What have we learned so far into the first month of college and prep baseball season?
The players we expected to be great have been. Oregon State’s Adley Rutschman has improved at the plate by demonstrating more home run power than last year. Last year’s Golden Spikes winner, Cal’s Andrew Vaughn is on pace to hit 30+ homers and established as the best power bat. Bobby Witt Jr. is putting up video game numbers raking against Texas prep pitching.
We are still waiting for a college pitcher to showcase top end potential and merit being a Top-10 pick. Early contenders for that title (Zack Thompson, Carter Stewart, Graeme Stinson) have faded and raise questions about their durability. Daniel Espino has a cannon of an arm lighting up radar guns hitting 98+ mph with his electric fastball, but does he have the make makeup to be a starting pitcher? Many are still unsure.
There’s still a long way to go and much work to be done for many prospects hoping to be selected in the Top 10. Here’s the second version of the 2019 MLB Draft Top 10 prospects.
#1 Adley Rutschman - Catcher - Oregon State (Last Rank: 1)
15 games: .413/.600/.826 - 6 HR, 16 RBI. 33.3% BB to 11.5% K.
https://twitter.com/bvbaseball20/status/1100606343742922752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Vanderbilt looks like a juggernaut early in 2019, and that’s in part of JJ Bleday’s play. Bleday's left-handed power has been on display with six home runs before conference play which matches his combined total from his Freshman and Sophomore seasons. Difference between Bleday and Misner is athletic ability. Bleday just doesn’t 'possess the range, and speed like Misner does which limits him to right field. If the Commodores keep rolling, there will be more eyes on Bleday, so it’s worth to keep on his draft stock in the upcoming months.
#10 Michael Busch - 1B/LF - North Carolina (Last Rank: NR)
18 games: .278/.519/.481 - 3 HR, 12 RBI. 29.6% BB, 12.3% K
Another power-hitting first baseman, Michael Busch before the 2019 season was regarded a half grade lower than Andrew Vaughn in hitting ability. After the first month, it appears to be a more significant gap between the two as Busch has been slow out of the gate. Opponents have been doing a good job staying away from Busch limiting his opportunities to drive the ball as he’s almost walking 30% of the time. Scouts still really like his swing and approach. Hopefully, in ACC play we get to see some better results from Busch.
Just missed the cut:
- Josh Jung, Third Base, Texas Tech: It hasn’t been a good start for Jung who still hasn’t homered in 2019, and has just four doubles in the Red Raiders first 12 games.
- George Kirby, Starting Pitcher, Elon: The right-hander from Elon is putting up some Casey Mize numbers to start 2019 striking out 38 batters to just one walk in 26.1 innings. 94-95 mph fastball paired with a slider and changeup.
- Nick Lodolo, Starting Pitcher, TCU: With just a 1.73 ERA, the strikeouts are now coming for Lodolo as he has 33 strikeouts to only three walks over 26 innings pitched.
- Daniel Espino, Pitcher, Georgia Premier Academy (HS): The biggest question for this draft class is what do scouts think Daniel Espino’s long-term future is? I saw Espino hit 99 mph at Wrigley Field, which was a first for me coming from an 18-year old. Long term, I think Espino is a reliever as I doubt his mechanics will work well trying to grind out five-plus innings per appearance. However, the arm is legit, and I wouldn’t be surprised if an MLB draft room has Espino towards the top of their board.
In to check out Daniel Espino across the state. Working 92-95 T97. Flashing plus slider. Has struck out 2 through 2. #MLBDraft @premier_sox pic.twitter.com/1W9vsvcWLP
— Doug Freeman (@DougFreemanPBR) March 14, 2019
