2020 Prospect Depth Chart: Arizona Diamondbacks

Once completely barren, the Diamondbacks farm system has undergone a very impressive makeover, and there are a couple factors to credit. One was improved results from their international development, with guys like Geraldo Perdomo, Kristian Robinson, Wilderd Patino, and Luis Frias looking like potential impact players and Jazz Chisholm helping to net Zac Gallen from Miami. Another was the Zack Greinke deal, which brought some big names in Seth Beer, J.B. Bukauskas, Corbin Martin, and Josh Rojas, helping to fill out the top of the system while guys like Pavin Smith, Drew Ellis, and Andy Yerzy saw their bats stagnate a little bit. And lastly, they had eight of the first 93 picks in the 2019 draft class, with which they grabbed one of the best pure hitters in the high school class, a pair of high upside high school arms, a pair of power college arms, and a trio of safer bet college players. It's a fairly spread out system that's led by a few impact bats in Beer, Robinson, Alek Thomas, and Daulton Varsho, as well as a deep array of pitching that includes no sure things but a lot of kids with one or two things they need to smooth out before reaching their high upside.

Affiliates: AAA Reno Aces, AA Jackson Generals, High A Visalia Rawhide, Class A Kane County, short season Hillsboro Hops, rookie level Missoula Osprey, complex level AZL and DSL Diamondbacks

Catcher
- Daulton Varsho (2020 Age: 23-24): Varsho, who was drafted in the second competitive balance round out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2017, is an interesting prospect. In 2019, he slashed .301/.378/.520 with 18 home runs, 21 stolen bases, and a 63/42 strikeout to walk ratio over 108 games at AA Jackson, which is a very interesting stat line for a catcher. Varsho is a great all-around hitter, one who possesses an excellent understanding of the strike zone and who makes hard contact consistently. He also has some power despite standing 5'10", which helped him hit those 18 home runs in 2019 to go along with 25 doubles and four triples. Unlike most catchers, he's actually an above average runner who has stolen 40 bases over the last two seasons, and he actually runs well enough to handle center field or potentially second base. That's important, because he's not a great defender behind the plate – he's good enough for now, but his fringy arm strength isn't ideal for the majors. Not many catchers can impact the game offensively like he can, though fortunately he won't be pushed to first base if he can't stick back there, so he'll still have defensive value. The fact that Carson Kelly probably has the catcher's role locked down for the long term doesn't help his chances of remaining a catcher. I like Varsho as a prospect and he profiles for 15-20 home runs annually with high on-base percentages.
- Keep an eye on: Dominic Miroglio, Jose Herrera

Corner Infield
- Seth Beer (2020 Age: 23): Beer was one of the top hitters in the country at Clemson, where he slashed .321/.489/.648 with 56 home runs over three years, but questions about how his bat would play against pro pitching as well as his lack of defensive value knocked him to the Astros at the end of the first round in 2018. He answered those questions with a strong pro debut in 2018 (.304/.389/.496) and was hitting well again this year when he got shipped to Arizona in the Zack Greinke deal. Between the two organizations, he slashed .289/.388/.516 with 26 home runs and a 113/46 strikeout to walk ratio over 122 games at High A and AA, and it's safe to say those questions about his bat are behind him. Beer is a very competent hitter with both power and the ability to get to it, and while he's not walking at twice the rate he's striking out anymore, he's still controlling the zone well and limiting his strikeouts. The flip side is that he's a defensive liability, as he has played left field for most of his career but as the slowest guy on the field, he wasn't catching much. He's been playing more first base recently and that's probably his spot going forward, but he's far from a stud there either. Fortunately, his bat will play anywhere, as he has the potential for 25-30 home runs annually with high on-base percentages if he can make enough contact.
- Kevin Cron (2020 Age: 27): How do you crack a prospect list as a soon-to-be 27 year old without much defensive value? By taking just 84 games to lead the entire minor leagues with 39 home runs, all the while slashing .329/.446/.777 with a 79/61 strikeout to walk ratio, mostly at AAA Reno. Cron also added six more home runs in the majors to get up to 45 total on the season, slashing .211/.269/.521 with a 28/4 strikeout to walk ratio in 39 games along the way. Cron's a big dude at 6'5" and a listed 250 pounds, and it's no secret what makes the former TCU Horned Frog a valuable player. He has big time power that he has gotten to consistently for years, now with 151 career minor league home runs and a .529 slugging percentage, and the ability to get to that power consistently against high level pitching. Now there is some swing and miss in his game, and it was exposed in his brief time in the majors, and as a first base/third base type with a fringy glove, he has to hit to provide value. He does hit both lefties and righties well, so he's not strictly a platoon bat, and he'll likely be a more of a pinch hitter/bench bat than a full time starter.
- Pavin Smith (2020 Age: 24): Smith's advanced bat made him the seventh overall pick out of UVA in 2017, but he hit for less impact than expected at first and slashed just .255/.343/.392 in High A in his first full season in 2018. He slumped at the beginning of 2019 as well, but he got hot over the last two months of the season to finish at .291/.370/.466 with 12 home runs and a 61/59 strikeout to walk ratio over 123 games at AA Jackson. The biggest thing that he had going for him in college was exceptional plate discipline, which he has retained in pro ball and it makes him nearly impossible to strike out, but so far the big power surge he had as a junior has not fully translated. He did hit more balls in the air in 2019, and I'd wager that most of those came in the second half when he got hot. If that is indeed the case, then Smith may have turned the corner for real and he might be well on his way to becoming a starting first baseman capable of 15-25 home runs per season and high on-base percentages. MLB.com might have given up on him because he's outside their top 30 Diamondbacks prospects, but I'm far from doing so.
- Drew Ellis (2020 Age: 24): Ellis, like Smith, is a 2017 draftee (second round out of Louisville) who has lost a bit of his prospect sheen. He's been an average hitter throughout his time in the minors, and in 2019 he slashed .235/.344/.406 with 14 home runs and a 109/63 strikeout to walk ratio over 118 games at AA Jackson. He's maintained great plate discipline, albeit not on Smith's level, but the overall impact he's generating at the plate isn't quite what was hoped for. He's unlikely to be a full time starter, though he has hit just enough to keep his hopes alive of becoming a bench or platoon bat – he hits lefties well and slashed .271/.353/.504 against them in 2019.
- Tristin English (2020 Age: 22-23): The Diamondbacks picked up English in the third round out of Georgia Tech in 2019, and they signed the senior under slot to save some money for earlier picks. He had a successful pro debut where he slashed .290/.356/.482 with seven home runs and a 24/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 50 games at short season Hillsboro, though he was already 22. English has power as well as a track record of hitting well against advanced pitching, and the fact that he limits his strikeouts so well means he can get to his power consistently. He doesn't draw a ton of walks, as he likes to make contact early in the count, but he doesn't necessarily need to in order to provide value at the plate. As a first baseman, even with his strong arm that could have gotten him drafted as a reliever, he won't be providing too much value on defense, so his bat will have to carry him. He's likely a guy who hits 15-20 home runs per season with decent on-base percentages, which might be just a bit light for a starting first baseman.
- Keep an eye on: Buddy Kennedy, Yoel Yanqui, Spencer Brickhouse, Endy Estrada

Middle Infield
- Domingo Leyba (2020 Age: 24): Leyba was originally a Tigers prospect who came over in the three team, Didi Gregorius/Robbie Ray deal of 2014, and in 2019 he slashed .300/.351/.519 with 19 home runs and a 78/32 strikeout to walk ratio over 112 games at AAA Reno, as well as .280/.367/.440 with a 9/4 strikeout to walk ratio over 21 major league games. Leyba's power surge was probably a bit of a Pacific Coast League mirage, but his high contact rates bode well for his major league future. The Diamondbacks have a pretty crowded infield scene, and Leyba's bat is a bit too light to justify a full time starting role, but he has a good shot at being a utility infielder who could make some spot starts at second base. There's not a ton of upside, but he's ready now.
 - Andy Young (2020 Age: 25-26): Hoping to become the first North Dakota native in the majors since Travis Hafner, Young came over in the Paul Goldschmidt trade and slashed .271/.368/.535 with 29 home runs and a 121/42 strikeout to walk ratio over 133 games at AA Jackson and AAA Reno in 2019. Like Leyba, his power surge in Reno was a bit of a PCL mirage, but he does have more power than Leyba and could hit 10-20 home runs in the majors with decent on-base percentages. He's fairly average all around, with no standout tools and no true weaknesses, and he'll be battling Leyba for a utility infield spot in 2020. Leyba has the better hit tool, Young a bit more power, and Leyba is a bit better on defense.
- Geraldo Perdomo (2020 Age: 20): It's been really interesting to watch the trajectory of Geraldo Perdomo, who signed for just $70,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 then hit a fascinating .238/.410/.285 in the Dominican Summer League. There was virtually no impact in his bat, but at 17 years old he could control the zone like nobody else in his league. He found some of that impact in 2018 by slashing .322/.438/.460 in the low minors, then in 2019 he hit .275/.397/.364 with three home runs, 26 stolen bases, and a 67/70 strikeout to walk ratio over 116 games at Class A Kane County and High A Visalia. Despite coming off his age-19 season, Perdomo has the best plate discipline in the system with the patience to draw tons of walks as well as the bat control skills to make contact at any point in the count. He's a switch hitter with a quick, direct to the ball swing from both sides of the plate, and he's so good at finding that barrel that might be able to tap some power in his 6'3" frame if he chooses to do so. Set to play all of 2020 at just 20 years old and having already shown the ability to handle High A pitching, he's a really interesting guy to follow and I'll be watching closely to see if he can tap some power next year. Of course, we haven't even talked about his defense, which is great and makes him an asset at shortstop, and he's not the fastest guy on the field but his instincts have enabled him to steal 66 bases in his minor league career.
- Liover Peguero (2020 Age: 19): Perdomo isn't the only teenage Dominican shortstop making waves in this system. Peguero, signed for $475,000 in 2017, had an unremarkable .259/.311/.340 run through complex ball in 2018 before breaking out to slash .326/.382/.485 with five home runs, eleven stolen bases, and a 51/20 strikeout to walk ratio over 60 games at rookie level Missoula and short season Hillsboro in 2019. Despite playing the entire season at 18 years old and with just 19 stateside games under his belt, Peguero went straight to rookie ball and raked, showing wiry strength that generated good gap and over the fence power while making consistent hard contact. He's in a pretty similar place to where Perdomo was a year ago, albeit with a bit more power and with less plate discipline, and he should hit full season ball as a 19 year old in 2020. Like Perdomo, he has a strong glove and should stick at shortstop, adding to his value.
- Keep an eye on: L.T. Tolbert, Luis Alejandro Basabe, Blaze Alexander, Jose Curpa, Glenallen Hill Jr.

