You’ve had a chance to read through the cream of the crop of the MLB 2019 draft. By now you should be acquainted with just about everyone who’ll be drafted on Day One, but now it’s time to go deeper. Here is how we ranked prospects 51-100. Ralph Lifshitz, Kyler Peterson, Matt Thompson, Anthony Franco, and Tom Mussa gathered again to debate how these guys shake out and this is the result.
If you’re interested in listening to that quintet predict how the first round is going to shake out, be sure to head here.
2019 MLB Draft Prospects 51-100
51. Noah Song, RHP Navy - The top senior sign in the country, Song’s Naval commitment might keep teams waiting for a few years before they have an opportunity to get their hands on him. Had it not been for the service requirements, Song might have gone in the late first round. Armed with arguably the best fastball in the class, Song has been a regular on D1 Baseball’s Heat Sheet. His secondaries have taken a step forward this year, with his curveball flashing plus at times.
52. Hunter Barco, LHP Bolles HS (FL) - The top left-handed prep arm in the draft, Barco burst onto the map as an underclassman over the summer of 2017, flashing a nasty three-pitch-mix on the mound, and a power bat at the plate. An inconsistent showcase circuit in 2018 and a dip in velocity dropped Barco on draft boards. He has rebounded this spring and his fastball was back, with improved slider shape in tow.
53. Matt Wallner, OF Southern Mississippi - At one time Wallner was a dynamic two-way player that was up to 95 mph on the mound. Following a forearm strain, Wallner seemed to have put the days of pitching behind him, leaving a power-hitting corner outfielder with some hit tool concerns. Due to his two-way history and previous injury, there could be untapped potential in his bat.
54. Trejyn Fletcher, OF Deering HS (ME) - A quick-twitch athlete with plus power and an aggressive approach at the plate. Fletcher classified late in the process for the 2020 draft, which coupled with the poor quality of his competition in Maine has made him one of the hardest players to scout in the draft. A Vandy commit that has shown the ability to work low-to-mid-90s on the mound, Fletcher is among the 10 most exciting talents in the draft. The big question is the baseball skills.
55. Kyle Stowers, OF Stanford - A chiseled lefty power bat, with some swing and miss concerns. He had an impressive showing down the Cape over the summer of 2018, finishing third in slugging on the circuit. How high you rate Stowers is depends on how you view his future power. Average tools across the board, but it’s a bat first profile.
56. Blake Walston, LHP New Hanover HS (NC) - A projectable lefthander with plus athleticism and a three-pitch mix he can consistently land for strikes. Walston is light at 6-foot-4, 175 lbs, but he looks like he could add good weight to his athletes frame. This is key to Walston’s projection as his fastball ranges from 86-91 mph. If the lefty can add strength and get his velocity up to 91-93+ within a few years, he could develop into a mid-rotation arm. Could be a difficult sign, and he’s a project, but it’s a down year for prep lefties. The latter will work to Walston’s advantage.
57. Isaiah Campbell, RHP Arkansas - A redshirt Junior, 2019 was the breakout year many foresaw a few years ago before he was shelved with bone spurs. A low-to-mid-90s fastball, and a plus power slider lead his four pitch arsenal. He’s shown feel for his newly refined split-changeup and mixes in a fringy hook for good measure.
58. Matthew Thompson, RHP Cypress Ranch HS (TX) - A rough spring has seen Thompson tumble down rankings. He entered the year as one of the top prep arms on the class, but a drop in velocity and inconsistent shape on his breaking pitches has plagued his run up to the draft. At his best his fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s with a plus slider. The right organization with bonus pool money to spend could snag him in the compensation to second round.
59. Brooks Lee, SS San Luis Obispo (CA) - The son of Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee, Brooks has been a top performer on the California prep circuit. A switch-hitter Lee has an extremely level swing leading to a contact first profile. He’s a strong defender at short at should stick in the infield long term. Camps are split on whether or not Lee can tap into more power. If you believe Lee can find at least average game power, then he’s a top 40 player on your board.
60. Davis Wendzel, 3B Baylor - A strong all-around profile, Wendzel is a hit over power bat with strong baseball skills across the board. The sum of his parts should carry his profile, but he’ll need to find at least average home run pop to develop into anything more than a second division regular.
