With the college and high school seasons starting to wind down as we approach the 2017 MLB Draft, draft rankings are starting to take a final shape.
With the MLB Draft being a little different than the other major sports in terms of when the amateurs finish their seasons in relation to the draft date, it's hard to come up with earlier draft rankings that have much meaning since so much can change. Just look at Kyle Wright, who has gone from potential top pick at the start of the season to possibly out of the first round around midseason, and is now the favorite to be selected with the top overall pick. That is the reason why my first rankings beyond some of my initial Top 10 rankings is out this close to the draft. These rankings will be pretty close to my final rankings unless a certain player finds a way to move up or down- but the bulk of these rankings are where these players are going to stay.
A few more notes on the rankings are that I haven't seen most of these players in person. I've done this research through videos, scouting reports, and talking to some people with knowledge of some of these players. Because of this I choose to leave character questions out of the rankings, though I do take note of them - so you won't see a Seth Romero get dinged for off field stuff as I can compare his talent to player X, but not his character. Also these are just my Top 100 rankings that are being published, but my rankings do go deeper if there is someone specific you want to ask about in the comments.
1. Hunter Greene, RHP/SS, California HS
Greene is the most talented player in this draft. He's not a Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper type of clear top pick who can fly through the minors, but he's got more upside than any other pitcher with his talent, skill, and natural feel for the game. If the unthinkable happens and he's available at five, he has to be the pick as a special arm. His hitting is not top pick worthy, but he would be a first rounder as a shortstop with power if he never pitched.
2. Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt
I had Wright as my #2 guy heading into the spring. He struggled a bit and dropped to the bottom of my Top 10. His struggles are easily explainable in that he was overthrowing and trying to impress in his draft year- a common issue for prospects, but he settled back down to his comfort range and dominated the second half of the season. He's a potential #2 starter and in a way reminds me of Ian Anderson last year- Anderson didn't have the pure upside of Riley Pint or AJ Puk, but he was the best combination of upside and likelihood to reach it. If Wright is there at five I would take him without question.
3. Mackenzie Gore, LHP, North Carolina HS
Gore keeps rising the rankings in part because there is a slight drop from Greene and Wright to this spot. I'm not a big McKay guy and I have some concerns with Beck, but my biggest concern with Gore is in his landing. Gore just keeps his breakout spring going and adding impressive outing after impressive outing. He has the stuff, command, mechanics, and pitchability to be exactly the type of pitcher the Braves fall in love with.
4. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Louisville
I want to say I'm lower than the industry is on McKay. I actually had him a few spots lower when I started(at the bottom of the Top 10), but I just see too many questions with the guys below him to drop him further. McKay is what he is- a middle of the rotation starter or starting caliber first baseman who will be quick to the big leagues and come with a high floor. What he doesn't have is the upside of the rest of the Top 10, which is why I wouldn't want him to be the Braves pick.
5. Austin Beck, OF, North Carolina HS
Beck has special talent but comes without a long look against top competition thanks to an injury last summer. I had him higher a few weeks ago, but as more reports emerged of him swinging over breaking balls from average competition there is some concern. He's got the plus power and speed with the bat speed to hit for average if pitch recognition isn't an issue.
6. Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida
Faedo has dropped down draft boards this spring as his velocity has declined. I believe this is completely related to his dual knee scopes which prevented him from a normal offseason and had him at about 75% on Opening Day. I think he’ll be back to his normal 94 MPH velocity to go with his plus slider and more than adequate change. He's a #2/#3 starter if he returns to his old velocity and more of a #3/#4 if it doesn't, but he's got the long track record of success at a high level and has shown he can eat innings.
7. JB Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina
Bukauskas has some good and bad. He's been dominant at the highest level and his stuff is likely to dominate as a professional as well. However he's undersized and has some questions related to how well his delivery translates as a starter longterm. I’m ok with Bukauskas’ size, seeing him as a possible Sonny Gray type of starter despite his lack of height, but the delivery too makes him tough. Still it's hard to ignore that slider which he can fool hitters with.
8. Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt
Some have dropped Kendall from their Top 10 thanks to the strikeout issues. I'm going to go on record and say I think some of that is prospect fatigue of a kid who was a projected top pick since his freshman season. He's a four tool centerfielder with the only question being his hit tool, but I think it's possible that he's able to adjust to a slightly more contact oriented approach as a pro to cut down on the strikeouts.