Outfield
- Alek Thomas (2020 Age: 20): Thomas was a second round pick out of a Chicago high school in 2018, noted more for his feel for the game than for any loud tools at the time. However, he's just hit and hit since then, and in 2019 he slashed .300/.379/.450 with ten home runs, 15 stolen bases, and a 105/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 114 games at Class A Kane County and High A Visalia. He's shown a great understanding of the strike zone for his age and has had no trouble putting the barrel on advanced pitching, and he's even begun to tap some power that he hadn't really shown in high school. He's also a great runner that can make his speed play on both sides of the ball, though at this point his below average arm makes him more of an average center fielder. Overall, he has a lot of great building blocks for a kid who won't turn 20 until April, and with his contact-oriented approach, he could be a leadoff man at the major league level by the time he's 21.
- Jake McCarthy (2020 Age: 22-23): McCarthy was a competitive balance pick out of UVA in 2018, a year after the Diamondbacks drafted his teammate Pavin Smith, though the injury problems that bugged him in college have continued into pro ball. In 2019, he slashed .277/.341/.405 with two home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a 52/17 strikeout to walk ratio over 53 games at High A Visalia, though his season ended on July 7th when he left the game with an undisclosed injury. McCarthy has always had an explosive swing that should be conducive to power, and I liked him on draft day because I thought he could start to generate some, but he continues to be more of a line drive/ground ball hitter rather than one who tries to loft the ball, and I think he could hit for some actual if he did so. The continued injuries don't help him, but hopefully a healthy 2020 can see him drive the ball more in the air and hit 15-20 home runs – he already does hit a lot of extra base hits with 30 doubles and seven triples in 111 career minor league games. McCarthy is also a great runner who has stolen 39 bases in those 111 games, and it helps him play good defense in the outfield, though he might be more of a left fielder than a center fielder in deference to Alek Thomas. I still like McCarthy, but the power has to come at some point if he wants to be more than a fourth outfielder.
- Kristian Robinson (2020 Age: 19): The Diamondbacks picked up Robinson for $2.5 million out of the Bahamas in 2017, and so far, he's been worth every penny. He followed up a strong first season in 2018 with a breakout 2019 where he slashed .282/.368/.514 with 14 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a 77/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 69 games at short season Hillsboro and Class A Kane County. He has a lot of wiry strength at 6'3", and it helps him generate a lot of raw power that he's beginning to tap in games. He has an all fields, line drive oriented approach, and learning to add loft to his swing could help him hit 25-30 home runs annually. There is some swing and miss in his game, but he has been playing consistently with older competition, as he reached Class A at just 18 years old in 2019. Robinson has the highest ceiling in the entire system, and he just needs time to figure things out. Defensively, he's great in the outfield and could stick in center, giving him the opportunity to impact the game on both sides of the ball.
- Corbin Carroll (2020 Age: 19): The Diamondbacks had seven picks on day one of the 2019 draft and eight of the first 93 overall selections, and their first one, at pick #15, was Corbin Carroll out of high school in Seattle. He was as-advertised in his pro debut, slashing .299/.409/.487 with two home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a 41/29 strikeout to walk ratio over 42 games between the complex level Arizona League and short season Hillsboro. A smaller guy at a skinny 5'10", he was drafted on the basis of his plus speed as well as his exceptional feel for hitting. He doesn't have much raw power, but he maximizes what he does have because he finds the barrel very consistently and can handle advanced pitching. His defense is a work in progress but is trending up, and he should be an asset in center field down the line. In a few years, he and Alek Thomas could be a dynamic 1-2 punch leading off the Arizona lineup.
- Dominic Fletcher (2020 Age: 22): Fletcher, drafted in the second competitive balance round out of Arkansas in 2019, is kind of a case where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Standing 5'9", he lacks standout tools in any area but he makes consistent line drive contact from the left side and was able to hit .318/.389/.463 with five home runs and a 50/22 strikeout to walk ratio over 55 games at Class A Kane County in his pro debut. He's got some pop, but not a ton, and he makes good contact. An aggressive hitter at Arkansas, he was more selective in his pro debut and that paid big dividends for his production. He's also a fringy runner, but his instincts in the outfield enable him to play a solid center field or an above average left field. Fletcher will likely work his way up in a fourth outfield role, but if he keeps hitting for as much impact as he did in his pro debut, he could conceivably start and hit 10-15 home runs annually with solid on-base percentages.
- Wilderd Patino (2020 Age: 18-19): Patino drew a lot of walks in his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 but didn't do much else, then broke out to slash .319/.378/.447 with a home run, 14 stolen bases, and a 46/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 40 games in the complex level Arizona League and at rookie level Missoula in 2019. Patino was just 17 years old when he started out in the AZL this year and hit .349/.403/.472 there, though he was a bit exposed as a barely-18 year old in the Pioneer League after the promotion. He doesn't hit for a ton of power at present, but his short, explosive right handed swing could easily generate above average or even plus power down the road, and his advanced approach at the plate has allowed him to hit against much older competition. He's also a good runner, giving him a well-rounded game, and he has some of the better upside in this system. There's still a long way to go but the early returns are great.
- Keep an eye on: Ben DeLuzio, Eduardo Diaz, Jorge Barrosa, Dominic Canzone, Jeferson Espinal, Alvin Guzman

