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Fifty "Very Luhnow" College Prospects: Part I - The Hitters

With just over a month to go before the beginning of the college baseball season, which prospects should you keep an eye on as potential Astros draft picks?

By Anthony Boyer
USA TODAY Sports

It's finally 2014, and my thoughts have already turned to the 2014 MLB Draft.

In 2012 & 2013 combined, the Astros drafted 54 college baseball players - tied for third in all of Major League Baseball. The college ranks have proven friendly for Jeff Luhnow throughout his career, and this year is no exception. There are a host of fantastic college players at the head of the 2014 draft rankings, led by North Carolina State left-hander Carlos Rodon.

Over the next few months, you'll hear a ton about the guys projected to go within the first two or three rounds of the draft - the Carlos Rodons, Tyler Beedes, Trea Turners, Jacob Gatewoods, and Alex Jacksons of the world. You might not hear much at all about most of the guys on these list. They're not, generally speaking, sexy high-ceiling prospects. What they are are guys with baseball skills... exactly what Jeff Luhnow has developed a reputation for taking in the draft.

(For this exercise, I looked at players in 4-year NCAA programs. All three NCAA divisions were considered, but not players from NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA, USCAA, or any other alphabet soup organization. This particular exercise also focuses solely on 2014 juniors, so it excludes draft-eligible sophomores and seniors.)

The Hitters

1. Josh Martinez, 3B, Houston Baptist University (Great West).

Player Page

Height: 5'11" Weight: 160 lbs. High School: Cypress Christian High School (Cypress, Tex.)
Bats/Throws: S/R
Date of Birth: 5/31/93 (21.01 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 HBU GWC 19 20 60 0 0 0 4 0 .196 .293 .196 .489 11.67% 11.67% 1.00 .000
2013 HBU GWC 20 46 126 4 1 0 24 1 .371 .452 .429 .881 4.76% 14.29% 3.00 .058

Martinez is a perfect example of a player for whom this list was intended. A guy who rarely strikes out and walks a lot. He also hits for a high average (.371), which helped him throw a 0.881 OPS on the board as a sophomore, despite just 5 extra-base hits (0.058 ISO).

A legitimate switch-hitter who hits a little better from the left side, Martinez was a shortstop at Cypress Christian, but plays mostly third in college, and is a good pitcher as well. He had a good showing at the 2011 Perfect Game World Showcase, but ultimately went undrafted and went to Houston Baptist, where he's continued to exhibit excellent plate discipline and good defense at the hot corner.

2. Einar Muniz, 2B, Alabama State University (SWAC).

Player Page

Height: 5'4" Weight: 140 lbs. High School: Jefferson High School (Tampa, Fla.)
Bats/Throws: S/R
Date of Birth: 5/5/93 (21.08 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 AlaSt SWAC 19 56 240 7 1 1 25 12 .260 .342 .323 .665 5.83% 7.92% 1.36 .063
2013 AlaSt SWAC 20 42 138 4 0 0 14 1 .292 .428 .330 .758 5.07% 13.77% 2.71 .038

Oh great, I hear you saying to yourself. Another undersized second baseman. Yes, Muniz fits in the physical mold of guys like Tony Kemp and Jose Altuve. He also fits into the mold of guys who take walks and don't strike out, as evidenced by his 13.77% walk rate and 2.71 BB/K. His ISO of 0.038 leaves quite a bit to be desired, but once again, this is a guy with baseball skills.

Unlike a lot of second base prospects, Muniz doesn't have any real questions about his arm strength. He was an above-average defensive catcher in high school, and has intermittently played shortstop at Alabama State. However, his lack of range due to his size more or less limits him to second.

Don't worry. The entire list isn't made up of light-hitting, undersized infielders. But Muniz is a great example of guys that should fall to the later rounds, but who can produce value there.

3. Tim LeSuer, 3B, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Liberty League, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 5'10" Weight: 170 lbs. High School: Nordhoff High School (Oak View, Calif.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: Unkown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Rochester UAA 19 35 124 2 0 0 7 8 .267 .383 .287 .658 5.65% 15.32% 2.71 .027
2013 RPI Liberty 20 45 196 6 0 0 19 9 .333 .403 .369 .772 2.04% 11.73% 5.75 .036

It's not hard to figure out how LeSuer made this list: He never strikes out. He never strikes out. He matches a 2.04% strikeout rate with a good (11.73%) walk rate, easily pacing the list-eligible players with 5.75 BB/K. Of course, he also hits for among the least power among all players on this list, with an ISO of .036.

