2013 MLB Draft Projections: Stars Boosting Stock at College World Series

While most prospects are relaxing and waiting to hear their names called at the 2013 MLB draft, others are trying to win a National Championship at the College World Series.

Even though this year’s bracket is down to 16 programs, none will be playing before Thursday’s draft. This means that prospects such as LSU’s Ryan Eades—who allowed two runs on four hits with three walks in 2.1 innings in the regionals—won’t get another chance to prove themselves.

These college stars—along with the ones who were eliminated already—must hope that what they did during the first round and the regular season was enough to get them drafted and potentially drafted early.

Many players stepped up during the first round of the College World Series regardless of their teams’ respective results. Let’s take a look at which prospects hit and pitched well and boosted their stock in the upcoming draft.

DJ Peterson, 1B/3B, New Mexico

New Mexico’s top player, Peterson, had a great regular season that had many analysts predicting he'd go in the first 15 picks of the draft. He hit .411 with 18 home runs and 70 RBI this year as a junior, and he has a keen eye at the plate, walking 46 times compared to 32 strikeouts.

The right-handed slugger is projected to go No. 12 to the Seattle Mariners, according to Keith Law of ESPN’s most recent mock draft (subscription required). Peterson was hitting well at the College World Series, but the rest of his teammates couldn’t get the job done, as New Mexico was eliminated after going 0-2.

Against Arizona State and Columbia in the regional round, Peterson went 3-for-9 with a pair of RBI. He did strike out three times against opposing pitchers, but that shouldn’t hurt his stock, considering it’s a small sample size. His ability to drive in runs is what teams will be looking at most.

Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas

Stanek’s Razorbacks were another program that didn’t make it very far at the College World Series. Arkansas, however, did play better than New Mexico did. The Razorbacks lost their first game but won the next two to try to top Kansas State in the final. Unfortunately, the Wildcats topped Arkansas 4-3, and Stanek went home.

Stanek only started one game for Arkansas throughout the regional round, and he was what many would call effectively wild. Stanek allowed just one run on a pair of hits across 7.1 innings of work. The problem, though, was that the righty walked six batters while striking out just three against Wichita State.

Stanek never had much of an issue with command throughout the season. In 16 starts, he went 10-2 and posted a 1.39 ERA. In 97.1 innings, he walked just 41 batters while striking out 79. Opponents only hit .207 off of him during the year. Stanek should expect to get drafted right around when Peterson goes off the board, around No. 10 to No. 15.

Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi St.

Renfroe is one of the few prospects actually still alive at the College World Series. His team, Mississippi State, has a good chance to make it to Omaha, as the Bulldogs are one of the top programs in the nation. The Bulldogs will take on Virginia in the super regionals, and you can bet that Renfroe will have a big impact.

The Mississippi State outfielder is 6-for-17 with a pair of runs and a pair of RBI through the opening round of the College World Series. He was essential in the Bulldogs’ winner-take-all finale victory against Central Arkansas. In that game, he went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI.

Renfroe is one of the top outfielders in this year’s draft class and also one of the top college stars. Renfroe likely would’ve been a fringe top-10 pick before Mississippi State’s run through the first round, but since he performed so well, he’s a lock to get taken inside of the top 10.