Starting Pitching
- Jon Duplantier (2020 Age: 25-26): Duplantier went in the third round out of Rice in 2016, then went 17-4 with a 1.79 ERA over his first two-plus pro seasons. He bounced between the majors and the minors in 2019, posting a 5.44 ERA, a 1.60 WHIP, and a 50/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 43 innings between AAA Reno and some lower level rehab, as well as a 4.42 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP, and a 34/18 strikeout to walk ratio over 36.2 major league innings. A healthy Duplantier is absolutely a major league starter, as he can sit in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and add a curve, a slider, and a changeup while commanding everything pretty well when he's on the mound consistently. Unfortunately, nagging arm problems have limited him since college, and 2017 was really his only truly healthy season when he threw 136 innings. It's hard to have much faith that Duplantier, now 25, can throw 150+ innings in a season at the major league level, but if he can, they'd be dominant innings and he could be a #3 starter. The Diamondbacks have a bit of a crowded rotation picture, and while it's certainly not impenetrable, he's probably going to have to prove himself in the bullpen first before getting another crack at starting.
- J.B Bukauskas (2020 Age: 23): Bukauskas, who grew up in the same hometown of Ashburn, Virginia as current D-Backs starter Taylor Clarke, was a first round pick out of UNC by the Astros in 2017 then came over to Arizona in the Zack Greinke deal. After an injury-interrupted but strong 2018 (2.14 ERA, 71/24 K/BB), he was more inconsistent in 2019 and posted a 5.44 ERA, a 1.62 WHIP, and a 109/59 strikeout to walk ratio over 92.2 innings at the two AA affiliates. There's no question about the stuff, at all, as Bukauskas sits in the mid 90's with his fastball and adds a devastating slider that has never failed to miss bats consistently, while his changeup has improved since college and he's added a harder cutter. The problem lies with his command, which is well below average and which causes his stuff to play down. Additionally, it's hard to project the 6' right hander to significantly improve his command, one because he hasn't yet and just turned 23 in October and two because he throws with a lot of effort in a jerky delivery. The Astros were unable to smooth him out, and maybe the Diamondbacks will, but it's a big question mark. If he can't get close to average command, his fastball/slider combination can and will make him an impact reliever, one who could potentially even close games, but if he can figure it out somewhat, he could be a mid rotation starter.
- Corbin Martin (2020 Age: 24): Martin grew up in the Houston area and attended Texas A&M, then got drafted in the second round by his hometown Astros one round after Bukauskas and was shipped together with him and others in the Zack Greinke trade. Martin was successful in AAA in 2019 with a 3.13 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and a 45/18 strikeout to walk ratio over 37.1 innings, and he also posted a 5.59 ERA, a 1.81 WHIP, and a 19/12 strikeout to walk ratio over 19.1 major league innings. However, something wasn't quite right with his arm and he went down with Tommy John surgery in July, shortly before the trade. That puts his 2020 season in jeopardy, because at best he'll be available in a limited role for the stretch run in September. For 2021 and beyond, though, Martin is one to look forward to. He sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and complements it with a big breaking curveball and a harder slider, as well as a changeup, and his command has improved since college. It's a classic #3 or #4 starter profile, and once he gets healthy, he'll be given every chance to claim a spot in the rotation. We'll just have to see how he handles returning from injury and whether the Diamondbacks end up pushing him to the bullpen, where he was successful in college.
- Josh Green (2020 Age: 24): Green was a very under the radar 14th round senior sign out of Southeastern Louisiana in 2018, but he was a known commodity by the end of his pro debut, in which he had a 1.09 ERA and a 25/9 strikeout to walk ratio in short season ball. Green then took a massive leap forward in 2019, posting a 2.71 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 101/21 strikeout to walk ratio over 126.1 innings at High A Visalia and AA Jackson, then went and dominated in two Southern League playoff starts. If there is one way to describe Green's stuff, it's "heavy." He generates a ton of ground balls with all of his pitches, throwing a low to mid 90's sinker while adding a downer curveball and more of a diving slider, as well as a changeup, and he did a great job of hitting his spots and keeping everything low in the zone in 2019. Everything comes from a closed off delivery that makes him difficult to pick up, and he's proven durable enough to handle a starter's workload, something the names above him on this list very much have not yet. Green's still a bit of a sleeper but he has legitimate rotation aspirations and could stick in the rotation longer than any of those names above him on this list as more of a #4 innings eating guy.
- Levi Kelly (2020 Age: 20-21): I can't currently think of any active major leaguers from western West Virginia, though Charleston-area native Levi Kelly would like to change that (though his high school did produce 1957 World Series MVP Lew Burdette). Kelly, an eighth round in 2018 after transferring to the IMG Academy, had a huge breakout in 2019 with a 2.15 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a 126/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 100.1 innings, often outshining his teammate and the more highly regarded Matt Tabor in that Class A Kane County rotation. He sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and has focused on his slider in pro ball, turning it into a real weapon. Those two pitches, combined with a changeup that has improved in pro ball, were too much for Class A hitters, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against most advanced competition. Kelly's command has come along nicely in pro ball, but there is still more work to do on that front if he wants to become a mid-rotation starter.
- Matt Tabor (2020 Age: 21-22): Tabor was a third round pick out of a Boston-area high school in 2017, and while the Diamondbacks have brought him along slowly, he's been effective every step of the way. In 2019, Tabor posted a 2.93 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and a 101/16 strikeout to walk ratio over 95.1 innings at Class A Kane County, where he joined Kelly and Jackson Goddard in one of the better Class A rotations around. A raw talent coming out of high school, he's basically a more refined version of what he was in 2017. He still sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and adds a good changeup, and his slider still needs work, but he's ironed out his mechanics and is throwing a lot more strikes than he used to. He's a bit more refined than Kelly now, but he's also a year older, and while Tabor has the better changeup, Kelly easily has him beat with the breaking ball. Tabor will need to continue to refine his offspeed stuff, but otherwise, he understands pitching and shouldn't have any trouble working his way up towards the majors, with a #3/#4 starter projection a reasonable ceiling.
- Shumpei Yoshikawa (2020 Age: 25): Yoshikawa grew up in Japan, but he jumped directly from Japan's Industrial League, which is more or less what it sounds like, to the Diamondbacks system and completely bypassed the NPB, Japan's major league. He then posted a 3.75 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and a 123/22 strikeout to walk ratio over 103.1 innings at High A Visalia, which certainly isn't half bad in your first taste of a foreign country. Yoshikawa doesn't throw overly hard, sitting around 90 with his fastball, but he gets most of his strikeouts with an excellent changeup that he can deploy against both lefties and righties. His breaking balls need to get more consistent, but fortunately he does fill up the strike zone and taking that step forward could help him become a back-end starter.
- Luis Frias (2020 Age: 21-22): A converted infielder, Frias has made a lot of progress over the last few years and is well on his way towards ditching the "raw power arm" label for good. In 2019, he posted a 2.83 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 101/29 strikeout to walk ratio over 76.1 innings at short season Hillsboro and Class A Kane County, refining multiple parts of his game along the way. He can sit in the mid to upper 90's with his power fastball, and he adds a big, downer curveball that just keeps on going as well as a harder changeup. While he's no control artist, he's made significant strides with his command and it's approaching average, though it still needs continued refinement. He's still somewhat raw, as he could probably use to sharpen his curveball just a touch and get more consistent with his changeup, but the building blocks are in place and he's shooting up prospect lists. If the rotation doesn't work out, his fastball/curveball combination could make him lethal in relief.
- Drey Jameson (2020 Age: 22): Jameson was a compensation pick out of Ball State in 2019, though he struggled to throw strikes in his debut and posted a 6.17 ERA, a 1.97 WHIP, and a 12/9 strikeout to walk ratio over 11.2 innings at short season Hillsboro. He's a little guy at a listed 6' and 165 pounds, but he throws really hard with a mid 90's fastball and a pair of distinct power breaking balls and he can maintain that stuff deep into games. However, there is significant reliever risk for a multitude of reasons, including his size, the effort in his delivery, and his inconsistent command. In order to stay in the rotation, Jameson will a) need to prove his durability and either b) develop his changeup or c) get more consistent with his command, but given the stamina in his right arm, he'll be able to fight hard to remain a starter. If he does move to the bullpen, the fastball and breaking balls could make him an impact reliever. It's a high risk pick for the compensation round, given that he'll turn 23 at the end of the season, but it could be a high reward one.
- Brennan Malone (2020 Age: 19): Malone went one pick before Jameson out of the IMG Academy, though he grew up in the Charlotte area before transferring for his senior year. The move paid off and in his pro debut he posted a 4.50 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and an 8/5 strikeout to walk ratio across eight innings in the complex level Arizona League and at short season Hillsboro. Malone is very athletic, standing 6'4" and throwing four good pitches. He sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and adds a great slider, which he developed at IMG, a curveball which is inconsistent but which can flash plus, and a solid changeup. His command is coming along nicely, though he does have more work to do on that front. He's a very well-balanced arm for someone who will play the whole coming season at 19 years old, and he has a shot to become a #3 starter down the road.
- Tommy Henry (2020 Age: 22-23): Henry had an extremely up and down junior year at Michigan, then went in the second competitive balance round in 2019 before allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings at short season Hillsboro in his pro debut, striking out four and walking none. He dominated early in the season, got knocked around a lot in the middle, and got hot in the NCAA Tournament against good lineups, so really, it's hard to say what he'll become. He can sit in the low 90's and add a sharp slider and a good changeup when he's on, though his stuff tends to flatten out at times and you never really know which Tommy Henry you're going to get. His command fluctuates as well, as he can really lock down the strike zone at times but at others, that command plays closer to average. That's better than fluctuating on the other side of the average line, and in all, the lefty has real upside as a #3 starter. There's a lot of risk, though, as he doesn't quite have that power relief profile should he wind up in the bullpen and he'll turn 23 in July, making him somewhat old for a college junior draftee.
- Blake Walston (2020 Age: 18-19): Walston, selected seven picks before Malone in the back half of the first round, has a higher ceiling but more work to do to get there. Coming out of a Wilmington, North Carolina high school, he posted a 2.45 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and a 17/2 strikeout to walk ratio over 11 innings between the Arizona League and Hillsboro, though he did get knocked around in the Northwest League playoffs. Walston is a 6'5" left hander, words which can make scouts drool, and he's exceptionally projectable. He currently sits anywhere from the high 80's to the low 90's depending on how fresh he is, and his best secondary is a curveball that can look like a true plus pitch when it's at its best. Walston also adds a slider and a changeup, but in all, he has a long way to go to reach his tremendous ceiling. First off, he needs to hit the weight room and add the stamina to pitch deep into games, and then he needs to get more consistent with his whole arsenal. He won't even turn 19 until June, so he's very young and has a ton of time, so you'd expect that the D-Backs will take it slow with him, but the end product could be a true ace three to five years down the line if this lottery ticket works out.
- Keep an eye on: Jeremy Beasley, Jeff Bain, Kenny Hernandez, Jackson Goddard, Tyler Holton, Michel Gelabert, Avery Short

Relief Pitching
- Taylor Widener (2020 Age: 25): Originally a Yankees' 12th rounder out of South Carolina in 2016, Widener came over in the three team Steven Souza/Brandon Drury deal of 2018 and had a great first season in the organization (2.75 ERA, 176/43 K/BB), but he struggled intensely in 2019 and finished with an 8.10 ERA, a 1.74 WHIP, and a 109/41 strikeout to walk ratio over 100 innings at AAA Reno. Reno is one of the most hitter friendly contexts in minor league baseball, so an 8.10 ERA there might be a 6.10 ERA elsewhere, but it's still not what you want to see and he allowed 23 home runs in 23 starts. He sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and adds a slider and a changeup, though neither stand out as plus and he more relies on deception and good arm side fade on the fastball and changeup to miss bats. The stuff might be a little light to work in the rotation, especially with the depth the Diamondbacks have there, but it could play up in the bullpen, where he does have experience dating back to his time at South Carolina. As a reliever, he could be ready out of spring training.
- Ryne Nelson (2020 Age: 22): Nelson was a second round pick out of Oregon in 2019, though as a native of Henderson, Nevada, he's a semi-hometown guy for the D-Backs. In his pro debut, he posted a 2.89 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and a 26/10 strikeout to walk ratio over 18.2 innings at short season Hillsboro, then added six dominant innings over a pair of Northwest League playoff appearances. Arizona may try him as a starter, as he was in the Ducks rotation for a time, but his future most likely lies in the bullpen unless they can clean him up considerably. He can sit in the mid to upper 90's with his fastball out of the bullpen, and his hard slider plays better in short stints. However, his command is well below average, and he'd have to make significant strides with it in order to remain a starter. He'll still need to get a bit sharper with his command even as a reliever, because while his slider is tough to square up, it's not a true out pitch at this point. If he can locate his pitches a bit better in the future, he does have the upside of an impact relief arm who could hit 100 down the road.
- Keep an eye on: West Tunnell, Breckin Williams, Mack Lemieux, Matt Mercer, Blake Workman, Conor Grammes

2018 Draft: A Year Later

One year does not tell you everything you need to know about a draft's success, but the first full season is often a huge tell as to how a player's amateur production will translate into pro ball. In 2017, 2016 second rounder Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) slashed .362/.423/.565 in A ball to turn himself into one of the top prospects in his draft class, while fourth overall pick Riley Pint's (Rockies) 5.42 ERA and poor 79/59 strikeout to walk ratio in Class A that year pointed towards what has ultimately been a disappointing start to his pro career and a greatly diminished prospect status. Now, this does go the other way. Using the same 2016 draft class, third rounder Austin Hays (Orioles) slashed .329/.365/.593 with 32 home runs in 2017 to vault himself all the way to the big leagues, but 2018 and 2019 have been rather pedestrian and he has lost some shine from that big first full season. On the flip side, first rounder Gavin Lux (Dodgers) looked rather mediocre in Class A that year with a .244/.331/.362 slash line, but he exploded for a .324/.399/.514 line in 2018 and is now one of the top prospects in the game.