9. Jordon Adell, OF, Kentucky HS
Adell is pretty similar to Beck, but with louder tools. I think the only reason that Adell ranks lower than Beck is because Adell has proven for a fact he's got some hit tool issues against top competition. Adell has at least made some strides to improve his pitch recognition since the start of last summer, and I believe for a kid with his work ethic that he can improve even more.
10. Shane Baz, RHP, Texas HS
The hard-throwing projectable Texan has shot up draft boards this spring as he just keeps getting better. He's got a deep arsenal with a five pitch mix and can top out at 98 with the fastball, but he's definitely a little behind Gore and Greene right now as a true pitcher. He's got top of the rotation potential once he reaches the big leagues, so it wouldn't be a stretch if he went to the Braves.
11. Seth Romero, LHP, Houston
Romero is a Top 10 caliber talent who will be a bit of a wildcard thanks to his off field concerns that got him kicked off the team at Houston after multiple suspensions. He can throw 96 with a plus slurve and decent change that has some room to improve. I've seen some Carlos Rodon comps on him and can't really argue with those.
12. Royce Lewis, SS/OF, California HS
I initially had Royce Lewis in my Top 5, but he's struggled to hit this spring and for a guy who has his hit tool as his carrying tool that's not a good thing. He does have a long track record of success at a high level, so the hope is that he was just pressing in his draft year. His bat is very intriguing even though he's not going to be known for his power. There has been a positive development this spring in that a move to the outfield is no longer seen as inevitable, thanks to progress with his glove at short.
13. Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia
Pavin Smith is the best college bat in the draft. Kendall may rank higher, but that's because of Kendall’s other tools. He knows how to hit like a professional already and has significant lefty power. If he played somewhere other than first base he would rank high, and while there is some chance he can handle left field I believe he is destined for first base.
14. DL Hall, LHP, Georgia HS
The local kid with the Scott Kazmir comps was once seen as a potential Top 5 pick, but as the draft board seems to be coming together he seems to be more likely to come off the board in the teens. The fact he started the spring looking great but settled in as just very good is a contributing factor. He throws 95 with a big curve and had been making strides with his command.
15. Nick Pratto, 1B, California HS
Pratto may be the best pure prep bat in the draft, though the fact he's a first baseman does ding his stock a bit. He came into the spring as a two way prospect, but he had a huge spring at the plate and will be taken as a bat instead of a lefty pitcher. If he had a chance to stick in the outfield he could rank as many as 5-10 spots higher, but with the amount of pressure on the bat of a first baseman to produce he presents some risk that a guy like a Royce Lewis doesn't have.
16. Keston Hiura, OF/2B, UC Irvine
If Pavin Smith isn't the best college bat in the draft, then it’s Huira. The UC Irvine star has some real defensive questions as he's set for Tommy John surgery after the season and has major questions about his defensive home. He's a potential middle of the order bat.
17. Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia
Haseley is a two way guy at Virginia who doesn't quite have the stuff to pitch as a pro. He's a very good college hitter, who has been improving his power over the past two seasons. I like him but rank him lower than most in part because I see these 10-20 spots as fairly interchangeable and I do have some questions about Haseley’s over the fence power as a pro. Haseley to me seems a bit more like an earlier career Nick Markakis, a guy who hits for average and racks up the doubles but isn’t exactly a feared power guy.
18. Trevor Rogers, LHP, New Mexico HS
The only reason that Rogers, who is related to fellow New Mexico native Matt Moore, isn't ranked higher is because his age is a bit of a red flag. Rogers is old for the class, and older than normal as he turns 20 before the end of the calendar year. He has a fastball he runs up to 95 with a promising curve and throws both for strikes. He's got everything to become at least a middle of the rotation starter if not a little more.
19. Samuel Carlson, RHP, Minnesota HS
Carlson is a true late riser this spring, but that's partly because he's a cold weather arm who had his season get underway late. He's an athletic pitcher who can hit 96 with an improving slider and quality change. One thing that he's got by starting his year late is a chance to keep moving up the board in the next two weeks as he continues to pitch.
20. Blayne Enlow, RHP, Louisiana HS
The projectable prep arm with a pair of plus pitches in his fastball and curve, Enlow is still a bit raw but has the ingredients to be a top of the rotation starter if it all comes together, especially as he starts to add some weight to his 6’4” 180 pound frame. He's a personal favorite for his upside and has stayed steady in the rankings this year despite not making any significant velocity jumps.
