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

 

1.        Jordan Lawler                (projected 1st round - top 5 pick)

 

SS 6-2 185 Dallas Jesuit HS (TX) 

 

3-12-21 - top hitters in draft -

 

#2. Jordan Lawlar, SS

 

Drawing comps to former first-rounder and current Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr., Lawlar is a five-tool shortstop from Texas that’s currently committed to NCAA powerhouse Vanderbilt. However, Commodore fans will most likely miss out on the prep phenom as BA has him pegged as the second-best player in the ’21 class, behind only pitcher Kumar Rocker (a current Vandy product). At 6-2, 185 pounds, the speedy Lawlar is expected to stick at short as a pro, and with an already above-average hit and power tool, this is a player capable of eventually developing into one of the game’s most complete players.   

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

1. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Dallas Jesuit HS, Dallas

 

A Vanderbilt commit, Lawlar has the athleticism, range, and hands to stick at shortstop. He's a plus-plus runner with above-average arm strength. He's also a potentially above-average hitter with above-average power. 

 

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Jordan Lawlar – Possibly the best overall player in the class, Lawlar boasts impressive tools and feel for the game. He projects as an above-average hitter who should grow into above-average power, and he’s currently a plus runner. He also shows the range and hands to stick at shortstop.

2.        Marcelo Mayer                (projected 1st round - top 10 pick)

 

SS      Eastlake HS (CA) 

 

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#4. Marcelo Mayer, SS

 

Considered the top defensive shortstop of the 2021 class (per BA), Mayer is a bit bigger than Lawlar above and projects to potentially wield more power once he fully grows into his body. A 6-3, 185-pounds, Mayer comes out of California’s loaded Eastlake High School, a prep powerhouse that has produced a few early-round selections over the last few drafts. While Mayer’s true power potential varies among evaluators, everyone seems to agree when it comes to the 18-year-old’s hitting and defensive abilities. Some are even comping him to the Dodgers Corey Seager. 

 

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4. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif.

 

He is among the best defenders of the prep shortstops, with pro actions, soft hands, and good feet. He has further to go at the plate, but the left-handed hitter has shown solid plate discipline. 

 

2-27-21 - maxiprep - 

 

Top baseball player in all 50 states

 

California

 

Marcelo Mayer | Eastlake (Chula Vista)

 

In 2019, the Titans had a first-round draft pick in Keoni Cavaco and they could have another one in Mayer, one of the nation's top shortstops. He was batting .294 with three home runs last spring in seven games.

3.        Matt McLain                (projected 1st round - top 20 pick)

 

SS     5-11      170      UCLA

 

 

3-21-21 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB

 

We've talked at length of Matt McLain's need to show more punch in the bat during conference play, and he's certainly done that here.

 

With this trajectory, to punish a ball 20-feet up the batters eye, the EV here had to be pretty impressive

 

3-12-21 - top hitters in draft -

 

#8. Matt McLain, SS/OF

 

The 21-year-old McClain was actually selected 25th overall by the Diamondbacks out of high school in 2018, but the Orange, CA native instead chose to sign with UCLA. Picking college ball as opposed to cashing in what would’ve been a nice payday seemed to be a mistake at first as McClain hit just .203 during his freshman season with the Bruins, but after making some obvious adjustments at the plate while playing in the Cape Cod League the following year (where he hit .274 in 34 games), the 5-10, 175-pound shortstop kicked off the 2020 season on fire, slashing .397/.422/.621 with 7 XBH in 13 games before the campaign was ended due to the pandemic. Without much power at the moment, evaluators still really like McLain’s hit tool, and according to BA, his instincts on defense give him an above-average glove. His respectable speed and strong arm leave many to believe he’ll stick at shortstop in the pros, and thus far, he’s played all 11 games at short for UCLA in 2021 while hitting .300 with a home run and 3 doubles. 

4.        Brady House                (projected first round pick)

 

SS    6-3        215      Winder-Barrow HS (GA) 

 

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#13. Brady House, SS

 

Committed to the University of Tennessee as an 18-year-old prep star, House entered this past summer as the top high school prospect in the upcoming draft. He has an unusual build for a shortstop (6-3, 215 pounds), but his size helps create some exciting offensive tools as scouts see him developing 70-grade power (as a shortstop!). On defense, the potential is just as high, where House reportedly hit 96 MPH on the mound, suggesting he definitely has plenty of arm strength to hold down the shortstop position, or even man the hot corner where evaluators say his hands, reaction and body control are all above-average as well. I haven’t seen House play, but of the hitters listed here, he’s the guy that appears to possess the highest ceiling. 

 

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

1. Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow HS, Winder, Ga.

 

House has pro size (6'3", 210 pounds), and he's performed against the best pitchers on the showcase circuit. He has plus-plus power potential and an advanced approach at the plate. 

 

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Brady House – The most famous name in the high school class, House is built like a Greek god and he boasts plus-plus power potential. He’s aggressive at the plate and may struggle to be an average hitter, and he’s an impressive athlete who probably can’t stick at shortstop but could be a plus at third base.

5.        Khalil Watson                (projected 2nd round)

 

SS      5-11     175     Wake Forest HS (NC) 

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

8. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

Walston is a quick-twitch, speedy shortstop with better-than-expected power for someone who is 5'9", 178 pounds. He has above-average bat speed and a solid approach at the plate to go with middle-of-the-diamond defensive tools. 

 

2-27-21 - https://www.maxpreps.com/news/GLOc9IV-DkGJ9WKbGyXewg/top-high-school-baseball-player-from-all-50-states.htm -

 

Top baseball player in all 50 states

 

North Carolina

 

Kahlil Watson | Wake Forest

 

A football and baseball standout, Watson dominated as a sophomore by batting .578 with six home runs and 23 RBI. He ranks as one of the nation's top shortstops. 

 

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Khalil Watson – Watson was one of the big risers on the showcase circuit because he kept performing while showing plus speed, the ability to stick at shortstop, consistent contact skills, and surprising pop for his size.