It’s not a very exciting year for middle infield prospects but that doesn’t mean a few stars can’t/won’t be born from this group of players.
The High School Crowd (Top 5)
1) J.P. Crawford – SS – Lakewood HS (California)
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 175
Bats: L Throws: R
Age: 18 College Commitment: USC
Draft Projection: Mid-First Round
There he is, the top middle infield prospect in the draft. J.P. is Carl Crawford’s younger cousin, he’s a superb athlete who projects as above average defender at shortstop in the bigs. Great throwing arm, good bat speed and gap power potential with the bat and he should be a stolen base threat too. Reminds me of a potential Jimmy Rollins in his best case scenario.
2) Cavan Biggio – 2B – St. Thomas HS (Texas)
Height: 6’1″ Weight: 185
Bats: L Throws: R
Age: 18 College Commitment: Notre Dame
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
Yes, Craig Biggio’s kid. He’s got a smooth lefty swing and shows great ability to consistently barrel the ball. In other words, he’s a natural. Coast2Coast Prospects compares his offensive profile to Stephen Drew.
3) Riley Unroe – SS – Desert Ridge HS (Arizona)
Height: 6’0″ Weight: 180
Bats: S Throws: R
Age: 18 College Commitment: USC
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
He’s a trailblazer having been clocked by PG at 6.40 in the 60. He’s a wiry strong athlete that could add more to his frame. Has modest power potential. I like his right handed swing better than the the left. Will be a tough sign from USC.
4) Oscar Mercado – SS – Gaither HS (Florida)
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 175
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 18 College Commitment: Miami
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
Mercado is a toolsy young athlete who profile more as a glove first prospect. He has a chance to be an outstanding defender. He can run too and will likely be a stolen base threat. Mercado is fringy hitter to me though and a long ways from the majors from an offensive standpoint. As a result, I have him rated lower than others.
5) Garrett Hampson – SS – Reno HS (Nevada)
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 175
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 18 College Commitment: USC
Draft Projection: Mid-First Round
Others to know
Christian Arroyo – SS
Terrian Arbet – SS – Great Oak HS (California) – Raw hitter with gap power upside that has exciting potential defensively and is an above average runner. Similar profile to O’s prospect Adrian Marin.
Chris Rivera – SS – El Dorado HS (California) – Great arm and projects to be above average defensively. Another raw hitter who will need significant growth to amount to big league player. Speed not a big asset either.
Corey Thompson – SS – Mauldin HS (South Carolina) – Impressive athlete with strong arm. Shows decent feel for hitting but likely doesn’t offer more than average power upside. Should be a good baserunner though.
Trevor Morrison
The College Crew (Warning: It’s weak)
Top Juco prospect in the land
1) Tim Anderson – East Central CC (Miss.)
Height: 6’1″ Weight: 170
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 21 Previously Drafted: No
Draft Projection: Late First-Early 2nd Round
Anderson excites scouts because – shocker – he’s a terrific athlete. He has plus running speed and can use it well in games. He also projects as an above average defender at SS. His feel for hitting and baseball skills in general are raw which make him a risky proposition in my opinion. The power potential isn’t great either. I’d say Andrelton Simmons is his upside if he pans out the way scouts hope.
2) Hunter Dozier – SS – Stephen F. Austin
Height: 6’4″ Weight: 220
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 21 Previously Drafted: No
Draft Projection: Late First-Early 2nd Round
Dozier’s monster year put himself on the map. I’ve been on the bandwagon since I watched him play in the 2012 Southland conference tournament. He has little chance at sticking at SS but that didn’t stop me from listing him here. He has above average power upside and projects decent hitter too, although he may struggle wiffs.
3) JaCoby Jones – 2B – LSU
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 200
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 21 Previously Drafted: No
Draft Projection: 3rd-5th Round
He’s an outstanding athlete but after three years of middling production, it’s tough to construct an argument that he is worthy of a top 3 rounds selection even tough he has the natural abilities to go that high. Perhaps, changing his swing mechanics, particularly eliminating his leg kick could help unlock his offensive potential.
4) Ty Young – 2B – Louisville
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 175
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 21 Previously Drafted: No
Draft Projection: Mid-First Round
5) Adam Frazier – SS – Mississippi State
Height: 6’2″ Weight: 175
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 21 Previously Drafted: No
Draft Projection: Mid-First Round
HM/ Tony Kemp – 2B – Vanderbilt – No power upside whatsoever but Kemp is an exciting player to watch that plays sound 2B defense, can hit for contact consistently and has excellent baserunning ability.
Dom Ficiocello – 2B – Arkansas
L.J. Mazzilli – 2B – UConn
Jack Reinheimer – SS – East Carolina
J.T. Riddle – 2B – Kentucky
Brandon Trinkwon – SS – UC Santa Barbara
Slade's Top Orioles Prospects 