1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #57 Houston Hunter Morris 1B Auburn 6'2" 210 L,R
2-5: from www.collegebaseball360.com: Baseball America Pre-Season All American team: - First Team - 1B Hunter Morris, Auburn
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 50th
3-19 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Saturday: JR 1B Hunter Morris (Auburn): 2-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI, 2 R - Hunter Morris has put up good numbers so far, but he’s done it while hacking away at anything and everything remotely in the strike zone. That’s cool when you are hitting over .400 and slugging over .600, but becomes a problem when the inevitable decline in batting average comes.
2. Kevin Keyes – Texas – 6-4, 225… excellent bat speed and strength… 2nd on team in 2009 in HRs and doubles… charts out as a RFer… average arm
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: power stroke, runs well, better underway and has at least a 55-60 arm, reminds me a lot of JD Dye of the White Sox.
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: Keyes has physicality that can't be ignored at 6-4, 225 pounds. He has bat speed and strength that plays even in Texas' spacious Disch-Falk Field, as he ranks second on the team in home runs and doubles. He profiles as a right fielder with an average arm and enough speed for the position. His draft status will depend on how well he taps into his raw power.
9-30: From: http://web.usabaseball.com: - Karsten Whitson, Connor Mason and Kevin Gausman combined on a three-hitter, and an opportunistic offense took advantage of five errors as the USA Baseball 18U National Team remained unbeaten with a 19-0 run-rule shutout of Colombia Monday on Day 4 of the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Junior Championships at Daniel Canonico Stadium. Garin Cecchini made it a 3-0 game with an RBI double. The team then added four more runs in the second on Tony Wolters' two-run double and a two-run home run by Bryce Harper, a towering blast to right field. Team USA erupted for five runs in the fifth on two hits and two Columbia errors, with Brian Ragira's two-run double the big hit in the at bat. Wolters ended up with three RBIs. Harper, Cecchini, Ragira and Kavin Keyes had two apiece. Keyes also had three hits. Harper, Cecchini and Manny Machado each scored three runs.
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 17- OF Kevin Keyes – (3rd OF on list)
11-4 from www.baseballamerica.com: - Texas is moving hulking outfielder Kevin Keyes to first base, which could open up an outfield spot for freshman Cohl Walla. Keyes is still listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds but has bulked up to around 260 and lacks the mobility for the outfield.
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 22. Texas Rangers- Kevin Keyes, OF, Texas - Another first round pick for Texas. I see the Rangers staying local, and selecting the power hitting Keyes. They have been on Keyes for a while, since selecting him in the 2007 draft before he attended UT. (4th OF picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 29. 1B Kevin Keyes – Keyes would never be a first rounder, but he will move to first base from the outfield this season and his power will easily make him the top prospect at that position. That means more press and higher ranking. (only 1B on list)
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 22. Texas Rangers- Kevin Keyes, OF, Texas - Another first round pick for Texas. I see the Rangers staying local, and selecting the power hitting Keyes. They have been on Keyes for a while, since selecting him in the 2007 draft before he attended UT.
1-1-9 update: - -Guys with sinking draft stock currently include Kris Bryant, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz, and Kevin Keyes. Keyes was never in the class of the other names here, but with his weight balloon and shift to first base, he’s lost a lot of scouting value.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #64 Chicago Cubs Kevin Keyes 1B/OF Texas 6'4" 225 R,R
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: lefty power plus with solid skills at 1b. Runs good for a big kid and upside left. Project to a 280 type hitter with 20+ HR power. Playing for Team USA this summer.
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 39- 1B Andy Wilkins (1st … and only… 1B on list)
11-4 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 77th top college player in 2010
12-20 from http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=924 :
Wilson is a terrific athlete with a great swing currently projected to be selected somewhere in the mid-first round. I am normally cynical about selecting high school players too highly unless they’re rare talents like the Upton brothers. Nevertheless, I think Wilson is a wise investment.
There are tons of things to like about Wilson as an outfielder. First, the videos of Wilson are extremely impressive. He doesn’t have the youtube power of Bryce Harper, but I like how Wilson’s swing seems to be a little quicker. Harper is the better prospect, but Wilson could have an easier time adjusting to professional pitchers. He also apparently has a good background, gaining a reputation around Southern California as a great player while attending one of the best academic high schools in the United States. The obvious comparison is Marlins’ prospect Mike Stanton, another great athlete who came from another prestigious private school in Southern California.
