2021 MLB Draft: Recap

Arizona recruit. Whitaker is impressive to stand next to at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with lean defined strength throughout a frame that still looks somewhat wiry with room to add even more strength in the future. He began the day by blazing a 6.5 60-yard dash time on the laser (I had 6.47 by hand) in which his quick start and long graceful strides were on full display. His plus-athleticism provides for a fluid stroke at the plate, and he was near or at the top of almost every Blast category including an eye-opening 87% on-plane efficiency and a group-leading 71.4 hard hit percentage. The bat speed and controlled aggression were big takeaways as he remains balanced throughout impact with minimal effort while still producing loud contact and high exit velocities (up to 102.64 mph per Trackman). He effortlessly worked gap-to-gap throughout batting practice with a somewhat fluid load (there is a late hitch of the hands prior to pursuit) that is well-connected between upper and lower-half. Any abruptness to the hands load is quickly made up for by the bat speed and loud contact. Whitaker battled for multiple hits in the live action demonstrating some ability to change planes, and though the stride foot tended to go open, there is lots to like about his upside. Overall, Whitaker built a strong case for being the top prospect in Nevada, and is likely to have MLB scouts attentive to his production all spring.

McDougal was the most interesting arm of the day and kicked things off by going head-to-head against the top hitting prospects in the state. At 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, the big right-hander has a frame that scouts dream of including wide, broad shoulders, long limbs, and room for much more strength to be developed in the future. He worked exclusively out of the stretch over the course of two innings, and was more effectively wild in the zone than in command of his pitches. The arm works freely through a continuous stroke with impressive quickness out front as he delivers from a high ¾ slot while getting quality extension out front. The fastball jumps on the plate thanks to high spin rates that ran up close to 2600 rpm on the heater. He moves efficiently throughout, and there is a chance that he continues to see the velocity increase as he gets stronger. While the breaking ball was inconsistent in shape, it tunneled best when thrown with depth off the fastball though the sharpest break came in 10/4, slurve-like shape at 74-76. The pitch is tightly spun with upwards of nearly 3000 rpm, and there is obvious aptitude for spin that future pitch design sessions will allow for likely immediate advancements. Intriguingly, McDougal also showed quality feel for a faded changeup, thrown for strikes at an average speed of 86.59 mph, that he comfortably threw to right-handed hitters. McDougal competed and was eager to attack each hitter while entertaining challenges. His upside is likely to be valued moving forward, and given the friendly Trackman metrics, MLB clubs will be monitoring him closely.

A physical bodied right-hander, Silseth attended Tennessee as a freshman in 2018-19 then the College of Southern Nevada in 2019-20 where he struck out 55 in 30.1 IP. He battled both control problems and a tight strike zone throughout his most recent start against Oklahoma. Luckily, he pitches for one of the better offensive clubs in college baseball and his 11 hits, 10 runs allowed in 4.1 IP did not end with an “L”. The 6-foot, 215-pounder is about as competitive as they come, but at the end of the day it was just not his day. After battling for 91 pitches, he was chased in the fifth with the Wildcats leading 11-9. Silseth’s command issues were compounded with his true fastball and an inability to go inside to batters. With very little life and less than his best command he too often found barrels with his 93-96 mph heater. His usual swing/miss breaking ball also took the day off, for the most part. He did flash a couple better than average spinners in the 77-82 mph range at times, but the lack of control made it an easy leave for the Sooner bats. His best pitch was an above average, super low-spin tumbling changeup. Silseth is athletic with good feet and a quick pickoff move. He also fields his position really well. Currently ranked at No. 94 in the college class, this equates to the back end of the 4th round, which is a solid spot for consideration at this point in the season.

