Talking Chop 2018 MLB Draft Top 100 Prospects

With the MLB Draft just hours away, here are the Top 100 prospects for this year’s draft. It’s a draft where there isn’t a generational talent, but there should be a strong player available at eight. The draft is particularly strong in rounds two through five, particularly pitching wise, but the draft is a bit underwhelming after that point in comparison to other draft classes.

I have excluded a pair of notable names that you may see ranked elsewhere. Massachusetts prep arm Mike Vasil is a first round talent, but after battling injury this spring he has decided to attend the University of Virginia rather than going pro. I am also removing Oregon State senior lefty Luke Heimlich. Heimlich is a first round talent, but with a sexual assault confession in his past no team will consider using a Top 100 pick on him unless they are trying to play games with their bonus pool.

1. Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn

Mize is a unanimous number one player in this draft and the only real question he has is some past injury concerns.

2. Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech

Bart is going to end up being a big league starting catcher. The only question with him is whether or not his hit tool helps him become one of the best catchers in the game, or whether he is merely a solid starter.

3. Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State

Madrigal is a special player and if he was a little bigger in stature he would be the top pick. His hit tool, speed, and makeup are as good as it gets. If he can handle shortstop he becomes even more valuable.

4. Carter Stewart, RHP, Florida HS

Stewart may not be quite as polished as Winn or left handed like Liberatore, but he has a pair of potential 70 grade pitches.

5. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Arizona HS

Liberatore was seen as the top prep arm in the class for a long time, but Stewart has passed him for me because of louder stuff.

6. Cole Winn, RHP, California HS

Winn has three potential plus pitches, a fourth that’s average, and well above average command.

7. Jon India, 3B, Florida

After a great showing on Friday in the NCAA Tournament, I moved India over Bohm. Bohm may have a higher ceiling but India is most likely to be a strong every day third baseman. India has some Martin Prado comps and I can see it with a bit more power than Prado.

8. Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State

I like Bohm as a proven college slugger, but the fact that he likely moves to first defensively drops him down my board.

9. Brady Singer, RHP, Florida

Singer doesn’t have huge upside, but he has what it takes to be a solid #3 starter.

10. Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida

McClanahan’s upside is huge as he has some of the best stuff in the draft. Unfortunately he already had Tommy John surgery, he has a smaller frame, and his delivery isn’t ideal to hold up. He’s great fun to watch, but a very risky investment.

11. Ethan Hankins, RHP, Georgia HS

I personally think the drop for Hankins this spring is fully related to his injury and rushing back. Hankins was the potential top overall pick and with his fastball and projection there is a lot to like, especially if the secondaries build on how they flashed last summer.

12. Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama

Swaggerty is a guy I’m willing to compare to Andrew Benintendi-light, or a slightly better Brett Gardner.

13. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Wisconsin HS

The top prep bat in the class belongs to Kelenic, who shows some feel for hitting to go with power. He also brings value with the rest of his tools.

14. Connor Scott, OF, Florida HS

Scott’s got louder tools than Kelenic, and more upside. However he also has more questions because of a lack of a long track record. Scott has some similarities to Kyle Tucker, who went to his high school.

15. Brice Turang, SS, California HS

Turang was a five tool shortstop destined for the Top 5 last winter, but the guy once compared to Christian Yelich hasn’t taken the steps forward you’d like to answer some questions.

16. Nolan Gorman, 3B, Arizona HS

Gorman was another guy like Turang, though not a true five tool guy. He’s got similarities to Austin Riley in when Riley was drafted- big power, hit questions, and can the body stay at third longterm.

17. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Texas HS

Along with a big fastball and three more pitches that are all at least average to above, Rodriguez has the frame to eat innings and at least average command potential.

18. Ryan Weathers, LHP, Tennessee HS

The son of David Weathers, Ryan offers more of a sure thing than most prep arms. His stuff isn’t huge, but he’s got four above average pitches and pitchability.

19. Ryan Rolison, LHP, Ole Miss

Lefties with his SEC success and combination of fastball and curve don’t last long in a draft if they can throw strikes.

20. Noah Naylor, C/3B, Canada HS

Josh Naylor’s younger brother has upside even though they’re very different players. Noah has potentially plus power, but not the same type as Josh- though he’s a far better athlete and has much more defensive value including a chance to catch.

