Right-hander #Hunter Greene could make history in the 2017 #Mlb Draft as the first high school pitcher to be picked No. 1 overall. The athletic Greene, who will turn 18 in August, is dubbed as the second coming of #Dwight Gooden. His fastball could reach 102 mph but he can also play shortstop with above-average hitting ability.
Scouting reports have it that Greene also has an above-average slider and changeup that can fool hitters during his stint at Notre Dame (California) High School. He has committed to join UCLA.
Continuing to improve
According to his Notre Dame High School coach Tom Dill, Greene continues to improve as a baseball player in every area.
Since his freshman year, Dill said he has seen growth in every aspect of his game.
Brendan McKay of Louisville, who could be drafted No. 2, is a two-way player who can be a starting right-handed pitcher or first baseman. Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell called him “a special player” after he hit four home runs in a game last April 25.
McKay was ACC Player of the Year and a winner of the John Olerud award as college baseball’s best two-way player in his two seasons at Louisville. He hit .357 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs in 58 games. He also tallied a 9-3 record in 15 starts, striking out 131 with an ERA of 2.31.
Kyle Wright aims to join fellow Vanderbilt alums David Price, Casey Weathers, Mike Minor and Carson Fulmer as a top-10 selection in June.
He was undrafted in 2014 out of Buckhorn High School in Alabama.
Wright had a 5-5 record in his 15 starts with an ERA of 2.98 and 113 strikeouts. He once struck out 13 Florida batters last April 14.
Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin said Wright is a combination of athletic ability and a special arm that a team can rely on in tough situations.
Other possible sleepers in the 2017 MLB Draft
Pitcher MacKenzie Gore of Whiteville High School in North Carolina is expected to go No. 4 overall in the MLB Draft. He is known for his fastball but he also has a curveball in his arsenal that helped him win nine games and struck out 132 batters last season.
Royce Lewis of JSerra Catholic High School can play shortstop and outfielder.
He is known for his speed on the basepaths and his arm strength can be a problem for hitters when he plays shortstop. Last season, he hit .429 with nine doubles and four homers. He also displayed his speed with 25 stolen bases.
The other players who could be taken in the top 10 of the Draft are outfielder Jeren Kendall of Vanderbilt, North Carolina right-hander J.B. Bukauskas, first baseman Pavin Smith of Virginia, center fielder Austin Beck of North Davidson High School in North Carolina and outfielder Adam Haseley of Virginia. The 2017 MLB Draft will be held from June 12 to 14 in Secaucus, New Jersey.
