Yordy Cabrera is one of the most talented infielders in this
year's prep class.
It’s no secret that the biggest difference between last year’s prep class and this year’s prep class is the number of premium lefthanded pitchers available. In last June’s draft, five southpaws - Tyler Matzek (Rockies), Matt Purke (Rangers: did not sign), Chad James (Marlins) and Tyler Skaggs (Angels) - were all selected in either the first round or supplemental first round. Eight months from now, that number may decline to zero.
The catching crop is also thin, another marked difference from last year. But clubs at the top of the draft will have some intriguing power bats to choose from, as well as some power righthanders with top-of-the-rotation potential.
Below is the first edition of my high school draft prospect rankings. The rankings end at No. 15 for now, but the list will be expanded (substantially) as I collect more information about these players.
Note: Rankings are derived from first-hand observations, discussions with high school coaches, college coaches and professional scouts, and personal research using other reliable sources.
Top 15 High School Draft Prospects
1. A.J. Cole, rhp | Oviedo (Fla.) HS | College Commitment: Miami
Long and strong at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Cole complements his pro build with a heavy fastball and advanced secondary offerings.
2. Jameson Taillon, rhp | The Woodlands (Texas) HS | College Commitment: Rice
Taillon performed well at every showcase venue this summer, as the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder impressed with good command of a mid-90s fastball and a hard, late-breaking curveball.
3. Karsten Whitson, rhp | Chipley (Fla.) HS | College Commitment: Florida
Whitson generates easy velocity from a 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame and throws a low-80s slider that should become a plus pitch eventually.
4. Manny Machado, ss | Brito HS, Miami | College Commitment: Florida International
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound shortstop with true major-league actions in the field, Machado makes consistent contact at the plate and should develop above-average power.
5. Austin Wilson, of | Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles | College Commitment: Stanford
An athletic specimen at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Wilson has plus power potential and plus arm strength that will play well in right field.
6. Josh Sale, of | Bishop Blanchet HS, Seattle | College Commitment: Gonzaga
Equipped with advanced plate discipline and a smooth, balanced swing, Sale may have the best present hittability in the class.
7. Justin O’Conner, ss/rhp | Cowan HS, Muncie, Ind. | College Commitment: Arkansas
O’Conner has athleticism and strength, premium defensive tools and above-average power potential.
8. Brian Ragira, of | James Martin HS, Arlington, Texas | College Commitment: Stanford
A wiry and athletic outfielder, Ragira is the top power-speed combo prospect in this year’s prep class.
9. Stetson Allie, rhp/3b | St. Edward HS, Lakewood, Ohio | College Commitment: North Carolina
Allie is an exciting two-way prospect with impressive raw power at the plate and a high-90s fastball.
10. Kevin Gausman, rhp | Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo. | College Commitment: Louisiana State
Gausman sits in the low-90s with his fastball and should add more velocity as he fills out a projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame.
11. Nick Castellanos, 3b | Archbishop McCarthy, SW Ranches, Fla. | College Commitment: Miami
Castellanos is long and athletic with good bat speed and legitimate pull power.
12. Yordy Cabrera, ss/rhp | Lakeland (Fla.) HS | College Commitment: Miami
A strong and athletic 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, Cabrera offers power potential, good arm strength and sound defensive actions.
13. Garin Cecchini, ss | Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La. | College Commitment: Louisiana State
Cecchini has an athletic 6-foot-2, 200-pound build with a smooth lefthanded swing and the defensive tools that profile well at third base.
14. Stefan Sabol, c/of | Aliso Niquel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif. | College Commitment: Oregon
A cousin of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, Sabol is perhaps the best athlete in the class and has five-tool potential as an outfielder.
15. Dylan Covey, rhp | Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif. | College Commitment: San Diego
Covey pitched sparingly this summer due to injury, but he features a low-to-mid-90s fastball and the makings of a plus curveball when healthy.
