Mark Appel - RHP, Stanford (Sr.)
Appel was considered by many to be the top prospect in the draft last year, but the Houston Astros passed over him with the first pick and he slipped all the way down to Pittsburgh at pick eight. Appel had a 10-2 record with a 2.56 ERA, 130 strikeouts and just 30 walks in 123 IP as a junior, and was actually better this year, posting a 2.12 ERA with 130 strikeouts and 23 walks in 106 1/3 innings, with an outrageous .203 opponents batting average. From MLB.com:
He has a plus fastball that sits comfortably in the mid-90s with good movement. His hard slider and circle change are both outstanding offerings, at least above-average at times. He can throw all three pitches for strikes and has very good mound presence. The only minor concern is that with that kind of stuff, some scouts feel he doesn't get as many swings and misses as you'd expect, but he still profiles as a top of the rotation starter when all is said and done.
See videos of Mark Appel here. Twitter @MAppel26
Jonathan Gray - RHP, Oklahoma (Jr.)
Gray actually started the season as Oklahoma's second starter, behind fellow top prospect Dylan Overton. But Gray's 1.55 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 110 innings opened the eyes of the Sooner coaches and scouts around the nation. His numbers are outrageous, in addition the aforementioned ERA he also has a 127-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ration, a 9-2 record and three complete games (including two shutouts). Opposing hitters are batting .181 off of him. He throws consistently in the high 90s with his fastball and has a hard slider that he throws in the high 80s, stuff that teams salivate over. From MLB.com:
The big right-hander has a plus plus fastball that has registered triple digits late in starts, leaving no doubt about his ability to maintain his velocity. His power slider has developed into a plus pitch as well, he'll mix in an occasional curve and he's shown an ability to throw a solid changeup, to boot.
See videos of Jonathan Gray here.
Kris Bryant - 3B, San Diego (Jr.)
Bryant has become somewhat of a cult icon with his nation-leading 31 home runs, the man-crush of college baseball fans and media around the country. His 31 dingers are the most in three years, since college baseball switched the the noticeably less-powerful BBCOR bats. But Bryant is more than just a home run hitter. He's hitting .340, has an absurd .500 OBP and is slugging an even more absurd .840, tops in the nation. Perhaps most amazingly, he's actually walked more times than he's struck out (62 BBs to 40Ks). The big question for him is his defensive position. Scouts aren't confident with his ability to play third base at the next level, and his value would be greatly diminished if he were switched to first base. He certainly has the arm to play right field, but just like at third, his range and quickness are a question. From MLB.com:
He has easy plus power, maybe more, with the ability to hit the ball out to all fields. He also has a plus arm, and while some feel he'll have to move to first in the future, others feel he has the actions, arm and power bat to profile well at the hot corner. He's also shown the ability to play a corner outfield spot during his junior season.
See videos of Kris Bryant here.
Kohl Stewart - RHP, St. Pius X HS (TX)
Considered the top high-schooler in this class, Stewart didn't allow an earned run until his very last start of the season, finishing with a 0.18 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched, including complete games in three of his last four starts. He throws consistent mid-90s with his fastball, and while a project like all high-school pitchers, his ceiling is as high as they get. However, he is also one of the nations top football recruits and is committed to Texas A&M for both sports. His twitter bio says simply, "future student-athlete," so there are obvious questions about his signability. It should also be mentioned that Stewart is a Type 1 Diabetic, which gives some teams concern. (Authors note: As a Type 1 Diabetic myself, this should have no effect whatsoever on his play). From MLB.com:
He can run his fastball up to 95 mph with a slider and changeup to go along with it. He's more thrower than pitcher right now and his arm action concerns some.
See videos of Kohl Stewart here. Twitter @KohlStewart1
Colin Moran - 3B, North Carolina (Jr.)
After leading the Tar Heels with a .365 average as a sophomore, Moran came back just as strong this year, batting .357 with a team-high 13 home runs and 84 RBI. What's most impressive about Morgan is that he simply doesn't strike out, doing so just 20 times in 235 at-bats this year. He answer a lot of questions with his play in the field this year, showing he's capable of holding down the hot corner at the next level. From MLB.com:
A big, strong left-handed-hitting third baseman, Moran has good projection to his frame, meaning he's likely to grow into more power as he matures. He's a polished hitter, one who stood out on the Cape this past summer, and he should be able to stay at the hot corner defensively.
See videos of Colin Moran here. Twitter @CMOran18
Braden Shipley - RHP, Nevada (Jr.)
