2016 MLB Draft – Final Board (College First Basemen)
1 – Wake Forest JR 1B/RHP Will Craig: above-average to plus power upside; strong; very smart ballplayer in all phases of the game, though especially as a hitter; one of the best approaches to hitting in this class; AJ Reed comp just makes too much sense here; has also played 3B, a position he certainly has the arm for but likely not the hands/range; 87-93 FB, 94 peak; 78-83 CB; RHH; FAVORITE; 6-3, 230 pounds
2014: .280/.357/.439 – 20 BB/33 K – 1/1 SB – 189 AB
2015: .382/.496/.702 – 41 BB/24 K – 2/3 SB – 191 AB
2016: .379/.520/.731 – 47 BB/35 K – 0/1 SB – 182 AB
2015: 7.92 K/9 – 4.88 BB/9 – 44.1 IP – 6.09 ERA
2016: 8.04 K/9 – 3.86 BB/9 – 28.0 IP – 3.54 ERA
2 – Florida JR 1B Pete Alonso: easy plus raw power; one of the strongest players in this class; plus bat speed; good approach; average or better arm; slow, so outfield is likely a no go; improving defender at first, should be pretty good there with continued work; closer to Will Craig as another first round pick for me than not; RHH; 6-2, 225 pounds
2014: .264/.344/.376 – 19 BB/35 K – 1/1 SB – 197 AB
2015: .301/.398/.503 – 18 BB/22 K – 0/0 SB – 143 AB
2016: .368/.464/.632 – 29 BB/30 K – 2/3 SB – 193 AB
3 – New Mexico JR 1B/C Chris DeVito: plus raw power; patient approach; experience behind the plate could tempt some teams into trying him there; nickname is The Red Hercules; reminds me of Austin Allen (fourth round) in last year’s class; 6-2, 220 pounds
2015: .314/.398/.532 – 23 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 156 AB
2016: .377/.434/.693 – 25 BB/30 K – 0/0 SB – 228 AB
4 – North Carolina State JR 1B/OF Preston Palmeiro: good hit tool that allows him to square balls as a matter of routine; won’t be the type you can shift as he can spray line drives to all fields; no shock considering his bloodlines, but really pretty swing; above-average raw power; really good glove; good athlete; ascending player; 6-1, 185 pounds
2014: .284/.359/.343 – 13 BB/27 K – 2/3 SB – 102 AB
2015: .305/.381/.456 – 26 BB/37 K – 2/4 SB – 239 AB
2016: .326/.404/.536 – 29 BB/41 K – 1/1 SB – 233 AB
5 – Michigan JR 1B/LHP Carmen Benedetti: quick bat; power upside; has experience in OF; 88-92 FB, 94 peak; above-average 77-80 CU; 72-76 CB; I think of him as a better version of Brian Johnson, a prospect I preferred as a hitter just like I do with Benedetti; 6-2, 225 pounds
2014: .275/.318/.392 – 10 BB/25 K – 0/1 SB – 153 AB
2015: .352/.418/.541 – 28 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 233 AB
2016: .326/.465/.492 – 45 BB/29 K – 6/7 SB – 193 AB
2015: 13.80 K/9 – 7.80 BB/9 – 14.2 IP – 1.80 ERA
2016: 10.48 K/9 – 7.40 BB/9 – 14.2 IP – 2.45 ERA
6 – Dallas Baptist JR 1B/RHP Darick Hall: plus power upside; average or better hit tool; good glove; LHH; 88-91 FB; mid-70s CU; upper-70s SL; 6-4, 235 pounds
2016: .298/.417/.615 – 30 BB/49 K – 1/1 SB – 218 AB
2016: 8.84 K/9 – 1.61 BB/9 – 89.2 IP – 3.41 ERA
7 – Mississippi State JR 1B Nathaniel Lowe: very physical, very strong; above-average to plus raw power; good approach; plenty of arm; LHH; 6-4, 230 pounds
2016: .358/.429/.504 – 30 BB/30 K – 2/3 SB – 240 AB
8 – Michigan State JR 1B/2B Jordan Zimmerman: above-average hit tool; quick bat; good athlete; above-average arm; above-average speed; unsure where his bat/glove will fit best together, but easy to envision him as a valuable contributor in a variety of potential roles; 6-0, 185 pounds
2016: .374/.461/.594 – 32 BB/33 K – 10/16 SB – 219 AB
9 – Hartford JR 1B/3B David MacKinnon: one of the best athletes you’ll find manning first base; impressive hit tool; average or better speed; above-average or better glove; 6-2, 200 pounds
2014: .366/.406/.450 – 8 BB/20 K – 6/8 SB – 131 AB
2015: .351/.438/.443 – 25 BB/26 K – 7/7 SB – 194 AB
2016: .392/.471/.544 – 29 BB/18 K – 5/9 SB – 217 AB
10 – Southern Mississippi SR 1B Tim Lynch: plus raw power; good approach; really intriguing senior-sign thumper in a class in need of pop; LHH; 6-2, 215 pounds
2014: .256/.382/.312 – 32 BB/25 K – 1/3 SB – 199 AB
2015: .313/.400/.510 – 23 BB/23 K – 0/1 SB – 192 AB
2016: .364/.464/.548 – 36 BB/13 K – 0/1 SB – 228 AB
11 – Southern Illinois Edwardsville JR 1B Keaton Wright: above-average to plus raw power; good approach; has hit from his first day on campus on; 6-1, 230 pounds
2014: .294/.442/.405 – 41 BB/29 K – 0/0 SB – 163 AB
2015: .305/.410/.506 – 29 BB/20 K – 0/3 SB – 164 AB
2016: .362/.420/.530 – 16 BB/21 K – 0/2 SB – 185 AB
12 – Harford CC FR 1B Joseph Burton: average speed; good athlete; quick bat; strong; considerable power upside; RHH; 6-4, 240 pounds
2016: .407/.514/.749 – 37 BB/36 K – 23/24 SB – 199 AB
13 – Gonzaga SR 1B/RHP Taylor Jones: good approach; strong; good athlete; above-average glove; average speed; 85-89 FB; up and down CB; good athlete; FAVORITE; 6-7, 225 pounds
2015: .358/.414/.545 – 10 BB/16 K – 0/0 SB – 134 AB
2016: .332/.398/.507 – 22 BB/34 K – 0/0 SB – 229 AB
2013: 10.06 K/9 | 5.82 BB/9 | 3.65 FIP | 17 IP
2014: 6.29 K/9 – 4.07 BB/9 – 72 IP – 4.68 ERA
14 – Texas Tech SR 1B Eric Gutierrez: power upside; size may disqualify him from some boards, but those who value consistent production will take a liking to him; 5-10, 205 pounds
2013: .230/.363/.393 – 22 BB/39 K – 1/1 SB – 191 AB
2014: .302/.399/.539 – 26 BB/27 K – 0/1 SB – 245 AB
2015: .315/.444/.443 – 39 BB/26 K – 2/2 SB – 203 AB
2016: .341/.468/.610 – 37 BB/30 K – 3/4 SB – 205 AB
