15 Most Impressive MLB Prospect Highlight Videos on YouTube

Over the past several years, athletes in high school and college have used modern technology in many different ways to help showcase their talents and promote themselves for prospective employers.

Baseball players in particular can now showcase their skills via YouTube, and many organizations, such as Baseball America, also use YouTube to present a better overall look at a prospect's tools.

As the MLB draft approaches, teams are busy continuing to scan the globe for talent that can help them, and oftentimes, YouTube can be a valuable tool in researching talent that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Here are some recent YouTube videos of prospects that have generated interest. The list is a mixture of players already developing in farm systems as well as youngsters in high school and college.

Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS, Baxley, Ga.

It's always tough to project the future of anything, especially in baseball, but it seems that many experts are in agreement when discussing the talents of young high school outfielder Byron Buxton.

Buxton, a senior at Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga., has been singled out as the most talented player in the upcoming MLB draft.

ESPN's Keith Law likens Buxton to a young Eric Davis—a combination of speed and power with the potential to continue building on his already impressive five-tool skills.

Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

The island nation of Puerto Rico has certainly produced an array of stars who have shined in MLB, including Carlos Beltran, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, Juan Gonzalez and many others.

This year, another Puerto Rican native is generating great interest—shortstop Carlos Correa.

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo believes that Correa could become the highest-drafted Puerto Rican player ever—certainly high praise considering that Correa is only 17 years of age.

Correa is currently listed at No. 5 on MLB.com's list of top 100 prospects, so expect to hear Correa's name very early on June 4.

Lucas Giolito: RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.

Last year, junior high school pitcher Lucas Giolito dazzled in the playoffs for Harvard-Westlake High School in Studio City, Calif., throwing a no-hitter in the second round of sectionals.

Giolito, who collected nine wins with a 1.00 ERA last year, strained the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in early March, causing him to miss the rest of his senior season. However, while he was recently cleared to begin a throwing program, it will no doubt have an effect on his draft status.

Prior to the injury, Giolito was considered to be one of the top prep pitchers in this year's draft. Giolito has committed to UCLA.

Giolito's fastball was clocked at 100 MPH prior to his injury, and already has a plus array of secondary pitches to add to his impressive arsenal.

Max Fried: LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.

Harvard-Westlake High School in Studio City, Calif. isn't just blessed with one highly sought-after arm.

While right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito is getting plenty of looks, his teammate, southpaw pitcher Max Fried, is certainly no slouch, either.

Ranked as the No. 7 prospect according to MLB.com, Fried features three plus pitches that he can throw for strikes at any time. The attached video clearly shows that Fried has the ability to throw any of the pitches and send batters packing.

Jose Orlando Berrios: RHP, Papa Juan XXIII HS (Puerto Rico)

While not projected nearly as highly as his countryman, Carlos Correa, right-handed pitcher Jose Orlando Berrios, a senior at Papa Juan XXIII High School in Puerto Rico, is certainly drawing looks of his own.

His workout regimen, shown in the attached video, is indeed rigorous, and Berrios features a mid-90s fastball and a power curveball that's already ahead of the curve.

Berrios, ranked No. 90 in MLB.com's 2012 Prospect Watch, still has some maturing to do, but if his workout regimen is any indication, he is more than up for the task.

Bryce Harper: Washington Nationals

While it's probably a stretch to continue calling Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper a prospect, this video of his three-fingered catch last week is still worth watching.

It's plays like this that brought attention to Harper originally. Not just the bat, but his feel for the game of baseball in every way, and he certainly felt his way to this particular catch.

Stephen Piscotty: 3B, Stanford University

Third base prospect Stephen Piscotty of Stanford University has quickly risen up the prospect ranks, currently at No. 15 on MLB.com's 2012 Prospect Watch.

Piscotty hit an impressive .364 in the tough Pac-12 league his sophomore season, and followed up last summer by capturing the Cape Cod League batting title with a .349 average.

Piscotty is already hitting .335 with five home runs and 50 RBI in his first 43 games this spring, and continues to impress scouts with his keen eye, excellent plate discipline and ability to hit to all fields.

