Scouting high school players in the Atlanta area has afforded me the opportunity to see some of baseball’s best young talent. Here is a look at five young players who stood out to me with their tools, and how their abilities were represented in TrackMan data.
Anthony Molina RHP Pembroke Pines, FL
At 6’5” 190 lbs, Molina has plenty of room left to grow into his frame and become even more menacing on the mound, which is a scary thought. When I watched Molina, he sat 88-90 MPH on his fastball with good action and a high spin rate at around 2200-2300 RPM (Major League average spin rate on a fastball is around 2200rpm; a higher spin rate makes pitches appear to have late action and rise on a batter). Molina touched as high as 92 MPH and 2400 RPM on his fastball, and I expect him to gain a significant amount of velocity as he matures. Molina also has a plus curveball with good break towards his off-hand due to his ¾ arm slot. He was able to spot his pitches well on both sides of the plate, keeping hitters off balance all game and demonstrating the ability to pitch, not just throw. This manifested in an excellent stat line on the day: 3 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 6 K.
The sky is the limit for this kid; with two solid pitches, a deceptive motion, and great arm speed, he could be something special. Plus (get this), he is only 16. Although he is committed to Miami, I expect Molina to forego college and sign with whichever team drafts him in the first few rounds of the 2016 draft.
Jahmai Jones OF Roswell, GA
Of all the players on this list, Jones is probably the only legit five-tool prospect. Jones’ bat speed and hitting ability were on full display when I watched him, hitting the ball to all fields and consistently getting on base. Jones also showed impressive power, hitting three home runs in the two games I watched. Jones’ second blast was a very impressive 381 foot bomb to straightaway center, 99 MPH off the bat. Add in a strong arm and his athletic play in centerfield and on the bases, and Jones is an extremely well rounded prospect.
Beyond these tools, Jones impressed me with his grit on the diamond. With his team down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Jones hit a go-ahead three-run home run to left field, and was noticeably fired up rounding the bases. Teams who invest high picks in prospects want to see passion and a desire to be great, and Jones certainly showed it with his fiery performance. Jones is committed to North Carolina, but I expect he will be a first round pick in next summer’s draft.
Greg Pickett OF Aurora, CO
Pickett can rake. The Chandler World outfielder hit four homeruns in one weekend during the 2014 WWBA 17uNational Championship tournament. I watched the lefty pull a bomb out to right field, but I was actually more impressed with Pickett’s outs. While he went 0-2 in his first two at bats, Pickett hit both pitches 100+ MPH. In other words, essentially everything Pickett hit was a laser, even when those lasers were not landing for hits. Pickett also showed the ability to hit all kinds of pitching. I was impressed with his ability to turn on fastballs while also staying back on breaking pitches. Add these tools in with his 6’4” frame, and Pickett has some of the best power potential I have seen at this tournament. Look for him to also be drafted early in next year’s draft.
Alonzo Jones SS Columbus, GA
While at times overshadowed by his East Cobb Astros teammate, Class of 2015 #2 prospect Daz Cameron, Alonzo Jones is an intriguing player in his own right. Watching Jones is always exciting because of his blazing speed. Some players are fast, and others make the fast kids look like Kirk Gibson hobbling around the bases; Jones is in the latter category. The switch hitter ran a 6.17 second 60 yard dash at the Perfect Game 2014 National Showcase, the second fastest time ever recorded by the organization. He is slick in the field, capable of playing either short or second, and has a smooth swing that has gap power potential.
My only question with Jones is if he will develop enough pop to make it at the professional level. When I watched Jones I saw an exciting player but one who relied heavily on his speed to get on base. While this skill will play at every level, eventually Jones will need to hit more balls in the air and prove he can drive the ball with consistency. My sample size was very small and I know Jones has demonstrated his hitting tool at other times, but it is something he needs to show with more consistency.
Jacob Olson SS Monroe, GA
Olson is not nearly as heralded as the other players on this list. However, Olson impressed me so much with his fielding that I had to put him on this list. Olson was extremely fluid in the field, showing great range up the middle and a quick turn on double play balls. He also showed off a plus arm, making him the full package in the field. At the dish, Olson had quick hands and decent gap power, driving the ball to the leftfield gap on two occasions. Olson will likely play Division I ball after he graduates in 2015, where he can hone his hitting abilities and continue to show off his great defense.
Scouting, Stats, and Stuff 