61. Jerrion Ealy, OF Jackson Prep HS (MISS) - Ealy vs Hampton is an excellent debate for the top athletes in the draft. Each is a standout football player, and each shows oodles of upside with some questions around polish and baseball IQ. Over the spring Hampton has lapped Ealy in almost all regards, and what was once considered a slam dunk Day 1 pick, might end up on campus at Mississippi. Blessed with natural strength, raw power, and plus speed, Ealy is already an excellent defensive outfielder, but lacks pitch recognition and approach at the plate. If a team is willing to gamble on upside, Ealy will earn a payday.
62. Ryan Zeferjahn, RHP Kansas - A power-arm out of Kansas, Zeferjahn was part of the same Kansas prep class that produced Joey Wentz and Riley Pint. He has added several ticks to his fastball since his prep days and now possesses arguably the best fastball in the draft. An offering that works mid 90s, touching 97 on occasion, with run and life. He pairs the heat with a pair of secondaries that flash plus at times in his slider and changeup. His mechanics are inconsistent and it’s led to difficulty throwing strikes. Lots of reliever risk in Zeferjahn’s profile.
63. Matt Canterino, RHP Rice - A high floor righty with a unorthodox delivery. Canterino lifts his hand with the ball still hidden in his glove, timed almost perfectly with his leg lift before cocking back his arm to begin his motion toward the plate. It’s unique and quirky but he repeats it well. Out of the stretch, Canterino starts at a squat and delivers with a toned down variation of his unique glove motion before a quick move toward the plate. Armed with a four-pitch mix highlighted by a low-90s fastball and Slider, the right-hander been a consistent performer during his time at Rice, and projects as a back-end rotation arm.
64. Bryce Osmond, Jenks HS (OK) - An Oklahoma State commit with a low 90s fastball, a plus slider and a starters frame. He doesn’t repeat his motion very well, and his arm motion is violent. An upside arm for a team looking for a risk-reward project. There’s an outside chance that Osmond is taken as a shortstop, but the majority of teams prefer him as a pitcher.
65. Tommy Henry, LHP Michigan - The Wolverines ace, Henry is a high-floor college starter with a track record. A three-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball and a slider that plays up due to feel. The knock on Henry seems to be consistency, and this was the case down the Cape last summer as well as throughout his junior season in Ann Arbor.
66. Jimmy Lewis, RHP Lake Travis HS (TX) - A tall projectable strike-thrower that added a few ticks onto the fastball this season, sitting low-90s and touching 95. He mixes an above-average breaking ball and a changeup he’s shown feel for. HIs 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame projects to add good weight, while maintaining his above average athleticism. Clean mechanics and a bigger frame, shot to develop into innings eater.
67. Josh Wolf, St. Thomas HS (TX) - A flamethrower with a nasty curveball to match, the Texas A&M commit has a projectable frame and command issues. One of the best one-two punches in the prep class, Wolf looks like a high-octane arm that could end up a filthy pen arm. That’s not such a bad thing any longer.
68. John Doxakis, LHP Texas A&M - A control and deception lefty that’s among the best strike throwers in the class. Below average fastball, and average secondaries. A safe college profile with backend upside.
69. Drew Mendoza, 3B Florida State - A power-hitting corner infielder with pedigree dating back to his prep days. Mendoza can hit and shows big power in games. His biggest knock has always been his ability to stick at third. It’s unlikely he does, meaning a switch across the diamond is in the cards. Mendoza’s bat should profile well at first base.It’s not the fastest bat, and it’s more leverage and strength that drive his power, leading to some questions about how his power will translate in the upper minors.
70. Evan Fitterer, RHP Aliso Niguel HS (CA) - Another projectable right-hander, this time from the California prep ranks. A UCLA commit, Fitterer has a ton of projection in both his stuff and frame. He’s struggled to maintain his best velocity from start to start, but his arsenal is led by a plus curveball, in addition to a fringe/average changeup, and a two-seam variation of his fastball.
