2021 MLB Draft: Top High School Prospects

The 2021 MLB draft class appears to be another strong year for college and prep talent. After the 2020 draft was the strongest draft class in recent memory, the 2021 class also presents elite pitching prospects and talented position players.

Below is a look at 10 of the top prep prospects in the 2021 MLB draft class. You can read about 10 of the top college prospects in the 2021 draft class here.

Brady House, SS/RHP, Winder-Harrow HS (Ga.)

House is the top prep player in the 2021 MLB draft class. He is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound two-way player who is intriguing in the field and on the mound. Offensively, he hits for average and power from the right side of the plate. Defensively, he currently plays shortstop and handles the position well, possessing a strong arm and smooth actions in the field, but likely profiles better at third base or in the outfield in pro ball due to his size.

On the mound, House has hit 96 mph with his fastball and also mixes in a breaking pitch and changeup. He is a Tennessee commit. 

Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers HS (Mo.)

Little is a 6-4, 205-pound right-handed pitcher who has the potential to be a future top-of-the-rotation arm in pro ball. He throws a mid-90s fastball, effective curveball and solid changeup from a clean and easy arm action. He is a Vanderbilt commit. 

Luke Leto, SS/RHP, Portage Central HS (Mich.)

Leto is a left-handed hitting infielder who uses all parts of the field. The 6-2, 190-pound prep shortstop has a chance to stick at the position long term, possessing quickness and a strong, accurate arm. He also offers intriguing potential on the mound with a fastball that sits in the low-90s and a hard-breaking curveball. He is a LSU commit.

Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy (Fla.)

Painter has a chance to be the top prep arm in this class. He has a notable 6-6, 210-pound frame, repeats his low-effort delivery well and fills up the strike zone. He also has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and shows solid feel for his changeup and slider. He is a Florida commit.

Ian Moller, C, Wahlert HS (Iowa)

Moller has advanced defensive skills behind the plate. The 6-1, 201-pound backstop has advanced arm strength, athleticism and solid catch-and-throw skills. High school catching is a risky demographic because of the lack of preps who have gone on to have successful big league careers. But Moller has intriguing tools in all facets of the game that will put him in the mix to be a first-round pick. The right-handed hitter shows an ability to hit for average and power. He is a LSU commit.

Braylon Bishop, OF, Arkansas HS (Ark.)

Bishop is a left-handed hitter with five-tool potential. Bishop, who is 6-1, 185 pounds, has impressive athleticism and speed while also displaying power potential at the plate. He should stick in center field long term. He is an Arkansas commit.

Tyree Reed, OF, American Canyon HS (Calif.)

Reed is an exciting player. The 6-2, 181-pound left-handed hitter has loud tools and lots of physical projection. He is an above-average runner who has a strong arm. He displays solid potential at the plate, possessing more of a line-drive approach right now with plenty of room to add power as he matures physically. He is an Oregon State commit.

Izaac Pacheco, SS, Friendswood HS (Texas)

Pacheco is 6-4, 210 pounds and is one of the top infield prospects in the 2021 draft class. He offers five-tool potential and uses his left-handed swing to drive the ball to all parts of the field. He has big power potential, especially to his pull side. He also has speed and solid defensive skills but probably will move to third base in pro ball. He is a Texas A&M commit.

Benny Montgomery, OF, Red Land HS (Pa.)

Montgomery is an intriguing prospect. The 6-4, 200-pound outfielder has all the tools to play solid defense, possessing notable speed, above-average arm strength and good angles to the ball. The ball jumps off the right-handed hitter’s bat. He is a Virginia commit.

Noah Smith, SS, Marist HS (Ill.)

Smith is a 6-1, 165-pound shortstop who is an above-average defensive player due to his quickness, strong arm and soft hands. He profiles as a shortstop in pro ball. Offensively, Smith is a right-handed hitter who has a quick, compact swing that allows him to hit line drives to all parts of the field. He is a Louisville commit.

Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for six years. He’s interviewed 253 of the top draft prospects in that period, including three No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he’s appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.