2023 MLB Draft Review: St. Louis Cardinals

Full list of draftees

My first reaction here is that I absolutely love the Cardinals' first two picks. In Chase Davis, they got who I think might be one of the best hitters in the entire class, and in the third round they bought low on Travis Honeyman, one of the most dynamic bats in the class who lost draft stock during an up and down season. Those two alone could make this class for them. Later on, they pivoted to their usual strategy of grabbing pitchability types from the college ranks, prioritizing pitchers with deep arsenals and the ability to execute their pitches as opposed to flamethrowers. They also looked for power in their hitters as opposed to defensive versatility, which is fine by me, and came away with some of the better bats for their draft positions because of it. Interestingly, while some teams went all over the place with over and under slot bonuses galore (I just wrote about the Mariners who went to the extreme), the Cardinals stayed by the straight and narrow with their bonuses and never went more than $100,000 over or under slot value.
Full index of team reviews here. Full rankings here.
Note that the number before a player's name indicates their draft position. "2-50" would indicate that a player was drafted in the second round with the fiftieth overall pick.

1-21: OF Chase Davis, Arizona {video}
Slot value: $3.62 million. Signing bonus: $3.62 million.
My rank: #7. MLB Pipeline: #22. Baseball America: #28. Prospects Live: #20.
The Cardinals started the draft off with a bang, picking out what I see as a top ten talent here at 21st overall and signing him for slot value. Chase Davis was my #65 draft prospect out of Franklin High School in the Sacramento area in 2020, but turned down a chance to go in the top couple of rounds and instead enrolled at Arizona. He barely played as a freshman, re-established himself as an interesting draft prospect as a sophomore in 2022 (18 HR, .289/.414/.583), then broke out for a huge junior season in 2023 by slashing .362/.489/.742 with 21 home runs and a 40/43 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games. Davis has long stood out for his lean, exceptionally muscular physique as well as his plus-plus raw power, showing the ability to absolutely demolish baseballs with the very best of them (see this gargantuan walk off home run for proof). With an elite 90th percentile exit velocity over 108, very few players in college baseball hit the ball as hard and as far as he can. However, it's the development of his hit tool that has brought him from a solid prospect to a potential star. He struck out in 34.3% of his plate appearances as a freshman, worked it down to 22.8% as a sophomore, then struck out just 14.4% of the time as a junior – for reference, that was lower than fourth overall pick Wyatt Langford (14.5%). He has done it by cutting his chases way down, consistently putting himself in the best position to do damage by attacking the right pitches. The next step in his development will be honing in his pure bat to ball ability, which is fringy, as he can swing and miss within the zone a little more than you'd like. He has begun to tone down the bat wrap he has long employed in his load, but you'd like to see it get smoothed out even a little more. From there, his hands are so fast and explosive that you could really see him pulling it all together. Davis is also an above average runner with a plus arm that could make him a weapon in right field, adding a bit to the profile. The Cardinals love that he's trending hard in the right direction and has a chance to be a middle of the order impact bat, though he's off to a slow start at Low A Palm Beach, slashing .219/.375/.250 with a 12/7 strikeout to walk ratio through ten games.

3-90: OF Travis Honeyman, Boston College {video}
Slot value: $759,600. Signing bonus: $700,000 ($59,600 below slot value).
My rank: #43. MLB Pipeline: #61. Baseball America: #93. Prospects Live: #70.
I love this pick in the third round, especially below slot value. Travis Honeyman broke out as a sophomore at Boston College last year (6 HR, .329/.402/.506) and really made a name for himself in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .289/.400/.530 with four home runs and an 18/8 strikeout to walk ratio over 24 games. He entered the spring with first round buzz and even cracked my top ten at one point, but he played to mixed results with a .304/.383/.534 line, six home runs, and a 21/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 39 games before missing the end of the season with a shoulder injury. When healthy, Honeyman can impact the game in many different ways. He's ultra aggressive at the plate, but makes it work because he makes a ton of contact from the right side. In fact, only 18.6% of his plate appearances in 2023 ended with a ball in the catcher's mitt, either from a strikeout or a walk. The ball is always in play, and he's not just a slap hitter, either. Honeyman ran a 90th percentile exit velocity over 105, which would be at least average raw power, tapped with elite hands in the box that help him get the barrel to the ball all over (and outside) the zone. He can turn on the ball for home run power to his pull side, but he prefers to smoke liners around the park. An above average runner, he's unremarkable defensively and may profile in left field in pro ball, which would put pressure on his bat. Overall, he fell because teams weren't sold on his overall impact in the box after that shoulder injury, with some perhaps viewing him as a tweener that wouldn't tap enough power to profile every day in left field. Personally, I see the electric hands, the ability to hit the ball hard, elite bat to ball ability, and track record in the ACC and on the Cape and I choose to believe that he's an every day outfielder that can hit for a high average and provide 15-20 home runs per season.

4-122: LHP Quinn Mathews, Stanford {video}
Slot value: $541,700. Signing bonus: $600,000 ($58,300 above slot value).
My rank: #153. MLB Pipeline: #86. Baseball America: #105. Prospects Live: #181.
Last year, the Cardinals spent their top three picks on pitchability college lefties Cooper Hjerpe, Brycen Mautz, and Pete Hansen, and it only took three picks for them to take another in 2023. Quinn Mathews was a four year starter at Stanford and was actually a 19th round pick as a junior a year ago, but returned to school with unfinished business. The move worked out for him as he took control of the Cardinal pitching staff as a senior, posting a 3.75 ERA and a 158/40 strikeout to walk ratio over 124.2 innings in a year where offense was extremely high. He earned national attention for a June 11th start against Texas in the Palo Alto Super Regional, where he threw a nine inning, sixteen strikeout, 156 pitch complete game to get the win (a week after throwing 178 pitches over a three day span). Fortunately, it appears the Cardinals are not terribly concerned with the overuse, and they feel they have a future back-end starter on their hands. Mathews sits in the low 90's with his fastball, topping out around 95. He drops in a big, sweeping slider with depth as well as a fringy, get-me-over curveball, but his best pitch is an above average changeup with great drop. Everything plays up because the lanky 6'5" lefty has a funky delivery and hides the ball well. He also has a deep understanding of pitching and sequences and executes his pitches well, which helps his average pure command play above average. Mathews likely won't throw much for the Cardinals this summer after leading all of Division I in innings pitched with the Cardinal, but once he's rested up and ready next year, he should move quickly and could be a #4 or #5 starter sooner rather than later.

