What happens in July significantly impacts college programs for February into next June.
The MLB organizations annually unload their war chests and pry talent from the high school and collegiate ranks. Of course, in the process, dreams and millionaires are made, too.
LSU was torched by the draft last year, losing eight members of a 17-man signing class. It was great to get Mason Braun and Omar Serna to campus, but there was a lot more talent in the group that was plucked from Alex Box Stadium.
This year, Jay Johnson is prepared. The Tigers have nearly two dozen in the class in anticipation of another MLB pillaging of the very top of the class. Johnson has had time to speak with each member of the class, and expectations have been set. That’s an annual process that he’s spoken about with the media.
Sometimes players stand firm on their numbers. Sometimes players and their agents/families have a number in mind but settle for less to begin their professional careers.
LSU has had success in recent years keeping high school signees out of the draft altogether. Derek Curiel pulled out and starred for the Tigers for two seasons. Omar Serna did the same a season ago and burst onto the SEC scene this spring.
Two have taken that route this summer.
Braxton Beaty: LHP – The 6-foot southpaw has a smooth, repeatable delivery and a fastball that touches the low 90s. He profiles as a starter because of his mechanics and pitch mix, but he’s got developing to do in terms of strength. He wasn’t a huge risk, but getting left-handed pitching in the boat is always a good thing.
Nathaneal Davis: OF – This is an elite outfield athlete with a sweet left-handed swing and speed to burn. Davis has been considered one of the best players in the class for multiple years like Curiel was. While Curiel wanted to put weight on his 6-foot-2 frame, Davis is only six feet tall and never grew into the 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3 monster of an athlete the scouts dream of. He’s still a hell of a player, but small flaws make great college players instead of $4 million signings.
BEST IN CLASS
Now we get to the players who are thought to be high end prospects. I’ve spoken to sources inside the program to get a feel for how this weekend could go. We’ll start at the top with the guys most likely to sign professionally. Keep in mind, the draft is a crazy process. Every year, “sure fire” pros come to school and off the radar fourth round picks leave a roster hole in college.
Logan Schmidt – LHP – I think Schmidt is going to be a first round pick. He’s a 6-foot-4 left-hander with a fastball that touches 97 mph. I don’t really need to say much more than that. Consider Schmidt the longest shot in the class.
Malachi Washington – OF – Washington is an elite athlete with some tools similar to Dylan Crews. He’s got power and speed that professional teams are going to covet, and it’s hard to see him making it to Baton Rouge.
Anthony Murphy – OF – The Corona, CA., native has similar measurables to Washington, around 6-feet tall and about 200 pounds. He’s also a right handed hitter. There’s some easy power in his swing, and pro teams are on him.
Jensen Hirschkorn – RHP – This is the most fascinating of the highest profile signees. Hirschkorn is 6-foot-7 and throws 97 mph. Sits in the mid-90s. Those are the types of right-handed high schoolers that get paid. However, his slider is a work in progress. It’s all upside with him. He’s a potential late first rounder but one of those that could slip into the middle to late second and blow up to a really high pick if he plays college ball for three years. My bet is on Hirschkorn going in the top two rounds and commanding north of $2 million, but he’ s a possible get for LSU.
Dominic Santarelli – 1B/OF – This is the most powerful bat in LSU’s class, and the Tiger coaching staff will be sweating for two days over him. Santarelli led the MLB Draft combine with an AVERAGE exit velocity of 110.9. That led the event. And it’s absurd. He’s 6-foot-2 and north of 230 pounds as a high schooler. He’s an average athlete. Two familiar guys to put on huge exit velocity showing at the combine were Jared Jones and Mason Braun. They both showed up in Baton Rouge. Santarelli truly has a shot to be a Tiger, but he’ll have to turn down some early round money to bet on himself.
TWO-WAY TALENTS
The two-way player used to be a tool for smaller schools. Not anymore, and LSU is open to having players do both. At least two guys in this class fit that mold.
Will Adams: LHP/1B – “Guy rakes,” a source told me. He’s 6-foot-2 and about 200 pounds from Hoover, AL., and can get his fastball into the 93 mph range. Adams is a definite draft risk, but if he gets to Baton Rouge, he will absolutely be given a chance to hit and pitch.
Lucas Nawrocki: LHP/OF – If you saw any video from the MLB Draft Combine, you may have seen Nawrocki roasting balls into the right field seats in the Diamondbacks ballpark. He also throws 95 mph from the left side with some serious ride and carry. When there’s a prospect this talented, you’re looking for a flaw to get them to school. With Nawrocki, it’s that he’s probably not 6-feet tall. LSU has a chance to get the Aledo, TX., product to school, but he’s going to have to turn down some serious cash.