There are several concerns about Wilson. First, since he’s a high school player, it’s entirely speculative how good Wilson will end up being. Second, Wilson only has “B-quality” speed (15 steals). If he doesn’t develop power, he projects as a decent 4th outfielder on a major league team. The final concern with Wilson is signability. Since Wilson has a scholarship offer from Stanford, he might be perfectly happy getting a great education rather than entering directly into the major leagues.
Nevertheless, on the whole, aside from Harper, Wilson is my favorite high school prospect in the upcoming draft.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #59 San Diego Andy Wilkins 1B Arkansas 6'2" 225 R,L
3-10 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/03/10/ranking-the-razorbacks-10-draft-prospects - 1. Andy Wilkins, 1B (9/13/88) - Wilkins first caught my eye in during infield drills. I was really impressed with his athleticism and agility at first base. He was smooth with soft hands and he demonstrated exceptional leaping ability. I wasn't impressed with his arm; it's only fringe-average. While first basemen are near the bottom of the defensive spectrum, Wilkins could be a plus defender at the position. With elite bat speed, a patient approach and the ability to manage the strike zone -- didn't chase pitches when I saw him -- Wilkins could be in line for a monster year. He walked almost as much as he struck out last year (16.3% BB, 17.4% K) and is off to a great start in 2010 (11 BB vs. 5 K over 53 PA). Wilkins' power numbers have been ridiculous so far. He's on pace to top 30 home runs, a total that no NCAA hitter has reached over the last three years. Zack Cox has more hype than Wilkins right now, but there's a reason why Wilkins hit third for Arkansas last weekend and Cox batted fifth. Wilkins is much more advanced. Don't be surprised if Wilkins' name starts getting thrown out there as a potential top 20 overall pick. He looked great when I saw him and he has the production to back up his tools.
4-2 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2050 - Andy Wilkins, 1b, Arkansas - "He's another guy who has had a little bit of an inconsistent start to the year. There's some games where he has a good approach up there and he's using the whole field—and he's certainly strong enough to hit the ball out of any part of the park. But he's not making a lot of consistent contact right now. He's hitting a lot of stuff off the label and with an aluminum bat that's going to work, but he's going to break a lot of bats with the way he's swinging it right now. He's OK over at first base. Balls hit to him, he's all right. Around the bag he's better than when he's fielding ground balls, but the range is limited—he's a first base-only guy. I think he's going to end up hitting because he does have a good feel up there, but it seems he's just caught in between on a lot of stuff right now and he's up there guessing a little bit. But I think he is going to hit. He's a strong kid. He's definitely got some power and when I saw him last year, it looked like his approach was a little more consistent and he was centering more balls up."
4. Conrad Gregor – Carmel HS (IN.) -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 52nd
5. Kyle Roller – East Carolina – senior… L/R
7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .326, 4-HR, 13-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 119th
6. Christian Yelich – Westlake HS (CA) – 6-3, 190, L/L - also plays OF… runs 60-yd in 6.8… arm strength questionable… projects out at 1B… one of the best pure hitters in draft…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: solid power, lefty stroke, make solid contact and adjusted well enough seeing several pitchers with different deliveries, could be a solid contributor at the ML level in 4-5 years
8-10: From www.baseballamerica.com – Area Code Games - Yelich is a and tall and thin lefthanded hitter whose sweet swing produced a long triple to right center in today’s morning game. He followed that in his next at bat with a sharp double down the left field line.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #41 – Christian Yelich – 1st 1Bman on list
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - 1B Christian Yelich - If I had to pick one guy on my list to drop off over the course of the season, I’d probably go with Yelich. That naturally begs the question of why he is on the list in the first place. Yelich is like the hitting version of Stetson Allie, an up and down prospect that can look like a late first rounder one day and a fifth round lottery ticket on the next. It gets repeated every year, but it’s important: prep players limited to first base need to be able to hit, hit, and hit some more to be taken seriously as a draft prospect.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 134th
2-25 from www.baseballamerica.com: - 2010 Preseason High School All-Americans - FIRST TEAM - 1B Christian Yelich, Westlake HS, Thousand Oaks, Calif.. .489
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com/ : - Christian Yelich, 1B, Westlake HS (CA) - Yelich has come out of the gate on fire, and he’s starting to be considered as one of the best first base prospects in this year’s class. He has a good frame, along with power and strength projection, and he’s really squaring balls this spring. Some teams may look at Yelich as a possible left fielder, too, as he’s a solid-average runner with a fringe-average arm, and I could see him as a possible Major League regular with power development. He’s still a second round player to me, but he’s on the rise.
