MLB Draft 2013: High School Position Players Creating the Most Buzz

There are several position players coming out of high school with plenty of potential headed into the 2013 MLB draft on Thursday.

Whether teams are looking for a catcher, a corner infielder or an outfielder, this class has it all. While some prospects may be raw, the potential is certainly there.

Let's take a look at the high school position players garnering the most buzz throughout Major League Baseball in recent weeks.

Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson High School (Ga.)

Austin Meadows is raw, but he may have the most potential out of any high school position player in the draft. 

For one, he's an impressive athlete. Right now, he's about 6'3", 200 pounds, but it's likely that he reaches 230 pounds if he fills out. 

His power translates nicely, too. He's able to flash his bat quickly through the zone, unloading once the ball reaches the plate. He has a short stride now, which isn't always a bad thing, but he may be able to generate more power with a slightly longer stride. He's also quick for his size.

The one issue—one that doesn't appear to be altering his stock too much at the moment—is that there are work ethic and character concerns associated with Meadows. That's a legitimate concern, especially given he will need some work on his hitting mechanics moving forward. That only comes by working diligently on your game.

But, bottom line, if teams feel comfortable with Meadows' make-up, it's hard to imagine him falling out of the top 10. He has the tools to be an above-average power hitter at the major-league level.

Reese McGuire, C, Kentwood High School (Wa.)

The first thing you need to know about Reese McGuire? He has an exceptional arm and delivery from behind the dish.

McGuire's release time has been clocked in at under 1.85 seconds (via ESPN.com), which is at an elite level, even in the pros. You won't be seeing many runners show up the young backstop.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an offensive powerhouse at catcher, McGuire certainly isn't such a player. He needs work on his hitting and his power doesn't figure to be that imposing, even down the line.

Still, we've seen catchers make a living throughout the years as defensive specialists, and McGuire has the potential to be a great one.

Dominic Smith, 1B, Serra High School (Calif.)

There's not a whole lot to not like about Dominic Smith. Aside from his lack of foot speed and some questionable concerns about his drive on the field, he has all the tools to be a dynamic player down the line on offense and defense.

First of all, Smith has one of the sweetest swings in the class, showing near-picture-perfect form when swinging his hips and driving the ball. He has the potential to be a menace at the plate, given a solid combination of power and bat control. 

On top of that, Smith is a superb defender with great range. He has an elite arm, displaying a 92 mph fastball when he's pitched. Any pitcher would love to see Smith manning the corner.