71. Jack Kochanowicz, RHP Harriton HS (PA) - Players from the Northeast often develop later than their warm weather counterparts. Kochanowicz is a projectable right hander from the Pennsylvania prep ranks, he’s a big at 6-foot-6, 220 lbs, with a pro-style body already. His pitch-mix is not as nearly advanced. His fastball sits high-80s-to-low-90s, and he mixes a curveball and a changeup, but none of the trio flashes plus at the moment. A true project for whichever club selects him.
72. Bryant Packard, OF East Carolina - An early season wrist injury is likely behind the drop in Packard’s power this spring, but his track record speaks for itself. A dominant sophomore season followed by a strong showing down the Cape, Packard has shown the ability to consistently hit quality opponents. It’s a corner outfield, first base type profile, but he has the bat to fit the role.
73. Josh Smith, SS LSU - A sum of his parts player that’s a bag of 50s across the board. His hit tool is his strongest asset and led to a good season in 2019, coming off a back injury that cut his sophomore season to just six games. The offensive catalyst for the Tigers, Smith led the team in average, on-base percentage, and steals. Not an athletic defender, but he has solid hands and good movements at short. High-floor lefty bat with an SEC track record. Smith might never be a star, but he’s one of the more underrated college players in the draft.
74. Riley Cornelio, RHP Pine Creek HS (CO) - So far the high school righties have lacked some funkiness, Cornelio brings that in spades. Lots of moving parts, and three-quarters arm slot, and effort throughout his delivery, it leads to some concerns regarding his ability to throw strikes, but also plays up his arsenal do to the deception his motion creates. For the most part he balances the two well and the movement on his pitches more than makes up for it. Mixes a low-90s fastball with two breaking balls, the best of which is a low-80s slider, and a changeup. Just raw enough that you can dream on the upside, but with enough polish to take to a strong player development organization like a fish to water.
75. Will Holland, SS Auburn - A very strong showing down the Cape following a breakout sophomore season saw Holland rising up draft boards heading into the season. Then disaster struck. Holland hit .249/.378/.420, and that’s with a late season hot streak included. It was truly a disastrous first two months for Holland’s stock. Prior to this season Holland had shown feel to hit, with average or better raw power. But this year the contact issues that lurked in his strikeout rate haunted him. Which Holland will we see in the pro ranks?
76. Ethan Hearn, C Mobile Christian HS (AL) - A hard-nosed catching prospect, who’s strong frame, big arm and raw power make him one of the top prep catchers in the draft. Teams are reportedly in love with his makeup and leadership qualities. His receiving needs work, but he fits the modern catching prototype to a tee, and at worst he’s a lefty bat with pop.
77. Andrew Dalquist, RHP Redondo Union HS (CA) - An advanced strike-thrower, who’s shown good feel for a trio of pitches, Dalquist lacks the upside of Wolf, Lewis, Kochanowicz or Fitterer, but he makes up for it with pitchability, and loose, clean mechanics. Fastball sits low-90s, mixing it with a pair of fringe/average secondaries in his breaking ball and changeup.
78. Graeme Stinson, LHP Duke - Stinson was a standout early in Cape season in 2018, he joined the national team later in the summer and exhibited some of the best stuff in the 2019 college class. Stretched out as a starter heading into 2019, Stinson paired a nasty mid-90s fastball with movement and a double plus slider, possibly the best pitch in the draft when he’s right. Unfortunately it went as quickly as it came. Early in the season Stinson’s fastball velocity dropped to the high-80s. He was shutdown in March and has not pitched snice. Serious health concerns have seen Stinson’s stock drop from the top of the draft to the backend of the second round-early third.
79. Spencer Jones, LHP/1B La Costa Canyon HS (CA) - A tall lanky lefty, Jones has one of the highest release points for a prep pitcher in recent memory. At six-foot-seven, Jones gets good depth on his 12-6 curveball. His fastball sits 89-93 and can touch the mid-90s. Jones suffered a small elbow fracture which kept him off the mound for most of the 2019 season. He’s a two-way player and is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball at Vanderbilt. He’s an athletic kid that controls the strike zone well and has above average power potential as he fills out. There are some signibilty concerns here so look for him to be connected to teams with big bonus pools.
