The Major League Baseball Draft gets underway Sunday with the Cleveland Guardians owning the No. 1 overall pick. Ahead of the draft, MaxPreps is breaking down the top high school players at each position and where they might be selected during the three-day event.
After breaking down the top
pitchers and
catchers earlier this week, we continue our position-by-position breakdown today with the infielders and outfielders.
Ratings are based on
MLB.com's Top 250 player evaluations.
Bryce Rainer led Harvard-Westlake to the Southern Section Division 1 championship game this spring, batting .511 with 36 runs and 17 stolen bases. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
1. Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)
Considered among the top 10 players in the country at the start of the spring, Rainer has moved to the top of the list after a strong senior high school season. Bigger and stronger this year, he could be the top high school player chosen in the draft, possibly going in the top 10. Should be able to stick at shortstop due to his strong arm and power at the plate.
2. Theo Gillen, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Gillen's hitting ability makes him an attractive first-round prospect. A shortstop in high school, Gillen likely moves to second base due to shoulder injury as a sophomore that has diminished his arm strength. Also has excellent speed, making him too good to pass up in the first round. Could go among the last five picks of the first round.
3. Kellon Lindsey, Hardee (Wauchula, Fla.)
Lindsey is one of the fastest rising high school players in the draft. Not considered a first-day pick prior to the spring, Lindsey has moved up to become a possible first-round pick thanks to excellent speed. Power hitting is a weakness but he has plenty of potential to add strength to his 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. Will likely go at the end of the first round or early in the second.
4. Wyatt Sanford, Independence (Frisco, Texas)
One of the top high school fielding shortstops, Sanford will be drafted for his defense. He doesn't have the offensive ability of Rainer or Gillen, but he has better speed and fielding ability than either of them. Look for Sanford to go early in the second round.
5. Tyson Lewis, Millard West (Omaha, Neb.)
Another prep with good speed and a strong arm who has moved up into the top two rounds thanks to an excellent spring. The state player of the year in Nebraska, Lewis has also improved his power hitting over the spring. His speed is the selling point, however. Lewis likely goes in the middle of the second round.
6. Carter Johnson, Oxford (Ala.)
Johnson doesn't have any one skill that is remarkably better than the other, but he is not deficient in any one either. His arm and his ability to hit for average might be Johnson's most attractive qualifies, according to scouts. Did not quite match his junior season this spring, but still earned all-state honors. Should go near the middle of the second round.
7. Luke Dickerson, Morris Knolls (Rockaway, N.J.)
Another fast riser thanks to a record-breaking spring. Dickerson tied the state record in New Jersey for home runs with 18, equalling Millville great Mike Trout. Dickerson's 18 home runs were four more than any other player in the country. In addition to hitting for power, Dickerson has some of the best speed at the shortstop position. Could go near end of second round.
8. Caleb Bonemer, Okemos (Mich.)
Look for Bonemer to go midway through the third round. He has shown a strong arm and good power but will need to improve his batting for average.
9. J.D. Dix, Whitefish Bay (Wis.)
Dix has strong fielding skills and a better than average arm, making him a good prospect for teams looking for a defensive shortstop. He hasn't shown much power yet but a shoulder injury has possibly limited his ability to hit for extra bases. Look for him to go somewhere around the middle of the third round.
10. Tyler Bell, Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.)
Bell may be one of the top fielding prep shortstops in the draft, utilizing a strong arm and excellent glove skills to go somewhere in the third round. Hitting skills and a lack of power are the only thing holding Bell back from rising to the second round.
