9/9/21

Mack Thoughts: Luke Gold, Brock Jones, Brock Porter, Spencer Jones. Hayden Dunhurst



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

121 Luke Gold 

1B

Boston College 

Ballston Spa, NY Gold presents one of the better bats in the 2022 class. There's average. There's power. There's discipline and bat-to-ball. He does everything at the plate quite well. He can handle third base or first base as well, though his arm is below average across the diamond. Gold will be an enticing bats to clubs looking for a Ty France type of profile in the draft.

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

27. Luke Gold, INF, Cotuit (Third-year sophomore, Boston College) 

Gold this spring impressed even on a team with a pair of position players drafted in the top two rounds, leading BC in home runs (nine) and slugging (.576). He carried that power production into the summer, hitting .267/.363/.523 with six home runs for Cotuit. 

Gold’s power is his standout tool. He’s got plus raw power and he has shown an ability to consistently get to it in games. He has a simple righthanded swing and shows good bat-to-ball skills. He has good plate coverage and doesn’t strike out much, especially for a power hitter. Defensively, Gold is still finding a home. He played second, third base and DH this spring and then split his time about equally between first, second base and DH for Cotuit. He has good arm strength, but his range can be limiting. As a righthanded-hitting, righthanded-throwing player listed at 6-foot, 215 pounds, he’s a tough profile if he ended up at first base, though his power gives him a chance to play anywhere.

2021 BC stat line - 44-G, 177-AB, .318/.364/.576, 9-HR

Mack's spin - 

Gold played on the same BC team last year that featured Sal Frelick and Cody Morrisette, and yet the team only went 21-28 in the sub-par ACC. Go figure.

A lot of talent here.

My 4th 1B. 

 

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

12. Brock Jones

Outfield, Stanford 

A two-sport stud, Jones played football at Stanford his freshman year before eventually giving it up to focus on baseball. That appears to be a good decision. An ultra-physical, muscled-up outfielder, Jones is tooled up across the board with tools in every area of the game. 2021 was Jones’ first year without football and he really excelled. The 6-foot, 205 pounder hit .311 with 18 homers and stole 14 bases along the way. His strikeout rates remained healthy and he drew a lot of walks. Jones has a sweet, compact left-handed swing coming from a wide base with an all-fields approach. He has a ton of pull-side pop and can really impact a baseball into the left-centerfield gap. He’s at least an above average runner, maybe plus. He’s a solid average defender with an average arm; a toolset probably best built for left field or centerfield with more reps and seasoning. Given the athleticism and trajectory of his game, many believe Jones’ game will continue to grow and flourish as he gets more and more comfortable committing to baseball full-time. For now, it’s above average tools across the board with the exception of the throwing arm.


9-3-21 - Mack @JohnMackinAde


Give me three players you hope will still be on the board on Day 1 when the Giants pick near the end of the draft?


            Brian Recca - @brian_recca


Brock Jones, OF, Stanford- physical freak, massive raw power, some swing and miss concerns 

2021 Stanford stat line - 56-G, 206-AB, 59-K, .311, .646-slug, 18-HR, 62-RBI

 Mack's spin - 

One of the true studs in this draft. 

A solid first round pick and, with a little luck, could slip to 1.10.

My board: 4th OF.


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

11. Brock Porter

Right-Handed Pitcher, Orchard Lake St. Marys 

Porter is a cold-weather arm that brings plenty of heat to the table. The fastball has been clocked as high as 99 MPH, casually sitting 93-95 with plenty of riding life. All this as 17 years old. His best secondary is a changeup that's at least plus, though some evalutors already believe it projects plus-plus. He throws the cambio with serious conviction and parachute-like action in the upper-70’s; enormous separation from his heater. Metrically, it’s a strong offering showcasing optimal spin rates in the 1400 RPM range. He’s got an inconsistent, high-spin slider that can be truly wicked at its best, generally in the low-80s. He’s also got a curveball in the mid-70’s to round out a full arsenal. It’s a strong, athletic 6-foot-3 build with broad shoulders and and long levers. Three-quarters delivery with explosive arm speed. Porter continues to show improved command and control as the body matures. If Porter's command can keep up with his huge arsenal, he has a chance to headline the class. Porter’s college commitment belongs to Clemson.