5-158: OF Zach Levenson, Miami {video}
Slot value: $381,300. Signing bonus: $381,300.
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: #204. Baseball America: #221. Prospects Live: #168.
In the fifth round, the Cardinals picked up one of the better all-around bats still available. Zach Levenson spent a year at Seminole State JC in Florida before transferring to Miami, where he hit .295/.406/.545 with 21 home runs and an 87/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 114 games in two seasons. Levenson has plus raw power from the right side, a product of a strong 6'2" frame and great leverage in his swing. It's a fringe-average hit tool, with a solid approach and bat to ball skills, though he can get streaky at the plate and slumped in the second half of 2023. Defensively, the tools are average and he can make it work in either corner outfield spot, but won't necessarily provide positive value. Overall, it's likely a platoon profile, but he has a chance to swing his way into an everyday role if the hit tool plays up in pro ball, where he could hit 20+ home runs per season with decent on-base percentages. He's off to a hot start at Palm Beach, slashing .346/.387/.538 with a home run and a 9/3 strikeout to walk ratio through nine games.

6-185: RHP Jason Savacool, Maryland {video}
Slot value: $302,300. Signing bonus: $302,300.
My rank: #205. MLB Pipeline: #199. Baseball America: #134. Prospects Live: #350.
Jason Savacool, like Chase Davis, was a serious draft prospect out of Baker High School just outside of Syracuse, but made it to campus at Maryland and spent all three seasons in the weekend rotation. He was at his best in 2022 (2.93 ERA, 123/28 K/BB) but took a bit of a step back in 2023, finishing with a 4.22 ERA and a 95/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 96 innings as his strikeout rate fell from 28.5% to 22.6% and his walk rate rose from 6.5% to 9.3%. Savacool sits in the low 90's, topping out around 93 with average movement on his fastball. His best pitch is an above average slider, which he can also work into a distinct curveball to steal strikes, and he adds an average changeup. He lacks any plus pitches and really only has one above average pitch, but it's a deep arsenal of usable tools to work through professional lineups. The 6'1", physically maxed out righty also shows average command from a fairly stiff delivery, which may limit his potential upside in terms of adding velocity and power to his stuff. If Savacool can sequence and execute his pitches just well enough to stay off of barrels in pro ball, he has a shot to be a #4 or #5 starter, though I struggle to see much upside here beyond that and I wouldn't call him a particularly safe bet either. My ranking of #205 might make it seem like I'm more or less on board with this pick at #185, but my list only went to 209. In his first appearance at Palm Beach, he allowed two runs, walked two, and struck out one over one inning.

8-245: LHP Ixan Henderson, Fresno State {video}
Slot value: $193,800. Signing bonus: $230,000 ($36,20 above slot value).
My rank: #206. MLB Pipeline: #166. Baseball America: unranked. Prospects Live: #387.
The Cardinals grabbed another pitchability lefty to join Quinn Mathews, a fellow Californian in Fresno State ace Ixan Henderson (pronounced E-Shawn). He had his best year yet in 2023, posting a 3.74 ERA and a 100/34 strikeout to walk ratio over 89 innings, quietly moving up boards to establish himself as one of the better lefties on the West Coast. The stuff isn't all that loud, with a fastball that sits in the low 90's and gets up to 94 with average movement with a full arsenal behind it. Like Jason Savacool, his slider is his best pitch, though it plays closer to average while his curveball and changeup are fringy pitches. Because his slider is his lone pitch likely to miss bats in pro ball, he'll likely lean on it more going forward while he fine tunes the rest of his arsenal. All of Henderson's stuff plays up because he hides the ball well and shows solid average command, with a loose, easy delivery that could help him get to above average in pro ball. The 6'2" lefty has some projection remaining and might come with a little more upside than Savacool, but his offspeed stuff is a tick behind and he'll really need something to take a step forward. It's a nice back-end starter profile here in the eighth round for a little above slot value.

9-275: RHP Christian Worley, Virginia Tech {video}
Slot value: $175,600. Signing bonus: $200,000 ($24,400 above slot value).
My rank: #186. MLB Pipeline: unranked. Baseball America: unranked. Prospects Live: #310.
Christian Worley is a nice sleeper for the Cardinals, one who has thrown just 36.2 innings over 26 relief appearances in his three years at Virginia Tech. He managed just five of those appearances in 2023, when he had a 2.70 ERA and a 15/2 strikeout to walk ratio over ten innings, but made enough of an impression for the Cardinals to hand him $200,000. What he lacks in track record, he makes up for in stuff. Worley's fastball sits in the low to mid 90's and gets up to 96, playing up further with riding action. He works in a sharp, late breaking slider that he can also shorten up into a cutter, giving him a dynamic, bat-missing offspeed pitch. Without much of a changeup or a curveball, especially given his durability questions, he likely profiles in the bullpen long term but he could thrive there. The 6'1" righty is very athletic on the mound with some projection remaining and a late birthday (he only turned 21 in June), and if he can stay healthy for longer stretches of time, he could start running his fastball more consistently into the mid 90's. He features a drop and drive delivery and does throw with some effort, but his athleticism helps him repeat it well and gives him average command.

12-365: OF Brayden Jobert, Louisiana State {video}
Slot value: up to $150,000. Signing bonus: $150,000.
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: unranked. Baseball America: #436. Prospects Live: unranked.
You don't get much more Louisiana than Brayden Jobert (pronounced "jo-bair"). Originally from Slidell across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, he began his career at Nicholls State way down in Thibodaux, transferred to Delgado JC in New Orleans, then finally made his way to his dream school of LSU for his final two years, where he was roommates with #2 overall pick Dylan Crews. After crushing 18 home runs and hitting for a low (.246) average in 2022, he put up a much more well-rounded season in 2023 by slashing .301/.409/.596 with 14 home runs and a 59/22 strikeout to walk ratio over 60 games for the national champion Tigers. Jobert takes big, powerful hacks from the left side, effectively channeling his strong 6'2" frame into above average raw power that he tapped against good pitching in the SEC. However, he's an aggressive hitter that does not control the zone well, leading to elevated swing and miss rates and making for an uphill climb in pro ball. He made his approach work against quality pitching in the SEC, which is a great sign, but he'll also turn 23 shortly after the minor league season ends and won't have as much slack to transition. He's also a below average defender that spent most of the 2022 season as LSU's DH before before playing primarily left field in 2023. He's not a great runner and will have to work hard to make a corner outfield spot work, otherwise he'll end up at first base or as a DH in pro ball. That puts more pressure on the bat, but it's hard not to like a guy who clubbed 32 home runs in two years in the SEC while running an on-base percentage near .400. He's off to a bit of a slow start at Palm Beach, where he's slashing .182/.296/.273 with an 8/3 strikeout to walk ratio over nine games.

