Joe Naranjo

Long regarded as the best pure hitter from Southern California in his class, Naranjo showed power with a long home run at Globe Life Park during the States Play series last summer and gained increased attention. He followed up with a strong senior season that included a home run in front of numerous evaluators at the Boras Classic. Naranjo draws comparisons to Dominic Smith and Jake Bauers as a 6-foot tall first baseman with excellent feel to hit and questions about his power. Naranjo takes an advanced approach to the plate and has superb bat-to-ball skills. He squares up both velocity and secondary stuff and projects to hit for a high average, with some scouts projecting him as to be a potential plus hitter. Naranjo’s power is average, which makes him a tough profile at first base. He is a plus defender at first base with smooth glovework, and he’s playable in right field. Naranjo gets a bump from Bauers’ and Smith’s success and is in day two draft consideration for some teams. He is committed to Cal State Fullerton.