7. Daniel Palka – Greer HS (SC) – 6-2, 190… also is LHP…
PG Cross Check has Plaka as the #2 high school prospect out of South Carolina and #124 in the nation
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 153rd
8. Mickey Wiswall - Boston College – junior… L/R… 6-0, 205… 2009: .320, 14-HR, 63-RBI… .551 slugging percentage… played the summer with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox: .305, 30-RBI… named 2009 CCBL 1st team 1st baseman
7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .323, 2-HR, 18-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game
10-28 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - voted the 84th top college player
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 132nd
3-26 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-tracker/2010/269724.html - Mickey Wiswall, 1b, Boston College - Wiswall came into the season as one of the best corner infield bats in this year's class. After all, he hit .320/.377/.551 last year with 14 home runs and followed that up by ranking second in RBIs (30), third in extra-base hits (13) and fifth in slugging (.447) in the Cape Cod League last summer. This year though, he could be slipping. It would have been a great time for Wiswall to shine, as there aren't many bats to be had, but he's not performing as well as evaluators would like, hitting .263/.359/.569 over the Eagles' first 19 games. He's a free swinger and has the skills to make consistent contact, but teams generally prefer a more patient approach from their first basemen. "I love Wiswall, I love him, but he's just another guy," a National League area scout said. "He's a borderline non-prospect right now. He can't play defense at all, they already put him at first base, and he's not hitting."
9. Blake Dean - LSU… 6-0, 193, L/L, senior … 2008 Baseball America First-Team All-American… named one of Baseball America's Top 300 High School Players of 2006. 2008: .353, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs
8-20: from www.rivals.yahoo.com: He certainly wasn’t the most athletic college player in the draft, but it still surprises me the Twins waited until the 10th round to select Dean. Even with how late he was drafted, it’s even more surprising to me that Dean decided to return to college. After a trio of outstanding campaigns for LSU, Dean has little to prove with the program. Perhaps the Twins acknowledged early in the negotiation process they wouldn’t be able to offer him a substantial contract. Only Dean really knows that. But either way, it was interesting that Dean decided to return to school. LSU coach Paul Mainieri was thrilled with his decision.
12-22 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - SR 1B/OF Blake Dean (2010) is being counted on to start the season as LSU’s primary first baseman even after getting beat up on the operating table (torn labrum and appendectomy) this past offseason. Reports on his defense at first have been extremely positive so far. I liked Dean as a prospect a lot last year, but with every extra year (and every subsequent injury) spent not developing his craft professionally it gets harder and harder to envision Dean ever holding down a starting job in the bigs. His good but not great future with the bat makes me wonder if his overall package is going to be able to carry him at a defensive position like first base that demands more than just a good bat. Getting back into the outfield at some point this season (even if only doing so pre-game for scouts on hand) would be a very, very good thing for Dean’s prospect stock. As is, he represents value as a potential money saving senior sign option (with upside, no less) between rounds five and ten.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 149th
10. Kevin Patterson – Auburn – 6-4, 220, L/R – 2009: .231, .418 slugging percentage, 6-HR, 18-RBI in 31 starts…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: power stroke, upper cut, 250-270 type hitter, also OF, not a great runner, however gets it done. Glove is ok with adequate range. Power numbers are intriguing.
10-18: from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 94th top college player
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 191st
11. Robert Shoulders – Brandon HS (FL)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 158th
12. Phil Cerreto – Longwood University -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 137th
13. Taylor Ard – Mt. Hood CC (Ore.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 144th
14. Jaren Mathews – Rutgers
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 147th
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1 – 7th pick overall - Cody Hawn 1B – Tennessee
9-25: From Blake Crosby: - Strong first basemen with a ton of power. Hit .364 with 22 HR last year for Tennessee. His height at 5'11 is his downfall but he has hit at every level for power and scouts love his makeup. Been drafted twice, once in 2007 by Milwaukee, and once out of Walters CC in 2008 by Oakland. He has played a little 3B and outfield.
12-25 from www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - named to the 2010 NCBWA 3rd team all-american squad
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - 48 Cody Hawn 1B Tennessee 5'11" 202 L,R
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - First Team: Cody Hawn, Tennessee
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 196th
4-2 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2050 - Cody Hawn, 1b, Tennessee - "Hawn can hit. That's what he does. He hurt his shoulder early on in the year, but it hasn't really hurt him at the plate at all. The tough thing is, he really just has no position. It's kind of painful watching him because he's a great kid. From seeing him at Walters State (JC) a few years ago to last year and this year, he's probably the most consistent guy I've ever seen with run times—he's always giving a good effort—but it's 4.65 to 4.7. He's really a guy that's going to be tough for a National League team to take. He's got good feel for hitting, he has bat speed, he makes adjustments within at-bats—it's tough to get him on the same pitch two times in a row and if you do, you know he's going to make that adjustment for the next at-bat. But he's a tough one because, athletically, there's nothing that really goes with the bat. I think he's DH'd every game I've seen for him this year and over at first base, it was below average. He can make some plays on ground balls hit right at him. He's marginal around the bag but, range-wise, it's real short and his arm's below average as well. I don't think there's any chance he can play left field, and third base was a real challenge for him when he was over at Walters State."
