Although the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft is about six months away, it’s not too early to take a look at the current top 10 prospects in the 2017 MLB Draft class. This list will change as the months go on, but here is the top players in next year’s draft as of today:
1. Hunter Greene, RHP, Notre Dame HS (CA): People are buzzing about Greene, who is an athletic 6-foot-3 prep pitcher that throws in the low-90s. He also projects as a potential star at shortstop. While selecting and developing position players is less risky, expect a team to try him first on the mound. Greene is a UCLA commit.
2. Brendan McKay, LHP, Louisville: McKay is the top two-way player in the country, but his future is on the mound. A 6-foot-2, 212-pound left-handed pitcher, McKay throws a low-90s fastball, a hard breaking curveball and a solid changeup. McKay is still developing as a pitcher and has high potential.
3. Jeren Kendall, CF, Vanderbilt: A Holmen, Wisc. native, Kendall is a true centerfielder with blazing speed and athleticism. Offensively, he hits for average from the left side of the plate. Some believe he is better than 2016 draft No. 5 overall pick Corey Ray and has a similar ceiling as Jackie Bradley Jr. He was Vanderbilt’s top position player in 2016.
4. J.J. Schwarz, C, Florida: Coming out of high school Schwarz was a highly regarded draft prospect, but decided to attend college and develop for three more years before turning pro. It appears that decision will pay off, as Schwarz has the potential to get drafted No. 1 overall. He’s improved as a hitter in his first two college seasons and has the tools to remain behind the plate at the next level.
5. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina: Bukauskas was a well-regarded prep prospect in 2014, but decided to attend college instead of signing a pro contract. While he is only 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Bukauskas throws a mid-90s fastball and a devastating curveball.
6. Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri: After being selected in the 12th round of the 2014 draft by Toronto, Houck has developed into one of the top pitchers in the country during his time at Missouri. A 6-foot-5, 217-pound righty, Houck throws a mid-90s fastball, a wipeout slider and an improving changeup.
7. Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida: A 6-foot-5, 220-pound righty, Faedo is a better pitcher than Florida left-hander A.J. Puk, who went sixth overall in the 2016 draft. Faedo’s best pitch is his plus slider. He also throws his fastball consistently in the mid-90s and has outstanding control. This fall he underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees, and scouts will keep a close eye on that this season.
8. Alex Lange, RHP, LSU: A 6-foot-3, 201-pound right-hander, Lange developed into the ace of the LSU pitching staff during his freshman season in 2015. While, he wasn’t as sharp his sophomore season, he throws a low-90s fastball with an above average curveball and average changeup.
9. Mark Vientos, SS, Flanagan HS (FL): Vientos is the top high school position player in the 2017 draft class. He has the size (6’3/170) and range that will allow him to remain at shortstop in the pros. Vientos is a Miami (FL) commit.
10. Hagen Danner, RHP, Huntington Beach HS (CA): A 6-foot-1, 185-pound righty, Danner throws a mid-90s fastball with an above average curveball and an average changeup. Danner is a UCLA commit.
Find more MLB Draft coverage here.
