MLB Draft Notes: Auburn's Bliss, Fitts Show Loud Tools Early
This past weekend marked the beginning of Division I college baseball, and it did not disappoint. High-level draft talent dotted fields across the country and created a whirlwind for those trying to keep up with performances and note-taking.
I typically try to focus on pitchers for the first weekend to see where some of the more talented arms are in their development coming into the spring. Hitters get so many reps over the course of the season, and it’s easier to create a full report on them over multiple weekends. For pitchers, I try to get an early start, a middle one or two as the opportunity arises, and circle back toward the end of spring.
At the same time, it was hard to ignore some of the talented bats that appeared in games when I was focusing on the starting pitcher. So, I’ll combine them in this initial draft notes post.
Ryan Bliss - SS - Auburn
Bliss has been a favorite of mine since his Georgia prep days, and he has developed well at Auburn. What stood out to me back then has only gotten better with added strength. He’s twitchy with a super quick bat that fires from a low, efficient path, capable of impacting the ball with line drives to all fields. It’s mostly strong gap power, but as he showed Saturday, he can pop it over the fence to the pull side on occasion. You love the table-setting characteristics as a very good runner who knows the zone and unleashes a quick bat for impact line drives. Bliss may have to move off shortstop to second base as a pro based on the arm and stature, but his range up the middle is at least plus because of the quick twitch and footwork. He’s one of the better college middle infield draft prospects for the class and should go pretty early.
Richard Fitts - RHP - Auburn
Bliss was a reason I watched Auburn on Saturday, but Fitts as the starter was also a big draw. He has an excellent pitcher’s frame with good height and length and present strength. He comes from a high three-quarters slot and gets on top for effective plane, but his raw profile shows by getting out of sync at times from a high-tempo motion and inconsistent slot. The arm strength is obvious; he was up to 97 in this one and has touched 100 in the past, producing excellent ride and some natural cut. He flashes multiple breaking balls but doesn’t have a firm grasp of either yet. The slider flashes sharp tilt and good bite when thrown well, while the curve is a softer look with above-average depth and similar tilt. Fitts is raw for a college arm and may eventually settle as a reliever down the road, but there’s a lot to like in the arm.
Glenn Albanese - RHP - Louisville
Like Fitts, Albanese has reliever characteristics, but the two-pitch punch he showed Saturday gives him a high floor. He was 93-95 early with heavy downhill plane from a high slot, showing solid life around the zone. The fastball faded to 90-93 by the fifth, but it’s February and Albanese still worked through trouble to finish the inning. He paired the lively fastball with a mid-to-upper-70s curve that shows hammer tendencies. It tunnels well off the fastball from a high slot and bites hard downward, making it one of the better pitches I saw over the weekend. Albanese has some effort in the delivery, working over a high front shoulder with a long arm path and sometimes opening early on the front side. He has Tommy John history and is already 22. However, his arsenal is advanced, especially in short bursts, and he could rise quickly as a pro.
Brant Hurter - LHP - Georgia Tech
Hurter is a big lefty with present strength and good mass, utilizing the common lefty open-early motion that allows him to command the glove side. He comes from a low three-quarters slot and varies the life and movement on the fastball between pounding lively to the glove side and sinking away to the arm side. He showed a feel for both secondaries, flashing a potential wipeout slider that bites hard into the hands of right-handers, and a changeup that tumbles away. Hurter is just getting back from Tommy John surgery and understandably didn’t have good feel for his stuff out of the hand. He’s one to keep an eye on as the season progresses. You dream on the big frame and feel for three that’s highlighted by a wipeout slider.
Christian Edwards - RHP - Jacksonville State
The quickest arm and most physically gifted pitcher I watched over the weekend was Edwards, who stands out for his high-level athleticism and ripped frame. He has plus arm speed and profiles as an arm-strength guy who comes from a high slot with good tempo and pounds a mid-90s fastball that touches higher. The fastball has been clocked in the upper-90s in the past, and it showed excellent life with downhill plane and natural cut. The secondaries are behind, but the changeup flashed as a projection pitch based on the arm speed and athleticism. He also showed a short slider with some downward action. There is definite reliever risk here, but Edwards has the arm strength and athleticism you want in a high draft pick.
Alex Binelas - 3B - Louisville
Louisville is loaded with high-level draft talent, and I will cover them as the season goes on. For now, I’ll mention the highest-ranked draft prospect on the roster. Binelas is physically maxed with a good corner slugger frame and excellent present strength and mass. The big draw here is an advanced approach that likely translates well to the pro side and should make him an early pick. He has a compact left-handed swing that produces easy natural power from effective lift. His hands fire low and quickly, and he gets good pop in the barrel despite the short swing. What stands out most is the advanced eye and approach. He knows the zone and projects for an impact combination of OBP and power. Binelas isn’t a standout defender at third but should stick, and he’s actually a solid-average runner who moves well for his size. You will likely hear his name early on Day 1.