think of prep RHP Michael Morales? I really like him a lot. His commitment to Vandy might be a strong pull but I feel like he could be a 2nd Round/Comp B Pick Arm

 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

He's in my next 20. I haven't seen enough of him to form a definitive opinion on him yet. There's definitely upside there. I like the arm-speed and athleticism on the mound, but he doesn't have the "now" stuff a lot of the guys above him do imo

 

Mack’s spin -

 My 37^th RHP.

 

 5-1-21 - the good phight -

 

Khalil Watson is a 5’11”, 170lb left handed hitter, committed to NC State. He just turned 18 less than a month ago. Watson isn’t tall, but he’s solidly built and could add additional weight to his frame. Small risk he could grow out of SS, but his arm would work at 3rd and should keep plenty of range for Second. At present he has average range and he has the good footwork to sometimes make hard plays look easy. He has a plus arm, but he also has a tendency to drop his arm slot and rush throws, sometimes creating unexpected adventures for his First Baseman. His plus speed shows up in his defense, though as he adds weight, he may end up more of an average runner when he fully matures. He’s aggressive on the basepaths (sometimes maybe too aggressive), which may need some refinement as he matures. I’ve seen a few comps for him to our own Jean Segura, in terms of build and defensive ceiling.

 

Mack’s spin -

 There are four great shortstops on this draft.

 I have Wilson as #5 on this list.

  

5-1-21 - Boston Herald =

 

Josh Baez, born in the Dominican Republic, has been atop MLB draft boards since the calendar turned to 2021. The Vanderbilt commit is ranked as the No. 24 draft prospect on MLB.com, and the top 50 in Baseball America and Perfect Game. While Baez’s usual position is center field, he has also shown potential on the mound, getting up into the upper 90s consistently, including flashing more than a handful of 98s on the radar gun this spring.

 

Mack’s spin -

 Baez is easily one of the top power bats in this draft. Some have him as #1.

 I have him coming off my board as my 8^th outfielder.

 

 5-1-21 - Ian Smith @FlaSmitty  

 

Happy Sunday, let’s take a look into my personal Top 100 as we are now just about 2 months out from the 2021 #MLBDraft

 

- 1.1 is a very fluid situation, and should be a fun couple months.

 

- Biggest risers - Varnado, Sweeney, Mikulski, Kath

https://t.co/3EVhssy7y1 

 

 5-1-21 - Ian Smith @FlaSmitty

 

2021 LHP Anthony Solometo brought every bit of his funk today against Don Bosco. 11 K in 5 no-hit IP in a 10-0 Bishop Eustace Win.

FB 91-94 T95  SL 79-83

 

Mack’s spin -

 Solomento seems to improving his draft status this season.

 I have him as my 7^th LHP.