All of that said about the 2016 draft, the first full season very important, and I'm ready to dive into the 2018 draftees and where they stand today at the end of the 2019 season. As a whole, this draft class is proving to be particularly strong as a lot of players have over-performed and very few have seriously under-performed.

The Top Five Picks

1-1: RHP Casey Mize (Auburn -> Detroit Tigers). Stock ticking up – cautiously
8-3, 2.55 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 106/23 K/BB in 109.1 IP at High A and AA
It's been a roller coaster ride for Mize so far, as a lot happened in his first full season. He had some minor durability questions as an underclassman at Auburn, though he mostly alleviated them as a junior but was still held to just 13.2 innings in his pro debut in 2018 after a long season in the SEC. The Tigers turned him loose at High A Lakeland in 2019, and he quickly rewarded them with four exceptional starts, so he was promoted to AA Erie and threw a no-hitter in his first start at the level. As of June 13th, he had a 0.92 ERA, a 0.69 WHIP, and a 75/12 strikeout to walk ratio over 78 innings, but a minor shoulder injury shut him down that day and the entire state of Michigan held its breath. Fortunately, he returned in July, but he was knocked around a bit and had a 6.61 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, and a 30/11 strikeout to walk ratio over his final 31.1 innings before being shut down. The Tigers maintain that he was healthy and that they felt he had accomplished everything he needed to in 2019 and that they were just monitoring his workload, but shoulder injuries are very scary and, at their worst, can end careers. In all, I'd take Mize's 2019 season as a success in that he proved he could dominate the upper minors in just his first full season, but I'm only cautiously optimistic because of the shoulder issue.

1-2: C Joey Bart (Georgia Tech -> San Francisco Giants). Stock holding
16 HR, .278/.328/.495, 5 SB, 71/21 K/BB, 128 wRC+ in 79 games at High A and AA
Aside from a broken left hand that kept him out of action from mid April until early June, Bart neither exceeded nor fell short of expectations in 2019. The 2018 second overall pick out of Georgia Tech began the season at High A San Jose, completely skipping Class A after spending most of his 2018 pro debut at short season Salem-Keizer, and he slashed .265/.315/.479 with 12 home runs and a 50/14 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games around that broken hand. Promoted to AA Richmond towards the end of the season, Bart held up well at the advanced level and slashed .316/.368/.544 with four home runs and a 21/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 22 games, giving him 16 home runs and a .278/.328/.495 line on the abbreviated year. Bart showed his light-tower power throughout the season, though he didn't get to it quite consistently enough to warrant bumping his already valuable stock up further. Not known for strong plate discipline in college, his approach held up against advanced pitching and looks like it won't be a problem. Bart remains on track to take over the starting catching job from Buster Posey sometime in the next few seasons.

1-3: 3B Alec Bohm (Wichita State -> Philadelphia Phillies). Stock ticking up
21 HR, .305/.378/.518, 6 SB, 73/57 K/BB, 160 wRC+ in 125 games at Class A, High A, and AA
Like Bart, Alec Bohm was known in college for his prodigious raw power. The Phillies weren't quite as aggressive with the Wichita State product, starting him at Class A Lakewood, and he proved quickly that he didn't belong by slashing .367/.441/.595 with three home runs in 22 games, earning a promotion to High A Clearwater. Despite the pitcher-friendly environment, he still slashed .329/.395/.506 with four home runs and a 21/17 strikeout to walk ratio over 40 games. He earned a promotion to AA Reading, though at this point, he had hit "just" seven home runs in 62 games – not a bad number, especially considering his high on-base percentage, but you'd hope for more out of your star third overall pick who was known for his power. In hitter-friendly Reading, that power finally showed up and he slashed .269/.344/.500 with 14 home runs and a 38/28 strikeout to walk ratio over 63 games to close out the year. Together, that meant 21 home runs and a .305/.378/.518 line in his first full season, showing a potent all-around bat that should be major league ready in 2020. With the juiced balls in AAA and the majors, he should have no problem getting to his power up there and his strong plate discipline will help him be a true middle of the order threat.

1-4: SS Nick Madrigal (Oregon State -> Chicago White Sox). Stock ticking up
4 HR, .311/.377/.414, 35 SB, 16/44 K/BB, 125 wRC+ in 120 games at High A, AA, and AAA
While Bohm started in Class A, Madrigal joined Mize and Bart with that aggressive assignment to High A, in this case Winston-Salem, and he responded by slashing .272/.346/.377 with two home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a 6/17 strikeout to walk ratio over 49 games. Those weren't the flashiest numbers, but Madrigal is listed at just 5'7" and 165 pounds, so it was a big step towards proving he could hit pro pitching with authority. Called up to AA Birmingham, he improved to .341/.400/.451 with one home run, 14 stolen bases, and a 5/14 strikeout to walk ratio over 42 games, earning yet another promotion up to AAA Charlotte barely a year after he was drafted. A .331/.398/.424 with a home run, four stolen bases, and a 5/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 29 games closed out his season, and he finished at .309/.371/.398 with 35 stolen bases and just 16 strikeouts in 120 games, good for a 3% strikeout rate. The scouting report today stands exactly the same as it did last year when he was drafted, but now not only does he make the easiest contact in minor league baseball while stealing plenty of bases, he can hit for *some* moderate power as well with 27 doubles, five triples, and four home runs this year. Now a second baseman, where he fits better, he'll match up well with Tim Anderson when he reaches the majors in 2020, likely shortly after his 23rd birthday.

1-5: 3B Jonathan India (Florida -> Cincinnati Reds). Stock down a tick
11 HR, .259/.365/.402, 11 SB, 110/59 K/BB, 129 wRC+ in 121 games at High A and AA
Jonathan India's massive offensive outburst as a junior at Florida in 2018 propelled him into the first round, where I ranked him twelfth on my personal list and where the Reds drafted him with the fifth overall pick. As his first full season comes to a close, I'm feeling pretty good about that #12 ranking and my feeling that #5 was a bit too high seems to be reaffirmed. That said, while India failed to live up to expectations in 2019, I wouldn't call this year a full-on disappointment given the pitcher-friendly contexts he played in. India started off at High A Daytona Beach, where he slashed a rather pedestrian .256/.346/.410 with eight home runs and an 84/37 strikeout to walk ratio over 87 games. Promoted up to AA Chattanooga in July, he finished off the season by slashing .270/.414/.378 with three home runs and a 26/22 strikeout to walk ratio over 34 games, giving him eleven home runs and a .259/.365/.402 line for the year. India showed strong plate discipline to go with average power and contact ability, and though the power didn't really carry over to AA, he remains a highly regarded prospect who should be an all-around contributor at the major league level. As I said with Bohm, the juiced balls at AAA and the majors should help him tap into that power a bit more, and he could be a solid #5 hitter with the Reds in the near future. I just don't see him as a future star.

Stock Way Up
1-6: OF Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West (WI) HS -> New York Mets -> Seattle Mariners)
23 HR, .291/.364/.540, 20 SB, 111/50 K/BB, 152 wRC+ in 117 games at Class A, High A, and AA
If we were to re-do the 2018 Draft this winter, Casey Mize would probably still go first overall, but Jarred Kelenic would have a real shot at going second after after his monster first full season left the Mets regretting trading him to the Mariners in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz deal. Like most advanced high school bats, Kelenic started the season in Class A with West Virginia, but he only lasted 50 games after he slashed .309/.394/.586 with eleven home runs and a 45/25 strikeout to walk ratio. Promoted to High A Modesto, he kept on hitting against advanced competition to the tune of a .290/.353/.485 line, six home runs, and a 49/17 strikeout to walk ratio over 46 games. In August, the Mariners decided to turn him loose up at AA Arkansas, where he slashed .253/.315/.542 with six more home runs and a 17/8 strikeout to walk ratio over 21 games against extremely advanced pitching. We all knew he was advanced for a high schooler, but even then, a 20-20 season and a .291/.364/.540 line while reaching AA is extremely impressive. Unlike most high school draftees, Kelenic is on the fast track to the majors, and he could be a productive, top of the lineup hitter in the Mariners' lineup sooner rather than later.