15 – Lee SR 1B Ben Holland: plus raw power; can get too aggressive, but has improved approach over time; good glove; 6-3, 225 pounds
2016: .424/.533/.859 – 38 BB/33 K – 7/8 SB – 177 AB
16 – Florida Atlantic rJR 1B/OF Esteban Puerta: another member of the “all he’s done is hit” team; 6-1, 183 pounds
2014: .276/.345/.371 – 11 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 105 AB
2015: .305/.432/.487 – 36 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 187 AB
2016: .309/.395/.507 – 29 BB/32 K – 2/2 SB – 223 AB
17 – Cal Poly JR 1B/C Brett Barbier: intriguing combination of hit tool, patience, and pop; has also played OF, where he might have enough speed and athleticism to stick for a bit; 5-11, 190 pounds
2016: .352/.492/.482 – 41 BB/35 K – 8/13 SB – 199 AB
18 – Cornell JR 1B Cole Rutherford: power upside; imposing size; 6-4, 230 pounds
2016: .276/.359/.512 – 14 BB/24 K – 1/1 SB – 127 AB
19 – Oakland JR 1B/OF Zach Sterry: plus approach; above-average power; quick bat; 5-11, 240 pounds
2014: .279/.359/.390 – 15 BB/25 K – 0/1 SB – 136 AB
2015: .288/.363/.444 – 16 BB/28 K – 5/9 SB – 160 AB
2016: .285/.352/.436 – 17 BB/34 K – 5/8 SB – 172 AB
20 – Lamar JR 1B Trey Silvers: intriguing power upside; 6-2, 220 pounds
2016: .314/.398/.676 – 14 BB/29 K – 0/0 SB – 102 AB
21 – Fairleigh Dickinson SR 1B/C John Giakas: interesting high-contact/honest power approach; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .294/.341/.344 – 8 BB/13 K – 1/1 SB – 160 AB
2015: .229/.303/.329 – 12 BB/24 K – 1/1 SB – 140 AB
2016: .342/.417/.600 – 19 BB/11 K – 3/6 SB – 190 AB
22 – Bryant SR 1B Robby Rinn: strong, patient, and smart; 6-2, 210 pounds
2014: .302/.432/.413 – 30 BB/16 K – 0/0 SB – 189 AB
2015: .332/.414/.582 – 19 BB/14 K – 3/5 SB – 184 AB
2016: .373/.442/.590 – 27 BB/15 K – 1/2 SB – 217 AB
23 – Manhattan SR 1B/OF Christian Santisteban: good approach; power upside; iffy glove; FAVORITE; 6-2, 215 pounds
2013: .268/.375/.464 – 23 BB/28 K – 1/2 SB – 138 AB
2014: .314/.389/.446 – 15 BB/30 K – 1/2 SB – 175 AB
2015: .301/.399/.449 – 27 BB/33 K – 1/1 SB – 176 AB
2016: .367/.453/.570 – 30 BB/38 K – 1/4 SB – 207 AB
24 – Louisiana SR 1B/2B Stefan Trosclair: good athlete; good glove; power upside; average speed; smart base runner; Jordan Zimmerman Lite; 6-2, 200 pounds
2015: .338/.441/.635 – 25 BB/41 K – 15/18 SB – 219 AB
2016: .279/.385/.466 – 25 BB/23 K – 7/13 SB – 219 AB
25 – Auburn JR 1B Niko Buentello: power upside; good approach; LHH; 6-4, 230 pounds
2016: .332/.428/.569 – 30 BB/48 K – 0/0 SB – 211 AB
26 – Florida Gulf Coast SR 1B Nick Rivera: strong; power upside; get him healthy and swinging the bat right again and he could be a late senior-sign steal; RHH; 5-10, 200 pounds
2013: .297/.403/.508 – 31 BB/37 K – 0/1 SB – 195 AB
2014: .330/.437/.525 – 37 BB/24 K – 0/2 SB – 221 AB
2015: .347/.458/.608 – 40 BB/34 K – 0/0 SB – 199 AB
2016: .293/.461/.466 – 12 BB/15 K – 0/0 SB – 58 AB
27 – Cowley County CC SO 1B/OF Caleb Eldridge: power upside; average speed; Oklahoma State transfer; 6-4, 235 pounds
2016: .391/.523/.781 – 41 BB/56 K – 4/4 SB – 169 AB
28 – Connecticut SR 1B Bobby Melley: good glove; consistent production; 6-3, 235 pounds
2013: .308/.393/.367 – 25 BB/31 K – 0/0 SB – 240 AB
2014: .359/.475/.502 – 31 BB/19 K – 2/2 SB – 209 AB
2015: .315/.401/.408 – 32 BB/30 K – 0/0 SB – 238 AB
2016: .313/.436/.518 – 42 BB/30 K – 1/2 SB – 224 AB
29 – Tulane rJR 1B/C Jeremy Montalbano: plus raw power; below-average arm; below-average defender behind the dish likely necessitates a full-time move to first in the pros; Texas transfer; 6-2, 215 pounds
2016: .276/.352/.507 – 23 BB/35 K – 0/1 SB – 221 AB
2016: 12.86 K/9 – 0.00 BB/9 – 7.0 IP – 2.57 ERA
30 – Texas A&M SR 1B/RHP Hunter Melton: power upside; can also play 3B; reminds me of a slighly later round version (arguable, according to some) of Darik Hall; 87-92 FB, 93 peak; good command; 6-2, 225 pounds
2013: .288/.354/.492 – 10 BB/29 K – 0/0 SB – 118 AB
2015: .300/.381/.473 – 25 BB/56 K – 0/1 SB – 203 AB
2016: .305/.379/.510 – 23 BB/60 K – 2/2 SB – 243 AB
31 – Mercyhurst SR 1B/OF Hank Morrison: power upside; average speed; 6-2, 225 pounds
2016: .415/.486/.684 – 19 BB/31 K – 14/17 SB – 193 AB
32 – Columbia rSR 1B Nick Maguire: above-average power; above-average speed; good glove; 6-3, 250 pounds
2014: .265/.354/.400 – 19 BB/25 K – 0/0 SB – 155 AB
2015: .242/.303/.427 – 13 BB/44 K – 1/1 SB – 178 AB
2016: .274/.413/.430 – 31 BB/26 K – 2/4 SB – 135 AB
33 – Cal State Northridge rSR 1B/OF Branden Berry: good glove; power flashes; Washington transfer; 6-4, 225 pounds
2012: .328/.406/.427 – 14 BB/35 K – 0/0 SB – 192 AB
2014: .262/.340/.335 – 16 BB/36 K – 2/3 SB – 164 AB
2015: .269/.372/.421 – 18 BB/44 K – 4/5 SB – 197 AB
2016: .294/.403/.508 – 22 BB/36 K – 4/5 SB – 197 AB
34 – Austin Peay JR 1B Dre Gleason: good athlete; strong; hits it a long way when he connects; 6-4, 240 pounds
2014: .261/.357/.378 – 26 BB/52 K – 2/3 SB – 180 AB
2015: .349/.434/.550 – 18 BB/38 K – 1/2 SB – 149 AB
2016: .337/.461/.571 – 41 BB/52 K – 2/2 SB – 184 AB
35 – Prairie View A&M JR 1B Shannon Washington: serious power combined with serious swing-and-miss; 6-0, 220 pounds
2016: .323/.414/.635 – 14 BB/29 K – 0/1 SB – 96 AB
36 – Tennessee-Martin JR 1B Ryan Helgren: solid bat; steady glove; 6-0, 200 pounds
2016: .321/.425/.545 – 21 BB/29 K – 1/1 SB – 134 AB
37 – Murray State JR 1B Ramsey Scott: intriguing size and power; 6-5, 240 pounds
2016: .335/.415/.612 – 27 BB/42 K – 1/1 SB – 206 AB