20-605: LHP Cameron Johnson, IMG Academy {video}
Slot value: up to $150,000. Signing bonus: did not sign.
My rank: #52. MLB Pipeline: #42. Baseball America: #43. Prospects Live: #46.
He didn't sign here, so I won't go into too much detail, but I did want to touch on Cameron Johnson. Johnson has one of the most electric arms in the prep class and had first round buzz at times during the draft cycle, but instead he'll head to LSU to try to help the Tigers repeat as National Champions. He's a big, physical, 6'5" lefthander that sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball and is closing in on triple digits at his peak. The fastball runs and sinks as well from a three quarter slot, helping him avoid flush contact when hitters time it up. He also misses bats with an above average slider, though his changeup is a distant third pitch at this point. Johnson can lose his release point when he gets tired and that will impact his command, so at LSU he'll focus on endurance and better repeating his mechanics in order to crack into that weekend rotation. His delivery looked a bit cleaner in 2023 and that had him moving up boards, but he also ran into some elbow problems towards the end of the season and that's likely why nobody met his signing bonus demands.

2023 MLB Draft: An early look at the Pac-12 Conference

2022 draftees: 41. Top school: Oregon State (8)
2022 preseason writeup (published 9/12/2021)

Top 2022 draftees:
1-19, A's: C Daniel Susac (Arizona)
1-22, Cardinals: LHP Cooper Hjerpe (Oregon State)
CBA-33, Orioles: OF Dylan Beavers (California)
2-60, Blue Jays: SS Josh Kasevich (Oregon)
2-64, Astros: OF Jacob Melton (Oregon State)
2-65, Rays: OF Brock Jones (Stanford)
CBB-73, Reds: OF Justin Boyd (Oregon State)

The Pac-12 can be the forgotten Power Five conference in football and basketball some years, but baseball is its best sport with schools like UCLA, Stanford, Oregon State, and Arizona consistently competing for College World Series spots every year. Even though they'll lose a powerhouse program in UCLA in addition to USC to the Big Ten, and possibly others to other conferences, they're deep enough in baseball to withstand realignment better than in football or basketball. Throw in the presence of other West Coast powers like Gonzaga, UC Santa Barbara, and San Diego State, among others, that could potentially be absorbed, and Pac-12 baseball isn't going anywhere. As it stands today, though, they're coming off a year with three picks in the first 33 names selected. It's also fitting that Oregon State, who seems less likely to depart the conference than some other schools, had the most draftees with eight and possesses the conference's most recent National Championship after winning in 2018. 

This year, Stanford appears to be the standard bearer for the conference with four names in the top twelve prospects and a few more that just missed the list. Three transfers also grace this list, highlighting that conference realignment isn't the only factor creating a new era in college athletics. With that, let's take a look at the conference's top twelve 2023 draft prospects heading into 2022-2023 academic year.

*Note: when this was originally published, I completely overlooked the University of Arizona. So the original version of this article did not include Chase Davis or TJ Nichols, and this new version will go twelve deep by virtue of already having done the write ups.

1. 2B Tommy Troy, Stanford.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 5'10", 195 lbs. Born 1/17/2002. Hometown: Los Gatos, CA.
2022: 7 HR, .339/.371/.568, 5 SB, 38/9 K/BB in 55 games.
It appeared that the Pac-12 would be littered with second to third round types for this year's draft, but Tommy Troy made a loud statement over the summer to establish himself as the clear-cut best prospect in the conference for now. After showing well as a regular in Stanford's lineup as a freshman, he broke out to hit .339/.371/.568 in 2022 and acted as one of the major catalysts in the school's run to Omaha. That put him on the map for late day one of the draft, but it was his performance over the summer that really got scouts buzzing about a potential first round selection. Playing for Cotuit, he slashed .313/.385/.539 with five home runs over 34 games against some of the best pitching in the country, which built off a strong 2021 run through the league as well. Point is, Troy has not stopped hitting for over a year now, whether that be on the Cape, in the Pac-12, or in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Standing just 5'10", he gets by with exceptional feel for the barrel that helps him spray hard line drives all around the field, posting higher exit velocities than you'd expect from a smaller guy. The Bay Area product takes very strong at bats never looks overmatched in the box, aiding what is a plus hit tool overall. Because he makes so much contact, he doesn't walk much at this point in his career, so that will be a small thing to watch for in 2022. Troy probably doesn't project to be a big home run threat, but as was previously mentioned, he hits the ball very hard for a smaller guy and could tap average or better power in pro ball. That could mean 15-20 home runs a year in the majors with high batting averages. Troy is not a standout defender, but he gets the job done at all the up-the-middle positions and would make a strong second baseman or a solid utility man glove-wise. Right now, he looks like a mid to late first rounder.

2. OF Chase Davis, Arizona.
Bat: L. Throw: R. 6'1", 215 lbs. Born 12/5/2001. Hometown: Elk Grove, CA.
2022: 18 HR, .289/.414/.583, 4 SB, 66/48 K/BB in 63 games.
Chase Davis had significant draft interest as high as the second round in 2020, but a high asking price landed him in Arizona with fellow Sacramento-area prep stars Daniel Susac (now with the A's) and TJ Nichols. While Susac and Nichols immediately stepped into prominent roles, Davis started just one game as a freshman while he was buried by one of the deepest offenses in the country, but he broke out with 18 home runs and a .400+ OBP upon receiving every day playing time in 2022. More than anything, Davis is known for his power. One of the strongest players in the Pac-12, he is loaded with lean muscle that helps him whip the bat through the zone at explosive speed. Mostly a pull hitter, he can demolish a baseball to the pull side but is plenty strong enough to put one out the other way, and baseball's new anti-shift rules will really help him. He's very patient in the box but has a long swing that begins with significant bat wrap, causing some swing and miss and ultimately leading to 45.5% of his plate appearances in 2022 leading to one of the three true outcomes (22.8% strikeouts, 16.6% walks, 6.2% home runs). Davis may always deal with hot and cold streaks due to his all or nothing approach in the box, but he could become a 30+ home run bat if things go right more than they go wrong. He'll also provide value on defense, where he possesses a plus-plus arm in the outfield and enough speed to make him an above average defender in right field. All eyes will be on how he handles Pac-12 pitching in 2023, and if he can get his strikeout rate below 20% without sacrificing pop, it's a first round profile for me.