LeSuer provides a left-handed bat and good defense at the hot corner... and did I mention he never strikes out? Four strikeouts in 196 plate appearances. The only real catch is that he's doing it in Division-III, rather than Division-I, but his is a skillset that transfers well.

4. Anthony (Tyler) Payne, C, West Virginia State University (West Virginia, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 5'11" Weight: 210 lbs. High School: Hurricane High School (Hurricane, W.V.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 WVSU WVIAC
22 71 3 0 5 15 0 .371 .443 .661 1.098 0.00% 11.27% Inf. .328
2013 WVSA WVIAC
45 164 7 0 8 31 0 .384 .457 .609 1.066 3.05% 12.80% 4.20 .225

Tyler Payne is a very good pitcher for West Virginia State, but his true value may lie at the plate. Though currently a catcher in addition to pitching, he may need to move to a corner infield or outfield spot. The 2011 Gatorade West Virginia Player of the Year (he lost the national award to Dylan Bundy) put together an impressive senior season in high school, to the tune of a .571/.633/1.071 slash line, with a school-record 14 home runs. He was also a member of the Science National Honor Society, and devoted his free time to youth baseball instruction.

He went with about a half dozen of his teammates to West Virginia State, where he's excelled. He combines his extraordinary plate discipline with good power, making him easily one of the best Division-II hitters in the country - and perhaps in the conversation for best overall hitter in all of college ball. There's a chance that he could go on the first day of the draft, as there's a lot to like about him as a player, but he's also someone that could fall because of his level of competition.

5. Nicholas Pomo-Roman, SS, Baruch College (CUNYAC, Div. III.)

Player Page

Height: 5'8" Weight: 170 lbs. High School: Kellenberg Memorial High School (North Bellmore, N.Y.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 3/28/92 (22.19 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2011 Adelphi NE10 19 3 9 0 0 0 1 0 .222 .222 .222 .444 0.00% 0.00% Inf. 0.00
2012 DNP
20
2013 Baruch CUNYAC 21 37 168 8 1 0 22 25 .423 .506 .493 .999 2.98% 8.93% 3.00 .070

Nicholas Pomo-Roman doesn't have the elite walk rates that some people on this list carry (8.93% in 2013), but he does have a razor-thin strikeout rate (2.98%) that ranks second among list-eligible players, a 3.00 BB/K tied for third among list-eligible players, he has the speed and ability to swipe bases and perform well on the basepaths, and he plays a premium defensive position, which certainly doesn't hurt.

He transferred from Adelphi University to Baruch College, and had to sit out a year as a result, so he carries some age concerns, but he's still a very good college prospect, and could be a good fit for a team like Houston.

6. Beau Langs, 3B, Olivet College (Michigan, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 5'9" Weight: 175 lbs. High School: Climax-Scotts High School (Climax, Mich.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: 7/20/93
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 KVCC MCCAA 19 Stats not available
2013 Olivet MIAA 20 39 166 3 0 0 17 11 .309 .415 .331 .746 5.42% 15.66% 2.89 .022

Beau Langs is, first and foremost, an athlete. At Climax-Scotts high school, he was awarded 14 varsity letters - three each in football and baseball, and four each in basketball and track. In fact, he was his school's all-time leading scorer in basketball, with 1,568 points. After spending his freshman year at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, he transferred to Olivet, where he earned varsity letters in football (as a cornerback) and baseball in 2013. He has good speed, good defense, can play all infield positions, hits from the left side, and carried a 2.89 BB/K in 2013.

7. Matt Connolly, C, Ithaca College (Empire 8, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 5'11" Weight: 185 lbs. High School: Silver Lake High School (Kingston, Mass.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 9/22/93 (20.70 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Ithaca Emp8 18 JV
2013 Ithaca Emp8 19 40 121 7 1 1 18 9 .380 .430 .500 .944 4.13% 11.57% 2.80 .120

It's a pretty good year for small-college catchers, and Connolly is another guy who could find himself collecting a paycheck in June. He hits for average, has a developing power stroke, rarely strikes out, draws walks, plays good defense, and even steals some bases for good measure. He's a little younger - and a little more raw - than some of the other names that will come up on draft day, but he's a good player, and a big 2014 season could help him solidify himself as a draft prospect.