38 – Charlotte JR 1B/RHP Logan Sherer: power upside; strong arm; 6-3, 250 pounds
2014: .260/.306/.380 – 13 BB/39 K – 0/0 SB – 192 AB
2015: .311/.348/.477 – 10 BB/41 K – 1/1 SB – 193 AB
2016: .336/.412/.574 – 28 BB/47 K – 2/2 SB – 223 AB
2014: 6.00 K/9 – 3.60 BB/9 – 14 IP – 2.40 ERA
2015: 7.36 K/9 – 5.73 BB/9 – 11.1 IP – 4.91 ERA
39 – Georgia Southern JR 1B Ryan Cleveland: considerable power upside with the frame to pull it off; 6-3, 225 pounds
2014: .253/.368/.428 – 32 BB/49 K – 3/5 SB – 194 AB
2015: .244/.343/.477 – 24 BB/40 K – 9/11 SB – 176 AB
2016: .286/.404/.586 – 38 BB/70 K – 12/14 SB – 227 AB
40 – Ball State JR 1B/C Caleb Stayton: impressive power and patience blend; 6-3, 225 pounds
2014: .285/.374/.418 – 15 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 165 AB
2015: .278/.381/.411 – 8 BB/20 K – 0/0 SB – 90 AB
2016: .377/.482/.614 – 42 BB/40 K – 2/3 SB – 220 AB
41 – Cal State Monterey Bay SR 1B Justin Flores: power upside; plus approach; FAVORITE; 6-4, 210 pounds
2016: .306/.412/.446 – 31 BB/43 K – 0/0 SB – 186 AB
42 – Stephen F. Austin SR 1B Kyle Thornell: power upside; 6-2, 200 pounds
2014: .256/.374/.496 – 16 BB/35 K – 0/2 SB – 133 AB
2015: .301/.412/.524 – 20 BB/48 K – 3/6 SB – 166 AB
2016: .342/.472/.617 – 33 BB/55 K – 5/9 SB – 196 AB
43 – McNeese State SR 1B/OF Connor Crane: power upside; 6-3, 210 pounds
2015: .272/.340/.443 – 16 BB/53 K – 12/14 SB – 235 AB
2016: .365/.442/.606 – 16 BB/38 K – 15/21 SB – 203 AB
44 – Kansas State JR 1B Jake Scudder: good approach; smart hitter; some power there; FAVORITE; 6-0, 200 pounds
2016: .333/.392/.507 – 17 BB/32 K – 6/10 SB – 219 AB
45 – Air Force JR 1B Bradley Haslam: emerging power; 6-2, 200 pounds
2015: .347/.386/.452 – 6 BB/17 K – 2/3 SB – 124 AB
2016: .408/.449/.558 – 16 BB/17 K – 4/5 SB – 233 AB
46 – Liberty JR 1B/OF Andrew Yacyk: legit plus power upside; average speed; long way to go as a hitter; RHH; 6-3, 240 pounds
2015: .286/.355/.384 – 15 BB/49 K – 2/4 SB – 203 AB
2016: .307/.383/.492 – 19 BB/37 K – 0/1 SB – 238 AB
47 – Kentucky rSO 1B Joe Dudek: good glove; power upside; UNC transfer who sat out 2016 season; 6-1, 215 pounds
2014: .204/.316/.357 – 16 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 98 AB
2015: .255/.442/.402 – 34 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 102 AB
48 – Stony Brook JR 1B/OF Casey Baker: good hit tool; average raw power; good speed; steady glove; strong arm; 6-0, 180 pounds
2014: .338/.418/.415 – 18 BB/16 K – 8/8 SB – 130 AB
2015: .317/.377/.487 – 19 BB/23 K – 5/7 SB – 189 AB
2016: .314/.392/.367 – 25 BB/27 K – 4/5 SB – 188 AB
49 – East Carolina JR 1B/LHP Bryce Harman: plus power upside, but hit tool doesn’t allow him to tap into it; can be pitched to; strong arm; 90 FB; 6-6, 240 pounds
2014: .244/.338/.384 – 23 BB/58 K – 4/4 SB – 172 AB
2015: .244/.351/.424 – 23 BB/51 K – 0/0 SB – 205 AB
2016: .239/.369/.368 – 28 BB/43 K – 2/3 SB – 163 AB
50 – Louisiana rSO 1B/OF Steven Sensley: good hit tool; power upside; strong arm; can get too aggressive; loved him out of junior college and still believe in him, but his first full season at the D1 level left us with more questions than answers; LHH; 6-1, 220 pounds
*2015*: .374/.466/.778 – 35 BB/38 K – 13/17 SB – 203 AB
2016: .252/.345/.399 – 14 BB/41 K – 2/3 SB – 143 AB
2016 MLB Draft – Final Board (College Catchers)
1 – Miami JR C/1B Zack Collins: plus to plus-plus raw power; rough glove, but improved as the year progressed; plus arm strength could be a weapon if the footwork allows it; professional approach in the batter’s box; slow afoot, so outfield is not a possibility; still has some trouble with offspeed stuff, but better at identifying it now and still murders even the hottest fastballs; as confident that he’ll hit than any of his draft peers; obvious Kyle Schwarber comp isn’t perfect, but it’s not nearly as bad as some experts want to claim; older BA comp: Mark Teixeira; when Stephen Vogt is the realistic floor and Teixeira is the ceiling, you’ve reached top ten pick risk/reward balance; I’d seriously think about him 1-1 in this class; even as a first baseman, he has star upside; LHH; 6-3, 220 pounds
2014: .298/.427/.556 – 42 BB/47 K – 0/0 SB – 205 AB
2015: .302/.445/.587 – 57 BB/64 K – 7/8 SB – 242 AB
2016: .358/.534/.631 – 69 BB/48 K – 1/4 SB – 176 AB
2 – Virginia JR C Matt Thaiss: average defender, though I think he’s shown flashes of above-average ability in my personal views; others like his glove way less, so defense figures to be something to monitor going forward; average or better arm, plays up; average to above-average power, some have it plus; really good approach with an exceptionally well-balanced swing; strong and slow; better athlete than he appears at first; old BA comp: Brian McCann; LHH; FAVORITE; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .265/.306/.338 – 2 BB/13 K – 0/0 SB – 68 AB
2015: .323/.413/.512 – 33 BB/26 K – 4/4 SB – 254 AB
2016: .375/.473/.578 – 39 BB/16 K – 0/1 SB – 232 AB
3 – Wright State JR C Sean Murphy: plus to plus-plus arm; very good glove; above-average athlete; average to above-average power upside; quick bat; strong; moves well behind plate; now uses whole field like a seasoned veteran; checks every box for him athletically and has improved as a hitter every season; ascending player; FAVORITE; 6-2, 205 pounds
2014: .254/.375/.316 – 16 BB/18 K – 4/6 SB – 114 AB
2015: .329/.423/.458 – 28 BB/30 K – 7/10 SB – 225 AB
2016: .270/.391/.505 – 19 BB/15 K – 5/5 SB – 111 AB