16. Eric Jaffe – Bishop O’Dowd HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 263rd
17. Kevin Koziol – Brother Rice HS (IL) - 6-2, 195 –
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: - Koziol has a big, strong frame that produces some raw power from the right side of the plate. He has good hands in the field to go along with a solid throwing arm and he runs a 7.2-second 60-yard dash.
18. Tim Kiene – Avon Farms HS (Conn.) -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 294th
19. Wes Cunningham – Murray State – senior… 2009: .411, 11-HR, 52-RBI in 51-G… .698 slugging percentage… summer 2009: Jayhawk league: .395, 42-R, 18-doubles, 4-HR, 39-RBI…
8-31: From www.baseballamerica: Cunningham wasn't drafted this June even after hitting .380 and .411 the last two seasons for the Racers. Just 5-foot-11, he doesn't profile at first but ran a 6.6-second 60-yard dash at a pro workout this summer and could move to the outfield. He showed gap power while hitting .402 this summer and uses the whole field well; his power would improve if he learned to pull the ball more. Cunningham helped lead the Broncos to the NBC World Series title, scoring the winning run in the championships against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.
10-25: From www.collegebaseballblog.com: - voted the 87th top college player
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - Third Team: Wes Cunningham, Murray State
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 298th
20. Nick Ebert –– South Carolia – senior… 2009: .321 23-HR 72-RBI
12-25 from www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - named to the 2010 NCBWA Division 1 3rd team all American squad
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - Second Team: Nick Ebert, South Carolina
21. Ben Thomas – – Xavier… junior… 2009: .338, 16-HR, 66-RBI, .667 Slug%, also pitched: 5-2, 7.41, in 12 apearances, 11 starts… named 2nd team all-conference first baseman
11-1 from: www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 80th top college player
22. Tony Plagman – Georgia Tech – senior… 2009: .354 16-HR 73-RBI
12-25 from www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - named to the 2010 NCBWA Division 1 2nd team all American squad
24. Marcus Littlewood - Pineview HS (UT) – 6-2, 185 –
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: played wherever the coaches wanted, displayed solid contact from both sides of the plate, solid arm strength, running speed is adequate and has room to fill out, will be someone to follow through college for sure.
1-3 from www.perfectgame.com: - Top 2010 HS MIFs. Based on summer performance (PG Natl SC,TOS,Area Code, East Pro SC, Under Armour & AFLAC) and lots of discussions. - Marcus Littlewood 6'3 - Aflac All American switch hitter- more polished from L side. Disciplined hitter. Good poise.Walked 4 times in Aflac game.Good smooth D actions but speed may hinder at upper levels.6.90 60- 4.52 to first from right side. Finished strong for Cincinnati Reds in Area Code outing, exhibits solid tools.Team USA Alum. High potential
25. Paul Hoilman –
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - Second Team: Paul Hoilman, E Tenn St
26. Chris Brooks – South Aiken HS (SC) – 6-3, 190…
PG Cross Check has Brooks ranked as the 5th SC prospect and the 216th overall in the nation…
27. Mike Giller – Illinois – DH/1B – 6-3, 220, senior, L/R… played the 2009 summer for the Waterloo Bucks…
7-24 – Fr. www.rivals.yahoo.com: The skinny: Giller didn’t have much of a spring for the Fighting Illini, but is making the best of his summer with the Bucks. Giller finished this past season hitting just .231 in only 13 at bats. With the Bucks, though, the veteran is a force at the plate. Giller is hitting .363 with 11 doubles, two homers and 34 RBIs. He also has walked and struck out 17 times each. Giller appears to be readying himself for a strong senior campaign for the Illini.
28. Jeff Jackson – Wauconda HS (IL) – 6-3, 195 –
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: mostly DH'd during tourney, made solid contact, better power showed in BP, needs a position, 1b seems to be the best bet for him. Good face too! Will contribute solidly in college, so a solid watchful player next 3-4 years.
29. Ryan Ford – Plano West HS (TX) –
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - Ford is a powerful hitter, with natural lift and pull-side power. Ford drops his bat head on the ball quickly and the ball explodes off his bat. He is smooth at first base and has potential above-average ability there.