1-14: RHP Logan Gilbert (Stetson -> Seattle Mariners)
10-5, 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 165/33 K/BB in 135 IP at Class A, High A, and AA
Well, what can you say, the 2018 Draft has been good to the Seattle Mariners. Not only has Jarred Kelenic established himself as one of the top prospects in baseball, Logan Gilbert has bumped his name among the best pitching prospects as well. After holding him out of game action in 2018 following a long season with Stetson, the Mariners started him off slowly with a relatively conservative assignment to Class A West Virginia, where he posted a 1.59 ERA, a 0.66 WHIP, and a 36/6 strikeout to walk ratio over 22.2 innings before his promotion drew a collective sigh of relief across South Atlantic League lineups. Up at High A Modesto, his opponents didn't fare much better, as he posted a 1.73 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 73/12 strikeout to walk ratio over 62.1 innings, forcing another promotion. Up at AA Arkansas by mid-July, he had a 2.88 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and a 56/15 strikeout to walk ratio over nine starts to finish off one of the finest pitching seasons in the minors this year. He entered the year with good, not great, stuff across the board, but it all played up exceptionally well as he missed bats left and right while maintaining the above average command that helped him go in the first round. Viewed as a potential #2 or #3 starter at draft time, Gilbert looks like he could be a true ace in the near future.

1-28: OF Seth Beer (Clemson -> Houston Astros -> Arizona Diamondbacks)
26 HR, .289/.388/.516, 0 SB, 113/46 K/BB, 155 wRC+ at High A and AA
At Clemson, Seth Beer put up some absolutely ridiculous numbers against strong ACC pitching, but his pronounced history of struggling with wood bats against top competition left teams wondering what his bat would look like in pro ball. Combine that with little to no defensive value and Beer was an enigmatic prospect to the fullest extent. He slashed .304/.389/.496 and reached Class A in his 67 game pro debut in 2018 after going to the Astros in the back of the first round, but his monster 2019 season got rid of any concerns that his bat would play up. After slashing .328/.414/.602 with nine home runs in 35 games at High A Fayetteville, he was quickly promoted to AA Corpus Christi, where he slashed .299/.407/.543 over 63 games before slumping to .205/.297/.318 after being traded to the Diamondbacks. Beer's big production proves he's much closer to the hitter he was at Clemson rather than the one he was over the summers, and this Seth Beer could have been a top ten pick with plate discipline, power, and the ability to get to it. He still won't provide any defensive value, but his bat will slot right into the middle of the Arizona lineup.

2-63: OF Alek Thomas (Mount Carmel [IL] HS -> Arizona Diamondbacks)
10 HR, .300/.379/.450, 15 SB, 105/52 K/BB, 140 wRC+ at Class A and High A
Thomas' numbers don't quite pop off the page like some of the names above him, but for a second rounder that was pegged as a fringy starter/possible fourth outfielder, he's certainly exceeded expectations by a long shot. Thomas started off at Class A Kane County and raked to the tune of a .312/.393/.479 line, eight home runs, eleven stolen bases, and a 72/43 strikeout to walk ratio over 91 games in the pitcher-friendly league. Aggressively promoted up to High A Visalia just a few months after his 19th birthday, he slashed a respectable .255/.327/.340 with a pair of home runs and a 33/9 strikeout to walk ratio over 23 games against advanced competition. We all knew that Thomas had an advanced feel for the game, but we questioned his tools. He showed that strong plate discipline and defense this year, but he also proved he could hit for impact, and that could be the difference between him developing into a fourth outfielder and a legitimate, dynamic, every day contributor.

CBB-72: RHP Josiah Gray (Le Moyne -> Cincinnati Reds -> Los Angeles Dodgers)
11-2, 2.28 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 147/31 K/BB in 130 IP at Class A, High A, and AA
Just as the Mets probably regret trading Jarred Kelenic, the Reds probably regret dealing Josiah Gray in the Yasiel Puig/Matt Kemp deal. A shortstop when he first reached Division II Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, Gray transitioned to the mound and immediately showed a tremendous ceiling. A strong pro debut with Greeneville in the rookie level Appalachian League (2.58 ERA, 59/17 K/BB) in 2018 was an encouraging sign, but he proved in 2019 that he is much more advanced than originally anticipated and that he's flying towards that high ceiling. The Dodgers reasonably started him at Class A Great Lakes, but he put up a 1.93 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a 26/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 23.1 innings and he was quickly bumped to High A Rancho Cucamonga. There, he didn't miss a beat, posting a 2.14 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and an 80/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 67.1 innings. Up at AA Tulsa well shy of his 22nd birthday, he had a 2.75 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and a 41/11 strikeout to walk ratio over 39.1 innings. Gray is exceptionally athletic and we already knew he had solid stuff, but he sharpened everything this year while greatly improving his command and turning himself into the complete package as a potential #1 or #2 starter. Still a few months away from turning 22, Gray is progressing much more quickly than expected and could be next in the line of great Dodgers rookies.

Others: RHP Grayson Rodriguez (1-11, Orioles), SS Nico Hoerner (1-24, Cubs), LHP Shane McClanahan (1-31, Rays), LHP Kris Bubic (2-40, Royals), RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (2-48, Mets)

Stock Down
1-23: C Anthony Seigler (Cartersville [GA] HS -> New York Yankees)
0 HR, .175/.328/.206, 1 SB, 28/20 K/BB, 74 wRC+ at Class A
I wouldn't go calling Seigler a bust right away, but his lost 2019 season certainly didn't go as planned. After beginning the season in extended spring training, he debuted with Class A Charleston in June, and picked up multiple hits in three of his first six games, but he slumped hard over the next 24 and was slashing just .175/.328/.206 when a July cross-up with the pitcher ended his season with him taking a fastball of the knee. In his limited game action, Seigler showed strong plate discipline and feel for catching, but he showed virtually no impact with the bat. That's especially concerning given that his strong plate discipline proved that he wasn't exactly overmatched, so if Seigler doesn't start showing some authority at the plate in 2020, he's likely destined for back-up duty in the majors.

1-27: RHP Mason Denaburg (Merritt Island [FL] HS -> Washington Nationals)
1-1, 7.52 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 19/14 K/BB in 20.1 IP at complex level
The Nationals signed Denaburg to an over-slot $3 million deal knowing that he was dealing with biceps issues, hoping he'd be healthy and ready to be turned loose in 2019. Unfortunately, those biceps problems continued over into 2019, holding him out of game action until June. When he did finally get on the mound in the complex-level Gulf Coast League, he wasn't nearly as polished as advertised, posting a 7.52 ERA and walking 14 batters in 20.1 innings across seven appearances. His control regressed and his stuff flattened out, making 2019 a lost season in terms of his development. As a high school draftee, Denaburg only turned 20 in August, but he'll have a lot to prove in 2020, starting with getting healthy.

CBA-43: RHP Griffin Roberts (Wake Forest -> St. Louis Cardinals)
1-7, 6.44 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 36/35 K/BB in 65.2 IP at High A
It's a good thing that Cardinals' 2018 first rounder Nolan Gorman had a strong year, because it's gone just about as poorly as possible for competitive balance pick Griffin Roberts. Two positive tests for marijuana meant that he got slapped with a 50 game suspension to start the 2019 season, so he didn't make it into game action until June. Once he got on the mound for High A Palm Beach, he wasn't nearly as effective as advertised, walking nearly as many batters as he struck out while allowing opponents to hit over .300 against him in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. While he wasn't necessarily known for his command at Wake Forest, it wasn't a weak spot, either, but it certainly was in 2019 when he walked 35 batters and hit 17 in 65.2 innings. His lethal fastball/slider combination, which he certainly was known for in college, played down in the FSL and he didn't miss nearly as many bats as hoped as he consistently fell into hitters' counts. Roberts has always pitched better out of the bullpen and it looks like that will be his best option going forward, where he can hopefully get back on track.

Others: OF Connor Scott (1-13, Marlins), RHP Cole Winn (1-15, Rangers), OF Jake McCarthy (CBA-39,  Diamondbacks), RHP Owen White (2-55, Rangers), RHP Jayson Schroeder (2-66, Astros)

Reviewing the Arizona Diamondbacks Farm System

The Diamondbacks' farm system is vastly improved from where it was a few years ago, but it's still not deep. Headlined by the live armed Jon Duplantier, this system is built around a strong group of hitters that played at High A Visalia in 2018, though after a solid top ten or so the system drops off and is mostly comprised of fringe talent. They have placed an emphasis on bats in the draft recently, and that has replenished the lower end of the system. In terms of pitching, most of the talent is closer to the major leagues and aside from Jon Duplantier, there are no true high-ceiling pitching prospects.

Affiliates: AAA Reno Aces, AA Jackson Generals, High A Visalia Rawhide, Class A Kane County Cougars, Short Season Hillsboro Hops, Rookie level Missoula Osprey, complex level AZL and DSL Diamondbacks

The Headliner: RHP Jon Duplantier
24 year old Jon Duplantier was a third round pick (89th overall) out of Rice in 2016, and though he had shoulder concerns in college, he has been mostly healthy in the minors. The result so far is a 17-4 record, a 1.79 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and a 245/74 strikeout to walk ratio over 211 innings since he was drafted, and in 2018 he was 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and a 77/30 strikeout to walk ratio over 74 innings, mostly at AA Jackson. He has shown the ability to shut down AA hitting with great stuff and good enough command to make it all work, and really his only question is health. Though he managed 136 innings in 2017, he missed some more time in 2018 and was shut down after 74 innings and he might end up as a right handed James Paxton type who struggles to stay on the mound. When healthy though, he looks like a future #2 starter who could be up in the majors by late 2019.

