Jordan McCants grew up playing alongside his older brother, TJ, who is one year older and a freshman at Ole Miss this season. The two are highly competitive and have “pushed one another to the max” during their prep careers, which has helped both develop into top prospects, McCants said.
McCants, a senior at Pensacola Catholic High in Florida, watched his brother go through the MLB draft process last year. TJ was a well-regarded prospect, but with the draft just five rounds last year, he honored his commitment to Ole Miss instead.
Watching his older brother go through the draft process was beneficial for McCants. This year, McCants is a top draft prospect who scouts believe could go in the top three rounds.
“It can be tough, but with me, I love the game of baseball,” said McCants on the draft attention. “My entire life I have wanted to play professionally. I have dreamed about that moment that I go pro. I am ready to play at that level. The hardest part is just trying to stay focused.”
McCants is a 6-foot, 170-pound shortstop who is a notable athlete with above-average speed. He uses that speed to make an impact on the base pads and in the field.
Defensively, McCants has solid fundamentals and a strong arm. He profiles well at shortstop and second base, which he played his sophomore and junior seasons of high school.
“My speed and athleticism are my biggest strengths in my game,” McCants said. “Also, my mental game helps a lot. Those aspects of my game play a big aspect in my success.”
McCants is a left-handed hitter who profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter. He starts his hands low and then raises them as he readies for the pitch. He has a quick swing with a contact-oriented approach.
McCants lacks power but makes up for it with the pressure he puts on defenses with his speed.
“In the batter’s box, I just try to get on base because my speed on the base paths is my main attribute,” McCants said. “I try to attack fastballs and never strikeout. My two-strike approach has worked so well.”
Besides the draft interest, McCants also is a Mississippi State commit.
Ole Miss was the first school to express interest in McCants. But, Mississippi State stood out to him throughout the recruiting process due to its track record developing talent and status as one of the premier college baseball programs.
“The whole recruiting process, there were a lot of schools that had interest, but Mississippi State had the most interest in me,” McCants said. “I felt like it felt like home and that it had the right atmosphere. I knew Mississippi State was best for me.”
Read more in-depth stories on top 2021 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for six years. He has 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 has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