3. LHP Ross Dunn, Arizona State.

Bat: R. Throw: L. 6'3", 220 lbs. Born 2/20/2002. Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT.
2022 (@ Florida State): 2-4, 4.88 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 77/26 K/BB in 48 innings.
Those aren't the loudest numbers for Ross Dunn, but it's important to remember that he was pitching in an ACC that was absolutely loaded with many of the best lineups in the country. After serving as the Sunday starter in an all-lefty weekend rotation at Florida State that saw both Parker Messick (Guardians) and Bryce Hubbart (Reds) go in the top one hundred picks, Dunn will transfer closer to home at Arizona State and look to join his southpaw counterparts in that draft range. He hasn't quite put it together yet, but the pieces are there. The Salt Lake City native has plenty of arm strength and can run his fastball up to 96, though many times he can sit closer to 90. His slider is his best pitch for now, grading out above average and flashing plus when it's on with late, hard bite. He also adds a solid changeup that gives him a very strong three pitch mix, and it all comes from a very projectable 6'3" frame that figures to help him add velocity in a pro conditioning program. With a loose, easy delivery, he has improved his strike throwing considerably but is still looking for more consistency in that regard. It's very easy to project Dunn as at least a back-end starter, and if he can get more consistent with his command and maintain his peak fastball velocity more consistently as well, he could become an impact arm and shoot himself into the first round. For now, it looks like more of a second round profile.

4. RHP TJ Nichols, Arizona.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 6'4", 190 lbs. Born 6/24/2002. Hometown: Roseville, CA.

2022: 6-4, 5.50 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 84/38 K/BB in 88.1 innings.

One of the better freshman arms to reach campus in 2021, TJ Nichols stepped right into a prominent swingman role for a loaded Arizona team and performed well, putting his name in early consideration for the first round in 2023. Despite holding down the Friday night role all season long in Tucson, he didn't quite take the step forward many where expecting as he allowed at least three earned runs in each of his final ten starts and was blown up for seven apiece against Washington and Oregon. Still, he remains firmly on scouts' radars as one of the Pac-12's top breakout candidates in 2023, and with good reason. Nichols sits in the mid 90's with his fastball and can reach back for up to 98-99 at his best, coming from a lower slot that makes for a tougher read. His slider has been inconsistent and lets hitters sit on his fastball when it's not working, but it's an above average pitch when it's on. The Sacramento-area product also adds a solid changeup to round out his arsenal. He possesses the prototypical projectable frame at a skinny 6'4", so it's not out of the question that he could continue to add velocity and bump triple digits one day. For now, he'll want to focus on his inconsistent command that comes from an equally inconsistent release point, and he does throw with moderate effort. While it's far from a finished product, nothing in Nichols' profile is egregious and small steps forward with the consistency of his offspeeds and command could do wonders for his draft stock, and he could pitch his way into the first round if he breaks out like some expect. Despite Hi Corbett Field's deep dimensions, Tucson is not an easy place to pitch with the thin, dry desert air up nearly 2500 feet above sea level, and pitchers like Tylor Megill (Mets) and Chase Silseth (Angels) have gone on to success in pro ball despite high ERA's with the Wildcats.

5. RHP Alonzo Tredwell, UCLA.
Bat: L. Throw: R. 6'8", 230 lbs. Born 5/8/2002. Hometown: Coto De Caza, CA.
2022: 4-1, 2.11 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 62/6 K/BB in 47 innings.
This is a very interesting one. Part of UCLA's unbelievably loaded freshman class a year ago, Alonzo Tredwell earned some day two draft interest out of Mater Dei High School in Orange County and is eligible again as a sophomore because he is a year older than many of his classmates. He did plenty to build his stock in that one year on campus, posting a 2.11 ERA out of the UCLA bullpen while striking out 34.1% of his opponents to just a 3.3% walk rate. Variously listed at 6'7" or 6'8" depending on the source, the word of the day here is extension. Tredwell gets down the mound extremely well and releases the ball right in front of the hitter's face, immediately making for a very tough look before you even get to the rest of the profile. He currently sits in the low 90's and tops out around 93, so for now it's more the extension and ride than the velocity that makes his fastball play up. Tredwell mostly pitches off that fastball, but he does flip in a solid breaking ball and a decent changeup that both need more refinement. Fortunately this is not solely a projection play, as he has gotten much better at repeating his delivery and showed plus control in 2022, with the command hopefully coming in behind that as he gets older. Throw in great athleticism for his size and there is a ton to work with in this profile, but he will need to refine his arsenal itself in order to succeed as a starter in pro ball. Still, the floor is already very high as a high leverage reliever that can control the zone and give hitters a different look.

6. 3B Drew Bowser, Stanford.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 6'4", 220 lbs. Born 10/2/2001. Hometown: Los Angeles, CA.
2022: 18 HR, .293/.350/.573, 0 SB, 77/20 K/BB in 62 games.
Drew Bowser is bound to present one of the most polarizing profiles in this year's draft. A highly heralded recruit who earned draft consideration as high as the second round in 2020, he made it to campus at Stanford and immediately hit .302/.361/.487 as a true freshman playing every day. Bowser tapped much more power in 2022, jumping his home run total from 7 to 18 and bumping his ISO (SLG - AVG) from .185 to .280, but that also came at the expense of his contact ability and his strikeout rate ballooned from a respectable 17.4% to an ugly 29.3%. Meanwhile, he has struggled over two years on the Cape, slashing .181/.278/.234 over 34 games, and there are serious questions about his ability to perform against pro pitching. Still, you can't deny the power. Bowser shows easy plus power from a simple right handed swing and a big, strong, 6'4" frame, causing the ball to jump off his bat to all fields in a way most hitters can't match. Combine that with a strong track record of hitting in the Pac-12 as well as back in his prep days, and there is serious upside in this bat. He'll have to cut down significantly on his chases in order to reach that lofty season, but if he can get his strikeout rate below 19-20% in 2023 while consistently tapping his power in games, he could go in the first round. The defense is so-so for now, with enough arm strength to play third base but a bit of an inconsistent glove that could force him to first base if he doesn't make some refinements there. Showing he can stick at third, of course, will help take some pressure off his hit tool.

7. SS Luke Keaschall, Arizona State.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 6', 170 lbs. Born 8/15/2002. Hometown: Watsonville, CA.
2022 (@ San Francisco): 8 HR, .305/.445/.502, 30 SB, 34/37 K/BB in 57 games.
Ross Dunn isn't the only transfer on Arizona State's roster looking to go on day one of the draft. Luke Keaschall had a very successful pair of seasons at San Francisco and will look to continue that success in the Pac-12, and there is every reason to believe it will translate. In addition to slashing .312/.427/.489 over two years on The Hilltop, he also hit .280/.345/.403 through 67 games over two years in the Cape Cod League, proving that he can handle high level pitching with no issue. He stands out for exceptional feel for the barrel, with tremendous adjustability in his right handed swing that enables him to square up virtually everything thrown his way. It's an above average hit tool that could grade out as plus with a strong season in Tempe, so he should transition easily not only to the Pac-12 but to pro ball when that comes around. For now, the power is below average as he lacks the present strength to really put carry on that high quantity of squared up baseballs. Keaschall is young for the class and won't turn 21 until after the draft, which does lend some hope that he can tack on strength to his skinny 6' frame, but for now I'm not sold that he'll consistently reach double digit home runs in the majors. He may have to rely on high on-base percentages to provide value, though his defensive versatility will help take some pressure off that power. He saw time all over the infield at San Francisco and also appeared regularly in the outfield on the Cape, helping give a floor as a speedy utility man that can get on base. If he does tack on some power, it suddenly becomes a very well-rounded profile.