INFIELD INFLUX
LSU has struggled to get infielders through the draft and kept on campus. Guys like Mikey Romero, Tucker Toman, Quentin Young, Brady Ebel and Jaden Fauske have bolted for the pro ranks. Mikey Ryan, Austin Roelig and Ethan Clauss have transferred. After 2027, Steven Milam, Cade Kurland and Dawson Park will be gone. Infield help needs to get through the draft.
Parker Loew: INF – This is the guy I think LSU would like to get through the draft, and I think it’s a real possibility. He’s only six feet tall, and he hits right handed. Pros love left-handed hitting infielders. So does Jay Johnson. Loew has smooth feet and soft hands. He’s a shortstop for sure. He’s one to keep an eye on.
Luke Tucker: INF – Tucker is 6-foot-4 and a left-handed hitter. However, he’s also pretty likely to get to school. He’s taking summer classes now. He’s got real upside, but he’s not a guy that has starred in showcases. He’s from just north of Dallas and feels like a guy LSU would love to develop in the program.
Jordan Martinez: INF – Martinez, like Loew, is from the Jacksonville area. He’s twitchy, which results in big bat speed and a huge throwing arm that would go nicely on the left side of the infield at either third or shortstop. The feeling at LSU is that there’s a good chance Martinez gets to campus, but’s not a sure thing.
RIGHTY ROCKETS
Right-handed high school arms are probably last on the priority list for most big league organizations. They’re a dime a dozen. They are often very raw and rely on fastballs to beat inferior hitters. That makes them tough to scout and they get hurt. This group of hurlers is going to get picked away at, but if LSU can snag three, it’ll be a huge win.
Cooper Sides: RHP – I’d say this is probably the least likely of this bunch to get to campus (Hirshkorn above is higher rated). He’s 6-foot-5 with a heater in the mid-90s and a razor sharp slider. The projection is high on Sides, and he’ll very likely be in the $2-3 million range. Possibly more.
Dylan Blomker: RHP – This is another tall righty with gas. He’s 6-foot-4 and touches 97. He’s got a shorter arm stroke than Sides, but they’re similar in stature. Same type of prospect and risk.
Kolby Stringer: RHP – This is the newest member of the class. He might be the newest member of a lot of organizations’ boards, too. Speaking with a source inside the program, LSU feels okay about getting the 6-foot-3 Mississippian to campus, but the late buzz after a stellar senior season is going to make it tough. Teams flocked to rural Mississippi to see Stringer this spring, and it only takes one offer to snatch the fireballer up. My gut? He signs.
Coleton Brady: RHP – This is one of my favorite pitchers in the class because of his 6-foot-5 height and his fluid delivery. He’s on campus right now which doesn’t mean much. This is a prospect ranked right around 200 depending on where you look. The variances that deep in the lists can be wide. But he’s got a real chance to stick.
Major Osbolt: RHP – This is LSU’s lone JUCO commitment, and he’s a significant draft risk just based on age. The high schoolers are teenagers. Osbolt will be nearly 22 for the next draft.
Brayden Wisener: RHP – In a class of towering right handers, Wisener is 6-foot-2. He can still run it up there 95-96 mph on occasion, but you’re not going to see him on many top prospect lists. I’m told LSU feels pretty good about keeping him in school.
SOUTHPAW SIGNEES
With Schmidt being the longest shot in the class, it would be good for the Tigers to hold onto the other two lefties beyond Beaty who pulled out.
Spencer Evans: LHP – Evans is a top 200 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He’s 6-foot-3 and has a firm fastball in the low to mid 90s. LSU flipped him from Florida, and if Kevin O’Sullivan liked him, that’s enough for me. There is significant draft buzz around his name, and a big number will be thrown at him. It will have to be a “bet on the next three years” proposition. I think this one is a tossup.
Bradyn Cupit: LHP – Cupit is a West Monroe Rebel. He’s also 19.5 years old, so he would be a draft-eligible sophomore. He’s not tall at just 6-foot-1, but he can touch 94 from the left side. That’s always a risk. Cupit and Beaty would be a solid left-handed haul.
FINAL DUO
There are two more to discuss here, but they don’t fit in a neat box like the others.
Dylan Minnatee: 1B – I think Minnatee makes it to school. He’s a shorter first baseman without a power profile currently. He hits the ball hard a ton, though. He’s also not a dynamic runner. But Johnson loves those left-handed hitters.
Wessley Roberson: OF – This kid can flat out fly. He’s a centerfielder with some of the best wheels in the class. And he hits left-handed which makes him a step faster. MLB organizations like that. It wouldn’t stun me if a team fell in love with his athleticism and knew the floor was elite defense. He could sign.
