2021 Colorado Top MLB Draft Prospects

Today, Baseball America rolls out its state-by-state rankings for the 2021 MLB Draft. Additionally, you can find our:

500 Draft Rankings | 2021 MLB Mock Draft | MLB Draft Tracker

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1. Alec Willis, RHP, Regis Jesuit HS, Aurora, Colo. (BA RANK: 143)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-6 • Wt: 225 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Minnesota

Willis just might be one of the bigger pop-up high school arms in this year’s draft. He missed last summer’s showcase season due to ulnar decompression surgery but has since made up for lost time during his senior high school season. The tall, strong-framed Willis throws a fastball from 89-96 mph, sitting 93, and it’s already regarded as a plus pitch. He’s also more advanced than many high school pitchers his age, with feel to pitch, good arm action and average or better secondary pitches. An 80-83 mph slider is his best pitch, a future plus offering. A 72-75 mph curveball needs work but with Willis’ athleticism it has a good chance to get at least close to average. He infrequently uses an 85 mph changeup, so improving that pitch will be needed in his development. Delivering his pitches with average to above-average arm speed and a balanced delivery, he gets good extension and finish. He’s more of a control-over-command type of pitcher now. Willis has a commitment to Minnesota, but it’s likely he gets drafted high enough to forego college ball, with the only cause for concern being his injury history.

2. Greysen Carter, RHP, Fairview HS, Boulder, Colo. (BA RANK: 167)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-4 • Wt: 218 • B-T: B-R • Commitment/Drafted: Vanderbilt

Possessing elite athleticism, Carter doubled as a basketball player during his high school career, but baseball will be his future. He’s got plenty of raw power on the mound, with a fastball sitting in the low 90s and touching the mid 90s and the chance to increase his velocity with better mechanics and experience. It’s currently a straight fastball and hittable against higher levels of competition than what he faced in high school The rest of what Carter has to offer requires a longer look into the future, as he is still very raw with little feel for the game. His short-arm delivery needs repetitions to get better and the secondaries are all below-average, although some observers have spotted an average 75-78 mph curveball with good shape and a fringe-average changeup. The arm works, with good balance as he drives the ball to the plate. The makeup is solid, giving him the aptitude to improve. Carter has a strong commitment to Vanderbilt, and the consensus is that he’s unsignable and will certainly wind up in college.

3. Cale Lansville, RHP, ThunderRidge HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (BA RANK: 471)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 205 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Louisiana State

Coming into his senior season at ThunderRidge High in Colorado, Lansville was drawing plenty of draft interest for his feel for pitching, strike-throwing ability, and solid stuff, especially after a strong performance at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in 2020. But he hasn’t been the same this spring, pitching with a shorter arm stroke on the back side, giving him a max-effort delivery, and his season was shut down before the end of ThunderRidge’s regular season. The fastball has been sitting 88-90 mph, occasionally touching 92, with not a lot of movement. He uses a 12-to-6 breaking ball that doesn’t have a lot of depth, and a fringy mid-80s changeup that has flashed plus at times. He is committed to Louisiana State.

4. Andrew Morris, RHP, Colorado Mesa
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 170 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Never Drafted

 

5. Ryan Ure, LHP, Eaton HS
Source: HS • Commitment/Drafted: Oklahoma State