One of the most head spinning things about the MLB Draft process is the constant moving up and down of prospects. Performance impacts placement just as much as injury, talent, and projection. While college and juco players have been playing games that matter for almost a month now, most prep players will be getting going in the northern half of the country the next two weeks which is far behind their southern brethren. As a result, lots of college guys and warm weather prepsters will start moving around the charts.
My Guy
Over the past couple of years, I proclaimed a guy early in the draft process that I wanted the Cubs to take. Alec Bohm, now of the Phillies, and Trevor Larnach of the Twins are the most notable. Last year, I really dug Kody Hoese out of Tulane who the Dodgers took two picks before the Cubs. So far this year, I don’t really have one guy I am honing in on just yet. It’s still a little early for me.
The Risers
Heston Kjertsad of Arkansas is one bat that I like. Originally, he was ranked in the 20s, but he’s been damaging baseballs left and right as he has 5 HRs in 10 games for an OPS of 1.423. As a result, he is one of the top movers this spring.
Prep OF Zac Veen from Port Orange, Florida is now in the middle teens on most boards. At 6’5”, the young lefty added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason and still only weighs 200. Scouts love his power and his ability to hit well against elite competition.
Max Meyer is a former 2 way guy for Minnesota who sat in the mid to upper 90s last weekend and struck out 14 in a complete game. He’s struck out 37 in 19.2 so far this year. he was a closer last year and looks to be transitioning smoothly to the rotation.
Mitchell Parker is a longshot to make it into the first round. The former 28th round pick of the Cubs in 2018 has a 1.48 ERA for San Jacinto North right now and has really cut down on his walks. The 6’4” lefty is dominating the top juco schools with 55 Ks in 24.1 IP. Like his former teammate, Jackson Rutledge, he might get into round one if he continues this dominant run. The only thing holding him back are his walk totals.
Aaron Sabato is a big power hitter for UNC who is working his way from a clear second round ranking two months ago to the back end of the first. He’s a draft eligible sophomore who is 6’2” and 230 and is hitting .343 with a .453 OBP. If the power comes with warmer weather, he becomes a guy. He is just 19-years-old. The only drawback is that he hasn’t played much of anywhere else on the diamond.
Nick Bitsko is a monster prep arm who is technically a junior in high school but will graduate early this spring. I really, really like what I have see so far in a few videos. He sits in the mid to upper 90s and and his breaking stuff is decent right now. Still, when you watch him, it’s a pretty clean delivery.
Fallers
Once some of the high school kids get going the next month, they should begin rising. Guys like power thumpers Blaze Jordan and Jordan Walker should begin to creep back up the boards. It’s still early and there’s a lot of baseball to be played the next 90 days.
Cubs Central 