2021 MLB Draft Top 50 Prospects: 1-10

[Andrew Thares]

Here they are, the crème de la crème of the 2021 MLB Draft Class. Pay close attention to these names, as they are likely some of the future stars of the sport.

10. Sal Frelick, Boston College

Pos: OF | B/T: L/R | Height: 5' 9" | Weight: 175 lbs | Age: 21

Previously Drafted: Never

Scouting Grades

Hit: 60 Power: 45 Run: 65 Throw: 50 Field: 60 Overall: 55

Boston College outfielder Sal Frelick had a great start to his college career, as he slashed .367/.447/.513 and stole 18 bases in 39 games and was named a Freshman All-American by D1Baseball.com, Collegiate Baseball News and Perfect Game in 2019. After not having a great start to 2020, before the pandemic ended the season, Frelick bounced back with his best season yet, and presumably finished his college career with a .345/.435/.521 slash line.

Frelick is one of the best pure hitters in this draft, though his small frame holds him back in the power department, as he hit just 12 home runs in his college career. In addition to his bat, Frelick leverages his best feature, which is his speed, in both the outfield and on the basepaths. This combination of hitting ability, defensive ability, and college production in a good conference are the reasons why he is so high up on draft boards, despite the lack of power.

9. Brady House, Winder-Barrow HS, GA

Pos: SS/3B | B/T: R/R | Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 210 lbs | Age: 18

Commitment: Tennessee

Scouting Grades

Hit: 50 Power: 65 Run: 50 Throw: 70 Field: 55 Overall: 55

When looking at a diamond filled with the best high school players in the country, the first guy that catches your eye likely will be Brady House from Winder-Barrow HS in Georgia. House is literally a man amongst boys at the high school level and has power that only a couple of other prospects in this class (high school or college) can match. In addition to his power, House is also a decent hitter with a great approach at the plate, but he can be swing-and-miss prone at times. If he can keep that from holding him back, House should have no trouble becoming a perennial 30+ home run a year guy.

In the field, House is a solid defender at shortstop, despite his size. While he is not the quickest guy out there, House can still cover ground well. However, if a move to third is in his future, House should have no troubles adapting to the position. House also has one of the strongest, if not the strongest, arm of any position player in this class, and is clocked in the mid-90s on the mound.

8. Colton Cowser, Sam Houston State

Pos: OF | B/T: L/R | Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 195 lbs | Age: 21

Previously Drafted: Never

Scouting Grades

Hit: 65 Power: 55 Run: 55 Throw: 55 Field: 55 Overall: 55

Colton Cowser is yet another highly ranked college prospect that comes from a rather unheralded university. However, don’t let the name on the front of the jersey fool you, Cowser is an all-around stud. Cowser had an incredible three-year run at Sam Houston State, but he undoubtedly saved his best performance for last, as in 55 games this spring, Cowser slashed .374/.490/.680 with 16 home runs and 17 stolen bases. While it might be easy to chalk up Cowser’s offensive numbers to poor competition, playing in the Southland Conference, but Cowser did impress while playing for team USA back in 2019.

In addition to his performance at the plate, Cowser is also a strong defender who can hold his own in center. At this point, it is hard to tell if Cowser will remain in centerfield long-term, as that might depend on the organization he ends up in, but if he has to move to a corner, Cowser will be a plus defender there, and could always play center when called upon, in a simal role that Max Kepler plays on the Twins now.

7. Henry Davis, Louisville

Pos: C | B/T: R/R | Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 210 lbs | Age: 21

Previously Drafted: Never

Scouting Grades

Hit: 65 Power: 55 Run: 50 Throw: 70 Field: 50 Overall: 60

In a draft class that lacks depth among college position players at the top, Henry Davis is likely viewed by many teams as the best college bat available, and tops off my list as well. As a catcher, Davis possesses an offensive skill set that is rarely seen at the position. After a so-so freshman season in 2019, Davis went on an offensive tear these past two seasons at Louisville, as he slashed .370/.482/.670 with 18 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 64 games.

Behind the plate, Davis’s best trait is his howitzer of an arm that more than keeps base stealers in check. Despite this, Davis is not considered to be one of the better defensive catchers in the draft, as some even think a move out from catcher could be in his future. However, even if that happens Davis’s bat should still make him a viable option at less valuable defensive positions.

