Guardians Baseball Insider

IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board part I
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board part II

Colton Cowser- OF
Sam Houston State

Age: 21.3
Height: 6’3; Weight: 195
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: The Bearkats outfielder displays an advanced approach at the plate to barrel the ball and shows the willingness to take a walk. Cowser offers average pop at the dish and flashes above-average potential at times. He has the speed to handle center field but could move to a corner spot with ease. The left-handed-hitting Cowser should move quickly through the minors. 

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25, could slip into the back half of the top ten selections.

Andrew Painter- RSHP
Calvary Christian HS, FL

Age: 18.2
Height: 6’6; Weight: 230
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Painter features a mid-90’s fastball that reaches 96 mph. He pairs that with various pitches, including a changeup that gets above-average grades and could develop into a plus pitch. His curveball isn’t far behind in terms of quality. The Florida commit also throws an average slider and a cutter that touches 90 mph. Painter features above-average control, with some evaluators suggesting he will develop plus control. The righty has the stuff and size that should allow him to develop into a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25.

Harry Ford- C
North Cobb HS, GA

Age: 18.4
Height: 5’10; Weight: 200
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: The super-athletic Georgia prep backstop could go middle of round one with several clubs buying his athleticism and ability to switch positions potentially. Ford displays an average hit tool with above-average raw power potential thanks to his quick bat. Defensively, the young backstop has an above-average arm and glove. With plus speed and athletic ability, he could transition to second or third base with plus speed to handle center or right field.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25.

Jud Fabian- OF
Florida

Age: 20.8
Height: 6’2; Weight: 195
Bats: Right; Throws: Left

Notes: His early-season swing and miss issues dropped his draft stock out of the top ten selections. However, the righthanded-hitting outfielder made adjustments at the plate and improved his contact rates. Fabian has plus power and will strike out in his fair share of at-bats. Defensively, the Florida Gators outfielder should continue to man centerfield with above-average speed and an average throwing arm.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25. 

Chase Petty- RHS
Mainland, HS, NJ

Age: 18.2
Height: 6’0; Weight: 185
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Prep right-hander’s typically fall on draft day. Paired with a smaller frame, the quick-armed Petty could go in the first 25 selections. The New Jersey native sits in the mid-to-upper 90’s and can touch 102. His changeup sits in the upper-80’s with sink. Currently, the least of his three-pitch mix, his slider has been inconsistent but could develop into a plus pitch. Petty is strong, compact, and extremely athletic on the mound giving him average control with the potential for continued improvement.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25, possibly 1 of the first 3 prep arms off the board.

Joshua Baez- OF
Dexter Southfield HS, MA

Age: 18.1
Height: 6’4; Weight: 220
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Baez is a young, for the class two-way player with considerable potential in the outfield. He’s currently a centerfielder but will likely slow as he matures physically. With a possible move to right-field likely in his future, his double-plus arm should fit seamlessly. At the dish, he displays a fringe-average hit tool with plus light-tower power. The Massachusetts native is a typical young power hitter with swing and miss concerns, but the total package could be too much for a team to bypass in round one.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25

Jordan Wicks- LHSP
Kansas State

Age: 21.8
Height: 6’3; Weight: 220
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: The Arkansas native features one of the best changeups in the entire draft class. Wicks has a low-90’s fastball that matches well with his plus changeup. His third-best of his four pitches is an above-average slider. The least of his four pitch-mix is a fringey curveball. Wicks should develop into a middle of the rotation arm in short order by displaying three above-average or better pitches and above-average control.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25, probable first left-hander off the board.

Joe Mack- C
Williamsville East HS, NY

Age: 18.6
Height: 6’1; Weight: 210
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: Mack is an average aged prep backstop from New York, showing sub-1.9 pop times to second base. He’s highly regarded as a defender with a strong skillset and powerful plus arm. At the plate, Mack shows an advanced approach with average power potential. He should stick behind the dish long-term but has enough bat to move to a corner outfield or first base. The Clemson commit will have to get paid to forego his college commitment.

Projection: Round 1, picks 1-25

Benny Montgomery- OF
Red Land HS, PA

Age: 18.7
Height: 6’4; Weight: 200
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: A native of Pennsylvania, Montgomery is a toolsy outfielder with double-plus speed in the grass and on the bases. He’s a gifted defender with elite speed a plus arm and glove. At the dish his he has worked to simplify his swing. He’s made positive gains in that regard but gets a fringe-average grade on his hit tool while displaying above-average power potential. The Virginia commit should receive a handsome sum to walk away from his college commitment.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25, should go somewhere in the middle of round 1. 

Bubba Chandler- RHSP
North Oconee

Age: 18.7
Height: 6’3; Weight: 201
Bats: Switch; Throws: Right

Notes: The prep righty is committed to play football and baseball at Clemson. He’s a two-way player in baseball showing off his strong arm at shortstop as well as on the mound. Chandler’s fastball sits low-to-mid 90’s and can run up to 97 mph. He has a repeatable athletic delivery and enticing upside as a starting pitcher with a quality four-pitch mix. The best of his quartet is a high spin curveball with plus projection. His slider, changeup, and control are all average, and with a focus solely on the mound, he could see gains with his secondaries and his ability to command/control his repertoire.

Projection: Round 1, picks 10-25. He could go top 10 or slip to Comp A.