READ: Profiles of top 2017 MLB Draft prospects
READ: MLB Draft: 5 College Players Impressing Early
READ: The3rdManIn.com’s MLB Draft prospect history
Four weeks into the college baseball season, some top 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft prospects are making an early impact and posting impressive numbers, while some aren’t living up to the early expectations. Here are five college MLB Draft prospects who are off to sluggish starts:
Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt: In the preseason draft rankings, MLB.com pegged Jeren Kendall as the 2nd-best draft prospect in the 2017 class because of his five-tool potential.
A true centerfielder with blazing speed and athleticism, Kendall’s stock is falling after a sluggish start to begin the season. In 19 games, he’s hitting .267 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. He continues to struggle with plate discipline, striking out 22 times compared to just 14 walks.
Michael Gigliotti, OF, Lipscomb: Michael Gigliotti didn’t pop up in the national spotlight until last summer, when he participated in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
Before the season, MLB.com ranked Gigliotti as the 23rd-best draft. But, he’s hitting just .192 with one home run, four RBIs and four stolen bases in 16 games this spring.
Read a detailed profile on Gigliotti here.
Peter Solomon, RHP, Notre Dame: After struggling in his first two seasons with the Irish, Peter Solomon broke out in the Cape Cod League as a starter and reliever, posting a 0.55 ERA and .086 opponent batting average last summer.
Ranked by MLB.com as the 49th-best draft prospect, Solomon hasn’t built off last summer’s success, posting a 6.75 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 15 walks allowed in 21 1/3 innings as starter and reliever.
Read a detailed profile on Solomon here.
Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M: Ranked by MLB.com as the 22nd-best draft prospect, Corbin Martin has the potential and pitching arsenal to succeed in the starting rotation. But in 10 games this season, Martin has solely pitched out of the bullpen, recording a 4.86 ERA with 24 strikeouts and just eight walks in 16 2/3 innings.
While his numbers aren’t terrible, his draft stock will suffer slightly if he’s used exclusively as a reliever this season.
Read a detailed profile on Martin here.
J.J. Schwarz, C, Florida: Coming out of high school, J.J. Schwarz was a highly regarded draft prospect, but decided to attend college and develop for three more years before turning pro. After an impressive freshman year in 2015, Schwarz hasn’t lived up to expectations the last two years.
Ranked by MLB.com as the 19th-best draft prospect, Schwarz has incredible offensive potential, but is hitting .211 with two home runs and nine RBIs, while posting a .310 on-base percentage this spring.
Find more MLB Draft coverage here.
