MLB Draft Primer 2019: 2nd Round and Beyond

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MLB Draft
Photo Credit: Tim Hower/StarNews

Here is the rest of my top 100 MLB draft prospects preference list. This isn’t a mock draft, just my personal ranking of the players. It probably leans toward college players because I have more game footage to go on for them. Check out the top 34 here if you haven’t already.

35. Blake Walston

New Hanover HS___LHP___17.9
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 172 | B-T: L-L 

Athletic multi-sport lefty with a uber-projectable frame. Quick arm, up to 94 this spring, sitting 88-92, but you can dream on much more to come as he fills out and focuses on baseball. Already flashes a plus curveball.


36. Andrew Dalquist

Redondo Union HS___RHP___18.6
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

One of my guys this year. This is the highest you’ll see him ranked. For me, he hits the sweet spot between present stuff and projectability. Hit sits in the low 90s and has touched 96 with the makings of a quality curveball and changeup. He shows advanced feel for both and can land them for strikes. He has a quick, loose arm and quality mechanics. He’s athletic and gets down the mound well. He doesn’t hold his stuff well yet, but his frame can easily handle 20-30lb of good weight. He’s a guy I can imagine sitting 93-95 with an above average curveball and changeup in a couple years.


37. Kyren Paris

Freedom HS___SS___17.6
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 167 | B-T: R-R 

Paris is extremely young for the draft class and offers speed and defense at shortstop. It’s contact over power right now but he’s still growing and there is the raw bat speed for decent power once he gets stronger.


38. Gunnar Henderson

Morgan Academy HS___SS___17.9
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 194 | B-T: L-R 

A big-framed prep SS with above average left handed raw power and good bat to ball skills. I don’t think he sticks at SS, but his bat should play at 3B as he fills out his projectable frame.


39. TJ Sikkema

Missouri___LHP___20.9
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 217 | B-T: L-L

Low slot lefty with three above average pitches. Fastball sits 91-94, t95 from a tough angle. Big body, holds velocity well. Sweeping slider and good command of a changeup.


40. Ryan Jensen

Fresno State___RHP___21.5
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R 

The best fastball of the college starting pitchers in this class. Sitting 96-98 in his best outings with excellent late life. The changeup and slider need improvement, they are fringe average offerings currently. With his armspeed and athleticism, I don’t think that’s a tall task for a player development program.


41. Matt Wallner

Southern Miss___RF___21.5
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R 

Huge left-handed power, long levers and some length to the swing. Average runner, but good defender in RF with a plus arm. If he doesn’t work as a hitter, he can throw mid-90s on the mound.


42. Logan Davidson

Clemson___SS___21.5
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 195 | B-T: B-R 

Athletic, quality defensive SS with power and ACC performance. The swing is stiff and he has struggles with top competition. I’m worried he won’t hit, but huge upside if he does.


43. Kendall Williams

IMG Academy___RHP___18.8
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 206 | B-T: R-R 

Tall righty with some projection left with a bunch of average-ish pitches that play up due to plane and extension. I think there is more fastball velocity and sharpness to his two breaking balls yet to come.


44. Tyler Callihan

Providence HS___3B/C/RF___19.0
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R 

An older HS bat-first prospect who is hit over power, but has sneaky pop. Elite performer against top competition. Doesn’t really have a positional home which hurts his draft stock, but has a strong arm and has played a bunch of different positions. Athletic enough that he shouldn’t have to go play 1B.


45. Ethan Small

Mississippi St___LHP___22.3
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

Dominant performer, fastball heavy mix, fierce competitor. Good command of a fastball that will be anywhere from 86-96 depending on the outing and inning. Doesn’t hold velocity well, will usually hit 93 early on, sometimes more, but will be mostly 89-91 after a couple innings. The fastball plays above the velocity, missing tons of bats. Adds a curveball and changeup of inconsistent quality. The hope is they will develop in pro ball, right now, the fastball is so dominant that he rarely throws them.


46. Brett Baty

Lake Travis HS___3B/1B___19.6
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 218 | B-T: L-R 

The oldest prospect of the high school class, Baty already has a pro body that produces big left handed power and bat speed at the plate. He’s been a dominant performer in HS but he’s usually facing players who are much younger. That’s enough risk for the hit tool for a guy who’ll likely end up at 1B for me to drop him to this point.


47. Spencer Jones

La Costa Canyon HS___LHP/1B___18.1
Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 212 | B-T: L-L 

Tall, very athletic for his size. Legit prospect as both an advanced lefty pitcher and a power hitting 1B. I prefer him on the mound where he was 89-92 last summer with strikethrowing ability and an above average curveball. He projects to add velocity and breaking ball quality as he fills out. Didn’t pitch this spring due to an elbow fracture, but did show plus power and a surprising feel for contact at the plate.


