2019 MLB Draft: Top 60 JUCO Prospects
November 14, 2018
The busy fall schedule has come to an end for most of the Junior Colleges across the country. With that, we take a look ahead to the 2019 MLB Draft with our initial list of the Top 60 Junior College Prospects.
Last week, we teased the Top 10 in the Hotlist. The rankings are headlined by a strong group of right-handed pitchers. San Jac RHP Jackson Rutledge takes the top spot and for good reason. The 6-foot-8, 255-pounder has been up to 97 mph this fall and has flashed a plus-slider at 88 mph. Rutledge's physicality and stuff make him an imposing figure on the mound. Slotted in at No. 2, behind Rutledge, is Northwest Florida State's Thomas Farr (South Carolina commit). Farr was impressive at the UWF JUCO Bonanza as well as Sophomore All-Star Weekend, where he ran his fastball up to 96 and complimented it with a heavy sinking changeup and a potential plus breaking ball. Rounding out the top 3 is John A. Logan RHP Andrew Peters (South Carolina commit). Peters has experienced a significant amount of growth and development since his high school days when he topped out at 86 mph. Now more mature, his fastball sits 92-94 mph with a high spin rate and even more in the tank.
The top position player in the rankings comes in at No. 7 with Chipola SS Ivan Johnson (South Carolina commit). Johnson's bat is his calling card, a true switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate. Coming in at No. 10 is the top outfielder and freshman, Wabash Valley's Manny Gonzalez. Gonzalez possesses a ton of projection and upside in his tall, wiry athletic 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. The top freshman arm belongs to Gulf Coast State's LHP Hunter Milam at No. 12. Milam showed a high level of pitchability and command for three pitches this fall.
*Prep Baseball Report's Top 60 JUCO Prospect list was compiled through a nationwide effort by PBR Scouting Directors and Associate Scouts, totaling more than 150 in number.
TOP 60 JUCO PROSPECTS
PBR Rank | Player | Class | Position | Junior College | Commitment |
1 | Jackson Rutledge | SO | RHP | San Jacinto (TX) | Kentucky |
2 | Thomas Farr | SO | RHP | NW Florida State | South Carolina |
3 | Andrew Peters | SO | RHP | John Logan (IL) | South Carolina |
4 | Jason Rackers | SO | RHP | Jefferson (MO) | Tennessee |
5 | Hunter Perdue | SO | RHP | State College of Florida | Florida State |
6 | Chad Bryant | SO | RHP | Pensacola State (FL) | Alabama |
7 | Ivan Johnson | SO | SS | Chipola (FL) | South Carolina |
8 | Evan Reifert | SO | RHP | North Iowa Area | North Carolina |
9 | Haden Erbe | r-SO | RHP | Seminole State (FL) | West Virginia |
10 | Manny Gonzalez | FR | OF | Wabash Valley (IL) | |
11 | Orlando Ribalta | r-SO | RHP | Miami-Dade (FL) | |
12 | Hunter Milam | FR | LHP | Gulf Coast State (FL) | |
13 | Adrian Chaidez | SO | RHP | Cypress College (CA) | UCLA |
14 | Spencer Bodanza | SO | LHP | Hillsborough (FL) | Miami (FL) |
15 | Donovan Benoit | SO | RHP | Santa Fe (FL) | Tulane |
16 | Antoine Kelly | FR | LHP | Wabash Valley (IL) | |
17 | Conor Angel | SO | RHP | NW Florida State | Louisiana-Lafayette |
18 | Jarrod Cande | SO | OF/RHP | Santa Fe (FL) | Florida Southern |
19 | Johnny Ray | SO | RHP | John Logan (IL) | TCU |
20 | Jake Randa | SO | OF | NW Florida State | Mississippi State |