2019 High School Draft 100
October 11, 2018
Fall is in the air and the 2019 MLB Draft is eight months away. Coverage started as soon as the 2018 edition concluded, but after a few months of summer and fall baseball, we take a look at the scope of the high school draft class.
The High School Draft 100 ranks the top high school prospects eligible for the upcoming draft, including players outside of Prep Baseball Report’s state-specific coverage area. This list is compiled after months of seeing games across the country and conversations with scouts and college recruiters.
The No. 1 prep prospect for 2019 is a no-brainer. SS Bobby Witt Jr. (Colleyville Heritage HS, TX) has five-tool potential and major league bloodlines. He’s an excellent athlete with all of his tools grading out as at least average. He provides plus speed, defense and power while also projecting to hit for average as well. His arm from shortstop is also plus and translates to mid-90s heat on the mound. He is committed to Oklahoma, but will likely be a top five pick in June.
At No. 2 is RHP Brennan Malone (IMG Academy, FL), who transferred from Porter Ridge HS, NC. A North Carolina recruit, Malone brings physicality, athleticism and electric stuff to the mound. He has run his fastball up to 97 mph, but generally sits 91-94 with riding life. He spins a hard slider in high 70s to low 80s while mixing in a mid-70s curveball and showing feel for a changeup. He has a sound delivery, good arm action and super quick arm speed.
Another electric arm checks in at No. 3 in RHP Daniel Espino (Georgia Premier Academy, GA). The Louisiana State recruit ran his fastball up to 99 on multiple occasions this summer while also flashing a plus slider. He has relative ease in his delivery with good balance, a soft landing and solid direction to the plate.
Holding down the No. 4 spot is OF Corbin Carroll (Lakeside HS, WA), a UCLA recruit. At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, he doesn’t jump out immediately, but it never takes long for him to impact the game. He’s an above average hitter with quick hands and a short swing from the left side. He has no trouble handling velocity and can use his plus speed to put pressure on the defense. He also provides excellent defense with the ability to cover ground in center field and make strong, accurate throws.
Rounding out the top five is SS C.J. Abrams (Blessed Trinity Catholic HS, GA), a twitchy speedster committed to Alabama. He stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds with plus-plus speed, turning in 6.6-second 60s and getting down the line 4.0-4.1 seconds. He has a loose, easy swing and routinely puts the ball in play and uses his speed to leg out base hits or stretch them into extra bases. If he doesn’t stick at shortstop, his speed and athleticism will easily translate to center field.
The rest of the top 10, in order, includes LHP Hunter Barco (Bolles School, FL), OF/1B Riley Greene (Hagerty HS, FL), OF Jerrion Ealy (Jackson Prep, MS), RHP Jack Leiter (Delbarton HS, NJ) and RHP Bryce Osmond (Jenks HS, OK).
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