Cuevas came to CSN as a two way player and may still provide that, however with a deep staff and hitters to carry the load, I see pitching only with him moving forward. A former late round Brewers draft out of a SoCal HS in 2018, Johnny pitched in the mid to upper 80’s and was 6-1 185  when he arrived. Now 603 200, his velo as he has filled out and grown, has steadily ticked up to 93, with some 94’s early last spring. The delivery is clean and he repeats. Carries his hands at the chest, and gives a simple turn to pivot and lifts to a flexible abdomen high kick and drives into his legs and uses the slope of the mound, in getting downhill to drive the FB down in the zone. The arm stroke is clean and works properly. Features a FB 90-93 T94 with some straight 4 seam life. The CB 80-81 has top to bottom tight spinning depth with late bite when right. The CH 83-84 has abv feel to land and sinks below bats for steady GB’s. Reminds of former MLB RHP-Kyle Lohse and shows polish and could move quick thru a system.  (Scholzen)

Swales had originally signed with the U of Arizona and with the backlog of rosters at D1 programs, due to eligibility being restored throughout the country, he decided to take his arm to CSN and get quality inns against wood bats at the JC level. A tightly wound 6-2 195 with a prototype pro body, the delivery is sound, with his hands and knee lift carried up top and syncs his lower ½ when right. Some tall and fall type finish, that with better use of his lower ½, 100 MPH is in reach for him, as he continues to fill and mature. The arm works properly and the FB 94-96 comes out clean with EZ gas. Looks as if he’s just playing catch. The CB 79-83 has top to bottom tight spinning depth and bites through the zone for a potential 60 offering. The CH 83-86 has feel, yet just needs to refine and use more, as most pitchers his age do, as his FB/CB combo can wipe hitters out at his current and past levels of play. Look for big area scout/cross checking interest, as well as higher ups in the scouting community to watch intently come spring, as his arsenal has a chance to be 1st day or early 2nd day draft type consideration. 

Nevada recruit. With many of the players having already made an impact on the national circuit, Avina was a “less famous” name heading into the event, but quickly made himself known. An athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pounder with lean strength throughout a projectable frame, Avina began the day with a 6.72 60-yard dash time before turning in one of the better batting practice performances. Setting up square with the weight evenly distributed, the right-handed hitter utilizes a short stride and minor hand separation before working short to the ball and long through the zone with a more pronounced finish and quality use of the lower-half. He produced exit velocities as high as 101+ mph, and the ball seemed to jump off his barrel with each swing. The intent to do damage carried over into live action as Avina got off some quality, aggressive swings including a two-strike back side single. While some of the other prospects had a bit more twitch, Avina was clearly a “sleeper favorite” of many in attendance.

A D1 transfer from Cal State Northridge, but way of Surrey, BC. At 6-1 195, this kid is strong with twitch and built for the next level. Offensively he showed some of the best bat speed at scout day, with a slight rock back of the hands to load from below his back shoulder. The hands come back as he takes a short soft stride and at foot strike, whistles the bat through the zone with abv avg hand speed, and makes loud contact, resulting in 109 MPH exit velos. Made consistent passes at the ball and repeated his stroke with efficiency. Impressive hitter that with a big spring, will capture attention. Defensively he is a 3B’man and took GB’s at SS, showing actions w/smooth transfers and a solid avg online arm. His throws have carry with something on them. The bat is a tool to carry and I would expect him to be a run producer this next spring. (Scholzen)

2/10/19 -Well proportioned, 5-foot-11, 160, Kligman is a sturdy bodied player with room for weight and strength gains.  His arm is true with solid carry and enough strength to make plays in the six holes as well as up the middle.  He has a feel for footwork and rhythm with various feeds and groundballs. Kligman is athletic enough to play just about any position on the field.  He is a switch hitter with a stronger top hand from the right side, but a little more loose quickness from the left side. He maintains a nice rhythm and connection in his leg kick and “cocking” of his hands from both sides of the plate with a solid swing plane.  Pure foot speed may lend better to second or third base down the line, but I wouldn’t rule out a move behind the dish for long term success.