Just a notch below the likes of Appel and Gray, Shipley is without question the No. 3 college pitcher in this class. He posted a 2.77 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 34 walks in 107 1/3 innings, with a very impressive .218 average against. His fastball is consistently mid-90s and he can reach back into the upper-90s at time as well. From MLB.com:
Makes you take notice with a quick, loose arm and a plus fastball - one that has touched 98 mph. But he's more than just fastball velocity. He throws both a curve ball and a changeup, and while they're not as consistent as his fastball, both should be at least Major League average in the future. Shipley is generally around the plate with all three pitches and isn't afraid to go right after hitters.
See videos of Braden Shipley here.
Austin Meadows - CF, Grayson HS (GA)
The consensus top high school position player in the draft, Meadows continues the state of Georgia's great tradition of fantastic prospects (see Posey, Buster). He hit .535 in high school and slugged an outrageous (for any level) .930. While there are others who may be better right now, scouts think Meadows' upside is unmatched. From MLB.com:
Meadows has five-tool potential, a tremendous athlete who can do it all on the baseball field. He can run, has an outstanding arm and plenty of bat as he progresses. A left-handed hitter, Meadows has an ideal frame that should add some strength as he matures, which could lead to more power.
See videos of Austin Meadows here. Twitter @austin_meadows
Reese McGuire - C, Kentwood Sr. HS (WA)
Drafting a high school catcher is always a scary thing, but McGuire is getting this much attention for a reason. The left-handed hitting catcher batted .432 and slugged .833, while striking out just twice all season. While maybe not as naturally talented as some of his draft counterparts, it is hard to ignore a catching prospect with the effort and upside of McGuire. From MLB.com:
McGuire is a strong-bodied, left-handed-hitting catcher, which is always in high demand. With an easily above-average arm and fast exchange, he has the catch-and-throw skills to stay behind the plate. More of an all-out effort type than a natural performer, there is still some projection to his frame, so there might be more power to come.
See videos of Reese McGuire here. Twitter @Reese_McGuire21
D.J. Peterson - 1B, New Mexico (Jr.)
Peterson is hitting an unfathomable .411, good for third-best in the country, not to mention a .525 OBP (also third in the country) and an .823 SLG (second nationally behind Bryant). The only thing that keeps him out of the discussion for top pick is the consensus that he's already maxed out his potential, which clearly isn't all too bad with him. From MLB.com:
He's an advanced hitter with plus power, one who's not afraid to take a walk. He's played both corners defensively, mostly playing first while with USA Baseball. Some scouts felt he was the best pure hitter, especially in the college ranks, in the entire class.
See videos of D.J. Peterson here. Twitter @godj33
Trey Ball - LHP, New Castle Chrysler HS (IN)
The top two-way high schooler out there, don't sleep on Ball as an outfielder. The Texas commit could likely go both ways there, but that's not the case at the pro level, where many teams covet his left-handed arm on the mound. Ball throws low-to-mid 90s with his fastball, and while not a typical power has nonetheless drawn the eyes of almost every scout in the country. From MLB.com:
Big, tall and with plenty of room to fill out, Ball should add strength over the years, which could help him on the mound and at the plate. He's already 90-92 mph from the mound with a loose, quick arm. His changeup is his best secondary pitch and he's got a slow curve and harder slurve to go along with it, though he doesn't always repeat his delivery well. He has a Shawn Green look to him when he's hitting, with an easy stroke that should add power as he matures. He runs well and plays a good outfield to boot, making Ball one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2013 Draft class.
See videos of Trey Ball here. Twitter @South_paw24
J.P. Crawford - SS, Lakewood HS (CA)
The top shortstop - high school or college - in the class, Crawford won't stick around on the board very long. While committed to USC, the Trojans don't really expect to see him around there next year. Crawford hit .452 this year, but what scouts are most excited about is his outstanding natural ability and smoothness at shortstop. From MLB.com:
Crawford has a plus arm and easy, flowing motions defensively. While he grades out as an average runner, he is a threat on the bases. Crawford has a loose, wristy stroke and can hit the ball to all fields. He has average raw power and could grow into more as he matures.
See videos of J.P. Crawford here. Twitter @jiggaboo_jp
Ryne Stanek - RHP, Arkansas (Jr.)
Stanek posted a 9-2 record and a 1.40 ERA in 90 innings pitched as the Razorbacks' ace. He's shown solid control with a 76-35 K-BB ratio and good stuff with a .215 opponents average. In terms of pure "stuff," Stanek isn't thought to be quite the prospect that Jonathan Gray is, but he has proven himself a gritty pitcher who battles, something invaluable in the pro game. From MLB.com:
He has as much arm strength as anyone, throwing a plus fastball in the mid-90s while maintaining velocity throughout his starts. His fastball has good sink and run to it as well. He'll show two breaking balls, a curve and a slider, with the latter having a chance to be a plus pitch. Stanek goes right after hitters, though he needs to improve his overall command. That, along with some concern over effort to his delivery, have left some wondering if he's a reliever in the future.
See videos of Ryne Stanek here. Twitter @rstanek_55
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