4 – Louisville JR C Will Smith: average hit tool with a swing geared towards contact; average to above-average arm; steady glove; average at best power; easy average or better speed; plus athleticism is what separates him from a long list of comparable bats below him; 6-0, 190 pounds
2014: .221/.333/.273 – 10 BB/9 K – 3/3 SB – 77 AB
2015: .242/.333/.331 – 19 BB/27 K – 2/4 SB – 178 AB
2016: .380/.476/.573 – 18 BB/12 K – 9/10 SB – 150 AB
5 – Oregon State JR C Logan Ice: really good defender; average power upside; average arm; nothing jumps off the page, but another prospect who does everything well with little to no glaring weaknesses; BHH; 5-11, 190 pounds
2014: .250/.393/.279 – 40 BB/26 K – 5/5 SB – 172 AB
2015: .276/.362/.431 – 17 BB/22 K – 0/0 SB – 123 AB
2016: .310/.432/.563 – 37 BB/25 K – 2/2 SB – 174 AB
6 – Clemson JR C Chris Okey: good athlete; average hit tool; average or better defender; average at best speed; average or better power upside, could be plus; average or better arm, flashes plus; quick bat; old Jason Kendall comp; arguably the highest upside among the catchers most likely to stick at the position; said upside comes with the most risk in the way of concerns how his body type has shifted and a high level of swing-and-miss in his swing; RHH; FAVORITE; 5-11, 200 pounds
2014: .248/.311/.350 – 22 BB/33 K – 3/5 SB – 226 AB
2015: .315/.389/.545 – 27 BB/49 K – 3/3 SB – 235 AB
2016: .339/.465/.611 – 51 BB/54 K – 4/7 SB – 239 AB
7 – USC JR C Jeremy Martinez: good hit tool; average raw power; above-average to plus arm; curiously undervalued defender over the years; RHH: 5-11, 200 pounds
2014: .297/.380/.368 – 20 BB/14 K – 2/5 SB – 185 AB
2015: .296/.395/.367 – 32 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 226 AB
2016: .376/.460/.563 – 19 BB/12 K – 1/3 SB – 213 AB
8 – Murray State JR C Tyler Lawrence: great approach; glove has improved to the point where I think steady is a fair adjective to describe it; doesn’t blow it out with tools, but track record with the bat is hard to ignore; 5-10, 200 pounds
2014: .313/.397/.389 – 28 BB/21 K – 1/2 SB – 208 AB
2015: .302/.391/.571 – 27 BB/38 K – 2/3 SB – 205 AB
2016: .355/.469/.589 – 44 BB/42 K – 1/2 SB – 214 AB
9 – Cal SO C/1B Brett Cumberland: good hit tool; average or better arm; good enough glove to at least start with the thought he’s a long-term catcher, but still raw in areas that will require significant time and attention in pro ball; undeniable power upside makes him particularly intriguing; BHH; 5-11, 200 pounds
2015: .254/.405/.429 – 33 BB/41 K – 0/0 SB – 177 AB
2016: .344/.480/.678 – 38 BB/40 K – 5/5 SB – 180 AB
10 – Tulane JR C Jake Rogers: average to above-average power upside, currently plays down; plus athlete; really intriguing glove, chance for plus to plus-plus overall defensive game; excels at pitch-framing; exceptionally strong arm (plus to plus-plus for me), others like it less; could be better version of Austin Hedges; reminds me some of Buster Posey defensively and athletically, though not at all as a hitter; RHH; 6-2, 185 pounds
2014: .202/.264/.245 – 12 BB/23 K – 1/3 SB – 163 AB
2015: .227/.330/.256 – 26 BB/28 K – 4/5 SB – 176 AB
2016: .260/.382/.395 – 33 BB/39 K – 13/13 SB – 200 AB
11 – Kansas JR C Michael Tinsley: great athlete; good speed; could be described as Will Smith with less helium; LHH; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .361/.426/.459 – 7 BB/7 K – 2/3 SB – 61 AB
2015: .337/.407/.459 – 24 BB/19 K – 4/5 SB – 196 AB
2016: .377/.460/.495 – 32 BB/18 K – 9/10 SB – 212 AB
12 – Arizona State JR C Brian Serven: really good defender; plus athleticism and mobility behind plate; really strong arm; average or better raw power; picking one of him, Will Smith, Jake Rogers, or Michael Tinsley comes down to personal prefence as all share many similar traits; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .249/.360/.355 – 20 BB/40 K – 1/2 SB – 169 AB
2015: .294/.351/.448 – 11 BB/31 K – 3/3 SB – 194 AB
2016: .293/.349/.418 – 16 BB/28 K – 1/2 SB – 208 AB
13 – UNC Wilmington rJR C Gavin Stupienski: good hit tool; steady glove; flashes power to gaps; good enough arm; high marks for all the intangibles across the board; LHH; FAVORITE; 6-2, 220 pounds
2014: .257/.364/.343 – 7 BB/10 K – 0/0 SB – 35 AB
2015: .344/.415/.516 – 22 BB/30 K – 2/2 SB – 186 AB
2016: .350/.448/.587 – 38 BB/27 K – 3/5 SB – 223 AB
14 – Mississippi State JR C Jack Kruger: good hit tool; average or better power; steady glove; good arm; Oregon transfer; 6-2, 200 pounds
2016: .350/.435/.562 – 28 BB/29 K – 6/7 SB – 203 AB
15 – Spartanburg Methodist CC C Tyler Lancaster: solid glove; power upside; 6-3, 210 pounds
2016: .376/.467/.608 – 36 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 194 AB
16 – Jackson State JR C Carlos Diaz: good defender; strong arm; intriguing offensive output; Miami transfer; 5-11, 200 pounds
2016: .409/.465/.620 – 15 BB/16 K – 10/12 SB – 171 AB
17 – UMBC JR C Hunter Dolshun: power upside; steady glove; 6-1, 225 pounds
2014: .304/.400/.422 – 20 BB/21 K – 2/2 SB – 135 AB
2015: .293/.391/.377 – 26 BB/38 K – 3/3 SB – 191 AB
2016: .345/.416/.603 – 21 BB/14 K – 1/3 SB – 174 AB
18 – UC Santa Barbara rSO C Dempsey Grover: power upside; strong arm; good defensive tools; 6-1, 200 pounds
2014: .238/.360/.286 – 3 BB/3 K – 21 AB
2016: .284/.393/.403 – 29 BB/29 K – 6/6 SB – 176 AB
19 – Mercer JR C Charlie Madden: power upside; good glove; should benefit from Kyle Lewis scouting spillover; 6-3, 200 pounds