21. Alex Lange, RHP, LSU
Lange was a potential Top 5 pick heading into the year, but scouts have been picking him apart despite years of success at a high level. The main concern with him is that his delivery leads to concerns that he would become a reliever, though he could become a high leverage reliever. He also lacks a change at the moment, making the concerns about his delivery even tougher to answer.
22. Jacob Heatherly, LHP, Alabama HS
Similar to Braxton Garrett last year as an Alabama prep arm that rose up to the first round without a big fastball, but his full arsenal led by a big curve helps to make up for that. Heatherly is a potential #3/4 pitcher, but if that fastball ticks up at all he has the potential to be more.
23. Griffin Canning, RHP, UCLA
If Canning was a few inches taller he would be ranked a bit higher, but he's an undersized right hander. Still he's athletic, has some projection, and the ball does seem to explode out of his hand. Canning has a four pitch mix and his command has shown enough promise to project as future average.
24. Heliot Ramos, OF, Puerto Rico HS
Ramos is a true five tool prospect with power, speed, bat speed, contact ability, and the ability to stay in center field. Playing in Puerto Rico instead of the US likely hurts him a bit, but he's got the toolset of someone who could be drafted in the Top 10.
25. Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri
Houck is a big power pitcher who was once thought to be in the mix for the top pick earlier in his college career, but his stuff is down a little this spring and his delivery brings some concerns. When he's right he hits 95 with plus plus life on his fastball and an easily plus slider which help him miss bats at a good rate.
26. Mark Vientos, SS/3B, Florida HS
Vientos is a personal favorite of mine. Many people consider him a guy likely to move to third base, but he's smooth enough in his athleticism and defensive actions that he could stick as a bigger sized shortstop or become a plus defender at third. Either way his bat is his carrying tool, and he brings significant power potential to the table. He's struggled a bit this spring due to a minor injury, but he's got upside and is very young for his class.
27. David Peterson, LHP, Oregon
The big lefty has seen his stuff tick up this spring as he has seen an increase in his strikeouts. Peterson throws 95 and he can get weak contact when down in the zone, and thats just one part of his four pitch mix. He's capable of mixing in all of his pitches and adding or subtracting velocity as a kid who knows how to pitch already. He's got #3/4 starter potential.
28. Bubba Thompson, OF, Alabama HS
Big time athlete rising up draft boards this spring as a true center fielder. Thompson fits the Braves front office preference for multi-sport athletes as he has a scholarship from Alabama for both baseball and football.
29. Evan White, 1B/OF, Kentucky
White is a top college first baseman who scouts think can potentially handle center field defensively because of his athleticism. He's a very good hitter, though he doesn't have big power. So if you believe he can handle center field then he is much more valuable since there would be less pressure on his bat. If he was to stay at first base, he’s got legitimate Gold Glove potential so some teams may not want to move him.
30. Wil Crowe, RHP, South Carolina
Crowe missed all of 2016 as he recovered from Tommy John, but he has returned this season to pitch very well. He used his mid 90s fastball and plus slider to carve up SEC hitters this year, and there is the chance that he continues to improve next year as he moves another year out from surgery.
31. Tristan Beck, RHP, Stanford
Beck was once considered a potential Top 10 pick, but because of an injury which has wiped out his season there is some question. However after learning from Cal Quantrill at Stanford last year, I’m going to keep from knocking Beck too far down my draft rankings without having seen his medicals.
32. Jake Burger, 3B/1B, Missouri State
Burger ranks higher with a lot of others, but I just can't picture him aging well to handle third base and see a move to first as inevitable. Still the big power from the right side makes him an attractive prospect, especially when he's more than just a three true outcome hitter.
33. Matthew Sauer, RHP, California HS
One of the fastest rising pitchers this spring with a fastball that runs up to 97 MPH and able to locate it to either side of the plate. Potentially plus slider and change to go with a curve that lags behind right now. His pitches play up a bit because of deception in his delivery. He's athletic and projectable, making him even more intriguing.
34. Hans Crouse, RHP, California HS
Crouse has a big fastball that runs up to 97 MPH, a curve that can be filthy when on- though it's inconsistent, and a rarely used change. His command isn't better than fringy and his delivery does bring some questions, but his stuff is nasty.
