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Top 15 high school MLB draft prospects
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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.
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