The 2016 MLB Draft commences tomorrow night, which is like my birthday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one grand three day marathon. As a reminder, I will be Live Blogging all three days and 40 rounds of the draft, so PLEASE join me with your questions, comments and hot takes.
Yesterday we highlighted several of the top pitching prospects available in this year’s draft class – today we continue our draft coverage by examining some of the top hitters who will be selected early in Round 1.
Top Bats
Kyle Lewis OF Mercer University
Following an outstanding campaign last summer on Cape Cod, Lewis has continued to dominate the Southern Conference this spring. The right-handed hitting Lewis has massive raw power to all fields, and although there is swing-and-miss in his game, most scouts believe he will hit in pro ball. Lewis is not a blazing runner, leading to questions if he will stay in center field long-term. Most likely Lewis moves to right field, where he fringe-average speed and strong arm profile well. There are questions in Lewis’s game, particularly the level of competition he has faced, but he has the potential to be terrific major league outfielder in a few years.
Corey Ray OF University of Louisville
Ray has been a vital three-year starter for Louisville, acting as a major cog in their lineup. The left-handed hitting Ray has quick wrists and healthy bat speed, leading scouts to project him to hit for both average and power at the next level. The real question with Ray involves his future defensive position, as his fringe-average arm could push him to left field as a professional. Nevertheless, his track record of performance and skills at the plate should have him drafted in the top-8 picks.
Blake Rutherford OF California HS
Rutherford entered the year as the top prep hitter in this class, as he has excellent bat speed in his left-handed swing, showing the ability to barrel the baseball and hit for power. In an effort to hit for power this spring, Rutherford has not dominated the competition as expected, causing scouts to have some prospect fatigue with him. Defensively there are questions if the 6-2 200lbs Rutherford will stay in center field in the future, though rumors are he improved as a senior. His detractors see a 19-year-old with limited projection remaining and some defensive questions, while his fans see a polished hitter who plays a solid center field. The team that believes in him should draft him inside the top-15 picks on Thursday.
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The debate in California among scouts this spring has revolved around which outfielder they prefer, Blake Rutherford or Mickey Moniak. Moniak is a lithe, projectable athlete with above-average speed and is a sure-fire long-term center fielder. At the plate Moniak peppers the gaps with impressive barrel control and scouts believe he will generate power as he matures physically. His bat is not as polished as Rutherford’s and does not project for the same power, but his overall impressive assortment of tools and projectable body will have him drafted inside the top-12.
Nick Senzel 3B University of Tennessee
The MVP of the Cape Cod League last summer, Senzel is a joy to watch swing the bat. A right-handed hitter, Senzel has a quick, linear swing which produces plenty of hard contact and doubles in the gaps. Scouts question how much power he will hit for as a professional, though his displays in batting practice have some scouts projecting average power for him. Defensively he has silenced critics this spring, playing a solid third base for Tennessee and even moving to shortstop for several weeks during the season. A few baseball people have put a right-handed hitting Bill Mueller “comp” on Senzel.
Zack Collins Catcher University of Miami
The left-handed hitting Collins has easy plus power and displays it both in batting practice and during games. He works counts well, draws walks, and shows the ability to barrel the baseball. While he lacks his pure power, the comparisons with last year’s #4 pick Kyle Schwarber are evident.
Defensively Collins lags behind his bat, though he has shown marked improvement this spring. He has a solid arm, but struggles receiving the ball and with his footwork. Scouts like the improvements he has shown behind the plate, leading some teams to believe he can develop into a passable catcher with proper coaching.
Matt Thaiss Catcher University of Virginia
Similarly to Collins, questions surround Thaiss’ defensive ability behind the plate, as he is not as fluid blocking pitches or quiet receiving the baseball as one would generally like from their catcher. However, he has a strong arm and possesses an excellent work ethic, leading some to believe he can stay at catcher. That said, the strength of his left-handed bat is what will get him drafted in Round 1, as he has plus raw power to all fields and a keen batting eye. The team confident in developing and refining his catching skills will likely pick Thaiss in the 2nd half of Round 1.
Others of Note: (College) Bryan Reynolds OF Vanderbilt, Buddy Reed OF University of Florida, Chris Okey Catcher Clemson, Will Craig 3B Wake Forest & Anfernee Grier OF Auburn – (High School) Delvin Perez SS, Taylor Trammell OF, Josh Lowe 3B, Nolan Jones SS/3B & Alex Kirilloff OF