Kyle Waldrop

Waldrop was an all-area linebacker in football, and his football career held back his baseball career prior to this spring. He missed parts of previous seasons with football injuries and wasn't always at his best on the summer showcase circuit. He still entered the season on most scouts' follow lists thanks to his explosiveness and lean, athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound body. Then the South Florida recruit started hitting and shot up draft boards. He has good present strength and a lefthanded swing he repeats. He has bat speed that can't be taught and drives the ball with authority to all fields. Waldrop's other tools are solid-average across the board, and he might run a tick better than average. He probably won't be able to handle center field at the big league level, though he might at lower levels. He could fit in right field, though with his average arm he'll never be confused with Larry Walker. Waldrop's offensive ability could push him into the first two rounds, especially if he has a strong finish in Florida's high school all-star games in Sebring at the end of May.