35. Mason House, OF, Texas HS
Fast riser with helium this spring as an athletic prep centerfielder with very promising power. However similar to Austin Beck he doesn't have the high level experience to really test his hit tool, so there is some projection involved with him.
36. Logan Warmoth, SS, North Carolina
Warmoth has really moved up the boards this spring. He's long been known to be a solid hitter and defender, good to have him drafted early on the second day. However this year he's seen his power really develop and now finds himself in the mix for the first round.
37. Connor Uselton, OF, Oklahoma HS
Uselton is a five tool guy with a football background, so he may still have some room to grow as he starts to focus on baseball full time. His power potential is significant and he could profile as the prototypical right fielder.
38. Drew Waters, OF, Georgia HS
Local five tool talent with a bunch of above average to plus tools across the board. He does have some swing and miss, but his plus power helps to make up for that. He should be able to stick in center field.
39. MJ Melendez, C, Florida HS
Melendez is the son of Florida International’s manager and his baseball IQ shows that. He's a very strong defensive catcher with power from the left side that has been coming on.
40. Christopher Seise, SS, Florida HS
A big riser this spring as his body developed and he now has started to show some pop in his bat to go with impressive speed. There is some possibility he ends up in the outfield instead.
41. Brent Rooker, OF, Mississippi State
I had Rooker much lower last year as a draft eligible sophomore, but I considered myself higher than the industry with his power and throwing arm from the outfield. Then he returned to school and saw a mechanical change lead to a huge jump in his power numbers, making him a candidate to jump up the draft board similar to former Kentucky star AJ Reed a few years ago to the Astros.
42. Cole Brannen, OF, Georgia HS
Brannen is a bit similar to Drew Waters, just with less power but more hit and more speed. Brannen is likely to be a top of the order type of bat who covers a ton of ground in center.
43. Tanner Burns, RHP, Alabama HS
The son of a JUCO coach, Burns is undersized but can run it up to 97 MPH with a nasty plus slider(a bit slurvy) and a change which has been improving. Despite his size he's able to create downhill plane and hold his velocity deep into starts.
44. Jeter Downs, SS, Florida HS
Another fast rising Floridian shortstop, Downs is an athletic five tool prospect with emerging power this spring. This may be a bit low for him in the rankings.
45. Nick Allen, SS, California HS
A lot of others like Allen a good 15-20 spots higher, but he's 5’8 and will never feature power as a significant part of his game. He’s going to be a good defensive shortstop, but his hit tool isn't quite that of similarly small stature players like Jose Altuve and Ozzie Albies even though he should be able to hit for average.
46. Nate Pearson, RHP, Florida JUCO
Pearson is a kid with a frame to handle eating innings who started at Florida International before heading to JUCO. He's got massive velocity after hitting 101 MPH on Memorial Day at a bullpen. He's got a curve that while inconsistent, does get a borderline plus grade when it's on- just a tick below. The slider and curve are behind presently but should be big league average. He's also a guy who fills the strike zone.
47. Garrett Mitchell, OF, California HS
Mitchell is a pure 80 runner with real power potential, but he's going to have to make some tweaks to his approach in order to bring it out in game. Another potential issue is that he's a Type 1 diabetic and wears a pump at all times, which some teams might ding him for.
48. Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M
Martin is this year’s hot college reliever turned starter prospect. Martin made just 3 starts in his 30 appearances during his first two years on campus, but he’s made 10 out of his 21 appearances this year. However he does have the ingredients to start- he's athletic with a good frame, a solid fastball, very good curve and slider, and a usable change. The only questions are his below average command and his lack of a track record as a starter.
49. Calvin Mitchell, OF, California HS
Mitchell is an advanced prep bat with a real feel for hitting and has at least above average power. He’s a good athlete who can help on the bases as well, but he's likely to be limited to left field defensively.
50. Blaine Knight, RHP, Arkansas
Knight is a draft eligible sophomore with a little more projection than the typical college arm. He currently hits 97 MPH with his fastball and has a plus change with decent command. He's got the frame, two plus pitches, and solid command that if his curve or slider can improve, he would be a steal here.
51. Alex Scherff, RHP, Texas HS
Scherff is old for the class and still learning the finer points of pitching, but with a fastball up to 95, potentially plus change, and above average slurve, there is a lot to like.
