Continuing on the trend of prep hitters, let’s take a look at a trio of outfielders who could figure into the Los Angeles Dodgers’ plans in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.
Will Benson, The Westminster Schools (Georgia)
Position(s): RF, 1B
Ht/Wt: 6’6/220
B/T: Left/Left
DOB: 6/18/1998
Comparing amateur players to Major Leaguers can sometimes be difficult or irresponsible. No 17 year old should be named alongside Mike Trout or Clayton Kershaw. However, sometimes the comp is so obvious it’s hard to ignore it. Such is the case with Benson.
The first thing you think of when you see Benson is “Wow, he looks just like Jason Heyward.” They have similar body types, swings and move similarly. They’re even both from the Atlanta area. However, Benson will likely go 10 to 20 spots lower than Heyward did on draft day.
Benson has the raw tools to be a first-rounder, but the emphasis should be on raw. His raw power stands out but he’s been unable to consistently display it in games due to his constantly changing swing mechanics, and that’s also impacted his ability to make contact.
He’ll show at least average speed and arm strength in the outfield, and if he can’t stick in a corner he’ll have to move to first base.
Any team that drafts Benson will need a track record of developing hitters. Atlanta makes sense geographically, and due to the fact that they have the fourth-highest bonus pool in the draft. However, if the Dodgers wanted to make a splash, they could take a run at Benson at No. 32 or No. 36, assuming they have a solid feel for his bonus demands.
It’s doubtful Benson makes it to Duke’s campus, but taking time to develop in college wouldn’t be the worst thing for him.
CONTINUE READING: Young outfielder with talent to play Division 1 football
Thomas Jones, Laurens High School (South Carolina)
Position(s): CF, RF
Ht/Wt: 6’4/190
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 12/9/1997
Jones is one of the most intriguing athletes in the draft. He could have been a Division 1 football recruit but instead decided to commit to Vanderbilt to play baseball. His raw tools stack up against almost anyone else in the draft class.
At Jones’ size, it’s difficult to imagine him not filling out and adding a grade or two to his power, which currently rates as below average. While Jones is not a great hitter yet, he does show signs of pitch recognition as well as lightning quick bat speed.
He’ll need to work on his swing mechanics, which are a little choppy and top heavy. On defense, he has average arm strength but moves extremely well in the field and should be a plus defender in center.
Jones has shown 70 speed, rare for a player his size, though he figures to lose a step as he matures. With his commitment to Vanderbilt and raw tools, teams will likely have to go considerably over slot to keep him away from campus.
The Dodgers used their second-round pick last year on a promising prep outfielder in Mitch Hansen and could do so again this year with Jones.
CONTINUE READING: Polished hitter with power that may develop
Alex Kirilloff, Plum High School (Pennsylvania)
Position(s): RF, 1B
Ht/Wt: 6’2/195
B/T: Left/Left
DOB: 11/9/1997
The most polished of the three outfielders, Kirilloff’s father is a hitting coach and it shows. It’s helped him get noticed while playing his high school ball in Pennsylvania.
After going 1-for-2 with a stolen base in the Perfect Game All-American Classic last August, capping off a strong summer, Kirilloff found himself in the first round mix.
He’s is a polished hitter, one of the better pure hitters in the class, spraying line drives around the field. Kirilloff’s swing reminds me of Sean Casey’s.
He doesn’t show a ton of power in games yet, but the raw power is there, as he won the Perfect Game All-American Classic Home Run Derby last year. Kirilloff is a good athlete for his size; he runs well and has a strong arm, making right field a natural fit.
If a team buys the bat and thinks the power will develop, Kirilloff may not be available by the time the Dodgers pick. If he lasts util the 20th pick, Los Angeles would at least have to consider adding another promising young bat to their system.