8. Brad Elwood, 2B, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Atlantic 10).

Player Page

Height: 6'0" Weight: 180 lbs. High School: Piedmont High School (Monroe, N.C.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: 12/29/92 (21.43 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 UNCC A10 19 31 121 7 3 0 14 3 .269 .345 .394 .739 8.26% 9.09% 1.10 .125
2013 UNCC A10 20 59 264 14 2 3 41 5 .343 .407 .459 .866 3.79% 8.33% 2.20 .116

At 6'0" with a little bit of room left to grow, Brad Elwood isn't a prototypical second-baseman. In fact, in high school, he played more in the outfield, and there's a decent chance he'd return there as a pro. He plays well there, too. In 2012, he became just the third Charlotte outfielder in the history of the Atlantic 10 to record multiple outfield assists in a single game. With his arm strength and size, it's hard to imagine that he won't be tried out in the outfield, or at least at third base, in the pros.

Though he doesn't carry an elite walk rate, his 8.33% as a sophomore is very good (Nolan Fontana had an 8.79% as a junior at Florida), and his 3.79% strikeout rate more than makes up for it. Add to that a developing power stroke (19 extra-base hits in 2013), and you're looking at a sneaky-good Division-I hitter.

9. Josh Delph, OF, Florida State University (ACC).

Player Page

Height: 6'0" Weight: 190 lbs. High School: Bartow High School (Bartow, Fla.)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: 11/9/92 (21.57 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 FlaSt ACC 19 59 153 10 0 0 20 3 .267 .351 .344 .695 23.53% 7.84% 0.33 .076
2013 FlaSt ACC 20 40 160 6 0 1 21 5 .270 .477 .351 .829 9.38% 20.63% 2.20 .081

The first thing you have to talk about with Delph is his intelligence - he was a 4.0 student at Bartow High School, and has been twice named an Academic All-American at FSU, was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2013, was named to the Dean's List in 2012, and the President's List in 2013. Granted, this is Florida State, so it's not exactly Joe-Sclafani-Went-To-Dartmouth territory, but it's still impressive.

The next thing you have to talk about with Delph is that he's a very good hitter. For a corner outfielder, he lacks pop (.081 ISO), but his 20.63% walk rate is the best among list-eligible players. Later, we'll talk about guys like Casey Gillaspie and Bo Thompson, who also have outstanding walk rates, but unlike both of those players, Delph combines his outstanding walk rate with a single-digit strikeout rate - 9.38% - which gives him a 2.20 BB/K. The questions come with his power, which has been lacking to this point, but he is already a polished hitter with on-base skills - a valuable commodity.

10. Yuto Kata, 2B, Dixie State University (Pacific West, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 5'8" Weight: 165 lbs. High School: Juan Diego Catholic High School (Sandy, Utah)
Bats/Throws: S/R
Date of Birth: 2/16/93 (21.30 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 DSU PacWest 19 52 172 1 0 1 18 7 .287 .473 .320 .792 5.20% 24.86% 4.78 .033
2013 DSU PacWest 20 46 165 3 1 0 21 6 .325 .471 .366 .837 6.67% 16.36% 2.45 .041

You do not expect a school called Dixie State, in Utah, to have a player named Yuto Katal. But the switch-hitting middle infielder, who was born in Japan, is a good small-school prospect with a history of winning (as the shortstop for his high school team, he played in three consecutive state championships, winning two.)

Kata is another guy who has neither an elite walk rate nor one of the best strikeout rates, but he does both of them pretty well, to the tune of 2.45 BB/K, and backs it up with solid defense and good baserunning instincts.

