5/21/17

2018 MLB Draft – Top 8 Projected Players in Draft


As of Saturday night, the Mets would qualify for the 7th pick in the 2018 draft.

You might want to start getting used to these eight names. I’ll be writing about them throughout the year –

The college juniors:



Brady Singer                       RHP    6'5"    190     Florida
So far this season, Singer has gone 13-starts, 6-3, 2.58, 90.2-IP, 81-K for Florida as their SP2 behind ace Alex Faedo. His fastball touches 96. - 6-5, 200 – I would love to see this kid in a Mets uniform.




Luken Baker                        1B       6'4"    265     TCU   
Baker suffered a hairline fracture, ligament damage, and slight muscle tear in his left arm last week, but it shouldn’t diminish his draft status (he’s expected back by this year’s playoff run). Up until that, his 2017 stat line is 47-games, .317/.454/.528, 8-HR, 41-RBI. He also has a pitching past with a 95 mile per hour fastball. 6-4, 190 frame. A one dimension everyday player that could easily be repackaged by a major league team as a starter.

Colton Eastman                 RHP    6'3"    200     Cal State Fullerton
Most of the 2017 season has been lost to Eastman due to an elbow/forearm strain. So far, his stat line is 4-G, 3-starts, 0-0, 2.38, 11.1-IP, 14-K. Still, he is projected as a top 10 pick in next year’s draft. Louisville Slugger named him the Freshman Pitcher Of The Year in 2016.

Seth Beer          OF       6'2"    195     Clemson

Beer has been the odds-on favorite for the first overall pick since the beginning of the 2016 season; however, he really hasn’t had the kind of great season this year (.293, 13-HR, 47-RBI) as he did in 2016. Still, Beer remains as the favorite for the first pick. He’s a brute with a bat in his hands, who really projects out as a major league first baseman because of his limited range in the outfield. Still, it’s going to hard not to send this kid’s name up to the podium.

The high school seniors:

           
Kumar Rocker                     RHP    6'4"    235     North Oconee HS (GA)
You are going to have to play really bad this year to get your hands on this guy. He’s currently projected as one of the top three picks in the draft and the top high school righty. Over the head delivery. Fastball currently tops at 94 but he is projected to increase that in the future. 78-slider.

           
Jarred Kelenic                     OF       6'1"    190     Waukesha West HS (WI)
Kelenic is also a LHP but he will be drafted for his bat, which is a big one. Outstanding raw bat speed from the left side. Ball explodes off the barrel. Good speed and range and is projected to play center. He is verbally committed to Louisville but that just isn’t going to happen in this day and age of big early first round bonus slots.
           




Joe Gray Jr                           OF       6'3"    195     Hattiesburg HS (MS)

6-2, 185 RHH – Think Dominic Smith at the plate. 2016/17 stat line: 36-GP, .477, 7-HR, 34-RBI – Runs a 6.6 60 – throw from CF was clocked at 94-mph – has played short but will stick in the outfield.


                       
Brice Turang                       SS        6'1"    165     Santiago HS (CA)

Turang will definitely be the first middle infielder chosen in the draft.-  6-0, 155 – evaluators have Turang sticking at short. He’s not a bad hitter, but Turang will be drafted first for his glove.

                        

2 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Looking forward to seeing who the Mets pick. A homer hitting OF would be nice.

Mack Ade said...

That would be Beer