3B Jonathan India (Florida): 6'1", 185 lbs, born 12/15/1996
Overview
Hit: 55. Power: 50. Run: 55. Throw: 55. Field: 55.
A potential top 100 pick out of a South Florida high school in 2015, Jonathan India slashed a respectable but unremarkable .289/.361/.435 with ten home runs, 26 stolen bases, and an 85/45 strikeout to walk ratio over 126 games in his first two seasons in Gainesville. However, he got in better shape and changed his approach in 2018, and the results speak for themselves: .365/.506/.730 with 16 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and an even 45/45 strikeout to walk ratio over 54 games at the conclusion of the regular season, knocking around the best pitching college baseball has to offer. Combining his offensive ability with his speed and ability to play third base, and he has pushed himself from a possible top five rounds pick to a surefire first rounder, one that has a very good chance to crack the top ten picks.
Strengths
Few players can match the season India has put up this year, and demolishing the toughest pitching in college baseball is the best thing you can do for your draft stock on the field. He was especially hot in the middle of the season, putting together a 24 game hitting streak, of which 16 games featured at least two hits and which overall featured eight home runs. He uses a short swing and quick hands to generate his sneaky power, and despite striking out in 19% of his plate appearances, he also draws a lot of walks (19%), showing patience to go along with his overall offensive profile at the plate. On defense, he is a very good third baseman, but he could fit in at second base or even shortstop if needed, his versatility also adding to his resume. He's a good baserunner, stealing 37 bases in 42 attempts in his three years with the Gators, completing his all around profile.
Weaknesses
India doesn't have many glaring weaknesses. He lacks a standout carrying tool, but with everything being above average, I don't really see that as a problem. The one weakness that would drop him at least out of my top ten is his power. He has hit 16 home runs this year after hitting four and six in his freshman and sophomore years, respectively, but he's not the biggest guy at 6'1", 185 lbs, and it's hard to tell whether his quickness – rather than brute strength – generated power will translate to wood bats. He has a career .281/.397/.398 slash line over 36 games across two summers in the wood bat Cape Cod League, and while that .397 on-base percentage is very impressive, he hit just one home run in those 36 games and I wouldn't say that it's a guarantee that he can hit 20 home runs in a major league season.
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