Prep Baseball Report

Texas Draft Preview


Nathan Rode and Toby Bicknell

The 2018 MLB Draft will take place June 4-6. To get you ready, Prep Baseball Report is releasing state previews with notes on high school draft prospects in its comprehensive coverage area. For more information on the prospects included in the High School Draft 100, click on the links to the players’ profiles to view comments, news and videos.

HIGH SCHOOL DRAFT 100 PROSPECTS
Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Magnolia HS, TX (Texas Christian)
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS, TX (Texas A&M)
Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP, Kempner HS, TX (Texas)
Jordan Groshans, SS, Magnolia HS, TX (Kansas)
Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, Robinson HS, TX (Baylor)
Mateo Gil, SS, Timber Creek HS, TX (Texas Christian)
Mason Englert, RHP, Forney HS, TX (Texas A&M)
Jonathan Childress, LHP, Forney HS, TX (Texas A&M)
Jack Neely, RHP, Churchill HS, TX (Texas)
Ty Madden, RHP, Cypress Ranch HS, TX (Texas)
Bo Blessie, RHP, Midland HS, TX (Nebraska)
Brandon Birdsell, RHP, Conroe HS, TX (Texas A&M)
Joseph Menefee, LHP, George Ranch HS, TX (Texas A&M)

OTHERS TO WATCH: 3B Hunter Watson (Pottsboro HS, TX) is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds. He has left-handed power and profiles as a power corner bat. RHP Riggs Threadgill (Fredericksburg HS, TX) can sit 92-93 mph with heavy arm-side sink last summer from a high-¾ slot. His breaking ball was 78 mph with sharp, slurve-like shape. He also mixed in a changeup at 78 mph. RHP Luke Trahan (College Park HS, TX) has a low-90s fastball, but also has one of the better out-pitches in the state. He throws a slider/cutter that varies in shape between a slider at 75-81, and a cutter at 82-85 mph. RHP Jacob Burton (New Diana HS, TX) has been up to 93 this spring, pitching at 90-92, and mixing in a sharp breaking ball at 77-80. RHP Micah Dallas (Homeschooled, TX) has great movement on his fastball that was up to 92 in the fall. He also has a swing-and-miss slider with sharp, short, late and lateral break at 80-84. C Cole Stilwell (Rockwall Heath HS, TX) is one of the top hitters in North Texas and plays a premium position. The right-handed hitter has seasoned approach at the plate with an aggressive mentality. His defense has improved a ton in the last year with added mobility and strength. OF Max Marusak (Amarillo HS, TX) is one of the fastest players in this year’s draft with home-to-first times of 4.0 seconds from the right side. He also has the arm strength to become a high-level defender. OF Korey Holland (Langham Creek HS, TX) is a quick-twitch, athletic, right-handed hitter. RHP Spencer Arrighetti (Cinco Ranch HS, TX) was 87-92 last summer at the Area Code tryouts, and mixed in a 12/6 curveball with excellent depth at 75 mph. RHP Mason Bryant (McCallum HS, TX) has a projectable frame at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds and was 90-94 last summer with a 79 mph slider. LHP Mason Montgomery (Leander HS, TX) created a decent amount of buzz this spring with a quick arm and a fastball that can get into the low 90s. RHP Coy Cobb (Katy HS, TX) was up to 93 in the early spring, pitching at 88-91. At 6-foot-4, 175 pounds, Cobb is a solid athlete on the mound, and shows good feel for his secondary offerings. He throws a slider at 78-80 with tight spin and tilt. He also flips in an 11/5 curveball for strikes at 70-74. RHP Mason Hilton (Weatherford HS, TX) has made significant jumps in the past year, not just in velocity, but also command of his slider. This spring he was pitching 90-92 with his fastball, and touched 94. His repertoire includes a 77-79 mph slider with 11/5 break, as well as a low-80s changeup with arm-side run. OF Milan Walla (Kerrville Tivy HS, TX) is approximately 6-foot-3, with an athletic, fast-twitch and wiry frame. His speed is a plus tool that plays in center field and on the bases. RHP Rye Gunter (Coppell HS, TX) has a lot of projection still left in his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame. His fastball has been up to 94, pitching at 88-90 late in the high school season. RHP Braydon Fisher (Clear Falls HS, TX) was up to 94 mph early in the high school season, pitching at 91-93. He has a lanky, long-limbed and wiry frame at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. He features a slider that varies in speed and shape, but has been up to 80-82.

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