Cleveland Indians: A look ahead to the 2018 MLB Draft
By David Gasper
Recently, MLB Pipeline expanded their top draft prospects list from 50 to 100 and I encourage you to check it out. Here are some of the top names in this year’s draft class.
Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
Most consider Mize to be the best prospect in this draft. He’s got three plus pitches in his arsenal and commands them well. He pounds the zone and gets a ton of strikeouts. Mize is playing in his junior season at Auburn and the SEC is one of the most competitive baseball conferences in the country.
He can reach the upper nineties with his fastball and is a bulldog on the mound. He could be a quick riser to the big leagues as an advanced college pitcher.
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Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
Florida just has a knack for pumping out high quality pitching talent. After Alex Faedo last year and AJ Puk the year before, the Gators have a great pitching program. Singer is just the latest top pitcher to come out of that program. Coming in at a tall 6’5″ and slender 180 pounds, Singer can send it up there with a mid to upper nineties fastball and a devastating slider to follow.
With a developing changeup, Singer will possess three plus pitches and, like Mize, is a bulldog on the mound that could rise quickly through the minor league system of whatever team he goes to.
Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West (WI) HS
Typically, Wisconsin isn’t seen as a powerhouse when it comes to developing baseball talent, but Kelenic has just been able to dominate in his high school career. The left handed outfielder has a commitment to the University of Louisville. Kelenic has a combination of power and speed that makes him a very special talent.
He could stay as a center fielder where his value is highest, but has the tools to move to the corner outfield as well. He’s been getting some buzz lately as potentially a dark horse first overall pick.
In all likelihood, none of these three will be available for the Indians at the 29th overall pick. Let’s look at some players who might be there for the Tribe on the first night of the draft.