2014: .269/.357/.425 – 16 BB/30 K – 2/3 SB – 134 AB
2015: .272/.359/.485 – 26 BB/49 K – 1/1 SB – 202 AB
2016: .287/.385/.492 – 28 BB/38 K – 1/4 SB – 195 AB
20 – San Jacinto JC C/OF Ryan January: plus bat speed; average hit tool; above-average raw power; average to above-average arm; average glove, still needs work; 6-3, 200 pounds
2016: .339/.450/.655 – 29 BB/59 K – 9/12 SB – 177 AB
21 – Bethune-Cookman JR C Michael Cruz: well-rounded hitter; solid defender; 5-11, 210 pounds
2016: .330/.463/.623 – 35 BB/24 K – 0/2 SB – 191 AB
22 – North Florida SR C Keith Skinner: interesting power upside; love the plate discipline; 6-1, 210 pounds
2015: .325/.395/.429 – 19 BB/19 K – 0/1 SB – 154 AB
2016: .382/.466/.486 – 36 BB/14 K – 2/2 SB – 212 AB
23 – Austin Peay JR C/3B Ridge Smith: good athlete; above-average speed; has also played OF and 1B; 5-10, 190 pounds
2014: .310/.383/.481 – 24 BB/41 K – 11/15 SB – 216 AB
2015: .339/.424/.487 – 26 BB/28 K – 13/21 SB – 189 AB
2016: .273/.388/.536 – 32 BB/45 K – 7/8 SB – 183 AB
24 – LSU JR C Jordan Romero: legit plus arm; good glove; strong; 6-2, 225 pounds
2016: .307/.383/.562 – 16 BB/23 K – 0/1 SB – 137 AB
25 – Ball State JR C Jarett Rindfleisch: strong arm; good glove; 6-1, 215 pounds
2014: .352/.447/.520 – 11 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 125 AB
2015: .310/.417/.518 – 29 BB/43 K – 0/2 SB – 197 AB
2016: .307/.446/.503 – 32 BB/40 K – 1/1 SB – 179 AB
26 – North Carolina State JR C/3B Andrew Knizner: good defender, raw (struggles with balls in dirt) but getting there; above-average to plus raw arm strength, but inconsistent accuracy; average to above-average power, some have it plus; quick bat; defense has improved as offense has backed up; 6-1, 200 pounds
2014: .330/.373/.450 – 4 BB/21 K – 0/0 SB – 209 AB
2015: .317/.360/.426 – 12 BB/18 K – 0/0 SB – 230 AB
2016: .296/.360/.395 – 20 BB/35 K – 3/3 SB – 233 AB
27 – Minnesota JR C Austin Athmann: strong arm; steady glove; smart; average power; chance for average hit tool; 6-2, 210 pounds
2014: .277/.344/.337 – 6 BB/10 K – 1/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .286/.317/.337 – 3 BB/13 K – 1/2 SB – 98 AB
2016: .356/.427/.601 – 14 BB/33 K – 0/0 SB – 188 AB
28 – Rhode Island JR C/3B Martin Figueroa: strong hit tool; power upside; can also play OF: 5-11, 200 pounds
2014: .239/.330/.283 – 6 BB/17 K – 1/2 SB – 92 AB
2015: .293/.346/.454 – 11 BB/25 K – 6/7 SB – 174 AB
2016: .335/.390/.542 – 17 BB/21 K – 8/15 SB – 212 AB
29 – Mississippi JR C Henri Lartigue: quick bat; good approach; power upside; plus arm; good glove, but still signs of rawness; good athlete; 6-0, 200 pounds
2015: .225/.289/.348 – 6 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 89 AB
2016: .353/.414/.464 – 20 BB/40 K – 2/3 SB – 207 AB
30 – Northwest Florida State CC C Handsome Monica: big raw power; good approach; strong arm; raw glove; good athlete; Arizona transfer; 6-1, 220 pounds
2016: .348/.418/.684 – 18 BB/23 K – 5/6 SB – 158 AB
31 – Winthrop SR C Roger Gonzalez: plus defender; Miami transfer; 5-9, 190 pounds
2015: .335/.409/.425 – 21 BB/28 K – 1/1 SB – 167 AB
2016: .338/.426/.534 – 31 BB/28 K – 0/2 SB – 204 AB
32 – Furman JR C Cameron Whitehead: plus defender; good athlete; power upside; 5-11, 210 pounds
2014: .229/.360/.313 – 17 BB/18 K – 1/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .258/.314/.444 – 14 BB/40 K – 1/1 SB – 151 AB
2016: .340/.435/.509 – 14 BB/29 K – 0/0 SB – 106 AB
33 – Texas JR C/3B Tres Barrera: strong arm; good defensive tools; average to above-average raw power; slow; also played 2B this year; 6-0, 225 pounds
2014: .261/.337/.402 – 21 BB/41 K – 0/0 SB – 241 AB
2015: .288/.395/.481 – 33 BB/39 K – 0/0 SB – 212 AB
2016: .289/.379/.455 – 28 BB/54 K – 3/5 SB – 211 AB
34 – McLennan CC SO C Cory Voss: good glove; 5-10, 190 pounds
2016: .384/.513/.701 – 42 BB/45 K – 3/4 SB – 177 AB
35 – Lynn SO C John Silviano: plus approach; 6-1, 220 pounds
2016: .405/.528/.950 – 51 BB/40 K – 5/6 SB – 200 AB
36 – Central Arizona C Brent Gibbs: good defender; plus to plus-plus arm; 88-91 FB; Indiana transfer; 6-1, 215 pounds
2016: .396/.497/.590 – 15 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 144 AB
37 – Illinois SR C Jason Goldstein: really good defender; strong arm; good approach; quick bat; really smart catcher, calls own pitches; still like him as rock solid org guy and potential backup, but have cooled some since last year; FAVORITE; 6-0, 210 pounds
2013: .210/.266/.252 – 9 BB/21 K – 3/3 SB – 143 AB
2014: .316/.370/.435 – 16 BB/17 K – 2/3 SB – 193 AB
2015: .286/.369/.476 – 23 BB/22 K – 2/3 SB – 206 AB
2016: .312/.402/.412 – 16 BB/23 K – 2/2 SB – 170 AB
38 – Baylor rJR C Matt Menard: good athlete; power upside; good glove; 6-0, 210 pounds
2014: .219/.297/.295 – 16 BB/34 K – 1/4 SB – 146 AB
2015: .245/.346/.291 – 13 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 110 AB
2016: .309/.376/.500 – 16 BB/30 K – 0/0 SB – 152 AB
39 – Georgia State SR C Joey Roach: good glove; 5-11, 200 pounds
2013: .287/.366/.487 – 12 BB/20 K – 2/4 SB – 115 AB
2014: .301/.379/.432 – 13 BB/27 K – 1/1 SB – 146 AB
2015: .302/.381/.473 – 20 BB/25 K – 1/1 SB – 205 AB
2016: .325/.426/.598 – 21 BB/21 K – 3/4 SB – 169 AB
40 – Penn JR C Tim Graul: took over for Austin Bossart and hit from beginning of season to end; 6-0, 200 pounds
2015: .245/.328/.429 – 3 BB/13 K – 1/2 SB – 49 AB
2016: .364/.443/.642 – 20 BB/24 K – 2/4 SB – 162 AB