48. Cameron Cannon

Arizona___2B/3B___21.6
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 196 | B-T: R-R 

Some of the best hands at the plate in the class. He’s short to the ball and is a good bet to hit in pro ball. He plays SS but is probably going to be a 3B in pro ball. He lacks average raw power, but he has the type of hit tool and pull-centric approach that could allow his game power to play above his raw power.


49. Ryan Garcia

UCLA___RHP___21.4
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

Elite performance in a top conference, substantial track record. Strikethrower, some of the best command in college baseball. Stuff was fringe average early in the season coming off an injury, but has ticked up and he was 91-94 with two average breaking balls and an above average changeup.


50. Drew Mendoza

Florida State___3B___21.7
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 225 | B-T: L-R 

Plus or better left handed raw power, patient approach, track record of performance, and a chance to stick at 3B passably. There is some length to the swing, but he’ll be an impact bat if he can make enough contact.


51. Keoni Cavaco

Eastlake HS___3B___18.0
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R 

Pop-up prospect this spring with a combination of speed and power at 3B. Showing good contact skills against lackluster competition, but very limited track record against top velocity/stuff. Lots of hit tool risk for that reason.


52. Ryne Nelson

Oregon___RHP___21.4
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 184 | B-T: R-R 

Super loose and quick arm, producing upper 90s, touching 99 in relief. Sat 92-95 when Oregon tried him as a starter. Plus slider and usable curveball/changeup. Below average command. Room to gain strength to improve command and hold stuff better as a starter.


53. Kyle Stowers

Stanford___RF___21.4
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-L 

Corner outfielder with mostly average tools across the board. Good bat speed and track record of production with wood bats.


54. Trejyn Fletcher

Deering HS___CF___18.1
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R 

Toolsy, physical CF with bat speed and above average raw power. Some hit tool questions magnified scouts not getting a good look at him this spring due to the weather in Maine and his late reclassification into the 2019 draft class.


55. Josh Wolf

St. Thomas HS___RHP___18.8
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 165 | B-T: R-R 

Velocity gainer, has been up to 97 with a plus curveball this spring. Doesn’t have much of a third pitch and will need to improve command, but it’s a premium fastball/curveball combo on a still projectable frame.


56. John Doxakis

Texas A&M___LHP___20.8
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 215 | B-T: B-L 

Herky jerk delivery that he repeats surprisingly well. Average stuff mostly with an above average slider. Durable, consistent performer who should move fast and fit in the back of a rotation.


57. Matt Canterino

Rice___RHP___21.5
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Big righty with a funky delivery and a really good curveball. The rest of the stuff is average. His success will depend on his ability to set up the curveball and maintain his low 90s velocity on a pro schedule.


58. Matthew Lugo

Beltran Academy HS___SS___18.1
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Athletic, projectable SS with good speed and defense. At the plate, he shows good hands and batspeed but lacks present strength or an advanced approach.


59. Hunter Brown

Wayne St___RHP___20.8
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 203 | B-T: R-R 

Pop-up DII arm. Mature-bodied, but up to 98 this spring as a starter. Efficient delivery, above average slider, but needs to improve strikethrowing.


60. Tyler Baum

North Carolina___RHP___21.4
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R 

Athletic, loose-armed righty. Fastball velocity has been very inconsistent, ranging from 88-97. At his best, he sits 91-94 and will reach back for 96-97 in important spots. Hard to evaulate how the the fastball will play on a pro schedule, which adds risk. The curveball is above average and will flash plus, also has a changeup that is above average at times. Control over command.


61. Rece Hinds

IMG Academy___3B/1B/RF___18.8
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R 

80 grade raw power, probably a 1B longterm. Length to the swing and awkwardness swinging at pitches out of his wheelhouse. High risk, high reward.


62. Aaron Schunk

Georgia___3B___21.9
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R

Quality defensive 3B with a plus arm. Two-way player in college, better position player prospect. Average hit, above average power, plays down a little bit because he’s aggressive at the plate and takes few walks.


63. Jared Johnson

Smithville HS___RHP___18.2
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R 

Pop-up arm from the middle of nowhere. Easy velocity, has sat mid-90s some starts, touching 97. No showcase experience. Quality arm action, strikethrower despite turning his back to hitters in his windup. Could probably throw harder with more direct mechanics. Not much offspeed stuff yet, really raw pitcher, but will throw a decent slider at times.


64. Andre Lipcius

Tennessee___3B___21.0
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R 

It seems to be a trend that infielders without much foot speed get categorically underrated. I believe that’s whats happening with Lipcius. It’s above average power with above average defense at 3B. The swing is a bit long, but he has an advanced approach and a surprising feel for contact.


