2021 Draft: A First Look At Names To Remember
On Wednesday, I took a first look at the 2021 prep class by compiling some notes from the first showcase of the new evaluation period after the draft. Two themes have already emerged: big arms and a very impressive group of Georgia shortstops.
Expect that to continue throughout the summer and fall. The Perfect Game WWBA 2021 Grads National Championship is approaching in July, the All-American Classic is in August and the WWBA World Championship is in October. Other events will dot the schedule during this period, too, to give evaluators great looks at the prep class ahead of the spring season.
For the moment, that will turn the tables a little after the 2020 draft was loaded with college picks that organizations were able to see more often and recently, and on which organizations were able to get data. Fall ball provides some looks at college players, but the prep class will be out in front evaluation-wise heading into spring 2021 with so few spring 2020 looks on the college guys.
That doesn’t mean organizations are without information on the 2021 college class. We already have a pretty good idea on the high-level college talent looking to get selected next June, and it’s led by the Vanderbilt duo of Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.
Rocker will be by far the most famous name in the 2021 draft and a strong 1-1 candidate. He has quickly shored up his command at Vanderbilt to locate a lethal fastball/slider combination that would make major league hitters look silly right now, and his physicality on the mound is off the charts. Leiter, son of Al, is a different profile with four major league pitches and an advanced feel to pitch, including a fastball into the mid-90s.
Florida center fielder Jud Fabian is perhaps the top college position player for the class, showing speed and power potential with the ability to stick in center. UCLA’s Matt McLain is another candidate for that title with big speed, increasing strength and the ability to play shortstop or center. Louisville third baseman Alex Binelas, Sam Houston State outfielder Colton Cowser, Boston College outfielder Sal Frelick, Miami catcher Adrian Del Castillo, South Alabama outfielder Ethan Wilson and Florida State outfielder Robby Martin are more position player names to remember for early picks.
On the college mound, the first round will again see its share of high-end talent, although it’s not likely to be as prominent as this year. Behind Rocker and Leiter, big LSU right-hander Jaden Hill is a popular pick to go high. Health will help determine where he goes after suffering an elbow strain. Ole Miss right-hander Gunnar Hoglund is into the mid-90s with two solid secondaries. They may contend with Georgia right-hander Jonathan Cannon, Clemson right-hander Davis Sharpe and Virginia right-hander Mike Vasil for top college arm after the Vanderbilt duo.
As you may have noticed, the 2021 college class is severely lacking in high-end left-handed pitching. Arkansas lefty Patrick Wicklander lacks size but has good stuff. Otherwise, you may not see a college left-hander get picked for quite a while. The prep class is similar, with big Texas prep lefty Hagen Smith perhaps getting the honor of being the first prep lefty taken. We’re a long way from next June, though, and big, projectable left-handers pop up all the time, such as Illinois prep Drew Gray, who hit 93 with great life and showed three solid pitches at the national showcase last week. Alabama prep lefty Maddux Bruns touched 97.
Speaking of which, my Wednesday post included some potential first-round pitchers on the prep side. Tennessee prep right-hander Chase Burns hit 99 and has size. Florida prep right-hander Andrew Painter hit 96 and has huge size and length. Missouri prep right-hander Christian Little is seen as a potential high first-round pick and touched 95 with a deep repertoire last week. If he stays healthy and maintains his velo, he could be the first prep arm taken.
Barring something unforeseen, we’re likely to see a prep position player go higher than a pitcher, maybe even top 3. Georgia prep infielder Brady House (Winder-Barrow HS) has huge raw power and bat speed while also touching 95 on the mound. Michigan prep shortstop Luke Leto has an advanced feel to hit from the left side and has present gap-to-gap power and plus speed. Arkansas prep center fielder Braylon Bishop is perhaps the most exciting all-around player in the class as a potential five-tool athlete with excellent speed, bat speed and power potential while playing up the middle.
Beyond that group, California prep center fielder Tyree Reed, Texas prep infielder Izaac Pacheco, Texas prep shortstop Jordan Lawlar, California prep infielder Marcelo Mayer and Iowa prep catcher Ian Moller are position players to remember. I’m also partial to Georgia prep shortstop Michael Braswell for his toolsy upside. And don’t forget a skill set like Pennsylvania prep center fielder Benny Montgomery, who has an unorthodox swing but is lengthy, projectable and has tools.
Beyond House and Braswell, Georgia boasts several intriguing middle infielders capable of going high next June. I mentioned them in Wednesday’s post.
As the summer/fall evaluation season continues, I’ll compile notes in preparation of the spring season and update them publicly as I go along. This will give readers an idea of trending names and who is moving up and down boards.