41 – Morehead State JR C Jimmy Wright: power upside; strong; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .229/.363/.373 – 13 BB/23 K – 0/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .250/.396/.393 – 11 BB/35 K – 0/0 SB – 84 AB
2016: .254/.418/.522 – 15 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 67 AB
42 – Southeast Missouri State SR C/1B Garrett Gandolfo: consistently impressive with the bat in his hands; 6-1, 200 pounds
2015: .303/.427/.528 – 40 BB/41 K – 1/2 SB – 178 AB
2016: .359/.465/.589 – 41 BB/28 K – 4/5 SB – 209 AB
43 – Seattle JR C/1B Mike McCann: power upside; torn thumb ligament in April 2016; 6-2, 200 pounds
2014: .232/.346/.290 – 24 BB/33 K – 0/2 SB – 155 AB
2016: .319/.491/.445 – 37 BB/19 K – 1/2 SB – 119 AB
44 – Michigan JR C Harrison Wenson: power upside; strong arm; good athlete; improved glove; 6-3, 220 pounds
2014: .222/.308/.378 – 2 BB/15 K – 0/0 SB – 45 AB
2016: .289/.345/.491 – 19 BB/55 K – 3/3 SB – 218 AB
45 – Pepperdine JR C Aaron Barnett: good defender; average at best arm; good hit tool; FAVORITE; 6-0, 185 pounds
2014: .359/.381/.390 – 10 BB/12 K – 1/2 SB – 223 AB
2015: .303/.357/.360 – 17 BB/12 K – 0/1 SB – 228 AB
2016: .292/.345/.403 – 16 BB/15 K – 0/1 SB – 216 AB
46 – Santa Clara JR C Steve Berman: strong arm; 6-2, 225 pounds
2014: .322/.443/.459 – 30 BB/21 K – 4/7 SB – 183 AB
2015: .336/.417/.493 – 18 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 146 AB
2016: .297/.432/.466 – 26 BB/26 K – 0/2 SB – 148 AB
47 – Texas A&M SR C Michael Barash: really good glove; average at best arm; LSU transfer; 6-1, 200 pounds
2015: .238/.316/.292 – 16 BB/20 K – 1/3 SB – 168 AB
2016: .328/.397/.436 – 18 BB/20 K – 1/2 SB – 204 AB
48 – Chipola JC C Mike Hickman: strong; quick bat; LHH; 6-1, 200 pounds
2016: .345/.442/.610 – 17 BB/38 K – 1/2 SB – 177 AB
49 – Auburn JR C Blake Logan: really good defender; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .256/.343/.326 – 10 BB/15 K – 0/0 SB – 86 AB
2015: .261/.329/.378 – 15 BB/25 K – 3/6 SB – 180 AB
2016: .274/.357/.395 – 21 BB/32 K – 0/1 SB – 190 AB
50 – Tennessee SO C Benito Santiago: above-average arm; strong; bloodlines and upside; 5-11, 175 pounds
2015: .132/.205/.145 – 5 BB/29 K – 5/5 SB – 76 AB
2016: .309/.362/.420 – 14 BB/58 K – 5/8 SB – 181 AB
51 – Oklahoma JR C Renae Martinez: above-average arm; above-average glove; UC Irvine transfer; 6-1, 185 pounds
2016: .246/.380/.415 – 12 BB/12 K – 0/0 SB – 65 AB
52 – Texas Rio Grande Valley JR C/OF Jose Garcia: good athlete; average speed; 6-0, 200 pounds
2016: .369/.447/.477 – 18 BB/14 K – 16/19 SB – 176 AB
53 – Maryland JR C/1B Nick Cieri: great approach; plus power upside; average at best glove; below-average arm, but improving; below-average speed; strong; bat backing up + defensive question marks = major dip in draft stock; 6-3, 240 pounds
2014: .248/.329/.308 – 15 BB/16 K – 2/2 SB – 133 AB
2015: .299/.373/.401 – 11 BB/18 K – 2/3 SB – 137 AB
2016: .249/.375/.362 – 32 BB/25 K – 0/1 SB – 177 AB
54 – Northwestern State rJR C Daniel Garner: plus raw power; strong arm; Mississippi State transfer; 6-1, 235 pounds
2016: .308/.380/.481 – 23 BB/53 K – 0/1 SB – 208 AB
55 – Coastal Carolina JR C/1B GK Young: power upside; strong arm; way too aggressive; go back and forth on his defense, but if pressed I’d admit he’s probably not a pro catcher; 6-1, 230 pounds
2014: .237/.333/.382 – 18 BB/38 K – 0/1 SB – 173 AB
2015: .301/.368/.476 – 19 BB/50 K – 0/0 SB – 229 AB
2016: .339/.393/.569 – 19 BB/54 K – 1/2 SB – 239 AB
56 – Wake Forest JR C Ben Breazeale: good glove; good approach; strong; big draft year breakout didn’t exactly come, so still more there; 6-0, 210 pounds
2015: .274/.378/.400 – 14 BB/25 K – 1/1 SB – 95 AB
2016: .246/.388/.335 – 41 BB/39 K – 1/1 SB – 179 AB
57 – Belmont JR C/OF Clay Payne: strong arm; quick bat; strong; RHH; 6-3, 210 pounds
2016: .291/.364/.552 – 22 BB/51 K – 2/3 SB – 203 AB
58 – Kennesaw State SR C Brennan Morgan: interesting power/patience blend; 6-4, 235 pounds
2014: .281/.357/.386 – 20 BB/34 K – 2/3 SB – 210 AB
2015: .276/.383/.400 – 29 BB/31 K – 5/6 SB – 185 AB
2016: .319/.443/.514 – 33 BB/22 K – 0/2 SB – 144 AB
59 – Southern rSR C Jose DeLa Torre: all he’s done is hit; 6-1, 220 pounds
2014: .330/.383/.539 – 11 BB/20 K – 0/0 SB – 115 AB
2016: .339/.476/.522 – 26 BB/23 K – 10/11 SB – 115 AB
60 – Xavier SR C Dan Rizzie: quick bat; plus defender; high marks for intangibles; 6-2, 200 pounds
2014: .307/.395/.459 – 28 BB/37 K – 9/12 SB – 218 AB
2015: .275/.373/.275 – 6 BB/10 K – 2/2 SB – 51 AB
2016: .312/.373/.472 – 21 BB/25 K – 7/8 SB – 231 AB
61 – Ohio State JR C Jalen Washington: plus athlete; FAVORITE; 6-1, 200 pounds
2015: .280/.367/.280 – 4 BB/1 K – 4/5 SB – 25 AB
2016: .249/.352/.343 – 26 BB/49 K – 14/19 SB – 213 AB
62 – Navy JR C Adrian Chinnery: really good glove; 6-0, 180 pounds
2015: .314/.393/.401 – 22 BB/36 K – 0/0 SB – 172 AB
2016: .307/.412/.407 – 17 BB/7 K – 0/0 SB – 140 AB
63 – Florida A&M JR C Jacky Miles: strong arm; power upside; RHH; 6-0, 200 pounds
2016: .328/.420/.477 – 21 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 174 AB
64 – Bryant SR C/OF Buck McCarthy: steady glove; power upside; strong; 5-10, 200 pounds
2014: .340/.438/.525 – 20 BB/29 K – 2/2 SB – 141 AB
2015: .303/.406/.507 – 26 BB/34 K – 0/3 SB – 142 AB
2016: .281/.371/.495 – 27 BB/30 K – 1/3 SB – 196 AB
65 – North Carolina Central JR C Conrad Kovalcik: good athlete; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .324/.378/.353 – 3 BB/11 K – 0/0 SB – 34 AB