11. Andew Brodbeck, 2B, Flagler College (Peach Belt, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 5'10" Weight: 165 lbs. High School: Dunedin High School (Dunedin, Fla.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: 1/22/93 (21.37 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Flagler PeachBelt 19 11 22 0 1 0 1 0 .167 .318 .278 .596 27.27% 18.18% 0.67 .111
2013 Flagler PeachBelt 20 39 160 8 1 1 14 12 .328 .442 .430 .871 5.63% 12.50% 2.22 .102

Three players were drafted from Flagler College 2012, and since 1982 they've sent 34 players to the pros. The next ones up might well be Andrew Brodbeck. There's a lot to like about Brodbeck - a left-handed-hitting second baseman with a good walk rate (12.50%), a good strikeout rate (5.63%), and decent power (.102 ISO), though it could certainly be better. He also stole 12 bases in 2013, and is generally well-regarded as a base runner. He has the arm strength to play in the outfield or at third base, but he's played second base at Flagler.

12. Johnathan Brooks, 1B, Occidental College (Southern California, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 6'0" Weight: 190 lbs. High School: Edison High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Oxy SCIAC
34 104 4 2 3 21 3 .303 .380 .494 .874 10.58% 9.62% 0.91 .191
2013 Oxy SCIAC 36 162 7 1 1 32 1 .417 .509 .508 1.017 6.17% 13.58% 2.20 .091

Take a look at Johnathan Brooks' high school credentials: Summa Cum Laude, Social Studies Department Student of the Year, Biology Scholarship Award, Character Coalition Award, ASB Athletic Character Award, Golden Key nominee, Mathematics Golden Key Medal, National AP Scholar. Fine, you're saying, but how is he at baseball? How about a .417/.506/.508 slash line as a sophomore? The catch for the first baseman is his power numbers - that .508 is largely singles-driven, with an ISO of 0.091, but a 1.014 OPS is still mighty impressive. Brooks strikes me as a Conrad Gregor type, with still-hidden power, though he lacks the size of someone like Gregor. Still, with the rest of his game solid, a team like the Astros may be willing to wait to see if the power develops.

13. Geoff DeGroot, SS, University of Massachussetts - Lowell (Northeast 10, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 6'0" Weight: 190 lbs. High School: Wesley Chapel High School (Wesley Chapel, Fla.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 5/13/93 (21.06)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 UMassLowell NE10 19 47 220 8 0 0 16 14 .309 .414 .354 .768 10.45% 14.55% 1.39 .045
2013 UMassLowell NE10 20 48 237 10 1 0 22 25 .345 .403 .404 .807 4.22% 9.28% 2.20 .059

DeGroot is one of my favorite small-college prospects. A speedy shortstop who eschewed offers from Boston College and Holy Cross to go to UMass - Lowell. He may not have the electric numbers that a small-college player needs to get drafted as an underclassmen, but he combines excellent on-base skills (.397 OBP) with great speed (25 SB), making him a legitimate top-of-the-order player at a prime defensive position. Something that will always get a player noticed.

14. Harry Oringer, 2B/3B, Endicott College (Commonwealth Conference, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 5'8" Weight: 190 lbs. High School: Coyle Cassidy High School (Dartmouth, Mass.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 12/8/92 (21.49 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Endicott C'wealth 19 45 173 6 4 0 27 6 .280 .380 .378 .758 8.67% 10.98% 1.27 .098
2013 Endicott C'wealth 20 48 207 6 4 0 33 14 .341 .444 .422 .866 5.31% 11.59% 2.18 .081

Stop me if you've heard this one: Undersized infielder with good on-base skills and not a lot of pop. He boasts a 2.18 BB/K, thanks to a razor-thin strikeout rate (5.31%) and a good walk rate (11.59%). He has a compact line-drive swing, though, so it's possible that he could increase his power numbers (.081 ISO), but it's getting to the point, developmentally, where that's not something you should count on. By the time it's all said and done, Oringer may be Brooks' favorite prospect: A member of the Athletic Training Club at Endicott, he also recently completed an internship with a physical therapy outpatient clinic. He's another high-character guy who volunteers his time and rakes in academic honors. Good, but not great, at a lot of different things on a baseball diamond. Definitely someone who could be a professional player.