65. Dasan Brown

Abbey Park HS___CF___17.7
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R 

Plus bat speed and 80 grade speed carry this profile. Fast-twitch CF who should be able to add value there at maturity. Raw at the plate and lacking physicalilty, but is very young for the class and should get much stronger.


66. Antoine Kelly

Wabash Valley JC___LHP___19.5
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L

Big, athletic lefty with a big fastball. He’s been up to 97 this spring and gets it pretty easy. There is some crossfire in the delivery and the slider and changeup are both raw, but a lot of upside.


67. Chase Strumpf

UCLA___2B___21.3
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 197 | B-T: R-R 

Average defense at 2B and a long track record of performance. Hit over power, a bunch of near average tools.


68. Erik Miller

Stanford___LHP___21.3
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 240 | B-T: L-L 

XL lefthander who looked like a late first round guy early when he ran his fastball up to 97, sitting low to mid 90s with an above average curveball and average changeup. As the season progressed the stuff backed up and was more 88-92 with less sharpness to the breaking ball.


69. Bryce Osmond

Jenks HS___RHP___18.8
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R 

Projectable two-way player whose pro future is on the mound. Fastball 91-94 with an above average slider. Should improve once he focuses on pitching.


70. Peyton Burdick

Wright State___RF___22.3
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R 

Elite performer albeit as an older prospect and against weak competition. There are some real tools here, plus or better raw plus with the strength to backspin the ball. Above average speed and arm although his defense is just average. I really like the swing and I think he hits, this is the highest you’ll see him ranked.


71. Noah Murdock

Virginia___RHP___20.8
Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R 

Massively tall sinkerballer who got hit around badly this spring. The stuff is much better than the results though. Fastball up to 96. Slider flashes plus. A good player development team could work wonders here.


72. Michael McAvene

Louisville___RHP___21.8
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R 

Tommy John Surgery survivor, was 93-96 with an above average slider most of the season with average command as Louisville’s closer. Came out in regionals and touched 100 with command. He has a starters command and delivery so that could be an option if he can develop a changeup. If not, he should be a fast moving relief arm.


73. Tommy Henry

Michigan___LHP___21.9
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L 

Pitchability lefty whose stuff ticked up early this spring, sitting low 90s. Really gets down the mound, has a basket of offspeed stuff that he can land for strikes. The stuff and command faded a bit down the stretch.


74. Ryan Pepiot

Butler___RHP___21.8
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | B-T: R-R 

Big-bodied starter with an average fastball and no projection left, but good secondary pitches. These include a 2800rpm curveball and a changeup that has a chance to be plus.


75. Jacob Wallace

Connecticut___RHP___20.8
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R 

Max effort closer, fastball up to 98 with premium ride. Long looping arm action and an average slider. Dominant performer, knows how to pitch. Everything plays up.


76. Ryan Zeferjahn

Kansas___RHP___21.3
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 216 | B-T: R-R 

Sinkerballer with inconsistent command, can run the fastball up to 96 with a slider and splitter both flash above average. Some mid-rotation upside, but probably a reliever.


77. Isaiah Campbell

Arkansas___RHP___21.8
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 225 | B-T: R-R 

Big time SEC performer, fastball fringe average at 90-95 with little deception. Adds an average cutter, average split, and below average curveball. Commands the ball well, mixes pitches and competes. Looks like a back end starter.

Edit: His NCAA regional performance was impressive, he fastball sat 94-95 and the cutter and split played up a half a grade. If this wasn’t just a one time thing (the stuff wasn’t like that earlier in the year), this ranking is too low.


78. Jimmy Lewis

Lake Travis HS___RHP___18.6
Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R 

Projectable guy with an average fastball at 90-94 with an above average slurvy slider and feel for a changeup. Little deception, but an advanced strikethrower.


79. Conor Grammes

Xavier___RHP/3B___21.9
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R 

Power armed reliever or 3B with plus power and a power arm? He’s both. Probably a better prospect on the mound where he’s up to 99 with a slider that flashes plus as a reliever. Has been used as a starter and has the physicality to hold velocity well but below average command will push him to relief. I’d try him as a two-way guy.


80. Braden Shewmake

Texas A&M___SS___21.6
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R 

Tall, athletic SS with great feel to hit. More of a line drive swing than a power stroke, may have to move off short if he bulks up, but should be a good defender on the dirt regardless.


81. Sammy Siani

William Penn Charter HS___CF___18.5
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L 

Well rounded HS CF without standout tools, but a simple swing and a great feel to hit. Instinctual player, smart defender.