8. 1B Garret Forrester, Oregon State.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 6', 205 lbs. Born 11/11/2001. Hometown: Fair Oaks, CA.
2022: 9 HR, .332/.480/.498, 1 SB, 48/64 K/BB in 64 games.
If it breaks right, Garret Forrester could be the right handed Kyle Manzardo, who is now tearing it up in the Rays organization after coming out of Washington State. Forrester stands out for his exceptional plate discipline, coming off a 2022 where he walked at an extremely high 20.8% rate and ran a .480 on-base percentage. He rarely ever chases, but if you come into the strike zone, he also rarely misses a good pitch to hit, so he never gets himself out. He uses a line drive swing from the right side to spray the ball around the field with authority, but there is some power in the tank when he turns on one and he could profile for 15-plus home runs a year at the major league level. Given that it's a first base-only profile, there is some pressure for the power to show up even with the plus hit tool. Nobody doubts Forrester's ability to handle pro pitching and get on base, but if he wants to go in the top couple rounds, he will have to tap that power in games. Kyle Manzardo represents what could happen if things go well, but the floor is still something like Cal's (now the Padres') Nathan Martorella, to continue with the West Coast theme.

9. 3B Kyle Karros, UCLA.
Bat: R. Throw: R. 6'5", 225 lbs. Born 7/26/2002. Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA.
2022: 6 HR, .308/.365/.473, 0 SB, 43/18 K/BB in 43 games.
The Karros family has come to be synonymous with both UCLA and Dodgers baseball. Eric was drafted out of the school in 1988 and played for the Dodgers from 1991-2002 (where he hit 270 of his 284 career home runs), while son Jared holds a 3.51 ERA over 41 career innings for the Bruins and signed with the Dodgers in the sixteenth round this year. Now, younger brother Kyle is ready to cap off his UCLA story and possibly even end up a Dodger if history is any indication. Kyle is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he slashed .308/.365/.473 despite missing some time due to injury, but there is plenty of untapped potential here and he could be primed for an even bigger breakout. He's an aggressive hitter with a bit of a swoopy swing that can get in and out of the zone quickly, leading to a 21.7% strikeout rate last year to just a 9.1% walk rate, so the hit tool is fringy for now. However, his long, lean 6'5" frame gives him plenty of leverage when he catches the ball out front and helps him really impact it well. As he continues to get stronger and fill out that big frame, he could get to above average or even plus power in time. For now, there is a bit of a long way to go and that fringy hit tool got him into trouble on the Cape, where he slashed just .157/.279/.157 in 18 games. The glove does buy the bat some slack, as Karros moves very well at the hot corner and shows off a plus arm that will help him not only stick, but potentially be an asset out there. Like his teammate Alonzo Tredwell on this list, he's mostly a projection play for now, but one with high upside between his size, athleticism, and bloodlines. He's also young for the class to boot, not turning 21 until after the draft.

10. LHP Ryan Bruno, Stanford.
Bat: L. Throw: L. 6'3", 220 lbs. Born 1/4/2002. Hometown: Wellington, FL.
2022: 6-1, 2.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 71/35 K/BB in 39.2 innings.
Stanford has landed some huge recruits from east of the Mississippi River recently, notably Braden Montgomery (Madison, MS), Tommy O'Rourke (Morristown, NJ), and our man here, Ryan Bruno (Wellington, FL). Always noted more for his stuff than his command, Bruno barely pitched as a freshman in 2021 when he walked 14 of the 29 batters he faced in four innings. Pulling it together enough to get consistent innings in 2022, he posted a 2.75 ERA and a 71/35 strikeout to walk ratio over 39.2 innings, dropping that walk rate from 48.3% to 19.8%. His command has limited him to a bullpen role so far, and it remains to be seen if he throws enough strikes to earn a rotation spot this spring. He has cleaned up his delivery steadily in Palo Alto but still struggles to repeat it, making it difficult to rein in his big stuff. He can run his fastball up to 97 with tough angle from a cross-body delivery, sitting comfortably in the mid 90's in short stints. Bruno's breaking ball is a big, slurvy slider with deep bite, helping him miss a ton of bats and run 40%+ strikeout rates. He also adds in a solid changeup that would make any transition to the rotation a bit easier. If the 6'3" lefty can come out with even fringe-average command in 2023, it would go a long way towards helping teams visualize him in a big league role, as the track record for college relievers is very spotty at this point. The stuff is loud and can overwhelm Pac-12 hitters when it's located, and it's sure to play in pro ball if he can stay ahead in counts.

11. OF Owen Diodati, Oregon.
Bat: L. Throw: R. 6'2", 220 lbs. Born 8/17/2001. Hometown: Niagara Falls, ON.
2022 (@ Alabama): 8 HR, .242/.360/.439, 3 SB, 43/25 K/BB in 49 games.
Owen Diodati has been a known commodity to area scouts all over North America, first as a notable prep in Ontario, then as a freshman sensation at Alabama in 2020 and now coming in to play at Oregon. After hitting .309/.431/.673 in his shortened freshman season, scouts were very excited to see what he could do over a larger sample in Tuscaloosa and he was one of the bigger names for the 2022 draft very early in the process. Unfortunately, neither his sophomore (.230/.314/.420, 27.0% K rate) nor junior (.242/.360/.439, 23.1% K rate) seasons lived up to the hype and he went undrafted in 2022. He wound up transferring to Oregon and spent the summer in the Cape Cod League, where he suddenly rebuilt his stock in a big way by slashing .344/.500/.557 with three home runs over 22 games. Suddenly, the Owen Diodati hype train might be back in motion, and because he was very young for the class last year, he's only slightly old for this one. He stands out first and foremost for huge raw power, a product of a very strong 6'2" frame and lightning quick hands that produce a ton of bat speed. Diodati can blast the ball out to any field even if he doesn't get all of it, though he hasn't always tapped it in games. He has struggled considerably with pitch recognition in the past, leading to plenty of swing and miss and more than his fair share of taken strikes as he got trigger-hesitant. On the Cape this summer, he looked more confident and decisive in the box, which could unlock a world of potential for the young Canadian. If he can carry those adjustments from the Cape over to Eugene, he could be one of the better hitters in the entire conference and rebuild all his lost draft stock.