52. Brendon Little, LHP, Florida JUCO
Little started off at North Carolina, barely played, tore up the Cape last summer, and headed to JUCO. He hits 97 MPH and has a hammer curve, giving him very high level stuff. The problem is that his command is pretty inconsistent and his mechanics need to be cleaned up. Still if he can make progress with hIs change, he has special potential. If starting doesn't work out he could be a high leverage reliever.
53. Ryan Vilade, 3B, Oklahoma HS
The son of a former pro scout and current college coach, Vilade has impressive power and should be a solid defender at the very least as he moves over from being a prep shortstop.
54. Kevin Smith, SS, Maryland
Smith lit up the Cape last summer, but he struggled early on this spring before making an adjustment. He's going to stick at short and is at least average with his speed and defense, but it’s the pop in his bat which makes him intriguing. He does have some swing and miss at times which can lead to some slumps.
55. Quentin Holmes, OF, New York HS
Holmes is a speedy potential leadoff hitter with a feel for the barrel of the bat and has recently seen his power tool take a step forward.
56. Luis Campusano, C, Georgia HS
Campusano has seen his stock rise as he's transformed his body to improve his athleticism. He’s a quality defender with plus power and a plus arm and he had a father who played in the minors. He's in the conversation to be the first catcher off the board.
57. Adam Hall, SS, Canada HS
High upside Canadian position player with five tool potential. He's pretty raw, which isn’t abnormal for a cold weather prep, but it is especially apparent with the bat at the moment.
58. Luke Heimlich, LHP, Oregon State
Heimlich moved from the pen to rotation and has absolutely dominated. Playing for the top college team in the country he has a 0.87 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with a 9.9 K/9 rate and 5.7 K/BB rate. It goes without saying that no pitcher has been more dominant than Heimlich over 103.1 innings this year. He’s always been more of a pitchability and command guy, but has seen his stuff tick up in a big way. He hits 95 MPH with the fastball and lets it play up because he can locate it and will throw his curve and change in any count, which really keeps hitters off balance. He's not the biggest size wise, but he is athletic and can hold velocity deep into games.
59. Matt Tabor, RHP, Massachusetts HS
A big time late popup guy this spring, Tabor has seen a real velocity spike to make his three pitch mix play even better. He can hit up to 96 MPH with his fastball and has a change which grades as plus in the future.
60. Landon Leach, RHP, Canada HS
This Canadian with a three pitch mix gets compared to Mike Soroka regularly, even though he's not as advanced as Soroka. Throws 94 MPH with sink on his fastball, average curve, and feel for his change- and throws strikes. Decent athlete and a projectable cold weather arm makes him the type of pitcher the Braves hone in on.
61. Hagan Danner, RHP/C, California HS
Two way guy who has been a top prospect for years. He throws up to 94 and can locate it. He's also got a curve that is a weapon for him and a change which is progressing. He's got a good delivery and repeats his mechanics.
62. Steven Jennings, RHP, Tennessee HS
Jennings is a helium guy who popped up this spring after missing last summer with a football ACL injury. He throws up to 95 with both a potentially plus curve and slider. His stuff isn't always consistent, but there is plenty of upside.
63. Caden Lemons, RHP, Alabama HS
Lemons is a projectable 6’6” right hander with a sinking fastball he can run up to 97 MPH. Slider and change both show potential and he’s also got a curve. He needs to get more consistent with his mechanics, which may help to improve his command.
64. Tristen Lutz, OF, Texas HS
Lutz is a big Texan with massive power potential and has been making strides with his hit tool this spring. He's going to need some work with pro coaches to really unlock his right handed power, but the potential can't be ignored.
65. Seth Corry, LHP, Utah HS
Corry is athletic and projectable with a fastball up to 94 MPH and a plus curve. He’s a bit of an unknown since he missed time last summer after a football injury and he's definitely on the raw side, but the potential is definitely there.
66. Cole Turney, OF, Texas HS
Turney is a prep center fielder expected to be forced to move to right as he continues to fill out his body. He’s got huge power and big strength, leading to a lot of hard contact. He's also got a very good arm. The only reason he's not ranked even higher for me is the fact that he does have swing and miss which will always be apart of his game.
67. Shane Drohan, LHP, Florida HS
Drohan is a high upside lefty who has had helium this spring. He hits 90 MPH with his fastball with a plus curve and solid change, and once he adds a little more strength that fastball should gain more velocity.