Visalia Bats: 2B Jazz Chisholm, 1B Pavin Smith, C Daulton Varsho, 3B Drew Ellis, and OF Marcus Wilson
It just so happened to work out that most of the top impact bats in the Arizona system all spent the bulk of their 2018 season at High A Visalia, which must have made for a fun lineup to watch out in California. Keep in mind that Visalia is a hitter-friendly venue when reading statistics in this section. 20 year old Jazz Chisholm, a Bahamas native, has the highest ceiling in this group. Chisholm spent 76 games down at Class A Kane County before being called up to Visalia for 36 games, combining for 25 home runs, a .272/.329/.513 slash line, 17 stolen bases, and a 149/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 112 games. He's an explosive player with speed and power from a 5'11" frame, but he has to improve his plate discipline. That isn't a huge issue due to his age, so if he can shore up that strike zone a little bit, he could be a Rougned Odor-type second baseman in the majors. 22 year old Pavin Smith was probably the most notable hitter to appear for the Rawhide, though his season was somewhat disappointing as he finished with eleven home runs, a .255/.343/.392 line, and a 65/57 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games, all at Visalia. The seventh overall pick out of the University of Virginia in 2017, Smith showed the excellent plate discipline he was known for in college, but the power he was projected to have has not yet materialized. At 6'2" with long arms, evaluators still think there is power to tap into, but he risks becoming just a bench bat if he doesn't get to it, even with his excellent plate discipline. He looked like he could be a Joey Votto out of college, but now it looks more like Jake Bauers. 22 year old Daulton Varsho was drafted 61 picks after Smith, 68th overall, in 2017 out of college in Wisconsin. Over 83 games between Visalia and some rehab work in complex ball, Varsho slashed .294/.367/.475 with 12 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and a 72/30 strikeout to walk ratio. He has power and speed, and with the ability to catch, he might be the most interesting prospect in the system. Catching isn't a given for Varsho, as his arm is mediocre, but if he can stick behind the plate he could be a J.T. Realmuto-type catcher with all around abilities as a hitter. Keep an eye on him. 22 year old Drew Ellis, yet another 2017 draft pick out of college, was a second rounder (44th overall) out of Louisville who has been more of a Smith-like disappointment than a Varsho-like surprise. This year, Ellis slashed .246/.331/.429 with 15 home runs and a 98/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games at Visalia, putting up some solid numbers on the surface that look a little less impressive considering the hitter-friendly context of the California League. I liked Ellis on draft day (as I did with Varsho) because of his high-torque swing where he keeps his hands close to his body, kind of like Mike Trout, but he just didn't drive the ball enough in 2018 to set himself apart. I still like him and he could be a strong third baseman with power and on-base ability, but like Smith, he has to start hitting with more authority. Yet another 22 year old, outfielder Marcus Wilson, spent the year at Visalia and slashed .235/.309/.369 with ten home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a 141/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 111 games. He was much better at Class A Kane County in 2017 (.295/.383/.446, 9 HR, 15 SB), so his lack of offensive sock this year was a disappointment. His best tool is his speed, but with an average bat, he probably ends up a fourth outfielder at the major league level.

Other Bats: 2B Domingo Leyba, 1B Kevin Cron, OF Jake McCarthy, OF Alek Thomas, OF Kristian Robinson, C Andy Yerzy, SS Blaze Alexander, and SS Geraldo Perdomo
While the bulk of Arizona's relevant bats were down at High A, they had quite a few that were a little farther back and two that were just ahead. 23 year old Domingo Leyba and 25 year old Kevin Cron are the two most advanced bats in the Diamondbacks' system, though they're two very different prospects. Leyba played 2018 at AA Jacksonville and slashed .269/.344/.381 with five home runs and a 46/35 strikeout to walk ratio over 83 games, showing good plate discipline and bat to ball skills but not showing much power. With some respectable defense, he looks like he could be a serviceable utility man who can get on base at a reasonable rate. Cron, meanwhile, is a big power hitter out of TCU who slashed .309/.368/.554 with 22 home runs and a 100/36 strikeout to walk ratio over 104 games at AAA Reno, though it's important to keep in mind that Reno is a hitter-friendly environment. The 6'5", 245 pound first baseman is blocked by Paul Goldschmidt in Arizona, but with 112 home runs over five minor league seasons, he could be a valuable pinch-hitter in the near term. However, in order for him to start in the majors, he'll need to walk more so that he is not just a one-dimensional player. 21 year old Jake McCarthy, the D-Backs' competitive balance pick (39th overall) out of the University of Virginia in 2018, was a nice get and I think he could out-play his draft position. McCarthy slashed .288/.375/.443 with three home runs, 21 stolen bases, and a 41/23 strikeout to walk ratio over 58 games, mostly with Short Season Hillsboro, after signing. He's really a complete player with speed, defense, on-base ability, and some power, and I think he'll develop more power in the minors. He hasn't yet played in full season ball, but he could move quickly through the minors and while he looks more like a good fourth outfielder at this point, I think he has a good shot to be a starting center fielder and valuable leadoff man. Meanwhile, 18 year old Alek Thomas was taken 24 picks later at 63rd overall out of high school in Chicago, and he adjusted quickly to pro ball by slashing .333/.395/.463 with two home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 37/24 strikeout to walk ratio over 56 games evenly split between complex ball and rookie level Missoula. He was known pre-draft as an advanced hitter for his age and it certainly showed, though I question his ceiling and see him more as a fourth outfielder than as a starter. He has great plate discipline, speed, and defense, but he doesn't hit for much power and his value will be tied to his on-base percentage if he can't add more. If he can maintain those high on-base percentages, though, he could be a leadoff hitter down the road. His teammate for much of the season, 17 year old Kristian Robinson, is another Bahamian who got off to a hot start for his pro career by slashing .279/.363/.428 with seven home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 67/27 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball and Missoula. He's extremely young, turning 18 in December, and while he's a long, long way off, he could end up with a similar offensive toolset to Jazz Chisholm. Players like Robinson flame out all the time, but they're also the type that can yield tons of value down the road if they don't flame out. 20 year old catcher Andy Yerzy has been brought along slowly, hitting well along the way and slashing .297/.382/.452 with eight home runs and a 67/28 strikeout to walk ratio over 63 games at Hillsboro. The bat is potent, especially for a catcher, but he has to continue to work on his defense if he wants to stay behind the plate. He's a good enough hitter that he could still be valuable as a first baseman or an outfielder, but he could be a starting catcher if he can improve his defense. Obviously, we'll still need to see the bat at higher levels before considering him a true impact prospect. 19 year olds Blaze Alexander and Geraldo Perdomo are a couple of young shortstop prospects who will be competing as they move up through the minors. Alexander got off to a hot start to his pro career in 2018, slashing .329/.417/.538 with five home runs, ten stolen bases, and a 52/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 55 games between complex ball and Missoula, while Perdomo hit .322/.438/.460 with four home runs, 24 stolen bases, an a 44/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball, Missoula, and Hillsboro. Both are good defenders, with Perdomo more likely to stick at short and Alexander more likely to move to third base, and while Perdomo also appears to have a little more sock in his bat, they're about even offensively and the transition to full season ball will be telling.

The Pitchers: Taylor Widener, Taylor Clarke, Emilio Vargas, Matt Tabor, Matt Mercer, Yoan Lopez, and Alex Young
The Diamondbacks aren't very deep with pitching after Jon Duplantier, so I decided to lump the rest of the pitchers into one section. Of the rest, 24 year old Taylor Widener is clearly the best, showing pretty decent command of mid-rotation stuff and using it to hold down minor league hitters very effectively to this point. In 2018, the 6' righty put up a 2.75 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 176/43 strikeout to walk ratio over 137.1 innings at AA Jackson, missing bats with his mid-90's heater and his sharp slider. Right now, he looks good enough to at least cut it as a back-end starter with the upside of a mid-rotation starter, and how effectively he can deploy his decent changeup will be an important factor in his ultimate performance. There's a good chance he makes it to the majors in 2019. His main competition among prospects, aside from Duplantier, will be another Taylor, 25 year old Taylor Clarke. Clarke is a veteran of the upper minors who posted a 4.03 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 125/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 152 innings at AAA Reno in 2018, a hitter-friendly context. While his stuff is generally average, Clarke commands his pitches well and can get outs by hitting his spots consistently. He will be tested in the majors, but he could be a #4 or #5 starter in 2019. 22 year old Emilio Vargas is slightly behind the two of them, but the 6'3" righty should not be overlooked. Over 26 games (25 starts) at High A Visalia and Jackson in 2018, Vargas posted a 2.88 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 170/49 strikeout to walk ratio over 143.2 innings. His stuff ticked up this year and he started missing more bats while throwing more strikes, and the result was a dominant run through the hitter-friendly California League followed by a successful AA debut. He still looks like a back-end starter, but 2018 gives hope that he could be more. Farther down on the farm, a couple of Matts have some high upside. 20 year old Matt Tabor posted a 3.26 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 46/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 60.2 innings at Short season Hillsboro, mainly living off his mid 90's fastball and good control, but he's young enough to continue developing those offspeed pitches and could look like Taylor Widener in a couple of years. 22 year old Matt Mercer, meanwhile, was just drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of Oregon and posted a 3.10 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 38/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 29 innings, mostly as Tabor's teammate at Hillsboro. It's a small sample size, but Mercer's low walk rate was a very welcome site after be battled command troubles in college, but he'll still need to refine his secondary pitches if he doesn't want to end up in the bullpen. I get a good feeling that pro coaching could make him a useable back-end starter, but the bullpen is a real possibility and he could be very good back there. Lastly, the Diamondbacks have a pair of notable relief-only prospects in 25 year olds Yoan Lopez and Alex Young. Lopez has had a very roundabout career, originally signing for a huge $8 million bonus in 2015 but struggling as a starter and briefly stepping away from the game in late 2016. He returned as a reliever in 2017 and has been lights out ever since, posting a 2.92 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and an 87/26 strikeout to walk ratio over 61.2 innings with Jackson in 2018 before reaching the majors with success in a small sample size (3.00 ERA, 11/1 K/BB in 9 IP). He throws an MLB-ready fastball/slider combination, and while his control keeps him from being a closer, he could be a valuable reliever starting this season. Young has also spent his minor league career as a starter and there is still some chance he starts in the majors, but I see him more as a relief prospect after a mediocre 2018 (5.17 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109/39 K/BB in 130.2 IP at Jackson and Reno). His stuff is fringy and could play up in the bullpen, and as a lefty he could be deployed strategically. Look for him as a potential long reliever.

