Guardians Baseball Insider

IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board part II
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board Part III
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board Part IV
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board Part V
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board Part VI
IBI 2021 MLB Draft Board Part VII

IBI 2021 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 (Insider-Only)
IBI 2021 MLB Mock Draft 2.0 (Insider-Only)

SS/RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
Nebraska

Age: 21.1
Height: 6’1; Weight: 200
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: A former late-round selection by the Cleveland Indians, Schwellenbach, could be drafted as early as the first round. The Michigan native primarily played shortstop but served as the Cornhuskers’ closer after barely (nothing officially) pitching since an elbow injury derailed him his freshman season. He’s a highly athletic player that started and played shortstop his high school career. At shortstop, Schwellenbach displays a fringey average hit tool with similar power. He possesses a mid-upper 90’s fastball, a low-80’s slider, and mid-80’s changeup. Schwellenbach could be developed as a shortstop or starting pitcher or as a two-way player. This athleticism and ability give him a unique ceiling/floor.

Projection: Round 2-4 with late-round one chatter as the draft nears. 

OF Tyler Whitaker
Bishop Gorman HS, NV

Age: 18.9
Height: 6’4; Weight: 190
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: The University of Arizona commit has back-of-the-first-round chatter with speculation a team like Oakland will grab the talented outfielder. He’s a former athletic shortstop with a plus arm that will play well in right field. At the dish, he’s made some adjustments to reduce his swing and miss tendencies, and his bat gets fringe-average grades. Already an average runner, he could slow as he matures and fills out his frame. Whitaker displays plus raw power potential and could entice some teams that see a potential middle of the order bat. 

Projection: 2-4

C Matheu Nelson
Florida State

Age: 22.5
Height: 5’11; Weight: 195
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Nelson may be the second college-catching prospect off the board come July. At the plate, he’s shown his plus raw power potential this spring. He displays a fringe-average hit tool but offsets that somewhat with his power and ability to draw walks. Defensively, he shows off a strong plus throwing arm with improving receiving skills. He’s an older prospect that likely won’t hit for average as a pro but could offset that with power, on-base skills, and positional value. Nelson should be a solid second-round pick next month.

Projection: Round 2-4

LHSP Doug Nikhazy
Mississippi

Age: 21.9
Height: 5’10; Weight: 205
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: The Mississippi product is an intense competitor on the mound. Nikazy displays average control of a four-pitch arsenal fronted by his plus projecting curveball. His slider is the second-best pitch of his arsenal, followed by his upper-80’s to low-90’s fastball that’s reportedly touched 94 mph. There’s very little physical projection left for the left-hander, but the present stuff could be enough to get him selected in the back of round two or three in July.

Projection: 2-4

3B/1B Alex Binelas
Louisville

Age: 21.1
Height: 6’3; Weight: 210
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: The Cardinals third baseman suffered a broken hamate bone last season before covid canceled the season. Binelas entered 2021 as a potential top 10 pick but struggled immensely, plummeting his draft stock. He did make adjustments as the season wore on but continued to show swing and miss tendencies throughout the year. It’s a fringe-average bat with plus power potential. , Binelas is limited defensively but could handle third base but may be better suited at first base long-term. He’s a potential second or third-round selection.

Projection: 2-4

3B Zack Gelof
Virginia

Age: 21.7
Height: 6’3; Weight: 205
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Another former draft choice by Cleveland, the soon-to-be-former Virginia Cavaliers’ third baseman, is an excellent defender. He has a solid-average arm and should stick at the hot corner in the future. Gelof shows an advanced feel for the strike zone and the ability to work counts at the plate. Gelof has above-average raw power but has yet to offer it at the collegiate level. He’s likely to be a quick-moving bat with a good ceiling/floor combo. The Delaware native should go off the board in the late second or third round.

Projection: 2-4

C/OF Hunter Goodman
Memphis

Age: 21.8
Height: 6’1; Weight: 210
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Goodman is an intriguing raw catcher/outfielder with plus raw power and arm strength. The Tigers’ backstop has a fringe-average hit with swing and miss concerns often combined with power hitters. Defensively, he needs plenty of work behind the plate, and he may be better served developing as a corner outfielder. If a team is patient, they could get a low average high power output backstop with a strong arm. Goodman seems like a probable third-round pick because of his relative rawness and swing and miss issues.

Projection: 2-4

RHSP Irving Carter
Calvary Christian HS, FL

Age: 18.8
Height: 6’4; Weight: 210
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Carter is more than just a high school teammate of Andrew Painter; he’s a legitimate pitching prospect with big-time potential as well. He possesses a mid-90’s heater and mid-80’s slider and changeup. His slider is the best of his two secondary pitches showing above-average potential, while his changeup could develop into an average pitch. He has a mature frame already and lacks physical projection but could get stronger and add control gains. To get the prep righty to forego his college commitment to Miami, he may require an overslot signing bonus.

Projection: 2-4

C Carter Jensen
Park Hill  HS, MO

Age: 18
Height: 6’1; Weight: 210
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: One of the younger players available for the draft, Jensen, turns 18 just a few days before the draft. He displays an advanced approach at the plate and puts the bat on the ball, and wok counts. Defensively, Jensen’s less refined and will require continued work. He has an above-average arm but needs further development as a receiver. The Missouri native has an LSU commitment and could be a first-round selection in a few years if teams cannot sign him away from his collegiate choice.

Projection: 2-4

RHSP Michael Morales
East Pennsboro HS, PA

Age: 18.9
Height: 6’1; Weight: 200
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: The Vanderbilt commit likely requires an overslot signing bonus to get him to forego his opportunity to pitch for Tim Corbin. There is nothing sexy about his three-pitch repertoire, but Morales has a solid profile. The right-hander has a low-90’s fastball that touches 95. His curveball isn’t a plus pitch yet, but it could be. The least of his three pitches is a mid-80’s changeup. He has middle of the rotation upside. With a clean delivery and a cold-weather arm, some teams will focus on their ability to get the most of his potential.

Projection: Round 2-4