6. Kahlil Watson, Wake Forest HS, NC

Pos: SS | B/T: R/R | Height: 5' 9" | Weight: 180 lbs | Age: 18

Commitment: North Carolina State

Scouting Grades

Hit: 60 Power: 50 Run: 60 Throw: 55 Field: 55 Overall: 60

While Kahlil Watson does not get the hype that a Marcelo Mayer or Jordan Lawlar get (still to come), there is not a lot that separates Watson from those two, and I would not be surprised if one day he is looked back on as the best of the group, this kid is that good. There is not one trait that Watson has that stands out from anyone else in this class, but he is above average to plus across the board and is a true five tool player.

Watson does not have the size to generate a lot of power, but what he does have is an athletically explosive swing that generates a lot of bat speed to make up for that. At short, Watson can make some incredible plays at times that highlight his defensive potential, but he can be a little inconsistent at times with the routine plays. This will need to be cleaned up as he makes his way up through the minors.

5. Jackson Jobe, Heritage Hall HS, OK

Pos: RHP | Height: 6’2” | Weight: 190 lbs | Age: 18

Commitment: Ole Miss

Scouting Grades

Fastball: 60 Curveball: 50 Slider: 70 Changeup: 65 Control: 50 Overall: 60

High school right-handed pitchers have had a tough time finding their way up draft boards in recent years, as team’s have noticed the relatively poor track record they have had at the top due to so much risk. In the last two drafts, none were selected in the top 10 and only Mick Able and Quinn Priester were selected in the top 20. Jackson Jobe has a chance to change that this season, as he has so much potential it is hard to imagine teams drafting later in the top 10 passing on him if he falls to them.

So, what makes Jobe so special? The answer is stuff, stuff and more stuff. While many top high school pitching prospects in the past have vaulted their way up as a result of lighting up the radar gun to near, or sometimes passing, triple-digits, that is not the case for Jobe. Don’t get me wrong, Jobe has a plus fastball that sits mid-90s with life. However, that is clearly his third best pitch, as his slider and changeup are individually two of the best pitches in the entire draft class. Jobe is certainly a top 5 talent in this class, the question is, where will a team eventually pull the trigger on him?

4. Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt

Pos: RHP | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 255 lbs | Age: 21

Previously Drafted: 38th Round, 2018 (COL)

Scouting Grades

Fastball: 60 Slider: 75 Changeup: 55 Control: 50 Overall: 60

Kumar Rocker was a big name coming out of high school back in 2018, as I had him ranked as the 14th best prospect in that draft. However, sign ability concerns caused teams to pass on Rocker, and he eventually was taken in the 38th round by the Colorado Rockies.

Rocker went on to play ball at Vanderbilt where he had a tremendous college career. As a freshman in 2019, he helped lead Vandy to a College World Series Championship. On the way, Rocker threw a 19-strikeout no-hitter in the Super Regionals against Duke and then had a great performance in Game 2 of the championship series against Michigan with Vandy’s season on the line. For his career, Rocker had an ERA of just 2.89 and struck out 321 batters in 236 and 2/3 innings pitched.

Coming out of high school, Rocker’s best pitch was arguably his fastball. However, as he has progressed, Rocker’s slider is clearly his best pitch and is without question the breaking ball in the entire draft class. Rocker has also developed a quality changeup at Vanderbilt.

3. Jack Leiter, Vanderbilt

Pos: RHP | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 21

Previously Drafted: 20th Round, 2019 (NYY)

Scouting Grades

Fastball: 65 Curveball: 65 Slider: 55 Changeup: 55 Control: 50 Overall: 60

The other half of the Vanderbilt dynamic-duo at the top of their rotation is son of former MLB All-Star Al Leiter, and like Rocker was a top draft prospect coming out of high school. However, Leiter was a year behind Rocker and was my 29th ranked prospect in the 2019 draft. The narrative on Leiter has certainly changed since then, as he has more than proven me wrong when I said, “hard to imagine him ever becoming a top of the rotation starting pitcher” as he has more than shown that not to be the case in his short time at Vanderbilt.

After a brief glimpse of what he could be in four appearances in 2020, Leiter put on a show this spring as he threw 110 innings across 18 starts with an ERA of just 2.13. The most impressive part, however, were the incredible 179 punchouts that tied teammate Kumar Rocker for the most in Division 1 college baseball this spring. 

A big reason for his leap forward was the uptick in velocity. Coming into the 2019 draft, Leiter only sat in the low-90s and occasionally touched the mid-90s. Now Leiter sits comfortably in the mid-90s and has touched as high as 98 MPH. He has also developed the rest of his repertoire, and now features potentially three plus secondary pitches that are highlighted by his curveball.