Brian Johnson: LHP, University of Florida

Currently ranked at No. 24 on the MLB.com 2012 Prospect Watch, University of Florida junior southpaw Brian Johnson certainly got his share of recognition last year, but not for his pitching prowess.

In an SEC playoff game in late May, Johnson was drilled in the back of the head when his catcher was attempting a throw to second base to nail a baserunner.

Johnson suffered a concussion and fully recovered, and this year, he is 5-4 with a 4.29 ERA and 52 Ks in 65.0 innings through early May. While his record may not indicate it, scouts are impressed with his four-pitch repertoire and his ability to aggressively attack the strike zone.

Tyler Naquin: OF, Texas A&M University

There have been several players in the annals of MLB history who were just blessed with great baseball instincts—Dustin Pedroia and Jim Eisenreich immediately come to mind. Texas A&M senior outfielder Tyler Naquin is similarly blessed.

While he doesn't have any one particular skill that completely stands out, Naquin is prized for his outstanding baseball IQ, as his No. 29 ranking in MLB.com's 2012 Prospect Watch would indicate.

This great catch in a game against Baylor University shows just why Naquin is highly sought-after.

Adam Brett Walker: OF, Jacksonville

A few years ago, Adam Brett Walker was an afterthought among scouts and major college baseball programs. Now, Walker is one of the best power hitters on the draft board.

A junior at Jacksonville, Walker has tremendous raw power, and while he is still developing plate discipline, MLB.com has him ranked at No. 39 on their 2012 Prospect Watch List.

The home run seen in the video traveled some 40 feet beyond the left-center field fence, well into the trees.

Jake Barrett: RHP, Arizona State University

To be a closer in Major League Baseball, it's necessary to have that bulldog-like mentality—go after hitters aggressively with everything you have. Arizona State University junior right-hander Jake Barrett just might be that guy.

A starter earlier in his collegiate career, Barrett became the closer for the Sun Devils this season, and the results thus far are impressive—a 1.67 ERA, nine saves and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings through the first 40 games of the season.

Barrett features a high-90s fastball and would likely move up more quickly in his role as closer on the professional level.

In the attached video, some very good UCLA hitters were left literally flailing uselessly at several Barrett offerings.

Barrett Barnes: OF, Texas Tech University

Texas Tech junior outfielder Barrett Barnes continues to climb the prospect charts literally with each passing game.

Barnes is hitting .325, 8 HR, 47 RBI with a .577 slugging percentage and .999 OPS. With 19 steals in 20 attempts, Barnes shows the ability to run and hit with consistency. Barnes currently sits at No. 54 on MLB.com's 2012 Prospect Watch.

The attached video shows Barnes' importance to his Red Raiders team in a three-game sweep over the Houston Cougars.

Brandon Decker: SS, No Current Affiliation

He may not be a top prospect necessarily, but judging from his workout regimen, Brandon Decker is certainly trying to become one.

Undrafted out of San Diego State, Decker, now 25, played for the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings in the independent North American Baseball League last season, and is hooked up currently with the Lake Erie Crushers in the Frontier League.

Again, not a top prospect, but if I tried even one of the exercises performed in this video, I'd be in the ER.

Chris Fritts: CF, University of Tennessee

Tennessee junior center fielder Chris Fritts may not show up on anyone's board on draft day, but the kid has turned into a human highlight reel.

Last month, Fritts' diving grab of a ball in left-center field in a game against the Florida Gators was the No. 1 play on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 "Plays of the Day."

His latest eye-popping catch follows on the heels of a catch he made in his freshman season, when he raced back to make an incredible catch in a game against Oregon State, then having the wherewithal to double off the runner at first.

That particular play was also an ESPN Top 10 "Plays of the Day."

Heck, I'd draft him for his defense alone.

Jeff Gelalich: OF, UCLA

In his first two years at UCLA, outfielder Jeff Gelalich was good, but not great. His junior season has been a completely different story.

Through the team's first 44 games, Gelalich was hitting .386 with six HR, 30 RBI, a .474 on-base percentage and 1.016 OPS. For his efforts, Gelalich was named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list, an honor bestowed upon 60 collegiate stars.

Gelalich's turnaround season has catapulted him up draft boards everywhere as well, with MLB.com ranking him No. 65 on their 2012 Prospect Watch.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

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