2015: .260/.381/.394 – 18 BB/25 K – 4/5 SB – 104 AB
2016: .243/.367/.486 – 32 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 177 AB
66 – St. Mary’s JR C Nate Nolan: plus raw power; strong arm; very concerned about his swing-and-miss; PG comp: Chris Iannetta; 6-1, 210 pounds
2014: .238/.300/.436 – 9 BB/37 K – 1/3 SB – 101 AB
2015: .291/.367/.430 – 10 BB/39 K – 0/0 SB – 86 AB
2016: .264/.364/.481 – 28 BB/81 K – 1/1 SB – 212 AB
67 – Arizona State SR C RJ Ybarra: plus arm strength; above-average to plus power; slow; good approach; raw defensively; 6-0, 230 pounds
2013: .304/.361/.491 – 5 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 112 AB
2014: .273/.342/.394 – 19 BB/45 K – 1/1 SB – 198 AB
2015: .289/.382/.493 – 23 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 142 AB
2016: .245/.362/.306 – 8 BB/11 K – 0/0 SB – 49 AB
68 – Vanderbilt JR C Jason Delay: good defender; average arm; better player than he’s shown, but lack of development with the bat keeps me away; 6-0, 190 pounds
2014: .246/.374/.325 – 17 BB/32 K – 1/1 SB – 114 AB
2015: .283/.373/.394 – 10 BB/20 K – 0/0 SB – 99 AB
2016: .248/.296/.336 – 7 BB/35 K – 1/5 SB – 149 AB
69 – South Alabama rSO C/OF Jared Barnes: plus arm; power upside; 5-11, 200 pounds
2015: .240/.313/.292 – 16 BB/19 K – 4/5 SB – 171 AB
2016: .299/.394/.478 – 27 BB/37 K – 1/2 SB – 184 AB
70 – East Carolina rJR C Travis Watkins: good glove; power upside; 6-0, 200 pounds
2015: .292/.343/.358 – 18 BB/31 K – 6/8 SB – 212 AB
2016: .322/.402/.430 – 25 BB/38 K – 3/5 SB – 214 AB
71 – Southern Mississippi JR C Chuckie Robinson: power upside; strong; can be too aggressive at plate; solid glove; above-average arm; 6-0, 230 pounds
2015: .203/.273/.354 – 8 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 79 AB
2016: .299/.360/.448 – 18 BB/31 K – 0/1 SB – 201 AB
72 – Southeastern Louisiana rSR C Sam Roberson: missed 2015 due to injury; solid skill set across the board5-11, 190 pounds
2013: .209/.283/.264 – 20 BB/30 K – 7/11 SB – 201 AB
2014: .296/.380/.423 – 20 BB/28 K – 8/11 SB – 189 AB
2016: .303/.435/.455 – 15 BB/23 K – 0/4 SB – 99 AB
73 – Cypress CC C Nate Rodriguez: plus glove; above-average arm; 5-11, 210 pounds
2016: .311/.395/.402 – 24 BB/11 K – 5/5 SB – 164 AB
74 – College of Charleston rJR C/1B Jake Maziar: power upside; Wake Forest transfer; 6-2, 220 pounds
2016: .297/.426/.405 – 19 BB/23 K – 1/1 SB – 111 AB
75 – Bethune-Cookman rJR C Clay Middleton: good glove; good approach; 6-0, 200 pounds
2016: .361/.471/.445 – 29 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 155 AB
76 – St. John’s JR C Troy Dixon: good glove; strong arm; one of the better pop times I’ve ever personally recorded; long way to go, but could throw his way to the big leagues as a backup; 6-2, 200 pounds
2014: .284/.409/.330 – 14 BB/14 K – 0/1 SB – 109 AB
2015: .254/.324/.344 – 7 BB/12 K – 0/0 SB – 122 AB
2016: .253/.338/.339 – 18 BB/17 K – 3/3 SB – 174 AB
77 – Georgia Tech JR C Arden Pabst: power upside; has yet to put it all together; 6-1, 210 pounds
2014: .217/.321/.283 – 13 BB/26 K – 1/1 SB – 120 AB
2015: .235/.355/.339 – 21 BB/32 K – 2/2 SB – 115 AB
2016: .248/.305/.372 – 10 BB/33 K – 1/3 SB – 137 AB
78 – Duke JR C Cristian Perez: good defensive tools; power upside; strong; good athlete; quick bat; too aggressive for his own good; 6-3, 215 pounds
2014: .189/.295/.378 – 6 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 37 AB
2015: .241/.325/.365 – 19 BB/48 K – 0/0 SB – 170 AB
2016: .234/.305/.400 – 16 BB/44 K – 1/1 SB – 175 AB
79 – Texas Tech rJR C Kholton Sanchez (2015): plus to plus-plus speed; above-average arm; no power; raw defender; could be tried at 2B or CF; tools intrigue the heck out of me, but can’t get on the field to show them off; 6-2, 180 pounds
80 – Boston College JR C Nick Sciortino: good glove; average or better arm; experience (and exposure) that comes with catching big-time arms should help; 5-9, 200 pounds
2015: .235/.304/.301 – 14 BB/36 K – 4/5 SB – 153 AB
2016: .277/.377/.361 – 19 BB/33 K – 1/3 SB – 155 AB
81 – Virginia SR C Robbie Coman: good glove; missed majority of season due to injury, but might have done enough previously to get a late look; 6-1, 200 pounds
2014: .283/.377/.368 – 13 BB/9 K – 106 AB
2015: .289/.360/.333 – 21 BB/21 K – 2/7 SB – 201 AB
2016: .200/.333/.200 – 2 BB/4 K – 0/0 SB – 15 AB)
82 – Florida State JR C/OF Gage West: as yet untapped power upside; good approach; typical Florida State catching prospect; 6-1, 200 pounds
2014: .161/.216/.452 – 3 BB/9 K – 0/0 SB – 31 AB
2015: .231/.351/.354 – 5 BB/16 K – 0/0 SB – 65 AB
2016: .293/.404/.387 – 14 BB/19 K – 1/2 SB – 75 AB
83 – North Carolina State SR C Chance Shepard: power upside; way too aggressive; 6-1, 230 pounds
2014: .234/.379/.394 – 22 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 94 AB
2015: .214/.342/.449 – 20 BB/36 K – 1/1 SB – 98 AB
2016: .276/.377/.557 – 34 BB/82 K – 3/3 SB – 210 AB
84 – Alabama JR C Will Haynie: plus raw power; plus arm; good defender; has the size/arm/power trio to get drafted much higher than this, but the approach scares me off; old Ben Davis comp; 6-5, 230 pounds
2014: .177/.231/.274 – 7 BB/51 K – 0/0 SB – 113 AB
2015: .195/.299/.391 – 21 BB/80 K – 1/2 SB – 169 AB
2016: .225/.291/.423 – 12 BB/55 K – 0/0 SB – 182 AB
85 – BYU JR C Bronson Larsen: some power upside worth exploring; 5-11, 200 pounds
2015: .288/.367/.432 – 12 BB/30 K – 2/2 SB – 132 AB
2016: .301/.405/.514 – 30 BB/32 K – 0/1 SB – 173 AB
