You can find an up-to-date 2016 MLB Draft top 10 prospect list here.
With the 2015 MLB Draft concluding a few days ago, it is not too early to take a look at the current top 10 prospects in the 2016 MLB Draft. The prestigious Cape Cod League for top college players is underway, while the high school circuit will begin shortly. This will allow scouts to get a small look at players and set their priorities on players they want to watch next spring.
This list will change as the months go on, but here is a quick look at the top players in next year’s draft, which is deep with high-end pitching.
1. Alec Hansen, RHP, Oklahoma
A 6-foot-7, 235-pound hurler, Hansen went 5-6 with a 3.95 ERA while averaging over 10 strike outs per nine in 15 starts as Oklahoma’s Sunday starter. He has a solid fastball, which sits between 94-98 mph, and a devastating slider. Hansen’s changeup is a work in progress, and he has struggled at times with his command in his first two college seasons.
2. Riley Pint, RHP, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Overland Park, Kan.)
Pint is an athletic 6-foot-4, 190-pound righty who is committed to play college baseball at LSU. He possesses a mid-90s fastball, along with a power curveball and an improving changeup. Scouts haven’t gotten a good look at Pint yet, since he has been cautiously used, but he is expected to participate in some showcase events this summer.
3. Blake Rutherford, OF, Chaminade College Prep (Canoga Park, Calif.)
Rutherford has been receiving attention dating back to his days as an underclassman in high school. A UCLA commit, Rutherford has an advance feel at hitting from the left side of the plate with a smooth swing and decent raw power. He also is an above average runner.
4. A.J. Puk, LHP, Florida
Florida’s 6-foot-7, 230-pound left-hander went 9-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 16 appearances (13 starts) in 2015. Due to Florida’s deep pitching staff, he hasn’t pitched as much as some other college arms. He also is a two-way player possessing above average raw power from the left side of the plate.
He was suspended earlier in the season for an off the field issue, but when he’s on the field, he’s an imposing figure on the mound. Puk has reached the upper-90s with his fastball, while also possessing an above average slider.
5. Austin Bergner, RHP, Windermere (Fla.) Prep
A North Carolina commit, Bergner is an athletic player who has a bright future on the mound. He throws a mid-90s fastball and has the makings of an outstanding curveball and changeup. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Bergner has room to add more muscle to his frame, which should only help his draft status.
6. Connor Jones, RHP, Virginia
Jones would have had a shot at being a first-round pick back in 2013, but due to signability concerns, he slid to the 21st round. Now after filling in as Virginia’s No. 1 starter when Nathan Kirby went down with an injury, his stock has risen. He has gone 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 16 starts, while averaging just over a strike out per nine innings this season.
7. Nick Banks, OF, Texas A&M
Banks had an outstanding sophomore season at Texas A&M this past year, hitting .364 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs. Batting from the left side of the plate, he has above average speed and raw power. However, one knock on him is that he struck out 58 times in only 239 at-bats this past season.
8. Jason Groome, LHP, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
A 6-foot-6, 180-pound left-hander, Groome has a clean delivery that he repeats well. He throws his fastball in the low-90s and has a decent secondary stuff. He is rather young for his class, but with more development, he could work his way near the top of this list due to his upside.
9. Matt Krook, LHP, Oregon
Krook was selected in the first-round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, but decided to attend Oregon after failing his physical. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2014, and was forced to miss all of the 2015 season. The lefty will pitch this summer and when healthy, has shown a solid one, two punch featuring a mid-90s fastball and an impressive breaking ball.
10. Chris Okey, C, Clemson
Okey was a possible first-round pick coming out of high school, but remained rather strong to his commitment to Clemson. A 5-foot-11, 195-pound catcher, Okey has had a solid season at the plate, hitting .315 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. He has an above average arm with average speed and respectable raw power, while also being a strong vocal leader behind the plate.