68. Daniel Cabrera, OF, Louisiana HS
Cabrera is a good athlete who just knows how to hit. His bat is his carrying tool and although he doesn't have the elite power or speed as some of the other prep outfielders here, he’s got an impressive track record for hitting against high level pitching and does have some pop.
69. Kyle Hurt, RHP, California HS
Hurt is a bit older for his class and is an advanced pitcher right now. He mixes in a three pitch mix featuring a low 90s fastball and a potentially plus curve, throws them for strikes and knows how to either pitch to contact or induce swings and misses. His velocity is down a little this spring as he comes back from an ACL injury.
70. Clarke Schmidt, RHP, South Carolina
Schmidt would have ranked a good 50 spots higher a few weeks ago, but he had to undergo Tommy John surgery recently. Prior to his injury he was dominating the SEC with a mid 90s fastball and plus slider. He's going to be a bit of a wildcard at the draft as someone may take a chance on his potential.
71. Brian Miller, OF, North Carolina
Miller has gone from walk-on to high round draft choice in a short time. He isn’t really a kid with a standout tool, but he’s a center fielder with a very well rounded skill set and few holes. He’s a guy who can field his position, runs well, makes contact, and does have good power from gap to gap. He’s got a high floor as a guy I can easily picture becoming a fourth outfielder in the big leagues.
72. Jeremiah Estrada, RHP, California HS
Athletic, projectable, and capable of hitting 96 MPH with his fastball now despite being thin. He's also got an impressive potentially plus curve. His change and command have been slowly, steadily been making progress.
73. Gavin Sheets, 1B, Wake Forest
Son of former big leaguer Larry Sheets. Gavin has big time power and bat speed and has been showing more ability to hit for average this year. He's picked up right where Will Craig left off.
74. Brady McConnell, SS, Florida HS
McConnell is a big athletic kid with plenty of upside, but after an up and down spring he finds himself in the lower part of the Top 100 instead of the first round. He’s also older for the class, which is a knock against him. But he has the athleticism, glove, power, and potential with his hit tool to make someone take a chance.
75. Michael Mercado, RHP, California HS
Mercado is an impressive projectable arm with a four pitch mix and good pitchability. He's really moved up this year, but he's a Stanford commit and is already considered to be a very tough kid to sign. The four pitch mix includes a fastball up to 94 MPH, a potentially plus curve and very sound command.
76. Riley Adams, C, San Diego
Adams is a bigger bodied catcher who brings some defensive questions just because of his size. The good news is that his bat has the potential to play at first if he has to move out from behind the plate. That's led to a Stephen Vogt comp on him since the bat and power are definitely the carrying tools.
77. Stuart Fairchild, OF, Wake Forest
Fairchild is becoming a five tool center fielder now that his power has started to show up this spring. He's a fast runner who plays good defense in center and has always had a good hit tool. It's easy to see him hitting at the top of a lineup and adding some power.
78. Jake Eder, LHP, Florida HS
Eder is a projectable helium guy who hits the mid 90s with his fastball, has a solid curve, and keeps making strides with the change. His mechanics need work, but that change could be what really lets him break out. The negative is that he's a Vandy commit, and those are tough to sign.
79. Greg Deichmann, OF, LSU
Deichmann is another guy who has seen his power make a jump this spring to become one of the most feared power hitters in the SEC. His hit tool is where the questions start and keeps him from ranking higher.
80. James Marinan, RHP, Florida HS
Popup prospect with a power arsenal, throwing up to 96 MPH with the fastball and projecting to have average command. He's also got a hard power curve, though the change needs work. There’s a lot to like for a kid who was primarily a position player in the past.
81. Luis Gonzalez, OF, New Mexico
Gonzalez is a contact oriented potential leadoff hitter who plays quality defense in center field. He's got a good approach at the plate and really knows how to get on base, but his power potential is a question mark.
82. Jordan Anderson, OF, Alabama HS
Anderson is an athletic center fielder who has been making strides with his bat this spring. His power has been coming along as well.
83. Kyle Jacobsen, OF, Georgia HS
Jacobsen is another athletic outfielder with plus tools who runs well and has been making strides with his bat this spring.
84. Daniel Tillo, LHP, Iowa JUCO
A former Kentucky Wildcat, Tillo hits 97 MPH with life from the left side and has a plus slider- though it's inconsistent. He doesn't really throw the change much, but it has potential to be usable. The thing working against Tillo is the fact that he's pretty raw- but that won't stop a team that loves his stuff.