80. Dominic Fletcher, OF Arkansas - Fletcher is the type of player your grandfather would love. None of the tools are off the charts, he’s not a great athlete, and he looks to put the ball in play. An excellent defender, Fletcher profile is dinged by his average to below average footspeed, though his ability in the outfield is plus because of instincts and strong throwing arm. At the plate he’s a contact-oriented hitter with gap power. Fletcher’s biggest knock offensively is his low walk rate, something that could boost his overall profile with a lack of an elite tool. His power production has increased each year at Arkansas, and Fletcher’s strong wrists point to more power in the profile.
81. Cade Doughty, 3B Denham Springs HS (LA) - There are some questions here about how much power he will have down the road, but you have to love the rest of his game. The Louisiana State commit has good hands, a plus arm and enough range to stick on the infield. He has strong feel for the barrel and should posses a future plus hit tool with good plate skills. There’s more power in the profile here and it will be up to the club to draw it out of him.
82. Dasan Brown, OF Abbey Park HS (CAN) - An 80-grade runner, Brown is also one of the most athletic players in the 2019 draft class. He projects as a plus defender in center due to his speed and instincts. Power will not be a major part of his offensive game but does have some physical projection remaining. He’s raw and needs to work on hitting breaking balls. He has a commitment to Texas A&M.
83. Ivan Johnson, SS Chipola JC - A switch-hitting middle infielder with plus raw power, Johnson transferred to Chipola after struggling his freshman season at the University of Georgia. Strikeouts plagued him during his one season at Georgia, and there’s still some cause for concern based on the length of his swing and some questions about his ability to handle spin. Likely to move off short, but has the hands and actions to stick in infield.
84. Nick Quintana, 3B Arizona - The Red Sox drafted Quintana in the 11th round in 2016 but he obviously did not sign. The former prep shortstop has moved to third since arriving in Tucson, he’s taken to the position well and his strong arm plays at the hot corner. He’s an all fields line drive hitter with above average raw, but the high strikeout rates hinder his ability to tap into the power consistently. A poor showcase circuit casts some doubt on his ability to hit with wood.
85. Christian Cairo, SS Cavalry Christian HS (FL) - The son of former big league utility man Miguel Cairo, Christian has an above average hit tool and a strong feel for the game. The undersized righty won’t ever hit for much power due to his five-foot-nine frame, but is a line-drive hitter and an average runner. With no stand out tool there’s a solid chance Cairo ends up in Baton Rouge with the Tigers next year.
86. Ben Brecht, LHP UC Santa Barbara - A big lefty standing 6-foot-7 (doesn’t it feel like all the lefties are huge in this draft?), with an above-average fastball with an inconsistent velocity band and a pair of average secondaries. He uses his size to his advantage and his entire arsenal plays up due to his advanced feel and deception.
87. Tyler Baum, RHP North Carolina - Three-pitch guy with low-90s fastball, a curveball and a change. Baum nearly cut his walk rate in half this year while heading a strong Tar Heel rotation. He projects as a back-end starter but could be a late-game reliever if either of his secondaries take a step forward.
88. Chris Newell, OF Malvern Prep HS (PA) - A toolsy power-bat with the ability to play center, Newell looks to elevate early and often in the count, leading to some approach issues. Serious hit tool questions, not much of track record, and an aggressive approach that leads to swing and miss.
89. Ryne Nelson, RHP Oregon - The Ducks had designs of converting Nelson into a starter following two seasons as a two-way player, often serving as the team’s closer and shortstop during his sophomore season. He made four starts in the rotation to begin the season, but it went poorly and he was moved back into the bullpen. That’s not to say the right team couldn’t straighten out some of Nelson’s control issues, and there are many that believe they can I’m sure. The combination of a plus-plus fastball that touches triple digits with a plus slider at the very least makes him a viable bullpen guy. If a team can harness his stuff, Nelson offers as much upside as any arm at this point.
90. Yordys Valdes, SS McArthur HS (FL) - One of the top middle infield defenders in the class, Valdes is a glove-first prep player with a raw switch-hitting profile. There’s very little power in Valdes sub-6-foot frame, and it’s just an average contact skillset.