12. LHP Drew Dowd, Stanford.
Bat: L. Throw: L. 6'2", 205 lbs. Born 1/3/2002. Hometown: Belmont, CA.
2022: 6-0, 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 77/34 K/BB in 75.1 innings.
Stanford started this list with Tommy Troy and led all Pac-12 schools with four names, so it's only fitting that they'll close it out too. While Ryan Bruno possesses some of the loudest stuff in the conference, Drew Dowd is a very different type of pitcher that will provide a nice contrast as the two lefties look to lead the Stanford pitching staff in 2023. He was a steady if unspectacular arm in 2022 then elevated his profile by throwing well on the Cape, where he posted a 2.60 ERA and a 23/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 17.1 innings. He only sits around 90 with his fastball and tops out around 92, while his curveball and changeup are both average pitches, so it's not about the stuff. Instead, Dowd is a deception and command arm that hides the ball well and puts tough angle on his pitches from an overhand slot, getting some run and sink on his fastball to boot. He'll definitely need to add a couple ticks of velocity to succeed in pro ball, but for now the rest of his game is strong enough to buy him some time and help him succeed in the Pac-12. For now though, he profiles as a #5 starter that could go somewhere in the mid to late part of day two.

2020 Draft: Top 12 Undrafted High School Hitters

Just like with the pitchers, more hitting talent is heading to college than ever before. In this case, there are actually a ton of catchers between Georgia Tech's Kevin Parada, UVA's Kyle Teel, Arizona's Daniel Susac, and Georgia's Corey Collins, in addition to Miami's Carlos Perez, who just missed the "others" section. Another running theme here is power, as only two of the twelve names profile for anything less than above average raw power. Parada and LSU's Dylan Crews are the clear headliners here, though lower down on the list, I see Cayden Wallace and AJ Shaver being interesting sleepers to keep an eye on. By conference in the 17 listed, the SEC leads the way with six names including two of the top four, while Arizona was the only school to bring on multiple hitters on the list. Between the hitters and pitchers list, Miami and Arizona are tied with three names apiece, though I'd easily call the Miami crop the best one.

1. C Kevin Parada (my draft rank: 47)
Loyola HS [CA] -> Georgia Tech
Atlanta is a long way from Kevin Parada's home in Los Angeles, but if you're looking for a school with track record behind the plate, Georgia Tech is the way to go. Parada will look to be next in a long line of Yellow Jacket catching talent extending from Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters to, more recently, 2018 Giants second overall pick Joey Bart and 2019 A's fourth round pick Kyle McCann. If anything, Parada brings a big time bat. It's not as flashy as Bart's, but it's certainly more balanced than McCann's. He combines naturally above average raw power with an advanced hit tool that has enabled that power to play up in games and which made him one of the more consistent performers on the prep circuit. This spring, he started off especially hot and might have hit his way into first round consideration, but his commitment to Georgia Tech remained firm and he effectively priced himself out of the draft. Defensively, he's a bit more of a work in progress, as he doesn't show the soft hands and natural agility behind the plate that teams look for, but he should still be good enough to catch at least in school. Very few question his bat, and he should be able to jump into the Yellow Jacket starting lineup as a freshman, whether that's behind the plate or somewhere else like first base or DH. He has a good shot to be one of the ACC's better bats over the next three seasons, so the development of his glove will likely determine whether he cracks the first round. Pre-draft profile here.

2. OF Dylan Crews (my draft rank: 55/unranked)
Lake Mary HS [FL] -> Louisiana State
Technically, I removed Dylan Crews from my draft rankings when he formally removed himself from the draft, but he would have ranked 55th had he not taken his name out. LSU is no stranger to big recruits making it to campus and brought on a big bat in Cade Doughty last year, but Crews could be an even bigger get. Playing out of the same suburban Orlando high school that produced Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers in 2015, Crews put his name on the map early in his high school career and has long been a staple in first round conversations. However, an up and down summer, in addition to an unremarkable, shortened senior year, pushed him more into the second round range. Crews clearly believes that he possesses a first round bat, and he's off to prove it in Baton Rouge. He naturally produces a ton of raw power from a lightning quick right handed swing, and he has tapped that power against high level pitching for a long time. However, this past summer, he really tried to show it off, and that led to some swing and miss and overall uneven performance. Crews is at his best when he stays within himself and lets his strength and bat speed send the ball deep, and when he does stay within himself, he shows an above average hit tool. He'll look to refine his approach at LSU and get more consistent, and if he produces in the SEC like he's capable of, he could return in 2023 a first round pick. I could easily see Crews as one of the SEC's most productive hitters over the next few seasons. Pre-draft profile here.

3. OF Chase Davis (my draft rank: 65)
Franklin HS [CA] -> Arizona
I think more people expected Nick Yorke to make to campus at Arizona than Chase Davis, but Yorke's surprise first round selection to Boston was enough to pry him away from Tucson and Davis ended up effectively pricing himself out instead. Throw in Daniel Susac, and you have a couple of big Sacramento-area bats coming in to replace the departed catchers Austin Wells (Yankees, first round) and Matthew Dyer (Mets, fourth round). Davis is a power hitter with plenty of lean muscle packed onto his 6'1" frame, deploying his quick hands into explosive bat speed from the left side. Right now, the main flaw in his profile is a significant bat wrap that causes his swing to start with the head of the bat pointed towards the pitcher, making his swing a lot longer than it needs to be. Against high school pitching, his bat speed was more than enough to make up for that, but some of the premium arms on the showcase circuit were able to exploit that and overall he's a fairly streaky hitter. At Arizona, he has both the power and feel for the barrel to develop into one of the better hitters in the Pac 12, but his success might hinge on how well the Arizona coaching staff is able to smooth out that bat wrap. To me, it's reason to envision him showing a future average or even above average hit tool, because if he can succeed with the bat wrap, who knows how well he could hit without it. Eliminating that "who knows" with big production in the Pac 12 could turn him into a first round pick, but further inconsistency could have the opposite effect. Davis also has a plus arm and enough range to be an above average defender in right field, perhaps even a center fielder in college ball depending on who the Wildcats have in the outfield. Pre-draft profile here.

4. OF Enrique Bradfield (my draft rank: 72)
American Heritage HS [FL] -> Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt put together the best outfield recruiting class I've ever seen between Robert Hassell, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Enrique Bradfield, and while Hassell (Padres) and Crow-Armstrong (Mets) both went in the top 19 picks, Bradfield made it through and will end up in Nashville. One of the fastest players in the 2020 draft class, he has a chance to be a true leadoff bat that sets the tone for the next few Vanderbilt lineups. A very skinny kid at a listed 6' and 155 pounds, Bradfield is an old school type with very little power to speak of. Instead, he likes to slap the ball around the field and use his plus-plus wheels to do the rest, though he's not a pure slap hitter in that he has shown the ability to drive the ball if he wants to. I don't see him ever getting close to average power, but with a loose left handed swing and natural feel for the barrel, I could definitely see Bradfield knocking plenty of doubles and triples at Vanderbilt while running into a couple of home runs here and there. He'll also wreak havoc on the basepaths and be a handful for SEC catchers, aided by the likely high on-base percentages he'll put up. It's hard to see him projecting as a true first round pick just due to the lack of power, but three years of production in the SEC to prove his hit tool is for real could get him close. Defensively, I probably don't have to tell you that he's a true center fielder. It's always hard to break through and find playing time at Vanderbilt, but I don't expect him to take too long to be at least ready for full time duties in the SEC. Pre-draft profile here.