2018 Draft Review: Arizona Diamondbacks

First 5 rounds: Matt McLain (1-25), Jake McCarthy (CBA-39), Alek Thomas (2-63), Jackson Goddard (3-99), Ryan Weiss (4-129), Matt Mercer (5-159)
Also notable: Tyler Holton (9-279), Nick Dalesandro (10-309), Blaze Alexander (11-339)

Not being able to sign first round pick Matt McLain was a big blow to the draft class, but I think they still managed to scrap together a very nice class, that competitive balance pick at #39 really helping. They focused on hitters for the first three picks before jumping to college pitchers for five picks in a row, and they were able to sign a couple of IMG Academy stars to large over-slot bonuses a bit later in the draft. Obviously, there's no headline pick in this draft class since they missed on their first rounder, but there's a lot of second tier talent spread around and D-Backs fans can look at this as a quantity draft.

1-25: 2B Matt McLain (my rank: 65)
Despite the ranking, I actually didn't mind this pick when the Diamondbacks made it because McLain is definitely a second round talent and one that I figured the D-Backs would try to cut a deal with to save slot space. However, they were unable to sign him, and I therefore am not a fan of this pick, which is hard to say because I do like McLain as a player, just a little lower in the draft. He's a high school infielder from Southern California, one who succeeds with average tools that play up due to his work ethic and feel for the game. He's skinny and probably won't hit for too much power, though there is some whip in his swing and it should spray lots of line drives once higher level coaching streamlines it to keep it in the zone longer. Defensively, he's nothing special, but he can play all around the infield and has a chance of sticking at shortstop in pro ball, though that's far from a given. He'll be eligible for the 2021 draft and in the meantime will hope to provide a spark for a UCLA program that has underperformed in recent years.

CBA-39: OF Jake McCarthy (my rank: 31)
I'm actually a big fan of McCarthy as a player and I really like this pick. The UVA outfielder was great in 2017 (.338/.425/.506, 5 HR, 27 SB, 35/26 K/BB) and was looking to build on that in 2018 when a broken wrist caused him to miss more than half the season. He still managed good numbers in his 20 games, slashing .329/.414/.415 with nine stolen bases and a 9/10 strikeout to walk ratio, though he failed to hit a home run. UVA plays in a pitchers' park and preaches a line-drive approach at the plate, so that explains his low power numbers in college, but I expect him to hit for more in pro ball due to his clean, explosive swing that should respond well to some loft. Defensively, he has the speed to stick in center field and could be a top of the lineup force in Arizona. Additionally, with a July birthday, he's young for the class, and he signed for $1.65 million, which is $184,500 below slot. He slashed .273/.333/.455 with a strikeout, a walk, and a stolen base in three games for the rookie level Arizona League before earning a promotion to the short-season level Northwest League, where he is slashing .231/.322/.346 with a home run, six stolen bases, and a 13/4 strikeout to walk ratio through 14 games.

2-63: OF Alek Thomas (my rank: 47)
Thomas is somewhat of a cross between McLain and McCarthy as a player, interestingly enough, playing McCarthy's position with his power potential but at McLain's age and with his noted game feel and attitude. Thomas comes from high school in Chicago, and where his dad is actually the strength and conditioning coach for the White Sox. I originally saw him as more of a fourth outfielder type but as he continued to show a very advanced approach at the plate, I warmed to him and moved him up about twenty spots on my rankings. At just 5'11" and fairly skinny, there isn't much power projection, but he could post high on-base percentages and steal lots of bases with his selective approach and plus speed. He's great defensively and should stick in center field, which will take some pressure off his bat, but adding power to his game would be big for him and would get him over the hump. He signed for $1.2 million, which is $164,500 below slot, and he's playing exactly as expected in the Arizona League, slashing .324/.400/.451 with six stolen bases and a 12/8 strikeout to walk ratio through 16 games, hitting no home runs yet but knocking three doubles and three triples.

3-99: RHP Jackson Goddard (my rank: 109)
Goddard is one of those guys with great stuff who hasn't been able to put it together in college due to inconsistency and poor command. He pitched for Kansas, where this year he went 5-1 with a 4.10 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, and a 60/28 strikeout to walk ratio in 52.2 innings. He's a 6'3" righty that throws in the low to mid 90's and also adds a good slider and a good changeup, showing an arsenal that could be nearly major league ready. However, he struggles to command it, with those issues often stemming from his high effort delivery. The Diamondbacks will probably continue to run him out as a starter at first but he's probably best off as a reliever, where he could consistently sit around 96 and buckle hitters with his offspeed stuff if he can command it. He signed for $550,000, which is $15,100 below slot, and he has allowed three earned runs through four innings on two hits, three walks, and two strikeouts in four appearances between the Arizona League and the Northwest League.

5-159: RHP Matt Mercer (my rank: 99)
Mercer has a similar story to Goddard, though I like him just a bit better. The Oregon pitcher finished his junior year 5-7 with a 4.16 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and an 86/42 strikeout to walk ratio in 88.2 innings, showing a low to mid 90's fastball but not much in the way of offspeed pitches. While he, like Goddard, struggles with command, I like him better because he maintains his stuff throughout his starts and even though he's an inch shorter at 6'2", he looks to have a little bit more projectability. If the D-Backs can help him with that release point and get his offspeed stuff going more consistently, they could have stolen a back-end starter here in the fifth round. Otherwise, he's make a good reliever. Mercer signed for $314,800, right at slot, and he has allowed one earned run over four innings on three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts in three appearances between the Arizona League and the Northwest League.

Others: 4th rounder Ryan Weiss has been the ace of the Wright State pitching staff over the last two seasons, finishing 2018 9-2 with a 3.40 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 92/18 strikeout to walk ratio over 98 innings. He has better command than both Goddard and Mercer, though his fastball sits in the low 90's and doesn't reach the mid 90's as often as those two. His curveball and changeup are there and he has the best chance of sticking in the rotation of the three, and while his ceiling is probably the lowest, it's not by much. 9th rounder Tyler Holton has been exceptional over three years at Florida State, going 13-7 with a 2.44 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 234/65 strikeout to walk ratio in 190.2 innings since his freshman season, but he missed all but one start of his junior season with Tommy John surgery and won't pitch until 2019. The D-Backs were able to jump in and buy low, and he might end up being better than the three pitchers I've already written about. His fastball sits in the upper 80's and doesn't get above 90 all that much, but it plays up due to deception as well as his slider/changeup combination, and if he can add just a little velocity, he could surprise a lot of people. Unfortunately, he just turned 22 in June, and he may be 23 before he throws his first professional pitch. 10th rounder Nick Dalesandro is a light hitting Purdue catcher who slashed .297/.400/.402 this year with a pair of home runs, 27 stolen bases, and a 31/37 strikeout to walk ratio in 59 games. It's not your typical profile for a catcher, as he shows great speed and a patient approach at the plate without much power. Because he has the ability to stick behind the plate, Arizona will give his bat plenty of chances to catch develop and he could be the fastest catcher in the majors if he gets that far. 11th rounder Blaze Alexander is a high schooler out of the IMG Academy in Florida, with his $500,000 signing bonus taking up $375,000 of the Diamondbacks' slot space. He play shortstop and can stick there defensively, more-so because of his excellent arm (he can hit 95 on the mound) than because of his range. His bat takes some time to get into the zone, leading to contact and consistency problems, but he generates good bat speed and could have plus power to the pull side down the road if he taps into it enough. He's really a high-upside player who could be an impact player on the major league club if he does improve that contact, especially because he can play shortstop.

2018 MLB Draft: Top 15 Outfielders

There are no superstars in this year's outfield class, but there is good depth, especially if you are looking for guys who can stay in center field long term. Being a center fielder is much like being a shortstop or second baseman in that pressure is taken off the bat, and on the flip side, being a left fielder means that all of the pressure is on the bat, nearly as much as if a player was a first baseman.

1. Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama)
Swaggerty opened eyes with a big sophomore season at South Alabama (10 HR, .361/.487/.567), and while his batting average dropped in 2018, he walked a lot more, added more power, and pushed himself possibly into the top ten picks. Over 57 games, he hit 13 home runs and slashed .296/.455/.526 with an excellent 38/54 strikeout to walk ratio. He generates more power than you would think for a 5'11" guy, especially with his speed. That speed plays on both sides of the ball, as he projects to stay in center field long term, taking some pressure off his bat. Add in that he's young for a college junior and won't turn 21 until August, and you have a guy with power, patience, and speed who could impact the game in a lot of ways.

2. Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West HS, WI)
There was buzz that the Tigers could select Kelenic first overall for an under slot deal for a while, but that has faded and he looks to go somewhere in the middle of the first round, with the top ten still being a possibility. He may be the most advanced high school hitter available, one who could slot into full season ball soon and who could work his way to the majors fairly quickly. While he doesn't have a plus tool, he does everything well, showing a very advanced approach at the plate as well as some power, speed, and good defense. If he can stay in center field, he could be a left handed Adam Eaton, but even if he slides to a corner, he'll still be an impactful player for a long time. He is a little old for the class, turning 19 in July, but he's so advanced as a hitter that that shouldn't be a problem. He's committed to Louisville.

3. Connor Scott (Plant HS, FL)
If Kelenic is the unspectacular, steady player, Scott is the exciting wild card. The Tampa native is lanky at 6'4" with plenty of room to grow into his frame, and he does everything well. While his approach is not as advanced as Kelenic's, he still has a good feel for the barrel and could grow into more power. He's extremely fast and has a cannon arm, meaning he could be an above average defender in center field, so he can impact the game on both ends of the ball. He is a little bit of a bust risk, as his swing is awkward and his power hasn't developed yet, but the swing works for him and it's not too dissimilar to former teammate and Astros first round pick Kyle Tucker's. He won't make it out of the first round and has a good shot at going in the top half, and he's committed to Florida.

4. Trevor Larnach (Oregon State)
Larnach's excellent performance this spring has had him shooting up draft boards, as he has slashed .330/.452/.632 with 17 home runs to actually overshadow possible top five pick Nick Madrigal in the Oregon State lineup at times. That power is real, as he generates elite exit velocities off the bat, so it should play up with wood bats. He does strike out a lot, but he also walks a lot, showing a power/patience combination that should carry him all the way to the majors. He also swung well in the Cape Cod League for two years, and he's overall trending hard in the right direction. He could hit his way to the majors quickly. On defense though, he's mediocre and will likely have to play left field, where he has enough bat to carry him. He'll likely come off the board before Scott.

5. Greyson Jenista (Wichita State)
Alec Bohm's teammate in Wichita is a first round prospect as well, albeit not as strong of one. He looked like a first round lock after a very good summer in the Cape Cod League (3 HR, .310/.391/.401) in which he was universally praised by coaches for his work ethic and leadership as well as his performance, but a pedestrian junior season (9 HR, .309/.446/.475) has knocked him at least to the back half of the first round if not out of it. I'm still high on him and think he'll be an impact player in time, as he has an explosive swing from a 6'4" frame that will help his power play up. He also walks a lot, and if he can improve his barrel control, he should be able to put it all together and be a complete hitter. He's athletic for his size and should be able to stay in the outfield, but he may have to move to first base if he slows down.

6. Jake McCarthy (Virginia)
Jake McCarthy, whose brother Joe is currently a prospect in the Rays system, had a very good sophomore year (5 HR, .338/.425/.506, 27 SB) and was ready to build on it in 2018 until a broken wrist cut a large chunk out of his season. I still like him as a prospect, as he has a clean, explosive swing that could generate more power if he adds some loft to go along with enough speed to stay in center field. The wrist injury makes him a bit of a wild card, and he may end up as a tweener that doesn't hit quite enough to break past AAA, but I buy the upside and think he could be an every day center fielder. He's also young for a college junior, and he's unlikely to go in the first round but should be drafted shortly afterwards.

7. Jordyn Adams (Green Hope HS, NC)
Adams is a fast rising prospect who could make this ranking look too conservative when it is all said and done. He wasn't well known heading into the season, but a huge performance at the National High School Invitational in March and continued good play afterwards have elevated him to a likely first round prospect. He's a super-athlete who is committed to North Carolina not just for baseball but for football as well, showcasing top of the scale speed that should help him stay in center field no matter how his arm and glove progress. That takes pressure off his bat, which is behind his glove but could generate power and contact when it's all said and done. His swing is long and smooth, and once he gives up football, it should get shorter and more consistent, though he does do a good job of getting the barrel into the zone early. He's ranked here but will go higher than McCarthy, probably higher than Jenista, and possibly in the same range as Scott and Larnach at best, though signability will be an issue no matter where he is drafted.

8. Mike Siani (Penn Charter HS, PA)
The Philadelphia area doesn't have much going on in terms of draft prospects, but Siani is right there in the national conversation. He is fast enough and has enough arm strength to not only stay in center field, but be very good there, taking some pressure off his bat. He'll need that pressure off, because even though he has some loft in his swing and the wheels to turn doubles into triples, he has struggled to find the barrel and will take some time to develop. If it all breaks right, I honestly see some Adam Haseley in him, and he's committed to Virginia like Haseley. He's a little old for a high school senior, turning 19 in July, and is probably a second round pick.

9. Griffin Conine (Duke)
Jeff Conine's son had a huge sophomore season (13 HR, .298/.425/.546) and then hit extremely well in the Cape Cod League (9 HR, .329/.406/.537), leading to projections that he could hit his way into the top ten picks with a good junior season. That didn't happen, as he sold out for power, his swing got long, and he struck out way too much, but he began to right the ship as the season went on and brings 15 home runs and a respectable .265/.390/.559 line into this writing. He strikes out a ton, 27.3% of the time, and that alone could be his downfall in pro ball. However, if he cleans up his approach with pro coaching, he has a good shot at being a power hitting right fielder in the middle of a major league order. He's also young for a college junior, turning 21 in July, and should go somewhere in the second round.

10. Steele Walker (Oklahoma)
Walker is an interesting prospect for more reasons than just his cool name, as he has hit better than ever during his junior year at Oklahoma (13 HR, .352/.441/.606), but hasn't seen his draft stock move up all that much. He plays the game hard and plays it smart, getting the most out of his skill set despite a relative lack of loud tools, which has led to plenty of success for the Sooners, but given that description, I'd like to see a better strikeout to walk ratio than 48/31 if I'm going to take him in the first round, as some teams have shown interest in doing. He strikes me as a bit of a tweener, a player who can't quite field enough to stay in center field but who doesn't quite hit enough for left field, so he could end up a fourth outfielder, but he also plays the game in such a way that he could surprise. He is a little bit old for his class though, turning 22 in July (quite a few July birthdays in this part of the rankings, I know). He could go anywhere from the end of the first round to the back of the second round, and likely ahead of Conine and Siani.

11. Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)
While I consider Walker a slightly better prospect, his teammate Kyler Murray is perhaps the most interesting man in the draft. A potential first round pick as a Dallas area high schooler, he was instead busy leading the famous Allen High School football program as one of the top quarterback recruits in the country to Texas A&M. Things didn't work out there and he transferred to Oklahoma, where he backed up first overall pick Baker Mayfield in Norman. Meanwhile, this paragraph is supposed to be about baseball, and I'll get to that. He had to sit out his freshman baseball season at Oklahoma due to transfer rules and slashed a miserable .122/.317/.122 as a sophomore, leading to the baseball world all but forgetting about him, but he's back out of nowhere this year. In 51 games, he has ten home runs and is slashing .296/.398/.556 with a respectable 56/28 strikeout to walk ratio given the circumstances, showing plenty of speed and the athleticism you'd expect from a two sport star. His bat is coming along nicely as well, and once (if ever) he focuses full time on baseball, he should be able to cut down that strikeout rate and bump up the walk rate. There is a lot of potential to unlock here, and to top it off, he is young for a college junior and won't turn 21 until August. He has pushed himself into the first round conversation, but he will be an extremely tough sign given that he has the opportunity to take over for Mayfield as the starting quarterback of the famous University of Oklahoma offense next fall.

12. Nick Schnell (Roncalli HS, IN)
Schnell is a high ceiling outfielder from Indianapolis who does a little bit of everything. He can run and stay in center field, taking pressure of his bat, and he has added power this spring with big bat speed and a whippy bat path. He is fairly raw at the plate, and pro coaching will need to clean up that swing, but as I said, the good defense buys him slack. He looks to go somewhere in the second round and is committed to Louisville, like Kelenic.

13. Alek Thomas (Mount Carmel HS, IL)
Thomas lacks any real standout tool but plays the game well and has a higher floor than most high school hitters. His feel to hit and defensive ability are both advanced, and if he can improve his arm strength, he'll be a good center fielder. That takes some pressure off his bat, which might need it because he lacks power and could end up a fourth outfielder if he doesn't start driving the ball with more authority. He's committed to TCU and could go as early as the end of the first round.

14. Jameson Hannah (Dallas Baptist)
Hannah may only be 5'9", but he has a lot of Denard Span in him and has shown consistent gap power this spring, slashing .363/.449/.556 with six home runs, 24 doubles, three triples, and an even 38/38 strikeout to walk ratio for the Patriots. He's fast, has shown a great feel for the barrel, and should stick in center field. If he can't cut it as a leadoff guy, he'll make a solid fourth outfielder, and should go somewhere in the second or third round.

15. Parker Meadows (Grayson HS, GA)
The younger brother of Pirates rookie star Austin Meadows, Parker isn't quite the same prospect but has high upside. His left handed swing, combined with his lean 6'4" frame, is built for knocking balls out of the park, but his feel for the barrel is subpar and will need to improve if he wants to go anywhere. With his speed and arm strength, he should be able to stick in center field, buying the contact some time to come along. He's committed to Clemson, where he could emerge as a first round pick in three years. If he chooses to sign, he's a second or third round talent.

Others: Kyle Isbel (UNLV), Tristan Pompey (Kentucky), Joe Gray Jr. (Hattiesburg HS, MS), Zach Watson (Louisiana State), Ryder Green (Karns HS, TN), Nick Decker (Seneca HS, NJ)