College Top 50 Freshman

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 21
Scouting Report The son of former 19-year major league lefthander, Al Leiter, Jack is arguably the most polished pitcher in the 2019 prep class. Standing at just 6 feet, 191 pounds, Leiter isn’t the most physically imposing and he doesn’t have the biggest pure stuff, but he has an advanced feel for pitching with confidence in each of his offerings. A first-team Preseason All-American, scouting directors also voted Leiter as having the best command of the 2019 class with an up-tempo delivery and a starter’s arm action. Leiter uses both a four-seam and two-seam fastball, and his heater gets up into the 94-95 mph range early in outings before sitting comfortably in the low 90s. His curveball is his best offering and one of the better breaking balls in the entire high school class, as the mid-70s pitch ranges in shape from a true, 12-to-6 downer to a three-quarter breaking ball. Leiter can land the pitch, which features a spin rate in the 2,600 to 2,700 rpm range, for strikes in the zone or bury it for swings and misses as a chase pitch. He’ll also throw in a slider, which has tighter spin but less depth than his curveball, in the low 80s. The slider is more of an average offering while the curveball looks like a plus pitch. Additionally, Leiter has a low-80s changeup that is among the best in the class. Committed to Vanderbilt, Leiter is expected to be a difficult sign.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 32
Scouting Report Barco entered the 2019 draft cycle as one of the most anticipated prep pitchers in the class after blowing up as an underclassmen at Perfect Game’s Jupiter showcase in 2017. There, he showed three plus pitches from the left side with a projectable frame that had some scouts talking about the potential of Barco one day being a top-five pick. That sort of talk has cooled a bit since then, particularly as Barco had an up-and-down summer in 2018, when his fastball wasn’t quite as electric and his arm slot dropped down to almost fully sidearm. That created plenty of inconsistencies with his slider, allowing the pitch to back up too frequently and come across without the bite it had shown previously. However, Barco came out of the gate strong this spring for his senior season. He got his arm slot up and closer to a natural three-quarter look, and he also looked much more physically developed and muscular throughout his 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame. With improved strength, better timing in his delivery and a more efficient arm slot, Barco’s stuff has ticked up this spring. He averages around 91-92 mph with his fastball, but it routinely gets up into the 94-95 mph range and pairs with a low-80s slider that projects as a plus offering. He also has a mid-80s split-changeup that’s among the best in the class with a spin rate in the 900 to 1,110 rpm range. The one concern with Barco this spring is that his control has come and gone at times, but he has the athleticism and clean arm action to project at least average strike-throwing ability in the future. Scouts praise Barco’s professional makeup and he’s put himself into a class of his own in among the 2019 prep lefthanders, but as a Florida commit he is expected to be a tough sign. If he does make it to campus in Gainesville, Barco could make an impact as a two-way player thanks to above-average raw power with the bat, but he is certainly a pitching prospect first and foremost.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: --
Scouting Report This report was written following a PDP League start this summer. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Savino got the start for Team Larkin. The lefthander fired three innings while allowing just one earned run. On the mound, Savino has a loose body and repeatable three-quarter delivery. His arm tracks well in the back and allows him to finish pitches out front. Against Team Jeter, he attacked hitters with a quality three-pitch mix. Savino established his fastball early, making quick work of the first two batters. He started out throwing his fastball with good downhill plane, showing some natural sink on the pitch. It topped out at 92 mph, and he was able to work it inside to righthanded batters. The lefty worked with a mid-70s curveball that had two-plane depth and some horizontal tilt, working away from lefthanded hitters. At times, the pitch had more slurve-like movement, but he was able to keep the pitch down in the zone. His athleticism clearly stood out, as he shows feel to spin the ball and good arm strength. The only blemishes came on a pair of singles and a solo home run. His fastball command left him on certain pitches, as he threw uphill and wasn’t able to get on top of the baseball.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 41