85. Jacob Pearson, OF, Louisiana HS
Pearson brings plus speed with significant power from the left side. The negative is that he's already had surgery on his labrum last summer.
86. Evan Skoug, C, TCU
Skoug struggled early this year but has come back around. He’s a great team guy who has plenty of experience catching high end pitching, but the bat is where his value lies. He could provide good power with some ability to hit for average, but may need to move off catcher like Matt Thiass last year.
87. Christopher McMahon, RHP, Pennsylvania HS
Athletic, projectable former basketball player from a cold weather state leads to the belief that there is plenty more to come. Currently has three pitches which grade out as above average in he future and he throws strikes, though the curve does border on being plus.
88. Jacob Gonzalez, 3B/1B/OF, Arizona HS
The son of Luis Gonzalez is a bit of a mystery defensively, but his bat is what makes him intriguing. He's got the power, bat speed, and approach to be an asset for whoever drafts him, regardless of position.
89. Alejandro Toral, 1B, Florida HS
Toral was once considered a possible Top 10 pick but has fallen a bit and seen others pass him. He has huge lefty power and a solid hit tool, but as a pure prep first baseman there are some questions since it’s a hard profile.
90. Jake Thompson, RHP, Oregon State
Thompson has put together everything this spring and has broken out. He's got a fastball up to 96 MPH, above average slider, and potentially solid change that needs development. His command needs work and he doesn't have a long track record of success.
91. Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida HS
Mace is a projectable 6’6” 195 pounder who can already hit 95 MPH with his fastball and above average curve with 12 to 6 shape. His upside is considerable, which is why he's one of the fastest risers this spring.
92. Michael Gigliotti, OF, Lipscomb
Gigliotti was a likely first rounder heading into the spring after tearing up the Cape last summer, however he got off to a rough start this spring against a weaker group of competition. He did rebound since then and has been hitting. He's a speedy center fielder with an advanced hit tool and the ability to create problems on the bases, but doesn't really have much power, making him a potential top of the order bat.
93. Terriez Fuller, 1B/OF, Georgia HS
Fuller is a former football star who once had an offer from Auburn. He's a bit of a newcomer, but he's got massive power and is considered to be an 80 kid in terms of character and work ethic.
94. Riley Thompson, RHP, Louisville
Thompson is a draft eligibl redshirt freshman with nearly no college experience. He missed 2016 with Tommy John surgery and hasn't even thrown 15 innings this spring. But his stuff is elite with a fastball hitting 98 MPH and feel for both the sharp curve and change. He's also projectable with good mechanics. The command isn’t always consistent and he lacks experience in a big way, but this is the type of kid who could return to school and become a Top 10 pick if he is able to get enough innings in to answer the experience and track record questions.
95. Daulton Varsho, C, Milwaukee-Wisconsin
Gary’s son, he’s an athletic catcher with good defensive ability and knows how to take professional caliber at bats at the plate.
96. Kevin Merrell, SS/OF, South Florida
Merrell has 80 grade speed and because of that some think he may be more useful in center field. He’s got good contact ability and even has a little pop in his bat, but the speed and hit tool are what get him noticed.
97. Bryce Montes De Oca, RHP, Missouri
This is a big bodied power pitcher who can run his fastball up to 100 MPH out of the pen and as high as 96 MPH in a starring role. It's a big heavy sinking fastball that is tough to lift. His curve also shows signs of being a plus pitch. So why does he rank so low? He's already had Tommy John surgery early in his college career and has had trouble staying healthy. He has trouble throwing strikes consistently. And his change needs a bit of work. There is plenty of risk here, which might make him destined to become a late inning reliever.
98. JJ Matijevic, 2B, Arizona
Matijevic is an advanced college bat who can hit, making him attractive for teams that want a safer player not too far from the big leagues. He does have some more than what former Arizona star 2B Scott Kingery was projected to have.
99. Garrett “Hunter” Ruth, RHP, Florida HS
Ruth ranked quite a bit higher to me until he underwent Tommy John surgery. He’s still a guy worth keeping in mind as an athletic pitcher who can hit 97 MPH and has a plus slider.
100. Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas HS
Lacy is athletic and projectable with a nice three pitch mix. He's not a hard thrower, but has a change which flashes plus to go with a promising curve and a feel for pitching.