30. Jared King – verbally commtted to Tennessee
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
31. Kyle Koeneman – LSU junior…
12-22 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR 1B Kyle Koeneman (2010) has been both a highly decorated prospect coming out of high school (2007) and a well regarded junior college power hitter (2008-2009) who was very surprisingly bypassed in all three of his draft years. He has massive playable power and is capable of playing the outfield corners if needed. At bats will be hard to come by for Koeneman, but it’ll be interesting to see how he adapts to a bench role as that will almost certainly be his role if he can hack it in pro ball.
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches: 1B Andrew Clark, Sr., Louisville - .350 BA, 9 HR, 55 RBIs
4-7 from: http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/04/06/cb360-primetime-performers-of-the-week-7-april-6 - Louisville senior first baseman Andrew Clark (New Palestine, Ind has been named the national Primetime Player of the Week, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Clark led Louisville to a 4-0 week, helping keep the Cardinals on course for a possible top-8 seed in the NCAA Championship. The 6-3, 225-pound lefthanded hitter batted at a .556 clip during the week (10-for-18), with four home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored, a pair of doubles, a walk and a sacrifice fly (plus a 1.333 slugging pct.). In a midweek game at Indiana, the 3-hole hitter continued to star in his comeback from a ribcage stress fracture. The Hoosiers opted to send their ace Friday-night starter, LHP Drew Leininger, to the mound for a potential 3-inning save and IU was one out from the upset – but Clark drove a 1-1 pitch over the rightfield fence for a 2-run homer and the winning 5-4 margin. The blast ended Leininger’s impressive shutout streak that had spanned 28.2 innings (Leininger also entered the game with a lowly 0.79 season ERA).
33. Zach Maxfield –
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - Third Team: Zach Maxfield, FGCU
34. Troy Channing –
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - FIRST BASE - Third Team: Troy Channing, St. Mary's (CA)
2-11 from Aman Reaka – www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - 99. Mark Canha – California, 1b/OF - Power, athletic, can steal bases, good hitter, short swing, enough power for 1b?
4-4 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-dixon-anderson-and-other-updated-scouting-report/#more - Probably a high Day 2 draft, a polished college hitter who doesn't profile well at first base or in left field. He doesn't have great bat speed and sets his hands up high and back by his rear shoulder, giving him a long path to the ball and limiting his time to make adjustments. He has shown some patience and pitch recognition and has some track record of performance.
3/9 from http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/ : - SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Connor Powers • Miss. State - Senior • 1B • Naperville, Ill. - • Powers lead MSU to a sweep of four games against SE Missouri and Michigan State in the BankFirst Baseball Challenge at Dudy Noble Field with a three-home run, 15-RBI weekend…Matched a career-high with a 6-RBI game and belted a walk-off three-run home run vs. SEMO in the opening game…Leads MSU with five game-winning RBI, including two walk-off home runs. • Registered his second two-home run game of the season and set a career-high with a 7-RBI performance in State’s tournament finale against Michigan State…Climbed into the SEC lead in both home runs (7) and RBI (25).
3/8 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com/ - Name to know = North Carolina JR 1B Dillon Hazlett. I first heard the poor man’s Dustin Ackley comps coming out of Chapel Hill a few months ago, but dismissed them as nothing more than a coaching staff excited about a junior college transfer ready to step in and help fill the gigantic hole left behind by Ackley’s departure. The comp, like most are, was built on convenience – both players are way too athletic to be college first basemen, run well, and have questionable power upsides. That’s what the comp was trying to express, I think. Nobody actually meant that Hazlett would step in and show off a hit tool quite like the one Ackley had shown. Ackley was a truly special college player and an elite professional prospect. In many years, a prospect with his skillset would go number one without a second thought. In fact, from a prospect standpoint only, I’d rank Ackley only behind David Price, Justin Upton, Delmon Young, and Joe Mauer when comparing him to number one overall draft picks of the decade. Long story slightly less long, Ackley was a unique hitting prospect. Hazlett, though impressive so far, has a long way to go to even enter Ackley’s prospect stratosphere. Then again, Ackley’s final junior year line was .417/.517/.763. SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT, but Hazlett has put up a .467/.541/.700 line through 9 games. Just store the name way, way, way in the back of your mind. Incidentally, I’ve spent significant stretches of my life in the heart of ACC country, so it’s an area of the country I have a decent number of reliable contacts in. One legit source told me the top three draft-eligible bats, based on the pure hit tool alone, in the conference were, in reverse order, 3. Tyler Holt (Florida State), 2. Dillon Hazlett (North Carolina), and 1. Austin Wates (Virginia Tech). Seems plausible to me.
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