Video: Hagen Danner hits two home runs
See the Huntington Beach standout go yard in a win over Orange Lutheran.The National High School Invitational annually hosts some of the top players in the country. The 2017 edition is no different, as there is a number of players who could be chosen early in the Major League Baseball Draft in June.
Here's a look at the top 10 players competing at the 2017 NHSI, which gets underway Wednesday in Cary, N.C.
Top 10 players at the NHSI most likely to be taken in the MLB draft
1. Hans Crouse, Dana Hills (Dana Point, Calif.)
One of the hardest throwers in the nation, Crouse has hit 97 mph with his fastball. Expected to go somewhere in the first round of the draft, Crouse is 2-1 on the season with 32 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. He had 12 strikeouts in a win over Trabuco Hills.
2. Brady McConnell, Merritt Island (Fla.)
Considered the top shortstop prospect in the draft, McConnell has been a fast-rising prospect in the Class of 2017, due mainly to the fact that he's grown nearly a foot since entering high school. He batted .490 last year with three home runs. He appears to have the skills necessary to stay at shortstop at the next level.
3. Jacob Heatherly, Cullman (Ala.)
A possible late first-round selection, Heatherly is considered the better pro prospect over his more decorated teammate Owen Lovell. Heatherly had a 3-2 record last year with 79 strikeouts. This year, he has struck out 44 batters in 17.1 innings and has a no-hitter to his credit.
4. Garrett Mitchell, Orange Lutheran (Calif.)
Expected to be one of the top high school outfielders selected in the draft, Mitchell has plenty of speed on defense. Offensively, he is working on his power. He had three doubles in a win over Santa Margarita last week and is batting .414 on the season.
5. Mark Vientos, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Vientos transferred to American Heritage after three seasons at Plant. He could be the top high school third baseman chosen in the draft. He's off to a hot start this season, batting .438 with a home run.
6. Alex Toral, Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
The Maverick first baseman is expected to be the top high school choice in the draft at his position. Scouts like his power-hitting abilities, but he has mostly drawn walks so far this season, as he has walked 11 times without a strikeout. Battling injuries early in the season, Toral is batting .250 with two RBIs and nine runs scored.
7. Hagen Danner, Huntington Beach (Calif.)
Considered a top pitching prospect early in his high school career, Danner is looking more and more like an everyday player thanks to his hitting ability. He has five home runs so far this year and is batting .579. He has also been solid on the mound with a 3-0 record.
8. Nick Brueser, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
One of the top power hitters in the country, Brueser could go somewhere on the second day of the draft. Already committed to Stanford, the returning Gatorade State Player of the Year has six home runs so far this season.
9. Owen Lovell, Cullman (Ala.)
Lovell probably won't be drafted until the middle rounds, but he has definitely filled up the stat book in his four-year career at Cullman. He has five home runs this season to give him 45 for his career. He also has 19 RBIs on the season, giving him 208 for his career. He's the reigning Mr. Alabama and has earned All-State honors three straight seasons.
10. Nick Pratto, Huntington Beach (Calif.)
Pratto is in his second season at Huntington Beach after playing as a freshman and sophomore at Mater Dei. He is coming on strong of late at both the plate and on the mound. He tossed a shutout against Santa Margarita last week and he has four home runs on the season, including two in a game against Los Alamitos.