21. Mason Denaburg, RHP, Florida HS

Denaburg is a special athlete. Not only does he have a plus fastball among his three at least average or above pitches, but he throws strikes, has a long history as a catcher, and a chance to play football if he went to school. He’s even drawn a comp from MLB.com to John Smoltz. An injury late in the spring could potentially hurt his stock a bit.

22. Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida

Singer isn’t the only big arm in the Gators rotation, as Kowar was also successful and should have a pair of plus pitches in his fastball and change.

23. Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State

Larnach broke out in a big way this year as the longtime on base machine altered his swing to unlock his potentially plus power.

24. Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson

Gilbert was a darkhorse candidate for the top spot this winter after a breakout in the Cape, but his fastball velocity dropped a bit. He would be a steal here if the velocity was to return.

25. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Georgia HS

Tracy Rocker’s son has huge stuff but limited remaining projection. His plus plus fastball and plus slider could be headed to Vanderbilt if he drops too far.

26. Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia HS

Wilcox was long seen as ”the other Georgia prep arm” but he may have passed out Hankins and Rocker on some teams boards.

27. Nander De Sedas, SS, Florida HS

De Sedas showed huge tools last summer, but really backed up this spring- especially at the plate. By ranking him this high I’m betting his tools are still there.

28. Nick Schnell, OF, Indiana HS

A huge riser this spring, Schnell is a five tool outfielder with a very promising bat.

29. Jordyn Adams, OF, North Carolina HS

One of the two best athletes in the draft along with Kyler Murray, Jordyn Adams is a freak- just watch his dunk on YouTube. He’s going to be expensive to sign away from North Carolina as a four star receiver committed to play football- a school his dad is an assistant coach for. The upside is huge and the only reason he’s not ranked higher is because he’s raw.

30. Sean Hjelle, RHP, Kentucky

Pronounced “jelly”, the 6’11” Kentucky star has four average or better pitches and above average command to go with some room to add more as he fills out.

31. Triston Casas, 3B/1B, Florida HS

The best power in the prep class, Casas moved up from the 2019 class. The only question with him is if he will hit enough to use that power.

32. Tristan Beck, RHP, Stanford

Beck missed all of last year but came back this year to show why he was so highly thought of. He doesn’t overpower with his stuff, but he’s got quality stuff and he’s an advanced pitcher with a great track record.

33. Will Banfield, C, Georgia HS

Banfield may not have the same hit tool as Seigler, but with his defense and power I firmly believe he will be a superstar if he makes more consistent contact.

34. Anthony Seigler, C, Georgia HS

Seigler and Banfield were A and B for these spots. Banfield’s glove is just ahead and the power is more significant, but Seigler is the safer bet to be productive because of him having the better hit tool.

35. Owen White, RHP, North Carolina HS

White doesn’t quite have the same loud stuff as some of the other prep pitchers but could have potentially four pitches that reach a plus grade in the future, and he’s able to throw them for strikes.

36. Jordan Groshans, 3B, Texas HS

Groshans doesn’t have anything that’s a true plus tool- though the power does likely get to a 60 grade, but he fills a scorecard up with 50/55’s as a third baseman.

37. Jeremy Eierman, SS, Missouri State

Eierman is the top college shortstop in the draft, and one who comes with a track record for power.

38. Greyson Jenista, OF, Wichita State

I rank Jenista this high because he’s a very solid hitter, and I think if a team works with him to change his mechanics a little it could unlock his considerable raw power.

39. Osiris Johnson, SS, California HS

I’m higher on Osiris than almost anyone and have been for quite some time. Not only is he super toolsy and have great bloodlines(dad was a minor leaguer, and also related to Jimmy Rollins and Tony Tarasco), but he’s risen late after some great individual workouts with teams. The word is that he was hitting the ball out of big league parks in a way that was better than what was expected.

40. Jeremiah Jackson, SS, Alabama HS

Jackson is a very toolsy offensive oriented shortstop with a promising hit tool and good power potential for the position. He may need to move to second or third, but should still have the bat for those positions and be an asset at either defensively.

41. Seth Beer, 1B, Clemson

Beer is a tough case. He’s super productive, gets on base, and hits for power. He’s also got a poor track record with wood bats(in a smallish sample size), is a base clogging runner, and is so weak defensively that even first base may be a tough fit. Still you can’t argue with his three years of production for a frontline ACC school.

42. Brett Hansen, LHP, California HS

The big helium guy in the draft, but the Vanderbilt commitment has a plus fastball from the left side and the athleticism and projection to believe he can push his breaking ball(curve primary but shown the slider as well) close in the future.

43. Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma

Walker is a college bat with a borderline plus hit tool and average to potentially above power.

44. Xavier Edwards, SS, Florida HS

Edwards has been moving up boards fast this spring as he is a speedy shortstop with a feel to hit. He profiles as a leadoff type of hitter, but his 5’10”, 155 pound frame makes his power potential limited.

45. Jake McCarthy, OF, Virginia

McCarthy is an advanced college outfielder who does it all. He’s not plus anywhere other than a 60 grade on his run tool, but he’s average or above everywhere and has a track record for production. His stock was slightly dinged as he missed time with injury this year.

46. Joe Gray Jr., OF, Mississippi HS

The most toolsy outfielder in the class and there’s no questions. Gray has big power and a huge arm along with plus speed. He does come with questions about his hit tool though- along with a very poor track record for Mississippi prep bats in the draft. He’s similar to Jo Adell last year in terms of four very strong tools but a question about the hit tool, though his tools aren’t quite as loud as Adell’s

47. Parker Meadows, OF, Georgia HS

Meadows is the brother of Austin Meadows, and like his brother he’s a center fielder with an intriguing power and speed combo. He comes with swing and miss questions and needs to change his swing a bit to fully tap into the power, but the potential is large.

48. Kris Bubic, LHP, Stanford

Bubic is a safe and productive college arm who could move fast and be a solid big leaguer. His change is plus, but nothing else is better than average- which limits him to being a #4 starter. A team will like that he’s an advanced strike thrower with a track record of success.

49. Matt McLain, SS, California HS

McLain has moved up draft boards this spring as a five tool shortstop with great makeup. He’s not plus anywhere but a 60 grade run tool, but he should hit, field, and throw as average or above. The power is likely to only reach average in terms of over the fence power, but he should get a lot of extra base hits.

50. Lineras Torres Jr., RHP, New York HS

Lenny Torres brings a potentially plus plus fastball and plus slider and the ability to throw strikes. The change needs work and he needs to fill out, but there is a lot to like.

The Next 50

51. Konnor Pilkington, LHP, Mississippi State

52. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, Texas HS

53. Griffin Conine, OF, Duke

54. Grant Lavigne, 1B, New Hampshire HS

55. Nick Northcutt, 3B, Ohio HS

56. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Texas HS

57. Alek Thomas, OF, Illinois HS

58. Griffin Roberts, RHP, Wake Forest

59. Jameson Hannah, OF, Dallas Baptist

60. Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky

61. Austin Becker, RHP, Ohio HS

62. Kyler Murray, OF, Oklahoma

63. JT Ginn, RHP, Mississippi HS

64. Tim Cate, LHP, UConn

65. Raynel Delgado, 3B, Florida HS

66. Blaine Knight, RHP, Arkansas

67. Slade Cecconi, RHP, Florida HS

68. Mike Siani, OF, Pennsylvania HS

69. Tanner Dodson, RHP/OF, Cal

70. Trey Riley, RHP, Illinois JUCO

71. Jayson Schroeder, RHP, Washington HS

72. Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Florida HS

73. Jaden Hill, RHP, Arkansas HS

74. Nico Hoerner, SS, Stanford

75. Kyle Isbel, OF, UNLV

76. DaShawn Keirsey, OF, Utah

77. Lyon Richardson, RHP, Florida HS

78. Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP, Texas HS

79. Elijah Cabell, OF, Florida HS

80. Matt Mercer, RHP, Oregon

81. Ryder Green, OF, Tennessee HS

82. Aaron Ashby, LHP, Missouri JUCO

83. Adam Hill, RHP, South Carolina

84. Cal Raleigh, C, Florida State

85. Steven Gingery, LHP, Texas Tech

86. Nolan Kingham, RHP, Texas

87. Luken Baker, 1B, TCU

88. Aaron Hernandez, RHP, Texas A&M Corpus Christi

89. Hugh Smith, RHP, Whitworth

90. Chandler Champlain, RHP, California HS

91. Gage Canning, OF, Arizona State

92. Landon Marceaux, RHP, Louisiana HS

93. Brennen Davis, OF, Arizona HS

94. Colton Eastman, RHP, Cal State Fullerton

95. Cole Roederer, OF, California HS

96. Dominic Pipkin, RHP, California HS

97. Jake Wong, RHP, Grand Canyon

98. Josiah Gray, RHP, LeMoyne

99. Jonathan Childress, LHP, Texas HS

100. Durbin Feltman, RHP, TCU