5. SS/3B Drew Bowser (my draft rank: 79)
Harvard-Westlake HS [CA] -> Stanford
Bowser was actually only the second best prospect on his Los Angeles high school team behind Mets first rounder Pete Crow-Armstrong, but he has a shot to be one of the better hitters Stanford has brought on in recent years. Bowser is a power hitter that generates a lot of torque from a sturdy 6'3" frame and a powerful right handed swing, regularly putting on a show in batting practice. While his power hasn't played up as consistently in games, it's definitely trending in the right direction as he has tightened up that right handed swing and let his power come naturally rather than selling out. A shortstop in high school, he's probably a third baseman in pro ball due to his fringy range, but he may be able to stick at the position in college depending on what the lineup looks like around him. If a better defender does push him to third base, he'll be above average there and an asset for the Cardinal. Bowser was trending up as a hitter before the season shut down, so it will be interesting to see how ready his bat is for the Pac 12 when his freshman season begins. Either way, by the time he's a sophomore, I'd expect him to be putting up big numbers. Pre-draft profile here.

6. SS/3B Yohandy Morales (my draft rank: 91)
Braddock HS [FL] -> Miami
Miami brought on two of the top four incoming high school pitching prospects on my previous list, and now they're on the board with the sixth best incoming hitting prospect as well. To make things even more fun for Hurricanes fans, all three of Victor Mederos, Alejandro Rosario, and Yohandy Morales, plus another top recruit in catcher Carlos Perez, attended high school in Miami-Dade County. Morales is a big power hitter who was trending up in the spring, more efficiently channeling his natural strength and leverage into game power. He's a big guy at 6'4" that can really put a charge into a baseball, though up until recently, he had a lot going on in his setup/swing that often led to some swing and miss. If he can maintain the adjustments he made in the shortened 2020 season that saw him calm down that setup, he could be the anchor of Miami lineups for the next couple of years. Morales, like Bowser, played shortstop in high school, but he's probably more likely to end up at third base even in Coral Gables. The loss of shortstop Freddy Zamora (Brewers, second round) and infield recruit Sammy Infante (Nationals, comp round) helps Morales' chances, though Miami is such a hotbed for talent that someone will inevitably rise up and push Morales to third base. Still, he has a chance to be solid average there and given how much he could hit, it won't really matter where he ends up defensively. Evaluators will be watching closely to see if he can bring that quieter approach to college ball, and if he demolishes ACC pitching like he is capable of, we could be looking at a high pick in the 2023 draft. Pre-draft profile here.

7. C Kyle Teel (my draft rank: 98/unranked)
Mahwah HS [NJ] -> Virginia
Like Dylan Crews, Kyle Teel formally removed his name from the draft during the spring, so he didn't end up on my rankings when he could have cracked the top 100. Nobody recruits out of the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area better than UVA, and Teel will hope to follow 2016 first rounder Matt Thaiss on the New Jersey to UVA catcher to major leagues pipeline. He will fit right into the Cavaliers' lineup as a well-rounded, disciplined player with the ability to play from day one. Teel doesn't have huge physical tools, but he's an agile defender behind the plate with soft hands who is actually athletic enough to play the infield if needed. With further refinement in college, he could make himself into a well above average defensive catcher. With the bat, it's a balanced profile with a loose left handed swing, some sneaky power, and a consistent hit tool that will enable him to handle ACC pitching. He probably won't post eye popping offensive numbers like Thaiss, but he'll be a better defender and he'll likely be very consistent. Continuing to bulk up and add impact to his overall game could put him in a really nice spot for the 2023 draft – while NC State's Patrick Bailey has more power than Teel will likely end up with, the fact that he went 13th overall without eye popping numbers shows the value of good defensive catchers who can hit.

8. OF Jace Bohrofen (my draft rank: 102)
Westmoore HS [OK] -> Oklahoma
Though Oklahoma lost shortstop recruits Bobby Witt Jr. to the Royals and Ed Howard to the Cubs in back to back first rounds, they landed a very solid outfield bat in Jace Bohrofen. While he doesn't have one standout tool like many of the other names on this list, Bohrofen brings a broad baseline that, at the very least, will make him a very productive player at the college level. I love the looseness and natural whip in his left handed swing, and his above average feel for the barrel enables him to make very consistent hard contact. For now, the power is pretty ordinary, but as he bulks up, he has the swing type and natural projection in his 6'2" frame to profile for average or even slightly above average power in pro ball. Back at the college level, I see him pretty easily playing up to at least above average power with metal bats and against Big 12 pitching. His feel for the game should enable him to slot right into the Oklahoma lineup from day one, and while he's more of a corner outfield profile for pro ball, he could stick in center field for the Sooners. Scouts were moderately underwhelmed by the tools he shows at this point, so three years of production in the Big 12 in addition to the chance to grow into some real power could change that in a big way come 2023.

9. 3B Cayden Wallace (my draft rank: 104)
Greenbrier HS [AR] -> Arkansas
Arkansas lost two superstar hitters to the 2020 draft in outfielder Heston Kjerstad (Orioles, second overall) and Casey Martin (Phillies, third round), but the returns of catcher Casey Opitz and infielder Robert Moore, plus a huge incoming freshman bat in Cayden Wallace, should keep the Razorbacks' lineup humming at a high level. Wallace is yet another power hitter who can really, really smoke the baseball, posting exit velocities up there with the best in the class. His swing could use a little bit of mechanical refinement to help him get more loft and extension, which could help him tap even bigger power. The hit tool will take a little more projection, as he has shown plenty of feel for the barrel in his high school career but since the barrel isn't in the zone for long, he can swing through hittable pitches at times. He'll be an interesting project for the Arkansas coaching staff that has had plenty of success with these types of hitters in the past, with a ton of upside to be unlocked. Given how deep the Arkansas lineup is, I'm not sure if he'll be able to crack the lineup from day one, but I expect him to work his way in rather quickly and he could be a legitimate impact hitter sooner rather than later for the Razorbacks. A shortstop in high school, he'll likely end up at third base in college, where his strong arm and quick instincts should make him solid average there.

