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2017 3rd round pick (98): Mike Baumann - RHP - Jacksonville University

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Cumberbundy Hangout Veteran Council

Cumberbundy

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This college class is relatively well-known to scouts because they just went through the draft process last year. They know which players turned down big money and which ones merely priced themselves too high. The tools don’t change much in the first year, so those freshmen that have played a lot and performed are easy to like; this top group of ten are guys that were known to turn down big money and also performed well in big roles for talented programs.

I could list a few hundred other college freshmen worth monitoring, but the rest either are lacking tools, performance, opportunity or polish and some are missing multiple ones. That will obviously change in the next two years for many of them, but I wanted to focus on the guys that are already performing and have top 3 round tools.

1. J.J. Schwarz, C, Florida: Schwarz was a 2nd round talent last year and it was a surprise that no one met his price. He’s made the most of his freshman year, nearly leading the country in homers (.290/.362/.617 with 13 bombs) and showing more hit tool than most expected from him this year. He has to tools to stick behind the plate but still needs a little work, while the bat and above average raw power are enough to play almost anywhere.

2. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina: Bukauskaus was the best prospect not to sign out of high school last year and he’s still the same high profile guy. He isn’t big (5’11 or so) and there’s some effort to his delivery, but he’s regularly into the mid-90’s, has been into the high-90’s, flashes a plus breaking ball and the starter traits are coming along.

3. K.J. Harrison, C, Oregon State: Harrison was another Hawaiian prep that stood out last summer along with Kodi Medieros but Harrison has taken a step forward with the bat this year. He hasn’t caught much but showed the tools to stick behind the plate in 2014; his power is now above average and he’s making more contact as well.

Note: you don’t have to have initials for a first name to be high on this list, but it apparently helps.

4. Jeren Kendall, CF, Vanderbilt: Kendall stood out at Area Codes last summer but struggled last spring and early this spring in college before catching fire. He’s a true center fielder with 70 speed, a solid lefty stroke and quick-twitch athleticism.

5. Brendan McKay, LHP, Louisville: McKay has been a standout performer at the plate as well, but his future is on the mound, here he has solid average stuff and command with athleticism and feel to pitch.

6. Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri: Houck popped up last spring as a projection arm in the Midwest and took another step forward this spring. He’s 6’5/200, sits 90-93 and hits 95 mph with solid average stuff and command, with more stuff coming.

7. Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia: Smith has present plus raw power from the left side, looseness to his swing and a solid approach. He’s limited defensively but emerged in 2014 as a premium bat that also wanted a premium bonus out of high school.

8. Alex Lange, RHP, LSU: Lange was up-and-down as a prep pitcher but has emerged as the ace for the top team in teh country as a freshman. At his best, Lange sits 91-93 and hits 95 mph with an above average to plus curve and average changeup and command, though the stuff can also play around average at times.

9. Turner Larkins, RHP, Texas A&M: Larkins was one of my favorite arms from last summer’s showcase circuit. At his best, he sits 90-93 mph with an above average to plus changeup and a solid average breaking ball.

10. Cobi Johnson, RHP, Florida State: Johnson’s dad is the Blue Jays’ roving pitching coordinator and that helps explain his feel for pitching. Johnson is a projectable 6’4/190 with three pitches that flash above average and some feel to pitch

Other College Pitchers (23)

RHP Mitch Hart (USC), RHP Alex Faedo (Florida), RHP Drew Rasmussen (Oregon State), LHP Kyle Johnson (Texas), LHP David Peterson (Oregon), RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (Missouri), LHP Jake Latz (LSU), RHP Tommy DeJuneas (North Carolina State), RHP Cre Frinfrock (UCF), RHP Keith Weisenberg (Stanford), RHP Derek Casey (Virginia), RHP Brad Depperman (North Florida), RHP Jake Godfrey (LSU), RHP Keaton McKinney (Arkansas), RHP Tylor Megill (Loyola Marymount), RHP Kyle Wright (Vanderbilt), LHP Cameron Bishop (UC Irvine), LHP Seth Romero (Houston), RHP Austin Bain (LSU), RHP Griffin Canning (UCLA), RHP Michael Baumann (Jacksonville), RHP Brad Bass (Notre Dame) and LHP John Gavin (Cal State Fullerton)

 

April 2015 article mentioned him as a guy they projected in the top 3 rounds.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/20162017-mlb-draft-rankings-ridiculously-early-edition/

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