Greyson Jenista was a top first base prospect coming out of De Soto High School (Kan.) in 2015, but his skills were raw and he had room to improve. Over the last two seasons with Wichita State, Jenista has quickly adjusted to the college game, developing into the Shockers top hitter.
With the 2018 college season rapidly approaching, Baseball America ranks Jenista as the fifth-best college prospect for the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
“I don’t really hear about it unless when it needs to be heard or when someone is talking to me about it,” said Jenista on the draft. “It’s not talked about that much. I appreciate that. The draft is a special time for a lot of people, but that’s in June.”
Jenista has spent his last two summers participating in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
Although he struggled in his first stint in the premier summer wood-bat league, Jenista returned this past summer and posted a .310 average with three home runs, 16 RBIs, four doubles and nine stolen bases. Jenista earned 2017 Cape Cod League Most Valuable Player honors.
“My first year I was young and immature – both physical and mentally,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was getting into. I didn’t have a good hitting approach to that summer. It’s the best of the best, and I found that out quick.
“My second year, I had a better idea of what I was getting myself into. I was playing for the same team. I was comfortable and came in with a better approach.”
Jenista hit .320 with nine home runs, 41 RBIs and 14 doubles as a sophomore last season. The left-handed hitter is known for his contact-orientated approach with above-average raw power.
He’s also a disciplined hitter that puts the ball in play consistently and has a solid two-strike approach.
“The bat is for sure my biggest strength,” he said. “I’m not your all-out swing every time kind of guy. I don’t necessarily try to hit home runs all the time. I will shorten up with two strikes and put the ball in play and run. I’m a big believer of putting the ball in play and making the defense make the play.”
Jenista is a versatile defender, playing 37 games at first base and 21 in right field as a sophomore with Wichita State. He played centerfield full-time in the Cape Code League last summer.
Despite not having any experience playing centerfield coming into Wichita State, Jenista will play centerfield as a junior. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Jenista has above-average speed and a strong arm defensively.
When it comes to professional baseball, Jenista doesn’t have a preference on what position he plays.
“My job is to play as many positions I can to the best of my ability,” he said. “I’m a hitter, so I have to do whatever I have to do to get into the lineup.”
Find more 2018 MLB Draft profiles here.
