JR C Luke Lowery (2015)
JR OF Garrett Brooks (2015)
SR SS/2B Hunter Allen (2015)
rJR RHP David Lucroy (2015)
SR LHP/OF Reid Love (2015)
SO 1B/LHP Bryce Harman (2016)
SO RHP/INF Davis Kirkpatrick (2016)
SO LHP Jacob Wolfe (2016)
SO SS Kirk Morgan (2016)
SO 2B/SS Charlie Yorgen (2016)
SO C Eric Tyler (2016)

It’s amazing that JR C Luke Lowery can be considered a prospect at all with swing-and-miss in his game. Through two seasons at East Carolina the burly catcher has managed to have two productive offseason seasons (.304/.347/.489 and .287/.321/.400) while striking out 6.5 times per every walk (12 BB/78 K). If his largely successful first two collegiate years doesn’t underscore the importance of power, then I’m not sure what other proof is necessary. The approach is still concerning enough for me that I can’t overlook it (and I have some doubts about his glove as well), but teams that dig the long ball could be swayed by his above-average to plus raw power, physicality, and underrated athleticism. JR OF Garrett Brooks could be on the verge of something, but after two highly underwhelming seasons I’m no longer sure what that something will look like. He’s got pro-caliber tools packed into his strong 5-9, 200 pound frame, but the results so far haven’t been pretty. SR SS/2B Hunter Allen lacks Brooks’ physical gifts, but a better present hit tool, solid approach, and steady glove could make him a sneaky late senior sign.

SR LHP Reid Love is a good athlete with enough fastball (88-91) to do good things (3.02 ERA in 80.1 IP last year), but he’ll have to miss more bats (4.48 K/9) to become a real draft threat. rJR RHP David Lucroy has a long draft history, so this season is hardly a make-or-break campaign for him. It is, however, a prime opportunity to flash the kind of big arm (often up to mid-90s, has touched 97/98 in past) that has made him famous as an amateur. His impressive first season (10.45 K/9) is likely still on the minds of those who saw him, and a return to that level (rather than the 5.77 K/9 of last year) should make him a premium (top ten to fifteen round) selection.