10. C Daniel Susac (my draft rank: 110)
Jesuit HS [CA] -> Arizona
Joining Chase Davis on his way from Sacramento to Tucson will be Daniel Susac, the younger brother of MLB catcher Andrew Susac. Daniel will be a huge get for a Wildcats team that just lost both of its star catchers in Austin Wells (Yankees, first round) and Matthew Dyer (Mets, fourth round), giving him the chance to start full time immediately. Overall, Susac is a very solid all-around player with solid tools all-around but nothing that stands out at present. He generates above average raw power from a big, 6'3" frame that he has shown the ability to tap in games. A switch hitter, his long arms and legs can put some length into his swings at times, though he has shown the ability to make adjustments. His strength is apparent behind the plate with a strong arm, though he's not the most athletic back there and is still smoothing out his overall defensive game. Together it should profile well in college, where he could hit in the middle of the Wildcats lineup, and refining everything down into a more consistent product could really help his draft stock. He'll want to work quickly, because his May birthday makes him a year older than his peers in his class, and he'll be both age-appropriate and eligible for the 2022 draft as a sophomore.

11. C Corey Collins (my draft rank: 122)
North Gwinnett HS [GA] -> Georgia
Corey Collins was trending up when the shutdown happened, and some scouts believed he had a chance to hit his way into day one consideration with a full season. What was pro ball's loss could ultimately become Georgia's gain, as they're bringing on the top incoming catcher in the SEC. Collins, like many of the names before him on this list, is a power hitter with a big, strong 6'3" frame that produces a lot of leverage from the left side. However, he wasn't really seen much on the showcase circuit and therefore scouts didn't really know what to make of his hit tool, so that makes him a great candidate to go prove it in college. Some scouts who have seen more of Collins think his hit tool could be at least average, which would make him a really valuable player not only for the Bulldogs but in pro ball, but again, he's gotta prove it. Behind the plate, his defense is typical of high school catchers, with a strong arm and decent blocking/receiving skills in need of refinement. Collins has a chance to shoot up boards Patrick Bailey style with a strong career in Athens, and either way he's a huge get for that Georgia program.

12. OF AJ Shaver (my draft rank: 130)
South Lake HS [FL] -> Florida State
AJ Shaver was one of the last late risers up the board in this weird draft cycle, but his rise came too little too late to divert him away from heading to Florida State. He has a very quick right handed swing that produces some nice, natural raw power that he can tap naturally without selling out, though his aggressive approach has limited him at times against higher level pitching. Not just a power hitter, Shaver is also a plus runner that deploys his speed well on both sides of the ball, giving him another dimension with which to impact the game. While his hit tool is a bit uneven, that's more due to his approach than due to a lack of ability to find the barrel, and calming down his approach a bit at Florida State could help him improve his stock in a big way. Shaver was beginning to make those adjustments this spring and some regional evaluators are buying into the improvement, which is why his stock was rising. If he continues trending in this direction at FSU, Seminoles fans might have found themselves their next big offensive prospect.

Honorable Mentions: SS Cade Horton/3B Tanner Witt
Horton: Norman HS [OK] -> Oklahoma.  Witt: Episcopal HS [TX] -> Texas.
These guys were more prominently featured as numbers five and seven on my pitchers list, but they're going to hit at school as well so the Big 12 has a couple of big time two-way prospects coming to town. Horton, who is also a quarterback, generates some nice raw power from the extension he gets on a fairly explosive right handed swing, though his hit tool needs some work. His football athleticism plays well on the diamond, and he should stick at shortstop at least through his college career. With fellow Oklahoma commit Ed Howard signing with the Cubs in the first round, the spot is there for him to claim on days where he's not pitching. As for Tanner Witt, he's not quite the hitting prospect that Horton is, but he still shows big raw power from a 6'6" frame. Those long arms help him really put a charge into the ball when he gets extended, but the bat isn't quite as explosive as other power hitters in the class and he might struggle a bit with Big 12 pitching. While I would pick Horton to strike out Witt and Witt to strike out Horton in any future Big 12 match ups, I think Horton would be just a little more likely to pick up a hit off Witt than the other way around. Witt also doesn't bring the same defensive value as Horton, looking like he'll be limited to first base.

Others (by pre-draft rank):
132. SS Cole Foster, Plano Senior HS [TX] -> Auburn
140. OF Slade Wilks, Columbia Academy [MS] -> Southern Mississippi
145. 3B/RHP/QB Nolan McLean, Garner Magnet HS [NC] -> Oklahoma State
152. SS Colby Halter, Bishop Kenny HS [FL] -> Florida
158. OF Mario Zabala, International Baseball Academy [PR] -> Florida International

2020 Draft Profile: Chase Davis

OF Chase Davis, Franklin HS [CA]
Full index of profiles here

DoB: 12/5/2001.  B/T: L/L
Commitment: Arizona.

Chase Davis is yet another outfielder from a strong California high school crop, coming from Franklin High School in the Sacramento area. One of the best athletes in the class, it's a lot of fun to watch Davis play, and at his best he can look like a first round pick. He was trending up over the summer as he improved his hit tool, and while a relatively slow start to the season slowed that progress a little, it wasn't nearly enough to erase it and he remains one of the most dynamic high schoolers in the class.

The first thing that stands out about Davis is his athleticism. Well-known to be a gym rat, he's an explosive athlete whose strength translates well onto the baseball field. He has extremely quick hands that he channels into explosive bat speed, which in turn enables him to show plus raw power when he gets into one. However, he has some extreme pre-swing bat wrap in which the end of the bat curls behind his head and points almost towards the pitcher, making his swing significantly longer than it needs to be. This in turn has caused his hit tool to play down perhaps a half grade or more from where it should be, and it could also be reason to envision an even higher ceiling.

Davis is a streaky hitter, but at times he has shown the ability to consistently square up high velocity and put a charge into the ball. If he can eliminate that bat wrap, his hands are so quick and he does such a good job of generating leverage that he could end up with an above average hit tool when all is said and done. Combine that with plus power, and you have a real impact hitter. In addition to his bat, Davis is a good runner with above average speed, and he could be a great defender in right field with an exceptional arm.

There is great upside value here, as Davis' realistic ceiling has him hitting 30+ home runs annually with decent on-base percentages, some speed, and good defense in right field. However, his relatively slow start to the season could scare some more risk-averse teams off, as many are valuing track record right now and Davis' is naturally short as a high schooler as well as a bit uneven. He could have a wide draft range, anywhere from the early second round if he's signable and a team buys into the upside, to the late third if teams are feeling particularly risk-averse, to not at all if his asking price gets too high away from his Arizona commitment.

BP, fielding, and game action over the summer
More hitting over the summer