After two weeks of Midwest Prospecting, the Scouting Trail returned me to SEC country and Kentucky Proud Park. The beautiful, brand-new stadium on the campus of the University of Kentucky was as advertised. Impressive in every aspect, including the fine hospitality by everyone from the ticket-takers to the baseball staff. The Thursday through Saturday series featured a top five round bat for the 2019 draft, and likely another for 2020. As for tools and talent, here’s what I saw…

No. 76 Andre Lipcius, IF, Tennessee- Playing his third different position at Tennessee in the past three seasons, Lipcius is now the everyday third baseman for the Volunteers. His top tools are above average-to-plus arm strength and his ability to control the strike zone. His defense at the hot corner wasn’t nearly as impressive as my look last spring when he played shortstop. On this look his footwork was clunky and his reactions weren’t nearly as impressive as those seen last spring. However, with his innate competitiveness, high aptitude and work...