Baseball News Network’s 2048 Draft Preview: The Top 10

Baseball News Network’s 2048 Draft Preview: The Top 10

We’re only a month removed from the 2047 draft, but it’s never too early to be scanning the horizon for Major League Baseball’s next top prospect. Let’s take a brief look at the top 25 prospects for 2048.

 

3B Dan Park (17, RHB, HS): The Tallahassee High School junior led his team to a deep state playoff run last season with a .390/.524/.716 slash line at third base. Park has great hands in the field and at the plate and can cover the entire zone with power. The BNN team is projecting him to go within the top 3, if he doesn’t go #1 overall. Park projects as a true 3B with a rocket arm and enough size to give him a solid coverage area at the hot corner. Expect to see him fly up the prospect rankings.

 

3B Walt Fletcher (19, RHB, HS): The second of three third basemen that headline this draft class, Walt Fletcher is probably the most likely to get moved to shortstop or the outfield. The Buffalo junior has great range in the field and the arm to support a move to shortstop. If his defense doesn’t already have you interested, his .399/.520/.742 slash line might do the job. The righty can hit with power to all fields and will lift the ball out of the park with ease. If Dan Park doesn’t go number 1, Fletcher is the only one I can see going ahead of him.

 

3B Ben Hoffman (18, RHB, HS):

Out of the three infielders, Hoffman is my least favorite at 3B. His bat will keep him in the lineup, but managers may have a hard time finding a place for him in the field. He has a great arm from third and his range is average, but his glove could be improved. Once again, his bat is among the top in this class.

He slashed .386/.500/.729 with 16 HRs in 166 ABs. Hoffman also had roughly a 2:1 BB/K ratio this season. BNN is projecting Hoffman to remain within the top 5, but some managers in the NL might be more liable to pass over him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RP Chris Vogel (18, LHP, HS): Phoenix’s Chris Vogel was instrumental to his team’s success in the Arizona state playoffs this year. Vogel has the best stuff by far in this draft, but at times his control suffers because of it. His repertoire features two plus-plus pitches, a fastball that runs in the mid-to-upper 90s and a devastating breaking ball. If the tall lefty can improve his stamina and his control, he could headline the back end of a major league bullpen for a long time. BNN is projecting him to stay within the top 10 and could see him going as high as top 3. Prospective managers should keep close watch on his development throughout the coming season.

 

SP Ron Forbes (18, LHP, HS): The Ft. Worth High School ace is BNN’s favorite starting pitcher this draft. Forbes has above average stuff that pairs well with his good movement and control. Forbes uses three pitches: a plus fastball in the low-90s that he can command well, as well as a slider and a curveball that both have serious plus-plus potential. Some scouts are ranking Forbes as the top pitcher overall in this draft due to his ability to continuously pound the zone with three quality pitches. BNN likes Forbes to round out the top 5 picks.

 

3B Bob Hayes (20, RHB, COL):

Our first college player to make the list, Hayes holds down the hot corner for the Cal State Long Beach Dirtbags. Hayes can hit with the best of them, 

slashing .376/.490/.766 last season. Hayes had 37 XBHs – including 21 HR – last season to go along with his 67 RBI out of the cleanup spot. His arm alone might keep him at third base, but he also has the glove to accompany it. Hayes is a very surehanded fielder and I don’t see him moving away from third unless you need to find a spot for his bat in the corner outfield or second base. Hayes will easily make the top 10 and makes a serious case for one of the top players in this draft class. Managers should watch the coming season closely.

 

2B Duane Lauder (19, RHB, HS): Duane can play anywhere you put him on the field although most projections have him at either short or second base depending on team needs. The speedy infielder can spray the ball around the yard with decent power, but he generally keeps it in play. Lauder slashed .416/.543/.789 in 161 AB last season and had a very patient approach at the plate. Lauder spent most of his time at second base, but certainly has the arm and the range to move to the left side of the infield. Lauder’s balanced approach at the plate should lead to a high OBP throughout much of his career and his speed basically locks him into a leadoff hitter role. Lauder is another player on the border between top 5 and top 10.

 

SS Greg Howe (20, RHB, COL): Howe is the only other college player to make our list this season. He’s a defensive wizard at SS and can easily transition to 2B or even 3B depending on where he’s needed. Howe’s bat isn’t as highly regarded as his peers in the class, but he’s still an excellent hitter. Howe slashed to the tune of .367/.445/.638 last season despite a tough schedule. Scouts would like to see Howe work on his patience at the plate as it seems like he’s pressing at times. His bat and glove will keep him in Major League lineups for a long time to come. Howe will remain inside the top 10 but could fall as far as number 10 depending on the teams picking in those spots.

 

CL Steve McKay (18, RHP, HS): McKay is one of the best pitchers in this draft, don’t let his position on this list fool you. His repertoire out of the bullpen contains a fastball with a lot of fuzz on it that he can put on a dime, and a knee-breaking curveball that falls off the table. McKay can hit the upper-90s consistently, but scouts and coaches want him to improve his stamina to truly make him an elite option to close out games. Don’t be surprised if he winds up jumping up the draft boards depending on how successful his senior season is at Dallas High. McKay is projecting to make a push for the top 5.