15. Bo Thompson, 1B, The Citadel (Southern).

Player Page

Height: 5'10" Weight: 255 lbs. High School: J.L. Mann High School (Greenville, S.C.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 7/20/92 (21.88 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Citadel Southern 19 57 201 5 0 3 28 1 .261 .372 .345 .717 13.93% 13.43% 0.96 .085
2013 Citadel Southern 20 56 267 10 0 14 52 1 .299 .472 .567 1.039 10.49% 20.22% 1.93 .268

Bo Thompson is enormous. Let's just get that out of the way. He's 5'10", 255 lbs. And he hits like a guy his size: 14 home runs, tied for third in the Southern Conference, in his sophomore year. His .268 ISO is the highest among list-eligible players, and it isn't particularly close (Payne is second, with .225). But he's not a one-dimensional player: His 20.63% walk rate is also tops on the list. Of course, much of this can be attributed to being pitched around, but he still deserves credit. Thompson is a fierce hitter, with among the best power potential in this draft. There are questions about contact (10.49% K-rate), but when he runs into one, it's a thing of beauty.

16. Matt Sorkin, OF, Wesleyan University (CT) (NESCAC, Div. III).

Team Page

Height: 5'7" Weight: 160 lbs. High School: Lincoln High School (Lincoln, R.I.)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 DNP
2013 Wesleyan NESCAC 33 135 4 0 0 15 10 .302 .411 .340 .750 4.44% 9.63% 2.17 .038

Sorkin is another example of a small-college guy who does a lot of things right, but who doesn't do any one thing great. A 2.17 BB/K is helped by his infinitesimal strikeout rate (4.44%), and he adds some speed on the basepaths (10 SB) and a reputation as a good defender. At just 5'7", 160 lbs., a lot of things would have to go right for him to ever profile as a professional player, but he's certainly got a skillset to draw on, should a team like the Astros be willing to overlook his underwhelming body.

17. Nick Sell, 3B, Seton Hill (West Virginia, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 6'2" Weight: 185 lbs. High School: North Allegheny High School (Wexford, Penn.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: 2/15/92 (22.30 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 SetonHill WVIAC 20 49 191 12 0 11 55 9 .380 .487 .665 1.151 9.42% 13.61% 1.44 .285
2013 SetonHill WVIAC 21 58 240 16 2 13 57 26 .431 .521 .731 1.252 8.75% 15.83% 1.81 .299

Nick Sell doesn't fit the frame of a traditional small-college player. In fact, he was recruited by schools like Kent State and Penn State, but less-than-ideal academics derailed his D-I dreams a little bit. Still, he's done extremely well at Seton Hill. His .300 ISO hints at the power - 16 doubles and 13 home runs in his sophomore season. Opposing teams have been known to pitch around him (15.83% walk rate), but he's made them pay when they have, with 26 stolen bases in 2013. One of the better pure hitters in this draft class, but his Division-II pedigree may hurt him on draft day.

18. Casey Gillaspie, 1B, Wichita State University (MVC).

Player Page

Height: 6'4" Weight: 238 lbs. High School: Millard North High School (Omaha, Neb.)
Bats/Throws: S/L
Date of Birth: 1/25/93 (21.36 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 WSU MVC 19 59 254 10 1 8 32 1 .274 .378 .442 .820 16.93% 16.93% 0.79 .167
2013 WSU MVC 20 66 302 16 1 11 46 5 .299 .447 .517 .964 11.59% 20.53% 1.77 .218

Casey Gillaspie - a big-bodied, switch-hitting slugger - led the Cape Cod League in home runs this summer, and is a first-team Pre-Season All-American heading into the 2014 season. Simply put, he's not a "sleeper" type of player, unlike a lot of the guys on this list. In 2013, he hit 11 home runs, with a .218 ISO and a 20.53% walk rate. He also stole five bases. However, he struck out 11.59% of the time, which is far less than ideal. Still, that elite walk rate - second among list-eligible players - is worth noting, even if it's largely by virtue of being pitched around. Wichita State is poised to make a post-season run (ranked 34th heading into the season), and Gillaspie could generate a lot of buzz with a good year.

19. Corey VanDomelen, IF, Linfield College (Northwest, Div. III).

Team Page

Height: 5'9" Weight: 180 lbs. High School: Tualatin High School (Tigard, Ore.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Linfield NWest 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0.00% 0.00% Inf. .000
2013 Linfield NWest 49 210 5 2 0 19 12 .272 .408 .329 .737 9.05% 16.19% 1.79 .057

VanDomelen fits the same profile as a lot of players on this list: Undersized, good walk rate, not much power, some speed on the bases, good defensive profile. Linfield is an interesting program, coached by former big leaguer Scott Brosius. The past several seasons have been a playoffs roller coaster for the Wildcats, and for players like VanDomelen. VanDomelen carries a 16.19% walk rate, as well as some good speed on the basepaths and a good glove.

