MLB Draft 2015: Ranking the 10 Most MLB-Ready Prospects
With the 2015 MLB draft right around the corner, it's time to become familiar with the likes of Carson Fulmer and Tyler Jay. Those pitchers aren't just two of the most promising prospects in the class, but they are also two of the most-MLB ready.
The baseball draft is an entirely different beast than its counterparts in the NFL and NBA, as it often takes years for even the top selections to climb through the minors. But there are standouts like Carlos Rodon and Jacob Lindgren who catapult to the bigs.
Looking through recent draft history, it tends to be pitchers who make rapid rises, and for that reason, hurlers dominate the rankings of the 10 most MLB-ready prospects.
The criteria for the top 10 is simple. The idea isn't to look for the best prospects, but rather to focus on the most advanced draft-eligible players.
As a result, the list is loaded with accomplished college arms, but there is room in the top 10 for a couple of high-upside bats.
10. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU
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The Prospect
Alex Bregman can flat out play.
The LSU shortstop was recently named as one of four finalists for the 2015 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation's top amateur baseball player.
The 21-year-old is a smooth defender at shortstop and also demonstrates an extremely patient approach at the plate. In 2015, the right-handed hitter racked up a .420 OBP for the Tigers.
9. Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt
2 of 10The Prospect
In a class that is light on high-end position players, Dansby Swanson might just be the best of all.
Jim Bowden of ESPN argues that the Arizona Diamondbacks, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, should call Swanson's name on draft day. Along with Bregman, Swanson was one of the four finalists for the Golden Spikes Award.
The right-handed hitter has faced plenty of talented pitchers in the loaded SEC, and Bowden argues that he has the potential to be the first player from the draft to step onto a big league diamond.
8. Cody Ponce, RHP, Cal Poly Pomona
3 of 10The Prospect
Standing 6'5" and weighing in at 235 pounds, Cody Ponce already has the look of a big league pitcher.
But the primary reason that the Cal Poly Pomona right-hander cracks this list is that he employs a four-pitch arsenal. One of those pitches is a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. His stock will be hurt by the fact that he's pitched against DII competition, but this righty has the stuff to rise quickly through the ranks.
7. Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Cal State Fullerton
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The Prospect
Thomas Eshelman was born to throw strikes.
In 362.2 innings of work for Cal State Fullerton, the righty has dished out just 17 free passes, per Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times. That knack for staying in the zone gives Eshelman a major leg up on almost every other pitching prospect, as command is often one of the last skills that young pitchers master.
Rick Vanderhook, his coach with the Titans, did an excellent job of summing up Eshelman's success.
"It's crazy," Vanderhook remarked. "It's going to be a sad day when he leaves."
It will be a sad day for Fullerton, but a great day for whichever major league club snags him in the upcoming draft.
6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville
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The Prospect
Kyle Funkhouser is another four-pitch righty who earns a spot in the top 10.
With a fastball that can reach 95 mph on the gun, a sharp slider, a big curve and an impressive changeup, Funkhouser has been piling up punch outs for Louisville in 2015. The 6'3" pitcher has worked 112.1 frames for the Cardinals and reeled off 104 K's.
His wide array of pitches and his knack for producing swings-and-misses make Funkhouser a strong candidate to jump up the ladder once he's drafted.
5. James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA
6 of 10The Prospect
There's no question about it—James Kaprielian doesn't have the highest ceiling on this list.
The UCLA right-hander will likely top out as a mid-rotation starter, but he has the kind of track record which suggests that he could make an almost immediate impact out of a big league pen. In three seasons in the PAC-12, Kaprielian has sported a 2.06 ERA and posted a 9.8 K/9 ratio.
4. Riley Ferrell, RHP, TCU
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The Prospect
Riley Ferrell is yet another right-hander pitcher who lands a spot on this top 10. Unlike the righties who have come before him, Ferrell has spent his time shutting down the opposition in the ninth inning.
In three seasons at TCU, the closer has picked up 32 saves and spun off a staggering 13.1 K/9 ratio. The success that Ferrell has enjoyed in the collegiate ranks makes it abundantly apparent that the reliever would need very little minor league work before being ready to help out a major league relief corps.
3. Dillon Tate, RHP, UCSB
8 of 10The Prospect
Dillon Tate has been electric for UCSB in 2015.
The owner of a 2.26 ERA in 14 starts, the right-hander has demonstrated a penchant for missing bats (9.7 K/9 ratio) and for staying in the zone (2.44 BB/9). Tate has the stuff to help a major league pen with next to zero minor league seasoning.
Then again, he also has the upside to be a frontline starter down the line. For that reason, he won't be rushed to the bigs.
2. Tyler Jay, LHP, Illinois
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The Prospect
Tyler Jay is the first and only left-handed pitcher to hit the list and he sure is a good one.
The 21-year-old closer carved up the Big 10 in 2015, putting up a 0.60 ERA and recording 14 saves while allowing just 30 hits in 60.1 frames. The success was nothing new for Jay, as he posted a 1.94 ERA in 2014. Like Ferrell, Jay has the collegiate experience to make a rapid jump right into a MLB pen.
1. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt
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The Prospect
From David Price to Sonny Gray, Vanderbilt has produced all sorts of impact arms in recent seasons.
Carson Fulmer is next in line.
The 21-year-old right-hander has absolutely crushed the SEC this season. In 15 starts, Fulmer is the owner of a shiny 1.92 ERA. With a 12.3 K/9 ratio, Fulmer has been a strikeout-throwing machine. Starting appears to be in Fulmer's future, but if that doesn't work out, he could do damage out of the pen. Per John Manuel of Baseball America, "Fulmer is the surest big leaguer on the board, with a floor of elite closer."
Note: All stats courtesy of TheBaseballCube.com. All videos courtesy of YouTube.com.
If you want tot talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
