Jeff Diehl

Cranston West HS produced Coastal Carolina's sandwich-round talent Anthony Meo in 2008, and this year it has Jeff Diehl, the top prep prospect in Rhode Island. Diehl is a raw, athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pound backstop with good catch and throw skills, though he probably won't stay behind the plate as his frame fills out and he gets stronger. As a catcher, Diehl is not polished and has stiff actions, so he profiles as a corner outfielder or first baseman. A broken finger kept him out of the Area Code Games, and he struggled during the summer but looked better in the fall and spring, showing good bat speed and raw power to the pull side. Diehl struggles with consistency but flashes potential, and he will likely be taken in the top 12 rounds. He has a commitment to Rhode Island, but scouts say he's likely to sign.