2017 MLB Draft Video Spotlights (Vol. 4): Top Pitchers

Bl;ayne Enlow, Perfect Game, MLB Draft, MLB Draft pitching prospects

Feature Photo: Blayne Enlow, RHP, St. Amant (LA) HS

 

Last week, I highlighted draft-eligible prep talent from my home state of California. This week I take a look at group of high school pitchers scattered across the rest of the country, all of which are potential first-round selections. With a growing amount of quality prep talent popping up across the country, MLB teams have been accumulating their fair share of frequent-flyer miles evaluating this group of projectable young pitchers.

This is the fourth installment of our MLB Draft Video Spotlight series, and rest assured we’ll be keeping you up to speed with weekly updates on the top names to follow leading up to the 2017 MLB Draft on June 12.

Ed. Note: Access our 2017 MLB Draft Class Library for over 200 draft prospects to-date!.

 

2017 MLB Draft Class Video Spotlights

 

Mackenzie Gore, LHP, Whiteville (N.C.) HS | 2017 Draft Class
Ht/Wt: 6’2”/180 lbs.      B/T: L/L      Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 4m

Gore is the top left-handed prep pitcher this year after seeing his velocity jump into the middle 90s, which he has shown that he maintains deep into games. The ultra-athletic starter works with a deceptive delivery, and utilizes above-average control on all pitches. Gore’s curveball is already a plus pitch, and it’s complimented by a hard slider and diving changeup that both flash as plus offerings.

 

Shane Baz, RHP, Concordia Lutheran (TX) HS  |  2017 Draft Class
Ht/Wt: 6’3”/190           B/T: R/R           Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 0m

Baz has the deepest mix of pitches at the prep level, and the build to be a frontline starter as a pro. Baz’s fastball runs and sinks, working in the middle 90s and touching 98 on occasion. The Texas righty throws a cutter, curveball, slider and changeup, all with distinct shapes and all of which grade out as  above-average offerings. When his control is on, he’s a nightmare for opposing hitters.


 

Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville (MN) HS  |  2017 Draft Class
Ht/Wt: 6’4”/195 lbs.   B/T: R/R           Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft) 18y, 6m

Carlson is looking to become the first ever Minnesota prep right-hander to be selected in the first round, as he’s crept up draft boards all year. The large-framed, athletic righty shows above-average command of a sinking fastball that explodes into the zone, working 93-to-97 mph. This season, Carlson has shown advanced feel for pitching, utilizing a hard slider and plus changeup, throwing both for strikes in any count.

 

D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta (GA) HS  |  2017 Draft Class
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/190 lbs.      B/T: L/L          Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft) 18y, 3m

Hall will battle Gore to be the first left-handed prep pitcher selected in this year’s draft. The solidly-built lefty utilizes command of a 90-to-93 mph fastball and backs it up with a hard-breaking,  plus-graded curveball. For Hall to reach his true potential, he’ll need to continue to utilize his changeup, but that shouldn’t be an issue as the pitch is already an average pitch with flashes of above average movement.

 

Blayne Enlow, RHP, St. Amant (LA) HS  |  2017 Draft Class
Ht/Wt: 6’4”/180 lbs.        B/R: R/R           Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft) 18y, 2m

Tall and lean with a projectable frame, Enlow used a strong summer on the showcase circuit to propel himself into Day One consideration. Enlow gets good extension off the rubber and his fastball sits in the low 90s, and it’s complemented it by a hard 12-to-6 curveball. Though he’s committed to LSU presently, Enlow should be selected high enough to make it unlikely that he sets foot on the campus.

 

 

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