2. Jordan Lawlar, Jesuit Prep, TX

Pos: SS | B/T: R/R | Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 185 lbs | Age: 18

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Scouting Grades

Hit: 60 Power: 55 Run: 60 Throw: 60 Field: 55 Overall: 60

In a draft with no true consensus number one pick, Jordan Lawlar likely ranks as the top prospect on several teams’ boards. However, the question is, who do the Pittsburgh Pirates have ranked as their number one prospect? From a skill perspective, Lawlar is a lot like Kahlil Watson in the sense that he does not have one true standout tool but is a more well-rounded five tool player. What separates Lawlar from Watson, is his power potential, as he could easily become a 25 home run a year guy at the next level.

Lawlar is also an excellent fielder at shortstop, where his athleticism and big arm give him the range and arm strength needed to play the position and stick there long-term. Lawlar has had his name near the top of 2021 draft boards for a couple years now and has done nothing but live up to that early hype. Now the question is, will Lawlar live up to that hype as a professional?

1. Marcelo Mayer, Eastlake HS, CA

Pos: SS | B/T: L/R | Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 180 lbs | Age: 18

Commitment: Southern California

Scouting Grades

Hit: 65 Power: 55 Run: 50 Throw: 60 Field: 65 Overall: 60

Marcelo Mayer is an elite prospect out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, the same high school that 2019 Twins first round pick Keoni Cavaco attended. As a prospect, Mayer is not quite the athlete that Jordan Lawlar is, but he is every bit the baseball player and maybe more. When it comes to looking natural on the diamond, Mayer is about as good as it gets. Mayer has a silky-smooth swing that only a left-handed hitter can have. It does not generate a lot of pop, but there is certainly some power potential in there.

The only thing that looks better than Mayer’s swing is watching him play out in the field at short. While he might not have the greatest range, Mayer makes up for it with his playmaking ability. There is not a bad hop, or a tough throwing angle that he doesn’t look completely comfortable making.

Rest of the 2021 MLB Draft Top 50

2021 MLB Draft Top 50 Prospects: 11-20

2021 MLB Draft Top 50 Prospects: 21-30

2021 MLB Draft Top 50 Prospects: 31-40

2021 MLB Draft Top 50 Prospects: 41-50

View full article

[roger]

The only two I would have an interest seeing drop to the Twins are the two Vandy pitchers.  And that ain't gonna happen.  The rest are all HS or college bats and the Twins need pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

Maybe those in the Twins FO should remember Tom Kelly's old belief, "you are only as good as your next day's starting pitcher."

[MN_ExPat]

Here's hoping (personally) that the Twins draft a college arm in the first round.  Just feel that there is enough of them to warrant the pick, however I am biased toward House out of Winder-Barrow HS (for the guys off this list).  He's a legit talent who almost singlehandedly carried his team deep into the state playoffs this year.

[Lucas Seehafer PT]

9 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

Here's hoping (personally) that the Twins draft a college arm in the first round.  Just feel that there is enough of them to warrant the pick, however I am biased toward House out of Winder-Barrow HS (for the guys off this list).  He's a legit talent who almost singlehandedly carried his team deep into the state playoffs this year.

I'm interested to see what the F.O. does. Their track record clearly indicates that they love college boppers and toolsy, hit-tool oriented prep shortstops in the first round. They usually spring on college arms in the 3-5th rounds. Pitching will always be a need, but the farm system could really use an influx of hitting talent, imo. Personally, I'd go either college bat or college pitcher first.

[1991]

MLB draft is a huge crap shoot.  Luck is what a team needs when drafting.

[Shs_2]

It is not a huge crapshoot

It takes , skilled scouting and people that know what they're doing

I'm so sick of its a "huge crapshoot" Reterick around here .... Dodgers consistantly work , manipulate and draft strongly you think it's coincidence  ?  Lol

Stop already with that nonsense 

If you miss in 2010 on levi michael

You need to hit the prior yr and the following yr at minimum ...twins have not exactly done this. 

I'm sure there are people in the Twins org. With databases that show History of every pick since '99 or '01 

We ve had great drafts like 06

And 2011

I think 2012 too

But far too many Levi Michael , Parmelee/ Benson

KOHL Stewart years

[jimbo92107]

Keep drafting big college pitchers, athletic infielders, and guys that can really hit. 

[TNtwins85]

The Twins need to start drafting pitchers in the first 2 rounds period! Kohl Stewart was the right choice when he was drafted. You don’t win the lottery if you never buy a ticket. 

[twinssporto]

College pitchers PLEASE.