With the 2047 draft just months away the top prospects have yet to declare but the talent at the top looks to be taking shape. College hitting looks to be the strength of this year’s class, led by toolsy outfielder Conrad Martínez but thins out considerably after him. Outfielder Davis Hoffmeyer, first baseman Tony Slaughter, third baseman Evan McBride and shortstop Nick Ramsey should all come off the board pretty early.
College pitching looks like an area of weakness but will feature lefty Mike Millwood and righthander Jesús Velásquez. Starters Andy Stone and Donnie Sandler should also be high picks on draft day. ITT Tech relief pitcher Francisco Solís could also receive lots of attention and is considered an elite stopper prospect.
High School remains filled to the brim with high ceiling prospects, and the 2047 draft should see players such as Gunther O’Heany, Pancho Matos, Fred Ruddock, Happy Norton, and Steve Malt all getting picked very early.
Scouting reports were compiled from countless conversations with scouts, coaches and front office officials. Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools — 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.
1. Conrad Martinez, OF, Dayton College Jumbos
Hit: 70 | Power: 50 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60
The top-ranked player in this year’s upcoming College Class. Martinez showcases all five tools along with elite athleticism. He has ingredients to become a plus hitter from the left side of the plate, with a compact but explosive swing and a present feel for using the whole field. He has juice in his bat but currently lacks in-game power, although that should improve as he matures physically and learns to leverage his swing. A plus-plus runner who can impact games with his wheels on the bases as well as in center field.
2. Fred Ruddock, OF, Bakersfield High School Sultans
Hit: 70 | Power: 50 | Speed: 80 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 50
Ruddock has the chance to be a five-tool player. He’s already showing an advanced approach at the plate, especially for his age. His raw power is just starting to show up in games but it may never be a plus tool. Speed is legitimate, but poor ball judgment skills and a bad arm will prevent him from ever playing center field. Should still excel in left field. It’s always best to temper enthusiasm about a player so young, though evaluators get downright giddy when discussing Ruddock. He’s just 18 with a ceiling as high as anyone in baseball outside of Terrance Gage and Lorenzo Herrera.
3. Terrance Gage, OF, Chula Vista High School Worms
Hit: 50 | Power: 80 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 70
Some scouts consider him the top hitter in the College/High School class, and he has done nothing to dispel that notion; OPS of 1.237 so far in his career. Gage has a smooth left-handed swing, quick hands, advanced pitch recognition and immense power potential, possibly the best of any person playing baseball at the moment. Gage also shows promise as a defender, and his arm strength has developed into an above-average tool. Could be a Gold Glove defender in Right Field.
4. Pancho Matos, OF, Santa Ana High School Cheetahs
Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60
Matos has considerable tools that have RLB scouts excited. He can flat-out rake, making consistent hard contact from the right side of the plate. He started showing more power during his last two seasons and he could develop plus-plus power as a pro. His swing could use some work and a more consistent and patient approach could result in fewer strikeouts and more walks. He’ll probably lose a step and become an average fielder once he fills out, but he should fit nicely in right field with his solid arm and instincts.
5. Mike Millwood, LHP, Miami University Flamingos
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 70 | Changeup: 80 | Forkball: 60 | Control: 40
A dominant sophomore campaign at Miami has thrust Millwood into the conversation as the potential No. 1 pitching prospect in the 2047 Draft. With the makings of four plus pitches, Millwood has the stuff to match his impressive combination of pitches. With further improvement to his control and command, Millwood could soon be pitching at the front of a big league rotation.
6. Beckham Russo, 1B, Tucson College Waves
Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 20 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 30
Russo is a dynamic offensive talent who projects to hit for both average and power. Big and physical, he possesses easy plus power to all fields from the right side of the plate, although the length of his swing does result in some swing-and-miss. That being said, he does have a solid approach, uses the entire field and controls the zone well, giving him the chance to become a slightly above-average hitter. Baserunning and defense are not where his skills lie and will stick at DH/1B longterm.
7. Gunther O’Heany, OF, Richmond HS Navigators
Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60
Few players in High School can match O’Heany’s power and contact ceiling, the combination of which could make him a very dangerous hitter. Generates impressive bat speed and leverage from the right side of the plate though he could stand to draw more walks. A poor runner out of the batter’s box, Gunther is below average and has terrible instincts on the bases. He works hard on his defense but commits way too many errors to play in the outfield full time, though he has the arm for right.
8. Jesús Velásquez, RHP, Indianapolis University 500’s
Fastball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 70 | Forkball: 60 | Control: 50
Velasquez projects to have four solid-or-better pitches, starting with a 93-95 mph sinking fastball, could have more velocity to come and features cutting and running action. He has a nasty slider with good depth and tight spin. He has an advanced changeup for a pitcher still in college and already trusts it when he is behind in the count. Command has been the only thing that has held Velasquez back from “elite” status as walk rate neared 4.0 per nine innings this last season.
9. Steve Malt, RHP, Dallas High School Tropic
Fastball: 60 | Splitter: 60 | Changeup: 80 | Forkball: 50 | Control: 40
Malts will enter 2047 as the top-rated High School pitching prospect. Malt usually operates with a 90 mph cut fastball and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including a changeup that could develop into a go-to pitch. With natural athleticism, smooth mechanics, and a repeatable delivery, Malt looks to be a young pitcher with a legitimate front-of-the-rotation ceiling.
10. Happy Norton, RHP, Baltimore High School Red Dogs
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 50
Has an impressive arsenal for a high schooler with the ability to both throw strikes and generate whiffs with four distinct pitches. He throws a sinking fastball in the low-to-mid-90s with late sinking action and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including a curveball and slider that could someday become plus pitches. His feel for commanding his splitter down in the zone gives him yet another out pitch, while his curveball represents a quality change-of-pace offering. Got hit hard in a few starts, but looks to be developing nicely.
Other Notable Players: 3B Evan McBride, OF Davis Hoffmeyer, SS Leon English, LHP Dave Bannatyne, LHP Bison Pembridge, 1B Gary Dreux, RHP Gunnar McClure, RHP Ashton Hunter, RHP Donnie Sandler, LHP Andy Stone, 1B Tony Slaughter, RHP Slade Collison, OF Duncan Cutts
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