Mets Draft Target - 3B - Collin Moran

How would you like the Mets to draft the best college bat in the draft?

Do you still want him if he exclusively plays third base?

Moran is a hitting machine for North Carolina who easily could go in the top ten picks. His current 2013 stat line is: 184-AB, .386/.508/.636, 12-HR, 75-RBI. 






Moran is one of the best pure hitters in his class and his bat has the potential to carry him a long way at the next level. While power development will eventually play a large role in how successful he is as a hitter, the pure hitting tools are evident and he has the statistics to back them up. Moran stepped into the ACC as a freshman and was immediately one of the best hitters in the college ranks, hitting .335 with 71 RBI's en route to both Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-America awards from Baseball America. In 2012, Moran fell into a "slump," hitting .365, but with only 3 HR's and 11 2B's. He still showed an excellent, patient approach at the plate, however, with a 21:24 BB/K ratio. Moran isn't exceptional defensively and he won't be anything more than average at third base at the next level. Regardless, it's the bat you are buying here and it has the chance to be special. If he maintains his other statistics and starts to show some of the power he showed his freshman year (9 HR's, 20 2B's), Moran could easily hear his name taken off the board in the first five selections next summer. link

Player:  Colin Moran
Position:  3B
School:  North Carolina
Date of Birth:  10/1/1992
Height/Weight:  6’3/209
Bats/Throws:  L/R
2013 Class:  Junior
Previously Drafted:

Scouting Report: If Colin Moran isn’t the top college bat eligible for the 2013 draft, he is on a very short list.

• Wide, open stance
• Easy swing
• Natural Hitter
• Very good approach at the plate
• Outstanding plate discipline
• Very good pitch recognition
• Hits to all fields
• Frame to add strength and increase power
• Strong arm
• Mixed reviews defensively, but improving and projects to remain at 3rd
• Intense, competitive player   -   Link 

 UNC’s Colin Moran set foot on campus two years ago as a scrawny infielder (6’2” and 170 lbs) seeking playing time at one of college baseball’s most prestigious programs. Two years later he’s filled out physically (6’3” and 209 pounds) and found his role, as the Tar Heels best hitter. Moran raked as a freshman, hitting .335 while leading the squad, and the entire ACC, with 71 RBI. He also cranked nine homers and rapped 20 doubles. He showed impressive plate discipline for a first-year player, walking 14 more times than he struck out and he fielded his position incredibly well, committing just nine errors in 66 starts at third base. link


Observation - I really don't think he'll be around at #11, but I thought I better add him to the list just in case. Do you draft him? Well, you do if you feel he can be converted to a corner outfielder, which just isn't as easy as it sounds. 

ETA:  Not long...  probably opening day 2015.