There are new rumors and mocks that I have thoughts on so let’s get down to business with the third edition of Top 10 2019 MLB Draft Prospects.
1) Adley Rutschman, Catcher, Oregon State (2.0 Rank: 1)
In my fourth year watching the MLB Draft closely, and Adley Rutschman is the best prospect I’ve seen. Unless he suffers a severe injury, Rutschman will be number one on my board up to draft day. He has lived up to the hype.
2) Bobby Witt Jr., Shortstop, (2.0 Rank: 2) Colleyville Heritage HS
Bobby Witt Jr. is continuing to smash Texas high school pitching. It would have been great to see his school participate in the NHSI tournament. Another look at Witt Jr. against better talent on the mound could help ease doubts scouts have about his abilities.
3) Andrew Vaughn, First Baseman, Cal (2.0 Rank: 3)
I was not expecting Rutschman to be outslugging Vaughn in 2019 as the first baseman has significantly struggled against Pac-12 competition. In nine games, Vaughn is hitting .233/.400/.425 with just one home run. These numbers might not improve because Cal has yet to face UCLA, Stanford, and Arizona State. If this trend continues, Vaughn will drop on my board.
4) Bryson Stott, Shortstop, UNLV (2.0 Rank: 4)
Sure enough, after I wrote about Stott in the last Top 10 Prospects, he went cold. From March 15th to March 31st, Stott had an 8-for-45 hitting slump, but he’s starting to pick it up again. In April, Stott is 9-for-21 with four doubles, a home run, and nine RBIs. He came up big at the plate against Arizona State going 2-for-2 with four walks in a big win for UNLV.
5) CJ Abrams, Shortstop, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS (2.0 Rank: 5)
It wasn’t a great weekend for CJ Abrams at NHSI as he only had three hits, but two of them went for doubles. Those in attendance were impressed at his improvement defensively at shortstop growing his chances of sticking at the position long term.
6) Nick Lodolo, LH Starting Pitcher, TCU (2.0 Rank: NR)
In his last start against Oklahoma, Nick Lodolo had an awful first inning which he allowed four singles, committed a throwing error, and then suffered another fielding error by the second baseman en route to allowing four runs. He would bounce back to throw 5.1 IP allowing 10 H 6 R (3 ER) while striking out five without any walks. Before that start, Lodolo had six consecutive starts of at least seven innings pitched allowing just four earned runs in that span.
7) Hunter Bishop, Outfielder, Arizona State (2.0 Rank: NR)
Another newcomer to the list, I wrote about Hunter Bishop’s emergence last week as his draft stock continues to soar. In Tuesday’s game against UNLV, Bishop went 2-for-4 with a double and triple.
8) Riley Greene, Outfielder, Hagerty HS (2.0 Rank: 6)
Just like Abrams, Riley Greene only had three hits over the NHSI weekend but did steal four bases. I think Greene’s future position outlook is right field, but if he’s adding a speed component to his potential 60-grade power that should cement Greene’s status a Top-10 pick.
9) Corbin Carroll, Outfielder, Lakeside HS (2.0 Rank: 7)
Another prep player I would have liked to see at NHSI, Corbin Carroll drops in this Top 10 with Lodolo and Bishop added to the list. I wonder if Carroll’s lack of size (5’11”, 160 lbs) will knock him down draft boards.
10) Brennan Malone, RH Starting Pitcher, IMG Academy (2.0 Rank: NR)
Another newcomer whose stock is pointing up in a big way after his performance at NHSI, starting pitcher Brennan Malone is now widely considered the best prep pitcher in this class. Watching the broadcast, Malone was at times touching 96-mph with his fastball but mostly sat around 94 mph. His strikeout pitch is a slider that ranges from 81-84 mph that I think tunnels well with the fastball. An approach similar to Dylan Cease attacking hitters with fastballs up in the zone and finish them off with a breaking pitch.
Missing the cut: JJ Bleday, Michael Busch, Kameron Misner, Josh Jung
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Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs had some good notes about what he hears about the White Sox preferences in this draft.
The buzz is that the White Sox are leaning heavily to college prospects for the third pick, with Nick Lodolo in the mix along with the next tier of college hitters, which can be ranked any way at this point (UNLV SS Bryson Stott, North Carolina 1B Michael Busch, Vanderbilt RF J.J. Bleday, Arizona State LF Hunter Bishop, Missouri RF Kameron Misner is the way we have them lined up right now).
Baseball America released an update on their Mock Draft with the scenario of Adley Rutschman going #1, and Andrew Vaughn going #2, which matches what Fangraphs believing is most likely to happen eight weeks away from draft day. The difference is Baseball America has the White Sox taking Bobby Witt Jr. third overall and Fangraphs believing the Sox will continue going down the college route.
I agree with Fangraphs that in the scenario both Rutschman and Vaughn are selected first and second overall, the White Sox would pick the highest college player on their board. On my board that would be Bryson Stott. After watching the first two weeks of the MLB season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick Lodolo would be a serious option.
However, I don’t think Vaughn will go in the first two picks. Baltimore should take Rutschman as he’s the best player in the draft, but if I did a mock draft mine would have Kansas City taking CJ Abrams second overall. I feel that Abrams fits with what the Royals are aiming for in position players. Super athletic with the versatility to play in the middle infield or outfield, with plus-plus speed.
This scenario would leave Nick Hostetler to pick between Vaughn, Witt, Stott, or Lodolo. I do think that the White Sox would take Vaughn hoping he can be worthy of carrying the torch at first base (Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Jose Abreu).
For those holding out hope of Rutschman dropping to the White Sox, I put it at a 1% chance of happening. With Salvador Perez recovering from Tommy John surgery, it would be a wise idea for the Royals to seek a future replacement. After drafting five college pitchers last year, Rutschman would be an excellent addition to pairing up with those arms. Too bad MLB teams can’t trade draft picks.
