2013 MLB Draft: Top Position Players
Our look at the top prospects in this week's amateur draft continues with position players on Tuesday.
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MLB's annual draft is a three-day event covering a whopping 40 rounds, and this year's draft will begin on Thursday night. Day 1 covers rounds one and two, Day 2 rounds 3-10 and Day 3 the rest. Like the baseball season, the draft is a marathon. Not a sprint.
Before the draft begins, we're going to give you a crash course in the top draft prospects available this year. On Monday, we covered pitchers, so today we'll tackle the position players. On Wednesday, we'll try to unearth some sleepers. The full draft order -- which is subject to change during the offseason due to free-agent compensation -- can be found right here. The Astros, Cubs and Rockies hold the top three selections.
College Position Players
Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego
Bryant was a possible first-round pick in 2010, but concerns about his asking price and so-so performance as a high school senior caused him to slide to the 18th round. He passed on signing with the Blue Jays and has evolved into the 2013 draft's top power hitter after three years with the Toreros. His best tool is his top-of-the-line, right-handed power, which allows him to drive the ball out of any part of any park. Bryant has a quiet setup at the plate and an advanced approach, though there is some concern that he will be susceptible to higher-end velocity and big-league breaking pitches. He could wind up a low-average, high-power type. Bryant has a strong arm and good athleticism, but most expect him to shift to right field as a professional. He's the clear top position player talent in the draft class and shouldn't fall out of the top three picks.
Colin Moran, 3B North Carolina
The nephew of long-time big leaguer B.J. Surhoff, Moran went undrafted out of high school in 2010 but is now one of the best pure amateur hitters in the nation. He combines a strong knowledge of the strike zone -- 22 strikeouts and 60 walks in 64 games going into Tuesday -- with excellent hand-eye coordination and a smooth, left-handed swing. Although he can hit the ball out of the park, Moran is considered more of an all-fields, line-drive hitter than a power hitter. Despite not being fleet of foot, he's solid at third base with soft hands and a strong arm. Moran is considered a more advanced hitter than Bryant, and there have been rumors that the Astros are considering him for the first overall pick in an effort to save draft-pool money to spend on later picks.
Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State
Renfroe turned down the Red Sox as a 31st-round pick in 2010 after setting the Mississippi high school single-season home run record. He exploded onto the draft scene this spring after playing sparingly as a freshman and not producing much as a sophomore. Big right-handed power is his calling card, but Renfroe doesn't always carry it over into games because his pitch recognition is weak and he is prone to the swing-and-miss. Defensively, he offers both a cannon arm and above-average speed in the outfield. He fits the right field profile very well, but he must improve his approach at the plate. Renfroe is a likely top-15 pick come Thursday.
High School Position Players
Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville HS (Georgia)
Everything about Frazier is explosive: his athleticism, bat speed, power and all-out style of play. Frazier is an aggressive hitter who murders good fastballs but struggles to recognize even high school quality breaking balls. His center-field skills are OK but still in need of work, so much so that he might wind up in a corner spot down the line. Frazier is far from a finished product, but the raw tools make him a slam-dunk, top-10 pick. He is committed to Georgia.
Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson HS (Georgia)
Meadows or Frazier, Frazier or Meadows. Depending on whom you ask, one or the other is the top high school position player in the draft class. Meadows is a top football recruit in addition to a top baseball prospect, though his future is much greater on the diamond than on the gridiron. His easy, left-handed swing generates high-end power and bat speed, and his above-average speed makes him a good defender in center field. Because his arm is weak, left field would be the only other alternative if he loses a step. Meadows is a more refined two-way prospect than Frazier, but he doesn't necessarily offer the same upside. He's committed to Clemson and another slam-dunk, top-10 pick.
Dominic Smith, 1B, Serra HS (California)
High school first basemen usually aren't hot commodities, so you'd better mash if you want to go in the first round. Think Eric Hosmer or Prince Fielder. Smith is a notch below where those guys were in their draft years, but he has a smooth swing and plenty of power from the left side. He's a smart hitter capable of making adjustments, but he can get anxious at the plate and overextend himself at times. Defensively, he's a very good first baseman with soft hands and some range. Smith has played right field, but he's below average there. He drew criticism for his effort level this spring though scouts rave about his work ethic. The USC commit is likely to go in the top 15 or so.
