2013 MLB Draft Profiles: 3B Colin Moran

Despite the presence of Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indians are definitely considering drafting a third basemen in the 2013 MLB Draft. In his first mock draft (ESPN Insider only), Keith Law predicts that the Tribe will select North Carolina Tar Heel Colin Moran, praised by many as the best bat in the entire class.

Moran burst onto the collegiate scene as a freshman with incredible overall numbers. His slash line of .335/.442/.540 in 2011 is fantastic alone. But when you examine his statistics even deeper – 13 more walks than strikeouts in 301 plate appearances, 9 home runs, and an ACC leading 71 RBIs – it’s easy to get excited about Moran.

While his sophomore year was less impressive, Moran has proved he is still growing as a player in 2013, blowing away those 2011 numbers with an absolutely phenomenal stat line (once again from College Splits):

What stands out more than the 13 homers and .376 batting average in 210 at bats is the absolutely phenomenal walk rate. This year, he has walked nearly three times as many times as he’s struck out. Moran would fit in well in an Indians system that seems to value on-base percentage and plate discipline so highly.

The main question mark with Moran seems to be his defensive potential – he may not be a long-term fit at third, and a move to first may be in his major league future.

If his bat and plate discipline translate well in the majors, Moran has the potential to be one of the best players selected in the 2013 Draft. The swing is there, the eye is there, and he has a decent amount of power for a player at this stage in his career.

While he may not be the flashiest player with the highest upside, Colin Moran may be the safest pick in the entire draft. With his skills, it’s easy to predict that he’ll have a successful career in Major League Baseball.