82. Matt Cronin

Arkansas___LHP___21.7
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

Premium college closer, outstanding results to go with a fastball touching 95 and an above average curveball. The stuff plays up due to aggressive mechanics and a tough, over the top release.


83. Brandon Lewis

UC Irvine___3B/1B___20.6
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

JUCO transfer who hit for a ton of power in a power-sapping home park. He has double plus raw power and he gets to most of it in-game generating easy natural loft. Some swing and miss. Probably a 1B long term but the defense did improve enough to try to keep him at 3B.


84. Grae Kessinger

Ole Miss___SS___21.8
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R

Bloodlines, elite SEC performance, and polished play at the plate and in the field help you overlook the lackluster tools.


85. Cooper Johnson

Ole Miss___C___21.1
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R 

Toolsy catcher who didn’t hit a lick in his Freshman and Sophomore seasons. Was greatly improved this spring. One of the best defenders in the class. Flawed swing mechanics, but above average bat speed and average power.


86. Andrew Schultz

Tennessee___RHP___21.9
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Relief only prospect, changed his arm action in the fall and hit 102 mph this spring. Slider flashes plus but is very inconsistent. Command well below average, saw limited action because of it. Athletic enough to improve with consistent pro innings.


87. Nick Quintana

Arizona___3B___21.7
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R 

Sweet swinging 3B with above average power and a long prospect track record. Some swagger to his game and quality tools but some inconsistency to his performance.


88. Michael Toglia

UCLA___1B/LF___20.8
Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 200 | B-T: B-L 

Tall, long-levered switch-hitting power bat. Defensive assest at 1B, athletic enough to try in the OF. Swing and miss issues, but upside.


89. Hayden Wesneski

Sam Houston State___RHP___21.5
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R 

Big time groundball pitcher, sits in the low 90s with big-time sink and run from a funky windup. Average slider and changeup. Profiles as a back of the rotation innings eater.


90. Kenyon Yovan

Durable bodied former two-way player with an average fastball, above average slider and changeup. Had blood clots in his wrist that kept him from playing this spring, it adds risk but he has a low mileage arm and it’s a top 50 profile.


91. Davis Wendzel

Baylor___3B___22.0
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R 

Older 3B with an unorthodox swing but excellent bat to ball skills and average power. Quality glove at 3B.


92. Josh Smith

LSU___SS/2B___21.8
Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-R 

Well rounded SS who may end up at 2B in pro ball. Good bat speed and contact skills, power may be light.


93. Bryant Packard

East Carolina University___LF/1B___21.7
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R 

Left-handed power bat with great barrel feel. Long track record of performance including with a wood bat. Below average runner with a below average arm.


94. Anthony Volpe

Delbarton HS___SS___18.1
Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R 

Undersized SS who does all the little things right, performs above his tools against the best competition.


95. Adam Lukas

Evansville___RHP___20.9
Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R 

Easiest velocity in the draft, up to 100 with a super easy action. Poor command and lack of a consistent offspeed pitch have lead to disappointing results. There’s a lot of talent to work with here, the slider can be good at times, it’s just going to take some serious player development.


96. Ryan Kreidler

UCLA___3B/SS/2B___21.6
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R 

Tall, lean 3B. Stong defense, could probably play fringe average defense at SS despite his size and lack of twitch. Quick bat, direct line drive swing, above average raw power but doesn’t get to it yet in game.


97. Will Robertson

Creighton___RF___21.5
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-L 

Your standard power hitting corner outfielder. Big league body, needs to tweak the swing to hit in pro ball, but it’s plus left handed power with average corner defense.


98. Jordan Brewer

Michigan___CF___21.9
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-L 

Raw but toolsy CF prospect. JUCO transfer. Poor zone judgement holds back the profile for now.


99. Andre Pallante

UC Irvine___RHP___20.7
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 203 | B-T: R-R 

Long track record of performance. Paced delivery, good extension, fastball touched 98 this spring but was usually 91-94. Fastball plays below it’s velocity, distinct slider and curveball. Big arm stab, but repeats well, might be a reliever at the next level, could move fast in that role.


100. Armani Sanchez

Reagan HS____SS____18.3
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R 

Slick fielding SS lacking the present arm strength to stick there. Plus bat speed, plus runner, I like the chance he grows into some power and enough arm to stick at SS.

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Tony has owned and operated Orioles Hangout since 1996 and is well known for his knowledge of the Baltimore Orioles organization from top to bottom. He's a frequent guest on Baltimore-area sports radio stations and can be heard regularly on the 105.7 FM The Fan. His knowledge and contacts within the Orioles minor league system and the major league baseball scouting industry is unparalleled in the Baltimore media and is known as an expert on the Orioles prospects.