91. Zack Hess, RHP LSU - Hess had a tough year health wise in 2019, and bounced back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen for the Tigers in between groin injuries. There are some concerns with the delivery that make him a better fit out of the bullpen and his mid-90s fastball has jumped up to 98 in short stints. He also throws a slider and a changeup, and the slider has a chance to be a plus pitch out of the bullpen. If he is to remain in the rotation the changeup needs to improve and he needs to be more efficient.
92. Brandon Williamson, LHP TCU - A 6-foot-6 lefty that transferred to TCU prior to the season following a couple of seasons at North Iowa Area CC. The athleticism and size is a foundation to dream on, but his lack of a true plus pitch, and a trio of fringe secondaries limits his upside.
93. Matt Cronin, LHP Arkansas - A nasty power lefty, Cronin sits mid-90s on his heat, while mixing a true plus curveball. Cronin is a relief-only prospect and has been used effectively in that role for the Razorbacks. Misses tons of bats, but misses his spots with similar frequency. If Cronin is to make it as the rare relief-only prospect out of the draft he’ll need to tighten his control.
94. Tyler Fitzgerald, SS Louisville - Tall, athletic shortstop. Has shown major improvements including in the power department this season. Plus runner.
95. Drake Fellows, RHP Vanderbilt - Vanderbilt’s Friday night starter the last two years, Fellows can get the fastball up to 93-94 with a plus slider and fringe change. I think he fits best in a relief role where is below average command won’t be as big of an issue, and he can lean hard on his slider which he locates more consistently than his fastball or change. Look for a team big on spin rates to take a shot on the six-foot-five arm.
96. Cameron Cannon, 3B/2B/SS Arizona - Cannon had a very solid showing down the Cape over the summer, making the All-Star game, and having one of the stronger statistical showings among the Falmouth lineup. Cannon’s approach is pull heavy, with an aggressive leg kick that engages his lower half. Clean load, quick hands, and a little more raw power than he’s given credit for. Greatest strength of Cannon’s game is his approach, throughout 144 games with Arizona Cannon has walked as much or more than he’s struck out, with a career career K-BB of 0.74.
97. Will Robertson OF Creighton - Robertson is an intriguing prospect coming off a strong sophomore season and solid junior year. Robertson has a good hit tool that he flashed in both years but has more recently been a pull approach hitter leading to more strikeouts than his sophomore year. He has an athletic frame at 6’2” 210 but seems to be filled out at this point. Robertson has a open stance where he rests his weight heavy on his back leg. Leading to an average leg kick that starts his swing. Robertson has good bat speed with loft leading to good power in his bat that isn’t just all pull power. If Robertson can change his approach to be able to use his power and loft to all fields, he could be a promising prospect in the future.
98. Alec Marsh, RHP Arizona State University - A junior who turned in a strong season after struggling in his first two seasons, Marsh is a good makeup kid who relies on a four-seam fastball (91-95 mph), a curveball and a slider. He has a changeup but it doesn’t get much usage. The big step for Marsh is to develop his breakers, as he’s accustomed to using his fastball at reliever-like levels.There are some command issues present but he powered through them as the team’s Friday night starter. He’s got a classic starter’s frame with some effort at the finish. If he lands with an organization known for maximizing breakers, he could surprise.
99. Sammy Faltine, RHP/SS Fort Bend Travis HS (TX) - One of the top two-way players in the country, Faltine has played every position in the field but catcher and pitcher. On the mound Faltine mixes four pitches led by his live low-90s fastball, a pair of breaking balls, and a changeup. In the field, Faltine is a solid defender with the ability to play up the middle whether in the infield or outfield. At the plate it’s a contact focused approach with below average raw and average speed. His plus athleticism should allow him to flourish in whatever role he pursues.
100. Zach Watson, OF LSU - A strong centerfield defender with above average tools and the ability to hit for contact and run. Watson’s swing has some quirks that draw away from his raw power, leading to below average power in games. His approach at the plate leaves something to be desired as well, as he’s posted below average walk rates and tends to get aggressive early in the count.