2018 MLB Draft: College Batter Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: May 22, 2017.

1. Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State Projected Round Top 5 Pick
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 5-7 161 lb Nick Madrigal began 2018 batting .560 with 8 RBI's and 3 stolen bases in his first six games before getting injured missing two months with a wrist injury. He's played twenty more games since then and still has a career best .435 batting average as well as being 8/8 with stolen bases and a fielding percentage of 1.000 on the year.
   
   
   Nick Madrigal SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Nick Madrigal has the line drive, grounder, or bunt that teams covet. Madrigal is also an excellent base stealer and can throw the ball with incredible velocity and timing. Madrigal can play third base, shortstop, second base, or first base with his versatility allowing him to line up anywhere in the infield except catcher. Madrigal has a fielding percentage of 1.000 and has been lights out playing like a future Gold Glove candidate. Has remarkable plate discipline. Only struck out 4 times in 108 at bats.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: He isn't as aggressive at the plate as you would like him to be. He will need 4-5 years of development in the majors before he becomes a power bat. He could become a power bat 10 years down the road, but I do not see him having an impact before then as a power bat and who knows how long it takes for Madrigal to reach the MLB.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 1. Detroit Tigers, 2. San Francisco Giants, 3. Philadelphia Phillies, 4. Chicago White Sox, 5. Cincinnati Reds. I see a top 5 prospect that will not get past the Cincinnati Reds at 5. Ten different MLB teams have compared him to Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Nick Madrigal. At the same time, you can certainly argue that him being compared to Jose Altuve is excessive to say the least. At the same time with so many teams comparing Madigral to Altuve, I gave him a maxiumum grade even though you can argue he's not going to reach that massive ceiling. I gave Jeren Kendall a max grade last year too and he fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers at 24.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 99/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Madrigal is an excellent defender. He batted .380 with 20 doubles, 40 RBI's and 16 stolen bases winning PAC 12 player of the year in 2017.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech Projected Round Top 5 Pick
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-3 220 lb Joey Bart is someone who is probably the College Batter witht he most power in this class. He's bigger then Madigral by quite a bit as well. Bart is batting .361 with 16 home runs, 38 RBI's, 12 doubles, is 3/3 when stealing bases in 2018, and has a .991 fielding percentage in 2018. Bart is clearly the best catcher to play in the ACC since Buster Posey was at Florida State.
   
   
   Joey Bart SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Joey Bart can hit with power. He's a natural home run hitter and can hit line drives too. Displays a very consistent batting average. Has ideal size to be a clean up bat. Great fielder as well.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Joey Bart needs to get faster. He strikes out very frequently on tape. He has 52 strikeouts in 2018 and that's one thing the Detroit Tigers disliked with Bart when watching him despite seeing a player with a really high ceiling.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 1. Detroit Tigers, 2. San Francisco Giants, 3. Philadelphia Phillies, 4. Chicago White Sox, and 5. Cincinnati Reds. Joey Bart is a top 5 talent. I don't see Detroit or Chicago taking him. If San Francisco took him you are talking about Bart being in the minors for 5-6 years. I really believe the Reds at 5 are the best fit for Joey Bart.
   
   
   
   Threats: I don't see a threat with Joey Bart. He's one of the best power batters in the 2018 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 94/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Joey Bart hit 13 home runs in 2017. He only batted .296 last season and missed the last 13 games with a hand injury. Bart could move up a lot of boards if he's healthy in 2018.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State Projected Round Top 10 Pick
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-5 220 lb Alec Bohm impresses me on tape. Alec Bohm has a .332 batting average with 15 home runs, 52 RBI's, and a .616 slugging percentage. Bohm is 8/11 on stolen bases attempts. His .897 field ing percentage needs to improve.
   
   
   Alec Bohm SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Alec Bohm has the power bat to step up. Bohm can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, or bunts. Bohm is fast enough to hit grounders or bunts. Bohm can play third base, shortstop, second base, or first base with his versatility. Has great plate discipline, but not remarkable plate discipline like Nick Madigral.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: ALec Bohm has an awful fielding percentage. That's the lone weakness to his game.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 3. Philadelphia Phillies, 4. Chicago White Sox, 5. Cincinnati Reds, 6. New York Mets, and 7. San Diego Padres. Bohm looks like a top 6 prospect in this class.
   