Scouting Report A thin, uber-athletic two-way player out of Oklahoma, Osmond could make an immediate impact at Oklahoma State in a myriad of ways if he ever made it to campus, but scouts are enamored enough with his upside and potential on the mound that he may never make it to Stillwater. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander wowed scouts with a big outing in Arizona this spring, when he was up to 96 mph with his fastball and also showcased a true plus slider. His stuff hasn’t been quite as electric throughout the rest of the spring, as his fastball settled in the 90-93 mph range and his slider flattened out at times without the consistent power that it flashed in the past. At its best, the pitch is a low- to mid-80s bender with good horizontal movement. In addition to his fastball/slider combination, Osmond has shown feel for an 82-85 mph changeup. While Osmond’s arm action and delivery aren’t ideal—he has some hooking action in the back and falls off to the first-base side of the rubber—he still manages to throw quality strikes. When Osmond isn’t on the mound, he plays shortstop. Some clubs think he has a chance to handle the position, but overall there’s skepticism about his bat. The large majority of teams prefer him as a pitcher.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 35
Scouting Report A two-sport star committed to Louisiana State as both an outfielder and four-star defensive back, Hampton is among the most athletic players in the 2019 draft class. He hit well during the showcase circuit last summer, barreling up plenty of high-end arms while showing that he has the necessary bat speed to handle plus velocity. However, he also displayed an agressive, free-swinging approach at the plate that could use plenty of refinement. Hampton has impressive bat-to-ball skills and good hand-eye coordination that serves him well in the batter’s box, but because of his muscle-bound frame he can get a bit stiff and will need to make a few mechanical tweaks to make sure he routinely gets into a good hitting position. He has at least average raw power and will likely develop more in the future, but there’s some question as to how much power Hampton will ever reach in games. Defensively, Hampton has the speed—he’s a plus-plus runner—to stick in center field long term, and he has the athleticism to make highlight-reel plays look almost routine. But he will need to iron out both his reads and route-running ability to reach that potential. Hampton has flashed plus arm strength, but the power of his throws has been inconsistent, and like his mechanics in the box, Hampton’s arm action can look a bit stiff at times. If Hampton does get drafted high enough to forgo his commitment to LSU, he could take huge strides forward once he refines his game and is able to focus exclusively on his growth as a baseball player. He has the talent to fit in the back of the first or supplemental first round.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 62
Scouting Report One of the top athletes in the 2019 draft class, Ealy is also an elite, five-star running back who is committed to Mississippi for both baseball and football. 247Sports rates him as one of the country’s top-30 football recruits, which should surprise no one who has seen him on either playing surface. When it comes to baseball, Ealy is overflowing with plus tools. He packs plenty of strength into his well-built, 5-foot-10, 192-pound frame, and he has plus raw power thanks to his strength and above-average bat speed. Unsurprisingly, Ealy is also one of the fastest players in the class. In addition to his speed and raw power, Ealy is a gifted defender thanks to his closing speed, athleticism and easy plus arm strength. He could play all three outfield positions and is one of the better, natural defenders in the class. For all of Ealy’s tools and athleticism, however, the industry has soured on him this spring as he’s struggled offensively against below-average Mississippi competition. While Ealy does have impressive hand-eye coordination and solid pure bat-to-ball skills, he has long needed refinement in his plate discipline, approach and mechanical setup at the plate—which is mostly to be expected from a two-sport athlete at his level. However, scouts thought he would hit much better this spring and have been disappointed with the lack of progress he has shown in the batter’s box. Given Ealy’s upside on the gridiron and underwhelming performance this spring, he figures to be a tough sign out of Mississippi. He no longer projects as a first-round talent—like he did last summer—but still has tremendous upside if he ever focuses exclusively on baseball.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 69
Scouting Report The top Colorado prospect in the 2019 class, Cornelio is a 6-foot-3, 193-pound righthander with solid stuff who uses a lively arm and up-tempo delivery to frustrate hitters. Cornelio’s pitch mix starts with a low-90s fastball that features natural sink and arm-side run. Over the summer, Cornelio mainly threw only one breaking ball, but he recently added a distinct second breaking pitch. His 78-82 mph slider is his better offering currently, but both his slider and curveball have a chance to be average offerings if he can more consistently get on top of the ball. He also throws an 82-85 mph changeup that has solid tumble and is thrown with good arm speed. Cornelio’s delivery is unorthodox and has plenty of moving pieces, which could be a cause for concern, but it also adds to his deception. He throws from a three-quarter arm slot, but he has a stabbing action in the back of his arm stroke and a pronounced head whack as he delivers to the plate, as well as a sharp recoil in his finish as he falls off to the first-base side of the rubber. All of these moving parts lead Cornelio to get out of sync at times, and his release point is scattered as a result. This negatively impacts his control, but his strike-throwing ability is still solid because of his athleticism. There could be plenty more to unlock with Cornelio as he refines his delivery and continues to fill out. He is committed to Texas Christian.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 78
