2010 Draft Candidates: Michael Choice – Center Field

Full Name: Michael Choice
College: University of Texas – Arlington
D.O.B.: 11/10/89 (20 years old)
Height: 6’0 ft.
Weight: 215 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position: CF

Stats:

Year	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	.AVG	.OBP	.SLG	.OPS	.ISO
2008	197	39	9	7	51	.376	.440	.558	.998	.183
2009	225	64	13	11	52	.413	.494	.644	1.138	.231
2010	196	67	11	16	59	.383	.568	.704	.1.272	.342

Accolades:

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Named a USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist (top 30 players)
Southland Conference All-Tournament Team (OF)
Southland Conference Player of the Year
Southland Conference Hitter of the Year
First Team All-Southland Conference (OF)
Named to UT Arlington Baseball 2000′s All-Decade Team (OF)
Southland Conference Hitter of the Week (5/10)
Baseball America No. 2 “2010 MLB Draft – State of Texas Prospect”
Baseball America No. 11 “2010 MLB Draft Top 50 list” (5/13)
Baseball America No. 15 “2010 MLB Draft Top 50 list” (4/22)
Baseball America’s Midseason First Team All-America
USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Watch List
Baseball America No. 5 “2010 MLB Draft Top Outfielders”
Baseball America projected First-Round MLB Draft pick
Baseball America No. 20 “Top 100 College MLB Draft Prospects”
Baseball America No. 17 “Top 50 College Juniors”
Baseball America Preseason All-Conference
Baseball America Preseason Conference Player of the Year
Yahoo! Sports Preseason First Team All-Conference
Yahoo! Sports Preseason “Best Hitter” in the conference
College Baseball Today Preseason All-Conference candidate
College Baseball Today “The You Gotta See Player” in the Southland Conference
CollegeBaseballInsider.com “Top 3 Power Threats in the SLC”
CollegeBaseballInsider.com “Top 3 Best Pure Hitters in the SLC”
CollegeBaseballInsider.com “The Hitter you Least Want to Face in the SLC”
Baseball America Preseason Second Team All-American
Preseason First Team All-Southland Conference
PING! Preseason Second Team All-American
The College Baseball Blog No. 13 ranked player in the country
Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Preseason Second Team All-American
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason Third Team All-American.

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Previously Drafted: None
Mock Draft: Top 15 Pick

Skill Set:  Is known for his raw power.  Uses the whole field and can drive the ball to all fields.  Good approach at the plate.  Good speed especially for size.  Bit of a long swing.  Average to above average arm.  May have to move off center field as a professional.

Video:

Summary:
Like Deck McGuire, Choice would be a very solid pick but nothing spectacular. He does have a bit of a higher ceiling than McGuire thanks to his power. Even if he is forced to move to a corner spot his power should play well. The Mets are reportedly looking for a college bat and Choice should sign for slot so that will also intrigue the Mets.

Scouts seem to complain a bit about his swing mechanics, but he still has a balanced swing and good pitch recognition. He leads all Division I baseball players with 76 walks. Some of those were intentional because of how weak the rest of his lineup was. I wouldn’t be too upset if this was the Mets choice because of his power potential and they lack of quality bats in the system. He would instantly become the Mets 2nd best outfielder (possibly a 1a. 1b. with Kirk Nieuwenhuis) and he could move pretty quickly if he makes the right adjustments with his swing.