   
   
   Threats: I don't see a threat with Alec Bohm. He's one of the best power batters in the 2018 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 94/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Alec Bohm had a .305 batting average, with 71 hits, 44 runs, 11 home runs, and 13 doubles in 2017. Bohm can boost his draft stock if he builds on that in 2018.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Steele Walker, CF, Oklahoma Projected Round Top 10 Pick
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 5-11 190 lb center fielder plays like a top 10 pick on tape. Walker has a .352 batting average, 13 home runs, 53 RBI's, is 7/10 on stolen bases, and has a .991 fielding percentage. Steele Walker may be the closest thing the 2018 MLB Draft has to a 5-tool bat.
   
   
   Steele Walker SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Steele Walker has 5-tool potential he can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, or bunts. He has the speed to get on base and the arm to force quick outs. These traits make him appear as a top 10 prospect in the eyes of most scouts.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Steele Walker is undersized for a batter despite showing flashes of Mike Trout at times on tape. Scouts worry if that lack of size won't translate in the MLB. He has okay plate discipline, but not great plate discipline.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 3. Philadelphia Phillies, 4. Chicago White Sox, 5. Cincinnati Reds, 6. New York Mets, and 7. San Diego Padres. The Padres need a center fielder. I can see them taking Steele Walker even though other mocks have him going in the 11-20 range.
   
   
   
   Threats: I don't see a threat with Steele Walker. He's one of the best power batters in the 2018 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 93/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Steele Walker had a .333 batting averge with 8 home runs in 2017. He can surge up boards if he builds on that in 2018.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Jonathan India, 3B, Florida Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-0 200 lb Jonathan India leads Kentucky with a mind boggling .365 batting average in 2018 along with 16 home runs, 40 RBI's, 130 total bases, 11 stolen bases, and a .730 slugging percentage. India also has a quick arm and a .961 fielding percentage.
   
   
   Jonathan India SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Jonathan India has 5-tool potential he can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, or bunts. He has the speed to get on base and the arm to force quick outs. India has a lot of strong qualities on tape, plus the fact that he's a better defender then Alec Bohm has to help.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Jonathan India had a batting average below .300 in 2017. He fixed that this season though and has done well with Florida leading the team in numerous categories.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 6. New York Mets, 7. San Diego Padres, 9. Oakland Athletics, 10. Pittsburgh Pirates, and 11. Baltimore Orioles. Pretty much everyone in the 6-11 range except the Atlanta Braves at 8 could end up taking Jonathan India.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Jonathan India. India is a future stud in the MLB. I've heard a lot of scouts compare him to Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians, but he reminds me more of Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 93/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Jonathan India dominated in 2016a as a freshman. He struggled in 2017 and needs a very strong season in order to rebound in 2018.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Tristan Pompey, RF, Kentucky Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-4 205 lb Tristan Pompey has a .333 batting average in 2018. Pompey also has 7 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and 39 RBI's in 2018.
   
   
   Tristan Pompey SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Tristan Pompey hits with a lot of power. He has a spectacular line drive when you watch his tape. Very effective base stealer.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Pompey did not play like a home run hitter in 2018. His grounder and bunt wasn't as effective this season compared to his 2017 tape.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 19. St. Louis Cardinals. I got Tristan Pompey going to the St. Louis Cardinals at 19. He can develop in St. Louis while Dex Fowler plays out his contract.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Tristan Pompey. Pompey is a future stud in the MLB.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 93/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Tristan Pompey had a .361 batting average, 10 home runs, and 70 runs in 2017. If he builds on that as a junior he should be a top 15 pick.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Seth Beer, RF, Clemson Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-3 195 lb Seth Beer has a .308 batting average, 19 home runs, 48 RBI's, a .974 fielding percentage, and only 30 strikeouts showing good plate discipline.
   
   
   
   I also have a film session of Seth Beer on my Youtube Channel. Seth Beer may not have the stats you want, but he plays like a complete 5-tool batter on tape. Beer could provide Aaron Judge type value late in the first round if he fixes his batting average in the minors.
   
   
   
   
   
   Seth Beer SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Seth Beer is versatile enough to play left fielder, right fielder, third baseman, or first baseman. Showcases 5-tool ability on tape. Can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, or bunts. Became the first player to win the Dick Howser Award as a true freshman.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Seth Beer's batting average dropped each of the last two seasons. Beer had a .283 batting average in 2018 before dominating versus Pittsburgh by getting his batting average up to .308.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 23. New York Yankees, 24. Chicago Cubs, 25. Boston Red Sox, 27. Washington Nationals, and 28. Houston Astros. Someone in the 21-30 range will take Seth Beer and potentially get an Aaron Judge type of value pick.
   