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

5. Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Marys Prep (Mich.) 

College commitment: Clemson 

Scouts will be making many trips to Michigan to see Porter and his teammate, outfielder Nolan Schubart, who didn’t miss this top 20 by much. Porter's stuff is as good as anyone in the class, all coming from a physical 6-foot-4 frame. His fastball was up to 97 mph this summer and he has a big breaking ball and good feel for a changeup, with some thinking he could give Lesko a run for his money as the top high school arm in this class.

High school stats - 52 games, 52 2/3 innings pitched, 81 strikeouts, 0.91 WHIP

Mack's spin - 

Another great pitcher commit that Clemson will never see play an inning at their home field.

Has a dominate fastball and change combo that stands out and will only get better with time.

Silly money will get Porter to sign.

My board: 7th RHP. 


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

71 Spencer Jones

1B

Vanderbilt 

Encinitas, CA Arguably the biggest slugger in the 2022 class was shutdown in 2020 with Tommy John surgery. Was a pitcher as well, though he's likely destined to hit moving forward. Limited athleticism, but could have the rare plus hit, plus power profile.

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

 17. SPENCER JONES, OF/LHP

 VANDERBILT (2022): BREWSTER WHITECAPS

 Hit Power Arm Field Run FV

30/45 30/55 60/60 55/55 60/60 5

 Once a projected first round pick out of high school, Jones continues to flash his five-tool capability as a position player. During the Cape season he was used exclusively as an OF. Demonstrates plus raw power, which translates to his performance in game. Plus throwing arm, athletic body, and takes great routes in both CF and RF. Plus runner out of the box. Health will remain key question. If he can stay on the field and put all the tools together, Jones profiles as a ML corner OF.

2021 Vanderbilt stat line - 34-G, 94-AB, .274/.346/.421, 10-HR

Mack's spin - 

It's interesting seeing Jones exclusively playing in the outfield this summer on the Cape. This will only enhance his draft status.

Still, I list him as my #1 first baseman, but, if he continues to play the corner outfield position well, the Mets should consider Jones for one of their two first round pick. 

 

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

29 Hayden Dunhurst

C

Ole Miss 

Carriere, MS College catchers who can hit and throw provide enormous value in most drafts. Simply put, Hayden Dunhurst may have the best throwing arm of any draft-eligible catcher in recent memory. Throwing an 80 grade on any defensive tool can be a tough sell, but Dunhurst's cannon hits the mark. The arm has been clocked at 90mph by area scouts on throws to second base, with pop times hovering between 1.80 and 1.85. Truly sensational. He's an above average receiver and blocks balls in the dirt very well thanks to solid athleticism. Dunhurst's hit tool has been better than many anticipated as he's been a stalwart in the heart of the Ole Miss lineup, He projects at least an average hitter with average power, maybe more. It's a thick, well-proportioned physical frame that some scouts think will add impact as he continues to grow and mature and make use of his plus raw power.

8-30-21 - 2021 USA Baseball College National Team Top MLB Draft Prospects - 

25. Hayden Dunhurst, C, Mississippi 

Dunhurst has been a solid contributor with the bat through two seasons at Mississippi, hitting .278/.380/.461 with 12 home runs over 82 games. It was a tougher go for the switch-hitting catcher with the CNT, as he went 4-for-25, with all four hits singles. 

Despite the struggles over the summer, there is still confidence that Dunhurst will hit and hit for power at the next level. Additionally, he provides defensive value, including a plus throwing arm that helped him throw out 39% of would-be basestealers last spring. With his ability to defend at a high level and be a middle-of-the-order bat, Dunhurst is a well-rounded catching prospect.

2021 Ole Miss stat line - 65-G, 232-AB, 44-K, 32-BB, .280, .385-OBP, 7-HR

Mack's spin - 

It will be interesting to see who turns out the be the first catcher drafted in 2022.

Last year, Miami's Adrian Del Castillo was the early favorite but he faded when he got off to a slow start. Henry Davis just quietly moved up the boards and even wound up the first overall pick in the draft.

I have him as the current 4th catcher in this draft, but the race is on.

1 comment:

Tom Brennan said...

Brock Jones looks excellent