Scouting Report Jones entered the season as one of the best two-way players in the class as a 6-foot-7, 212-pound lefthander with massive upside on the mound as well as surprising athleticism and feel to hit as a first base prospect. His season was cut short after he underwent surgery to repair a small fracture in his elbow, but Jones did recover soon enough to hit for his La Costa Canyon team late in the season. While teams seriously looked at Jones as both a pitcher and hitter, his upside is highest on the mound, where he has reached the mid-90s with his fastball and sat in the 89-93 mph range last summer. He also showed a mid- to upper-70s curveball with 12-to-6 break and tremendous depth that projects as a plus offering in the future. Jones doesn’t have the quickest arm, but his delivery is surprisingly in-sync for a prep pitcher of his size who has only been pitching seriously for a year and a half—a testament to his above-average athleticism and body control. Offensively, Jones has solid feel for the barrel and decent strike-zone recognition, although he will chase pitches at times. He’s an above-average runner at the moment, and some scouts believe he could develop plus raw power in the future as his body continues to mature. Jones figures to be a tough sign out of Vanderbilt, especially with his injury this spring, and he could turn into a first round-caliber prospect in a few years if he adds the physicality that most scouts think is coming. Jones should be a legitimate two-way player with the Commodores.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 38
Scouting Report A standout at the 2018 Area Code Games, Lee is one of the top prospects in Southern California. He’s likely the best pure hitter in the region, with a terrific feel to hit from both sides of the plate as a switch-hitter. He doesn’t possess much power at the moment, but instead has a short, quick, line-drive oriented swing that he uses to routinely square up the ball and spray it around the field. While he’s not a slugger, Lee has a strong, 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, and he has the ability to drive the ball out of the park thanks to his feel for the barrel. He’s added more muscle and strength this spring and could start tapping into more power in the future—particularly from the left side. Defensively, Lee should play somewhere in the middle of the infield with extremely reliable and quick hands, deft footwork around the bag and solid-average arm strength. Some believe he’s a better fit for second base as a below-average runner, but Lee has fantastic feel for the game, great positioning and a high baseball IQ. His father, Larry, is the head coach at Cal Poly—where Lee is committed—and he has played against older competition throughout most of his career. With a plus hit tool and a chance to be a defensive asset in the middle of the infield, Lee has a chance to sneak into the back of the first round.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 79
Scouting Report Doughty is a well-rounded player, but his lack of present power will make it tough for teams to decide whether they want to buy him out of his commitment to Louisiana State. The Tigers have a history of taking well-rounded players like Doughty, developing them, and watching them turn into even better draft picks after a few years in college. Doughty will likely end up at second or third base in pro ball, but he shows excellent instincts and good hands to go with a plus arm and average range. He’s an average runner and is capable of playing almost anywhere other than shortstop, catcher or center field. At the plate, Doughty shows above-average hand-eye coordination that leads scouts to believe he could end up as an above-average or even plus hitter. The questions revolve around whether he’ll develop above-average power. Right now, he has below-average power. Some evaluators see him developing significantly more power as he gets older and stronger thanks to his hitting ability, while others see it as more likely that he’ll never develop more than average pop.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 85
Scouting Report An athletic outfielder with a lean, 6-foot-3, 187-pound frame, Newell has an enticing toolset and significantly raised his draft stock last summer. At a Perfect Game event in Atlanta, Newell was one of the showcase’s best hitters and also displayed strong defensive potential in center field. Offensively, he has above-average raw power from the left side, with twitchy bat speed and a smooth, uphill, fly ball-oriented swing. He’s also an above-average runner and shown above-average arm strength in the past, but that has been inconsistent this year as Newell has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. While he’s not a pitching prospect, he had been in the low 90s on the mound previously, which speaks to his arm strength at it’s best. The questions with Newell are in regards to his hit tool, and the fact that he doesn’t have much of a track record outside of the Atlanta event. He has a power-over-hit offensive approach, and scouts put 45 grades on his hit tool with plenty of swing-and-miss in his game. They also wonder whether he will be more of a corner outfielder rather than a true center fielder as he continues to physically mature. There’s a lot to like with Newell, but he is expected to be a tough sign out of his Virginia commitment.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 89
