Mack - Draft Thoughts: Jace Jung, Paxton Kling, Michael Curialle, Malcolm Moore, Eric Brown

 

9-7-21 - MLB.com Top College Prospects - 

2. Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech 

The younger brother of Josh Jung, the No. 8 overall choice in the 2019 Draft, Jace could go even higher next July after capturing Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors by hitting .337/.462/.697 with 21 homers in his first full college season. Like his sibling, he's a polished left-handed hitter with an advanced approach, and he has a bit more pop at the same stage of their careers. His speed and arm are just fringy, however, so he's limited defensively.

Mack's spin - 

Still my #1 2Bman.

 

9-9-21 - Prospects Live - 2022 MLB DRAFT - TOP 150 PROSPECTS - 

37 Paxton Kling

OF        Central        Roaring Spring , PA

Kling has the look of a true CF. Above average to plus hit tool with a heavy rotational swing. Plus speed and arm strength stand out. Supreme physical tools across the board with heavy projection left on the grame. 80 grade flow as well.

9-6-21 - USA Baseball 18U  @USABaseball18U 

Paxton Kling launches a 417-foot moonshot to leadoff the bottom of the second and give #TeamUSA a 1-0 lead 

Keanan Lamb  @keananlamb 

106 mph off the bat, and heckuva pimp job. Kling is in that next group of players grouped at the top of the ‘22 MLB Draft making his case to be included

Mack's spin - 

Not enough on Kling to place on my baord yet.

 

 9-9-21 - Prospects Live - 2022 MLB DRAFT - TOP 150 PROSPECTS - 

54 Michael Curialle

SS

UCLA

Mission Viejo, CA 

Freshman All-American. Was a pure hitter his freshman year over 10 starts. Showed some pop in the bat as well. Size might move him to third base, but soft hands and smooth actions figure to make him an above average defender at the hot corner. Evaluators believe there's more just in the bat that Curialle has shown thus far, but at worst he's one of the more advanced hit tools in the PAC-12 in 2022.

9-6-21 - BA - Top Cape Prospects 25-50  - 

33. Michael Curialle, INF/OF, Falmouth (Third-year sophomore, UCLA) 

Curialle has been an everyday player at UCLA for the last two seasons and produced a solid track record for success, this year hitting .285/.366/.409. He started the summer hot for Falmouth but hit a midseason slump before getting hot again near the end of the season to hit .243/.316/.391. 

Curialle has plenty of upside and an athletic, 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. The righthanded hitter has quick hands and generates above-average bat speed, which leads to hard contact and power potential. But he will need to refine his approach and cut down on his strikeouts (he whiffed in 30% of his plate appearances this summer) to reach his offensive upside. Curialle is a versatile defender and played all over the diamond for Falmouth. His athleticism means he could settle in at nearly any position.

Mack's spin - 

I didn't know much about this guy until others wrote about him. I did some checking around and he is definitely considered a top 100 prospect in the draft.

Entering my board at #11 SS.

 

 9-1-21 - MLB - Top high school prospects for '22 Draft

 12. Malcolm Moore, C, C. K. Mcclatchy HS (Calif.)

College commitment: Stanford

 Moore can really hit and has plenty of power from the left side of the plate. The question is whether or not he can stick behind it defensively, presenting a Kyle Schwarber-like profile.

Mack's spin - 

Currently my 9th catcher.

 

 9-9-21 - Prospects Live - 2022 MLB DRAFT - TOP 150 PROSPECTS - 

102 Eric Brown

SS

Coastal Carolina

Bossier City, LA 

A promising hitter, Brown tore up the Cape Cod League with impressive bat-to-ball skills and thunder in his bat some might not expect from his size. On the dirt, he's a plus defender with an above average arm and smooth actions for the position. Considered one of the better defenders in the Cape. Does a very good job limiting strikeouts and draws his walks.

8-30-21 - Prospects Live - Top 50 Cape Prospects - 

24. ERIC BROWN, SS 

COASTAL CAROLINA (2022): COTUIT KETTLEERS 

Hit Power Arm Field Run FV

30/55 30/45 50/50 55/55 60/60 5 

Hands are set even with head, leg kick with moving parts during load. High contact%. Power to his pull side. Damage against breaking balls in zone. Moving parts in the box pre-swing may cause some concern for increased K% vs higher quality arms. Athletic fielder ranges well laterally. Profiles as a 2B/SS long term.

Mack's spin - 

Lots of good shortstops for Brown to compete with in this draft.

Currently on my board:  14th