   
   
   Threats: Seth Beer has no threats. He's pretty durable too.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 93/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Beer had a .369 batting average, 57 runs, 18 home runs, 70 RBI's, and a .700 slugging percentage as a true freshman. Those numbers were simply unreal for a true freshman in 2016 which is why Seth Beer became the true freshman in College Baseball History to win the Dick Houser Award which is like the Heisman Trophy in College Baseball.
   
   
   
   Previous Dick Howser Trophy Winners include David Price, Buster Posey, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, Kris Bryant, and Andrew Benintendi. Brendan McKay won this award in 2017 after Beer failed to repeat as a sophomore. That's pretty good company to be in when you consider recent MLB success with Dick Howser Trophy Winners in the NCAA.
   
   
   
   Beer had a .298 batting average, 51 runs, 17 home runs, 53 RBI's, and a .606 slugging percentage as a true sophomore in 2017. His numbers dropped, but he still has a career batting average of .333 and is a very consistent power hitter.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Grayson Jenista, 1B, Wichita State Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-4 220 lb Grayson Jenista has a .313 batting average and 9 home runs in 2018. Jenista has a .992 fielding percentage in 2018.
   
   
   Grayson Jenista SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Grayson Jenista is a very consistent batter. He can hit home runs and line drives with power. He throws with a quick release and some teams believe Jenista can translate to outfield because of that. He's also Wichita State's best defender in the infield. Is versatile enough to play first base, center field, or right field. Very patient. Remarkable eye hand coordination.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: He's not going to get a hit with a grounder or bunt. He relies a lot on his ability to hit line drives and home runs.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 28. Houston Astros. I got the Houston Astros taking Grayson Jenista at 28.
   
   
   
   Threats: I don't see any threats with Grayson Jenista. He seems like a pretty sound prospect.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 85/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Grayson Jenista had a .326 batting average in 2016 as a true freshman. Jenista batted .320 in 2017 with 9 home runs, 45 runs, 73 hits, and 41 RBI's.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Travis Swaggerty, CF, South Alabama Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 5-11 180 lb Travis Swaggerty leads South Alabama with 13 home runs. He's versatile enough to play any of the three outfield spots which is why someone will take him in the top 30 despite a shaky .295 batting average.
   
   
   Travis Swaggerty SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Travis Swaggerty is a home run hitter. He is versatile enough to play left field, center field, or right field. Very consistent base stealer. Has 200 at bats this season so he can handle a big workload.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Travis Swaggerty is undersized for a batter. He's also inconsistent. Only has a .295 batting average in 2018.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 27. Washington Nationals, 28. Houston Astros, 29. Cleveland Indians, and 30. Los Angeles Dodgers. I have a top 30 grade on Travis Swaggerty. Swaggerty is the final College Batter that could go in the top 30.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Travis Swaggerty. Swaggerty looks like a first round pick.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 85/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2018
   
   
   Travis Swaggerty broke out in 2017. He led the Sun Belt Conference in On Base Percentage with a .484 on base percentage. Swaggerty also led the Sun Belt Conference with 55 runs scored and 60 RBI's. His .356 batting average was best on South Alabama and second in the Sun Belt Conference. Swaggerty had 19 stolen bases in 2017.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Luken Baker, 1B, TCU Projected Round 1st Round
    
    
    2017 Season Recap The 6-4 265 lb Luken Baker has a power bat. Baker posted a .319 batting average and 9 home runs before having a season ending injury. The scary thing is Baker may still be a first round pick despite this.
    
    
    Luken Baker SWOT Report
    
    
    Strengths: Luken Baker has a power bat. he can get on base consistently when healthy. Baker barely improved his 2017 play in 2018 despite getting placed on injured reserve with a season ending injury for the second year in a row.
    
    
    
    Weaknesses: He's someone who will wow you with power, but not with speed. Baker is someone who will need to get faster.
    
    
    
    Opportunities: Luken Baker should be picked in the compensation portion of the first round. I mocked him to the Royals at 34.
    
    
    
    Threats: Luken Baker is the one College Batter in this class with major durability concerns. Baker had a season ending injury in 2017 as well. It's possible that causes him to slide to the second round even though this guy is a top 10 College Batter in the class when healthy.
    
    
    
    Potential Grade: 85/99
    
    
    
    
    Before 2018
    
    
    Luken Baker had a .317 batting average and 8 home runs in 2017. He missed the final 12 games though and got placed on injured reserve.