Scouting Report If you’re looking for a scouts’ favorite among the high school class, you’ll hear Samson Faltine III (which is why he goes by Trey) mentioned a lot. Faltine can do a little bit of everything and is more impressive because of his versatility rather than any one standout tool. Faltine’s father stopped playing baseball when he emigrated from Venezuela to the U.S., but he worked with Trey from a young age, which is apparent in Faltine’s excellent baseball IQ. Faltine has capably played almost everywhere around the diamond—no one is going to waste the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder’s athleticism at first base and he’s never caught, but pretty much everywhere else is a viable option. The Texas signee is a legitimate two-way player who shows feel on the mound and a solid approach at the plate. As a pitcher, he doesn’t wow with overpowering stuff, but his average, 88-91 mph fastball (he can touch 92-93 mph) plays up because he locates it, it’s a high-spin pitch (2,700 rpm) and has solid, natural cut. His 74-77 mph average curveball has excellent shape and he locates it well. He’s toyed with a 78-80 mph changeup that flashed late fade last summer, and he’s added an 82-84 mph slider that shows above-average potential. As a pitcher, Faltine’s stuff may end up getting better if teams bet on his athleticism and future strength gains, and his feel will help him survive as he works to improve his stuff, but many teams like him better as a position player. Faltine’s best hope as a hitter is to play either shortstop or center field—he’s spent time at both spots—but he lacks elite speed, relying more on his routes and reads in the outfield and his first step and good hands at shortstop. Faltine has fringe-average raw power at best right now, and his swing is more contact-oriented than anything. He shows bat speed and barrel control, but he needs to drive the ball more as he matures. Faltine’s versatility means he’s not a refined defender at any position yet, but his feel for the game and excellent body control gives plenty of reasons to believe that the best is yet to come once he focuses on either hitting or pitching and picks a position. He could be a two-way star at Texas who plays both ways as a freshman, but as a potential late Day 1 or early Day 2 pick, he may never get to Austin.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 91
Scouting Report A big, physical righthander out of Waco, Texas, Rigney has plenty of arm strength, showcased by a fastball that was mostly in the 90-93 mph range this summer and touched 95 mph. He also throws a slider that ranges from 79-84 mph and looked like a plus pitch at times with sharp, late bite. There were instances, however, when the pitch became loopy and hung over the plate. Rigney also showed good feel for a low-80s changeup with arm-side movement and fading action that could be developed as a third offering. This spring, Rigney has dealt with a forearm strain that limited his innings, but scouts think he has a frame—6-foot-5, 205-pounds—that will allow him to regularly throw in the mid-90s and hold innings as a big, power-armed righthander. Rigney is committed to Baylor.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 98
Scouting Report A pop-up righthander out of Georgia, Thomas missed significant time prior to this spring due to injury, but returned showing dynamic stuff out of a strong, 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame. Thomas has a fastball that’s regularly in the 91-95 range and couples it with a breaking ball that he has terrific feel to spin and consistently lands for strikes. He has a stabbing action in the back of his delivery that could scare some teams, but he has a fair arm action and delivery on the whole. On talent alone, Thomas fits as a late Day 2 pick, but he’ll come with a high price tag and a South Carolina commitment that could scare teams off given his lack of track record and medical history.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 103
Scouting Report Dunhurst is one of the better hitting prospects among the Mississippi high school class, and after slimming down this spring he has a better shot to remain at catcher. His lefthanded bat gives him a chance to be a solid pro even if he moves off the position, as he shows plus power and plus hitting potential. He uses the whole field, and his power allows him to drive the ball to the opposite-field gap. He didn’t get much of a chance to show that power this spring as many teams opted to simply intentionally walk him time after time. Defensively, his footwork and actions will require a lot of work in pro ball, but he does show a plus arm. However, that arm strength doesn’t always play in games because of his footwork, and he currently projects as a below-average defensive catcher. Dunhurst’s bat can sustain a move to first base one day, but if he can figure out a way to play just average defense behind the plate, his power potential could make him a valuable pro. Dunhurst is committed to Mississippi.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 101
