Guardians Baseball Insider

RHSP Bryce Miller
Texas A&M

Age: 22.9
Height: 6’2 Weight: 190
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: His control will have to improve to remain a starting pitcher, and he’s already 23 (this summer). He may be best served moving to the bullpen, where he can minimize his pitch mix and maximize his velocity.

Projection: Round 2-4, possible 3rd round arm, seems likely to slip to the 4th round range because of probable RP outcome.

RHSP Dylan Smith
Alabama

Age: 21.2
Height: 6’1; Weight: 180
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: SEC performer with an above-average slider and above-average control. Could go back of round two into the mid-third range.

Projection: Round 2-4

CF Nick McLain
Beckman HS, CA

Age: 18.6
Height: 5’10; Weight: 175
Bats: Switch; Throws: Left

Notes: Brother of Matt McLain, he’s a UCLA commit. He’s relatively new to switch-hitting but offers an average hit tool and projectable overall improvements.

Projection: 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection; possible over-slot signing.

C/1B Nathan Hickey
Florida

Age: 21.6
Height: 6’1 ; Weight: 210
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: Limitedly defensively, an offense-oriented player with the possibility to switch to first base. Displays average hit tool with advanced approach providing added value. Showed above-average power with plus raw power potential.

Projection: 2-4, probable round 3-4 selection. SEC performer seems like a third-round pick.

LHSP Ky Bush
St. Mary’s

Age: 21.8
Height: 6’6; Weight: 240
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: Showed improved control this season, grading out above-average. Bush sits in the low-to-mid-90’s, touching 96. He’s displayed a solid four-pitch-mix with his slider looking above-average.

Projection: Round 2-4 has back of round 1 chatter.

2B/3B Cooper Kinney
Baylor HS, TN

Age: 18.6
Height: 6’3; Weight: 200
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes:  Bat first profile with an above-average hit tool and average pop. He lacks speed and has a fringey arm limiting his defensive value.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable round 3-4 selection.

SS Jackson Merrill
Severna Park HS, MD

Age: 18.2
Height: 6’3; Weight: 195
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: The UK commit, Merrill’s maturing physically with it his draft stock is trending up. Displays potential for an above-average bat with average pop. He has a strong arm and could move to third in the future.

Projection: 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

SS/C Davis Diaz
Acalanes HS, CA

Age: 18.4
Height: 5’11 Weight: 175
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: He’s a Vanderbilt commit with high-level experience (u12 and u15 team USA member). Davis started playing C this spring and reportedly impressed with the ease of his transition. The California native displays an above-average hit tool with average pop.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable round 3-4 selection.

SS Cameron Cauley
Barbers Hill HS, TX

Age: 18.4
Height: 5’10; Weight: 170
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Displays plus speed and an advanced approach at the plate. He’s a Texas Tech commitment.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

RHSP Brody Brecht
Akeny HS, Iowa

Age: 18.8
Height: 6’4; Weight: 185
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Athletic righty with mid-90’s heat reportedly touching 98. His slider has plus projection too. He’s an Iowa football commit (WR). A team selecting the athletic righty would be buying on his continued development with a sole focus on pitching.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection, should get an over-slot deal.

LHSP Mason Albright
IMG Academy

Age: 18.7
Height: 6’0; Weight: 190
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: He’s a Virginia Tech commit with a solid three-pitch mix. Albright average control and a fastball that touches 94 on occasion. He could be a top-two-round pick in a few years if he goes to school.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

OF Isaiah Thomas
Vanderbilt

Age: 21.3
Height: 6’3; Weight: 215
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Shows the potential to play all three out fields spot because of his above-average speed and arm strength. He has above-average raw power and a fringey hit tool lacking bases on balls due to his aggressive nature.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

LHSP Joe Rock
Ohio University

Age: 21.1
Height: 6’6; Weight: 200
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: Tall and long framed left-hander will need continued strength gains to carry over-improved walk rates. Fastball sits low-90’s, pairs it well with a mid-80’s above-average slider averagish changeup.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable round 3-4 selection. 

1B/3B Tommy White
IMG Academy

Age: 18.3
Height: 6’1; Weight: 220
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Prep third baseman/ first baseman with a bat-first profile. The North Carolina State commit shows above-average raw power but will likely be limitedly defensively as he matures.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

LHRP Russell Smith
Texas Christian

Age: 22.8
Height: 6’9; Weight: 235
Bats: Left; Throws: Left

Notes: An older prospect due to injury (and corona), the left-handed reliever displays plus control. He should be a money saver draft choice and could move quickly because of his handedness and control.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection. 

SS Edwin Arroyo
Central Pointe Christian HS, FL

Age: 17.9
Height: 6’0; Weight: 175
Bats: Switch; Throws: Rright

Notes: He’s a young for the draft class athletic prep shortstop with a Florida State. An excellent defender with a strong arm and speed.

Projection: Round 2-4.

RHSP Caedmon Parker
The Woodlands HS, TX

Age: 18.1
Height: 6’4; Weight: 185
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: The TCU commit likely requires an over-slot signing bonus to forego his college plans. Parker has a solid four-pitch-mix with an above-average projecting slider and low-to-mid-90’s heater.

Projection: Round 2-4. He’s a probable 3-4 round selection. 

SS James Triantos
Madison HS, VA

Age: 18.5
Height: 6’1; Weight: 195
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Reclassified to the 2021 draft class. He’s a bat-first shortstop with good speed and arm strength to stick at the position.

Projection: Round 2-4

RHSP Troy Melton
San Deigo State

Age: 20.5
Height: 6’4; Weight: 190
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Very young for the draft class; he’s raw but offers plenty of projection. Melton has a four-pitch mix with a mid-90’s fastball that runs up to 97.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

RHSP Dominic Hamel
Dallas Baptist

Age: 22.3
Height: 6’2; Weight: 206
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Features a low-90’s heater that reaches 96. He has a four-pitch mix (with high spin rates) with the best of his secondaries an above-average slider. 

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

RHSP Grant Holman
Cal

Age: 21.1
Height: 6’6; Weight: 250
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Took a step back in terms of control in 2021 after an early season arm injury. Displayed above-average control before this season. 

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 selection.

SS Jose Torres
North Carolina State

Age: 21.8
Height: 6’0 ; Weight: 168
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Glove first shortstop, solid utility floor, and a strong arm. He has a fringy bat, but his future value will come through his defensive abilities.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable round 3.

RHSP Chad Dallas
Tennessee

Age: 21.1
Height: 5’11; Weight: 200
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Displays plus control with a low-90’s heater that touches mid-upper 90’s. It’s a good four-pitch mix from the righty, who shows an above-average slider and curveball. 

Projection: Round 2-4, probable late 3rd to 4th round selection.

CF Reed Trimble
Southern Miss

Age: 21.1
Height: 6’0 ; Weight: 180
Bats: Switch; Throws: Right

Notes: Trimble offers an intriguing blend of average raw power (or more) and plus speed. He should stick in center field long-term and will need to continue to show improved plate discipline as he advances.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable round 3-4 selection.

RHSP Logan Henderson
McLennan JC, TX

Age: 19.4
Height: 5’11; Weight: 165
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Sub-6 footer with a plus changeup and above-average control. Lit up the JUCO ranks in 2021. He’s a Texas A&M commit and could command a healthy signing bonus to forego his school plans.

Projection: Round 2-4, probable rounds 3-4 if signable from his Texas A&M commitment.