Draft Preview: College Hitters

[Ozzie Ball]

Part 1:

Rob Brantly, C, UC Riverside

 

Bryce Brentz, OF, Middle Tennessee

 

Gary Brown, OF, Cal State Fullerton

 

Michael Choice, OF, UT-Arlington

 

Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton

Colon doesn’t have any overwhelming tools, but he is very well rounded and should be able to move through the minors quickly. At 6’0”, 185 lbs he is a little undersized, but he does have good athleticism and agility, giving him a legitimate change to stick at short. Offensively he’s more of a gap power hitter than a home run threat, but he makes a lot of contact, which should allow him to hit for a high average. He looks like a prototypical number two hitter to me with great baseball instincts and good leadership ability.

Projected draft position: High to Mid 1st Round.

 

Zack Cox, 3B, Arkansas

 

Todd Cunningham, of, Jacksonville State

 

Derek Dietrich, SS, Georgia Tech

 

Gauntlett Eldemire, OF, Ohio

 

Micah Gibbs, C, LSU

Gibbs is one of the better defensive catchers in college baseball. Reports on his intangibles, such as his ability to handle a pitching staff, are positive and it’s just as well because there are serious concerns over his offensive ability. Gibbs may never hit for much of an average due to his long swing but he could contribute solid pop. Gibbs doesn’t have star potential but he could wind up as a solid regular.

Projected draft position: 2nd – 3rd Round.

 

Yasmani Grandal, C, Miami

 

Jedd Gyorko, SS, West Virginia

Continued...

 

Part 2:

Rick Hague, SS, Rice

 

Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada

 

Mike Kvasnicka, C, Minnesota

 

Leon Landry, OF, LSU

 

Hunter Morris, 1B/OF, Auburn

Hunter Morris has big power potential and a phenomenal spring has seen him quickly climb up the rankings. He’s prone to the strikeout and he doesn’t walk as much as you’d like but he’s one of the better bats in this years draft class. Defensively he can pick it at first base, but don’t expect him to be a gold glover. He’s an average runner with enough range to play a corner OF position if need be and his arm is average. If he walked more and made more contact, I could see him as a late first rounder, but as it is, I think he’s more of a second round prospect, albeit one with good upside. Projected draft position: 2nd Round.

 

Jarrett Parker, OF, Virginia

 

Kyle Parker, OF, Clemson

 

Cameron Rupp, C, Texas

 

Tony Thompson, 3B, Kansas

 

Kolbrin Vitek, 2B/3B, Ball State

 

LeVon Washington, OF, Chipola JC (FL)

Washington has had a disappointing season at Chipola where he hasn't shown the blazing speed that he was thought to posses this time last year. He's still an above average to plus runner, but scouts no longer see him as elite. At the plate he does a good job of putting the ball into play and he has suprising raw power for a player of his size. His arm strength drew a lot of criticisms last year after he was recovering from labrum surgery, and while it's not quite as bad as before, it's still significantly below average. Projected draft position: Supplemental 1st - 2nd Round.

 

Austin Wates, OF, Virginia Tech

 

Ross Wilson, 2B, Alabama

Continued...

[DirtySox]

Thanks.

 

Gauntlett Eldemire is such a great name.