20. Bobby Ison, OF, Charleston Southern University (Big South).

Player Page

Height: 5'9" Weight: 175 lbs. High School: Stratford High School (Goose Creek, S.C.)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: 7/5/93 (20.92 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 CSU BigSouth 18 53 242 6 1 1 16 10 .333 .379 .385 .764 5.80% 5.80% 1.00 .052
2013 CSU BigSouth 19 56 255 14 2 3 27 9 .367 .414 .485 .898 4.30% 6.30% 1.45 .118

Ison was named to the first-team All-Big South squad in 2013 after slashing .367/.404/.485 with an excellent 4.31% strikeout rate (sixth in Division-I, with only Brad Elwood topping him among list-eligible voters), 9 stolen bases, and 19 extra-base hits. In fact, despite being the Buccaneers' leadoff hitter, Ison was third in the Big South in total bases, with 111. With an ISO of .118 and an OBP of .404 - not to mention a deceptively-low nine stolen bases - Ison is more-or-less a complete hitter, and could hear his name called on day one of the draft.

21. Mike Palkovitz, 1B/OF, University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown (West Virginia, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 6'2" Weight: 185 lbs. High School: Cumberland Valley High School (Mechanicsburg, Penn.)
Bats/Throws: L/L
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Pitt-Johnstown WVIAC
43 140 9 3 1 33 2 .400 .418 .529 .944 5.84% 3.90% 0.67 .129
2013 Pitt-Johnstown WVIAC 45 192 9 2 3 37 7 .404 .458 .532 .990 4.17% 6.77% 1.63 .129


22. Sheehan Planas-Arteaga, 1B/OF, Barry University (Sunshine State, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 6'2" Weight: 180 lbs. High School: Belen Jesuit High School (Miami, Fla.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: 3/2/93 (21.26 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 Barry SunshineSt 19 30 118 4 1 1 15 8 .319 .453 .415 .868 16.10% 17.80% 1.11 .096
2013 Barry SunshineSt 20 50 236 11 0 2 36 10 .367 .485 .457 .942 12.29% 18.22% 1.48 .090


23. Branden Rutt, OF, Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg (North Eastern, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 5'11" Weight: 165 lbs. High School: Ephrata High School (Ephrata, Penn.)
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 PSUH NE
18 63 2 1 0 4 1 .315 .403 .389 .792 17.46% 7.94% 0.45 .074
2013 PSUH NE 40 169 5 0 1 24 3 .367 .428 .420 .848 4.14% 5.92% 1.43 .053


24. Patrick Ammar, OF, Wheeling Jesuit University (West Virginia, Div. II).

Player Page

Height: 6'2" Weight: 190 lbs. High School: Walsh Jesuit High School (Broadview Heights, Oh.)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Date of Birth: Unknown
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 WJU WVIAC 41 150 8 3 3 28 1 .368 .401 .541 .943 4.00% 6.67% 1.67 .173
2013 WJU WVIAC 41 157 12 1 2 28 4 .341 .389 .486 .874 3.18% 5.10% 1.60 .145


25. Matt Taliercio, OF, Lancaster Bible College (North Eastern, Div. III).

Player Page

Height: 6'0" Weight: 185 lbs. High School: Norwalk High School (Norwalk, Conn.)
Bats/Throws: R/L
Date of Birth: 3/17/88 (26.22 on draft day)
Previously Drafted: N/A

Year Team Lg Age GP PA 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG OPS K% BB% BB/K ISO
2012 DNP
2013 LBC NEastern 25 30 119 9 2 11 38 9 .388 .454 .835 1.289 8.40% 11.76% 1.40 .447

Five Bonus Prospects

26. Jake Thomas, C, Binghamton University (America East).

27. Mike Papi, 1B/OF, Virginia (ACC).

28. Sam Travis, IF, Indiana (Big 10).

29. Stephen Zavala, C, Whittier College (Southern California, Div. III).

30. Jason Shaul, 3B, Mary University (Northern Sun, Div. II).

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