Scouting Report Curialle followed Chase Strumpf and Royce Lewis as the starting shortstop at JSerra High School and led the Lions to consecutive Boras Classic South tournament championships the last two seasons. This spring, he finished one hit shy of tying Lewis’ school single-season hits record. Curialle is an impressive blend of physicality and athleticism. He’s strong and broad-chested at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and has big raw power, but he’s also a plus runner who glides around the infield remarkably well. He makes all the plays at shortstop and also has the athleticism for center field and third base. Curialle’s best tool is his plus-plus arm. He makes every throw from deep in the hole, cuts down runners on long relays and has touched 93 mph on the mound despite little pitching experience. Curialle swings and misses a bit too much, which is what prevents him from being a potential first-rounder, but he has the tools to project as an average or better hitter. A potential five-tool talent, Curialle is committed to UCLA and will command a hefty signing bonus.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 130
Scouting Report The latest in a recent line of Georgia prep catchers that includes Tyler Stephenson, Joey Bart, Luis Campusano, Anthony Seigler and Will Banfield, French is among the best prep backstops in the 2019 class. French has solid tools across the board, with above-average raw power, plus arm strength and solid receiving skills. Teams are mixed on his hit tool, with some expecting him to become a solid-average hitter who uses all fields with above-average power. Other teams are more skeptical about his ability to hit for impact in games, seeing it show up more in batting practice with swing-and-miss questions against higher-level pitching. Defensively, French has all the tools to be above-average behind the plate—he was voted as the best defensive catcher in the prep class by scouting directors prior to the season—but he will need to improve the efficiency of his exchange and his footwork on throws to second base. As a receiver, he has strong, soft hands and frames and blocks well. French is committed to Clemson.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 134
Scouting Report One of the better pure hitters in Georgia, Milone attended Perfect Game National early last summer but otherwise wasn’t at many of the big national showcases. As a result, Milone flew a bit under the radar until a loud offensive performance at Perfect Game’s Jupiter tournament last fall, and he’s continued to hit well this spring in front of plenty of scouting directors and crosscheckers. A 6-foot-1, 185-pound shortstop, Milone might be a better fit for second or third base in the future. He’s a fringe-average runner who lacks a lot of quick-twitch lateral mobility and has just average arm strength. His defensive instincts are solid, however, and scouts are confident he’ll be able to stick in the dirt in some capacity. Milone has average raw power, which could limit his profile or make him more of a utility-type player as he progresses. Regardless, scouts think he has above-average hitting ability with good feel to put the barrel on the ball. Enough high-level evaluators have traveled to see Milone this spring that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was drafted early on Day 2 and did not make it to South Carolina, where he is committed.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 140
Scouting Report The top prospect in Massachusetts, Keane is a thin, projectable righthander committed to Northeastern. Listed at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, Keane has plenty of room to fill out and add more strength to a loose, athletic frame. He was up to 94 mph with his fastball last summer, but this spring he’s pitched more in the 90-92 mph range. Keane has three secondary offerings, including a low-80s slider that projects as an average offering and a currently below-average curveball in the upper 70s. He casted his curveball at times last summer, but when he gets on top of the pitch he is able to generate good spin and solid depth. Keane also has a changeup that projects as an average offering. Overall, Keane’s present stuff isn’t explosive, but he has plenty of traits to dream on and has shown good feel for landing his pitches for strikes despite an high-effort delivery that features a slight head whack. He’s a high-upside prospect who has had plenty of high-level scouts in to see him frequently this spring.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 333