Comments
Just not sure how you can leave Caleb Cowart of the East Cobb Astros off this list (cant remember his H.S.). Fasrball is 92-95, smooth fielding SS/3B that also switch hits. Committed to Florida State.
Hi coachod,
Kaleb Cowart (Cook HS, Adel, Ga.) was strongly considered for this top-15 list (he is currently No. 16, in fact). The problem with lists is that someone, inevitably, must be left out. Cowart did not attend two of the major showcase tournaments this summer and didn't perform up to his skill level at PG National (88-91 mph off the mound), so he was the easiest to exclude. But he is certainly a candidate for the top-two rounds of the draft heading into his senior season at Adel, depending on his signability.
keep an eye out for this kid
nick trivigino. played freshman ball last year at cherry hill west, a group 4 school. they faced very good pitching because he and 11 of the 15 players and all 9 starters were also on the carusi middle school team that went undefeated for 2 years (24-0) and the other coaches knew it.
he had 75 plate trips, all in the 2 hole.
19bb
6hbp (never ducks, never rubs)
25 hits
1 homer (walk off 3 run shot)
2 triples
9 doubles
(thats half his hits for extra bases)
27 runs scored
22 rbi
thats a run or rbi per at bat,( he did that with arsenal too this year before we left them)
2 errors, 1 throwing 1 fielding at ss, a new position for him last year
he IS the starting second baseman on varsity this upcoming spring
as a 13u arsenal blue player he went 85 games without an error, followed by 28 error less games, all at second base.
oh yea, he's a switch hitter too, that hits line to line from both sides. 1 k per 29 at bats over the last 2 years (over 200 games) never batted below 500 and has a high of 708
I will keep an eye out for him. Thanks for the tip, Eddie.
Nice article, Jesse. I don't usually start following the kids until they hit college or the minors, but I'm curious to know if anyone on your list is related to a major leaguer/former major leaguer (Palomalu's a cool relation, but he doesn't count- though, the Pirates could probably use him). After watching the Rising Stars game last week, seems like almost every other player had a brother in the game or was a second generation player.
P.S. Congrats on your graduation from Chapel Hill!
Mike,
I'll do some research and get back with you tonight. But I have a feeling that I'll be able to compile a list that is to 10-15 players deep with major-league bloodlines.
Bryce Harper??
Bryce Harper is forgoing his final two years of high school to attend CC of Southern Nevada this year, which makes him a college player (thus, ineligible for the high school rankings). But you can guarantee that he'll top the list of the college rankings.
Mike,
On this initial top-15 list, only Kevin Gausman (No. 10) has pro baseball bloodlines, as he is the brother of righthander Brian Gausman, who is in the Royals organization.
I did some more research on players who will likely crack the top 100, and here's what I came up with:
- Kris Bryant (3b/1b, Bonanza HS, Las Vegas) is the son of Mike Bryant, who played for the Red Sox between 1979-1983.
- Cameron Bedrosian (rhp, East Coweta HS, Sharpsburg, Ga.) is the son of Steve Bedrosian, who pitched for the Braves, Phillies, Giants and Twins and won the 1987 National League Cy Young Award.
- Marcus Littlewood (ss/3b, Pineview HS, St. George, Utah) is the son of Mike Littlewood, who played in the Brewers organization.
- Kellen Sweeney (ss/of, Jefferson HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) is the brother of Athletics outfielder Ryan Sweeney.
- Chevez Clarke (of, Marietta (Ga.) HS is a cousin of Yankees infielder Jerry Hairston and Athletics outfielder Scott Hairston.
Manny Machado is the real deal
i dated yordy cabrera!! and it sucks that hes leaving for miami! but hes really good and im gunna miss that boy!!
idk y im telling you this jus wanted to leave a comment!?
were is Ravelo the 3 base for hialeah high schoolprospect any # for this god player??????
After many scous look to Ranger Ravelo from Hialeah do this player never going to get a ranking on the list ????????
Dude how do you leave Cowart out Do you have Downs or something
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!