Underrated West Coast Draft Prospects

Included below will be a short evaluation of a select amount of potential late round draft picks I have watched.

Matthew Miura - OF - 5’11 185 - R/R - Hawai’i

Short compact swing that creates elite bat-to-ball skills. Posted a career low strikeout total (19) to go with a consistently great eye at the plate (41 BB). Power has not been and will most likely never be present but combination of speed, plate discipline, and defense give projection of utility outfielder. 

Jack Collins - C - 6’0 180 - R/R - Cal Poly

Best offensive catcher in the Big West, Collins hit for 12 home runs and 28 extra base hits along with hitting for average (.314). Strikeouts are a huge concern but his ability to hit the ball hard from the catcher position makes him a solid gamble. Solid defense behind the plate with his strong suit being his arm. 

Maddox Latta - INF - 5’11 175 - R/R - Cal State Fullerton

Latta had a nice bounceback season that saw him slash .352/.480/.497 while leading a good Fullerton squad in walks and steals. On top, he provided good defense at short with good indication that he’ll stick at the position due to his footwork and speed. Latta does have a funky load that is a little jerky but he does show great plate recognition and has pop in the bat that allows for doubles and triples.

Luke Schat - RHP - 6’0 185 - R/R - Santa Rosa College

Schat dominated the northern California JUCO scene. In 57 innings, he walked 10, struck out 85, allowed just 5 extra base hits with no homers, and had an ERA of 0.47 and WHIP of 0.75. He was unhittable thanks to elite command of a high 80s/low 90s fastball and a pitch mix that includes a plus plus slider, plus curve, and decent change

AJ Salgado - OF - 6’3 220 - L/R - UCLA

Salgado continued to gradually improve although he is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, turning 24 just 2 months after the draft will take place. Salgado doubled his walk and stolen base total from the previous season and added power to his swing hitting 11 home runs and tallying 28 extra base hits while maintaining his strikeout rate. A mixture of good speed, defense, and a breakout offensive season can cause a team to take a flyer on an older prospect.

Justin Stransky - C - 6’1 180 - R/R - Fresno State

No longer having to split catching duties, Stransky continued his success into his new full-time role and added to the force that was the Fresno State offense. He finished second to fellow draft prospect Murf Gray in multiple offensive categories including OPS (1.002), home runs (11), total bases (115), while leading in batting average (.337), on-base (.424), and steals (10). 

Jack Anker - RHP - 6’2 200 - R/R - Fresno State

Despite the lackluster ERA of 5.90 and 5.30 for his college career, Anker has consistently kept great walk and strikeout rates. He managed career highs in both having just 10 walks to go along with 97 strikeouts in 76.1 innings. His ability to get whiffs and limit free base runners is elite and escaping the metal bats from the NCAA may prove more success for Anker.  

Brandon Thomas - RHP/1B - 6’4 220 - R/R - Mater Dei High School

Thomas is among the youngest prospects in the draft, turning 18 two months before the draft takes place. He began the season with a scoreless streak of 30+ innings. He has excellent control of his pitches with a fastball that ranges in the upper 80s and good offspeed that generates strikeouts. He shows good prowess on the other side of the ball as well having hit over .300 with previous power showing. His frame gives the potential to add more to both pitching and exit velocity although his future lies as a pitcher.  

Justin Tillar - INF - 5’11 205 - L/R - Cypress College

In his first season of college ball, Tillar made a meteoric impact leading the southern California JUCO region in home runs (21) and posting a 1.319 OPS while walking more than he struck out (36-22). Having just turned 19 dominating in JUCO, his elite power may cause teams to snipe him before he transfers out to a 4 year.