Scouting Report The co-MVP of Perfect Game’s Jupiter tournament, Rivera led his Florida Burn travel ball team last fall and stood out for his balanced offensive approach and defensive contributions at shortstop, though he has played third base for IMG this spring and projects better at the hot corner at the next level. Rivera has an above-average, loose swing from the right side and currently uses an opposite field approach that limits the amount of impact he has, but at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Rivera has lots of strength and could add more weight in the future, with plus raw power down the line not out of the question. Rivera has solid arm strength and good hands at third base and should have no problem handling the position at the next level, though some scouts question his lateral mobility and will want him to stay on top of his conditioning moving forward. Rivera had offseason surgery on his knee, which limited his playing time throughout the spring, and he didn’t show his hitting ability as frequently as he did during the fall and at times last summer. Rivera is committed to Florida.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 178
Scouting Report Young made a name for himself after performing well with the 2017 USA Baseball 18U national team as an underclassman, manning second base and showing a solid bat at the plate. Coming into the 2019 draft cycle with high expectations, Young struggled over the summer with the bat and his stock fell accordingly. A 6-foot, 177-pound shortstop, Young doesn’t have a plus tool but he is solid across the board. He’s an average runner with an above-average arm. While scouts might have been willing to put an average hit tool on him a year ago, that grade has backed up after Young showed inconsistent contact this spring and swung and missed more frequently than he has in the past. Young has quick hands and a short, simple bat path, but he has limited raw power. He is most polished on the defensive side, where he has terrific actions and could play either middle infield spot. He probably fits best at second base long term, where he has excellent footwork turning the double play, a quick exchange and the ability to make accurate throws while off-balance and without his feet set. A Vanderbilt commit, Young could be a tough sign unless he’s drafted in the first few rounds, and his performance last summer likely doesn’t warrant that draft capital for most teams right now. He could significantly boost his stock if he gets to college and hits like he has in the past, however.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 138
Scouting Report A physical righthander with a big, 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame, Maxwell showed arm strength over the summer and got into the low 90s with questionable control. This spring, that velocity has ticked up in a big way, and he’s been as high as 98 mph out of a low, three-quarter arm slot. Something of a split-camp prospect, some teams are in heavily on Maxwell and like him as high as the second or third round thanks to his arm strength and improved secondaries that include a curveball, slider and changeup. Others are more worried about his below-average athleticism and high-maintenance body, as well as the scattered and inconsistent strike-throwing ability he has shown this spring. He has 30-grade control at this point and will need to improve the consistency of his release point moving forward to take advantage of his natural arm strength. If a team believes they can make a few mechanical tweaks and refine his control, they are looking at a righthander who could easily touch triple digits in the future, while those more skeptical will be content to let him get to Georgia Tech and prove it in college.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 147
Scouting Report After a strong summer, McDaniel looked like one of the best prep pitching prospects in Louisiana. In addition to featuring a 92-95 mph fastball, he showed the ability to spin both a curveball and slider. But during the spring, McDaniel had to be shut down with a sore elbow. He tried to return, but when he did his velocity dipped into the upper 80s and he didn’t have the same control he had shown before he was shut down. The injury clouds his status and makes it a little more likely he’ll make it to Mississippi. If he does, there’s a chance he’ll be throwing even harder in a few years.)

2019 BA 500 Ranking: --
Scouting Report: Via 2019 recruiting analysis: Lefthander Cooper Benson is perhaps the best plug-and-play option in the Arizona State class. A little undersized at a listed 6-foot, 200 pounds, he played against high-level competition throughout his prep career and comes to school with a good feel for his fastball-changeup combination and a track record of throwing strikes.

2019 BA 500 Ranking: 144
Scouting Report Walsh is one of the fastest players in the 2019 prep class. He’s a plus-plus runner who also played wide receiver for his high school football team. On the diamond, Walsh plays shortstop and has a chance to stick with solid actions and above-average arm strength. If for some reason he has to move off of the position at the next level, he has the tools to profile nicely as a dynamic center fielder. He has the athleticism and instincts to handle the job just fine. Walsh has a short, quick stroke from the right side, but his bat is the lightest tool in his arsenal. Scouts put below-average future grades on his hitting, but he does have some ambush power and has the frame—6-foot-2, 185 pounds—to grow into more power down the line. Some teams might prefer to let Walsh go to school at Mississippi and show that he can hit in the SEC, but his running ability and defensive value might be enough for someone to take a chance early on Day 2.)