86 – Pittsburgh SR C Alex Kowalczyk: strong arm; 6-2, 220 pounds
2015: .263/.335/.369 – 16 BB/28 K – 2/3 SB – 179 AB
2016: .315/.409/.569 – 20 BB/30 K – 3/4 SB – 181 AB
87 – Evansville SR C/2B Brett Synek: smart hitter; versatile defender; 5-9, 185 pounds
2015: .288/.418/.423 – 10 BB/3 K – 0/0 SB – 52 AB
2016: .341/.439/.514 – 31 BB/22 K – 3/4 SB – 214 AB
88 – Loyola Marymount JR C Cassidy Brown: power upside; plus arm; 6-3, 215 pounds
2014: .200/.261/.237 – 7 BB/15 K – 1/2 SB – 80 AB
2015: .138/.250/.138 – 11 BB/29 K – 4/5 SB – 130 AB
2016: .325/.394/.502 – 18 BB/44 K – 4/6 SB – 209 AB
89 – Francis Marion C JD Crowe: quick bat; really good approach; power upside; steady glove; strong arm; good athlete; could play OF; Auburn transfer; 5-11, 210 pounds
2016: .347/.439/.539 – 33 BB/27 K – 11/11 SB – 193 AB
90 – UCLA rJR C Darrell Miller: missed the 2016 season with a bum labrum; strong arm; raw defender, but has gotten pretty good; Bruins missed him in a major way this past year; 6-2, 220 pounds
2015: .257/.324/.351 – 16 BB/26 K – 0/0 SB – 191 AB
91 – Tampa C/1B Adrian Chacon: above-average arm; quick bat; power upside; 6-0, 200 pounds
2014: .233/.313/.337 – 7 BB/20 K – 0/2 SB – 86 AB
2015: .295/.389/.328 – 9 BB/16 K – 2/2 SB – 61 AB
2016: .301/.419/.442 – 28 BB/31 K – 1/2 SB – 163 AB
92 – Vanderbilt JR C Karl Ellison: really good defender; 6-0, 190 pounds
2014: .192/.352/.219 – 13 BB/18 K – 0/2 SB – 73 AB
2015: .215/.291/.282 – 14 BB/39 K – 1/1 SB – 149 AB
2016: .213/.270/.388 – 6 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 80 AB
93 – Arkansas SR C Tucker Pennell: good glove; 6-2, 200 pounds
2015: .200/.271/.232 – 7 BB/22 K – 0/0 SB – 95 AB
2016: .265/.338/.382 – 12 BB/28 K – 2/3 SB – 136 AB
94 – Portland JR C Cooper Hummel: solid approach; decent wheels; 5-10, 180 pounds
2016: .320/.422/.490 – 34 BB/41 K – 7/10 SB – 194 AB
95 – Nevada rSR C Justin Hazard: UCLA transfer; 6-2, 190 pounds
2016: .339/.378/.476 – 13 BB/25 K – 2/3 SB – 189 AB
96 – UC Davis SR C Cameron Olson: plus raw power; plus arm; defense improving; 6-1, 200 pounds
2013: .286/.365/.381 – 5 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 84 AB
2015: .208/.323/.453 – 6 BB/18 K – 1/1 SB – 53 AB
2016: .273/.365/.503 – 15 BB/38 K – 6/8 SB – 143 AB
97 – Western Illinois JR C Adam McGinnis: good approach; power upside; quick bat; good arm; defense still developing; could also be tried at 3B or OF; average speed; 5-11, 220 pounds
2014: .281/.338/.348 – 7 BB/10 K – 4/7 SB – 135 AB
2015: .243/.332/.341 – 12 BB/21 K – 11/12 SB – 173 AB
2016: .262/.353/.362 – 17 BB/21 K – 1/4 SB – 149 AB
98 – Western Carolina SR C Danny Bermudez: good glove; 5-11, 215 pounds
2014: .305/.443/.381 – 16 BB/28 K – 3/5 SB – 105 AB
2015: .317/.417/.516 – 19 BB/50 K – 3/3 SB – 186 AB
2016: .295/.410/.429 – 33 BB/43 K – 5/7 SB – 217 AB
99 – Oral Roberts rJR C/1B Brent Williams: intriguing bat; average glove; accurate arm; slow; good approach; RHH; FAVORITE; 6-3, 180 pounds
2016: .310/.344/.478 – 13 BB/33 K – 0/0 SB – 203 AB
100 – South Florida SR C/3B Levi Borders: all about those bloodlines; 6-2, 200 pounds
2013: .232/.301/.312 – 10 BB/41 K – 1/3 SB – 138 AB
2014: .243/.341/.317 – 17 BB/41 K – 1/1 SB – 189 AB
2015: .291/.376/.487 – 18 BB/66 K – 4/4 SB – 230 AB
2016: .241/.357/.448 – 6 BB/21 K – 0/0 SB – 58 AB
Draft Week
Two huge pet peeves of mine that I see out of Writers on the Internet all the damn time: 1) Teasing future projects over and over again on every social media platform known to man (opposite end of the spectrum, but still incredibly annoying: the endless barrage of ICYMI Tweets that follow even the most mundane of postings), and 2) incessant talk about how much work (“grinding hard tonight,” “another sleepless night,” “finishing this up listening to _____”) went into a given piece. I’ve found draft writers — across all sports — are especially guilty of these things. I’ve tried to be good about not becoming what I hate, but…
I guess I’m (kind of) breaking both of those rules right now. I have some big stuff coming that I’m really excited about. My idea of big may differ from the world’s — if you’ve read my site before, what you’ll soon see will follow a pretty similar pattern to previous iterations of my draft previews…and it’s never exactly lit the world on fire before — but something about this year’s end product excites me in a new way. I feel better about this year’s coverage, from the start in October right up until what you’ll see Thursday morning, than ever before. I hope it shows. That takes care of the annoying hype part.
Now for the even more annoying hard work boasting. I feel dirty saying it, but here goes: there are a lot of draft writers out there, but I’d be pretty surprised if any one individual put as many hours into their outlet’s draft preview than I have here. Obsessive focus doesn’t make the work good, of course; the level of quality is something that’s always up for debate and ultimately up to each individual reader to determine. Value what is written here or not, I’d like to believe that the work that went into the preview is evident.
If nothing else, I promise to give full refunds to anybody disappointed in the the final result.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the coming days. As I put the finishing touches on everything, you’ll be the first to know. Thanks to all that have read, commented, emailed, and shared stuff written over here over the past eight (!) drafts. Here’s to eight more.