2011 MLB Draft: 5 Prospects Closest to Being MLB-Ready
Every team hopes that its draft picks will mature quickly in the minor leagues and have productive Major League careers starting from a young age.
However, such is not always the case, even with the highest-touted prospects.
The MLB Amateur Draft is this Monday June 6th, and the 30 teams will be well prepared to draft the most talented players available.
Drafting good young starting pitchers is usually the norm of the first few picks and that should be the case for the most part again this year.
Here are five prospects that might be the closest to Major League ready in the draft.
5. Jed Bradley, LHP, Georgia Tech
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Left-handed starting pitchers are one of the most coveted entities in all of sports.
As such, Jed Bradleyโs name will likely be called early on in the draft.
The Georgia Tech lefty has been a strikeout machine this year, and has led an inexperienced starting staff.
Bradley has improved significantly from last season, which also has scouts creating a buzz.
Baseball America has ranked his stuff as the best of any pitcher in the draft. Bradley throws a low-90s fastball with a wicked slider and change-up.
Itโs his control that should make him a solid starter at the next level.
4. Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Texas
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Texas Longhornsโ starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann likely wonโt have to worry about how far he falls in the draft, since heโll likely be off the board in the blink of an eye.
The 6โ6โ righty won eight of his first nine starts this year and hasnโt slowed down since.
Despite the great stats, Jungmann has made a name for himself with his great stuff. He throws his fastball consistently in the mid-90s, and can even hit 97-98 mph on the radar gun. He also can spot a good-looking curveball and change-up.
He has odd mechanics, but theyโve seemed to work for him so far, meaning a minor league pitching coach would really have to see something wrong in order to change him.
Jungmann appears to be on the fast track to the majors.
3. Trevor Bauer, RHP, UCLA
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Trevor Bauer should be in the big leagues in the near future.
Despite his 6โ1โ, 175-pound frame, Bauer can bring some serious heat with his fastball, touching 97 mph at times.
He strikes out hitters at an incredible rate. Bauer led the nation with 165 Kโs last season.
However, itโs not just the fastball that Bauer has used to collect these strikeouts. He uses his above-average curveball as his strikeout pitch.
Bauer is said to delve into quirky training methods, but if it works, teams wonโt worry too much about it.
Though he may wind up being drafted outside the top-five, he has a chance to be one of the first players from this draft class to reach the majors.
2. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice
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Is that Evan Longoria playing third base for Rice or Anthony Rendon?
Rendon has drawn plenty of comparisons to the Tampa Bay Raysโ All-Star third baseman.
Rendon plays Gold-Glove caliber defense and can hit for both power and average.
His career college batting average is over .380, which is impressive since he draws so many walks considering opposing pitchers wanting nothing to do with him.
Rendon has had a little history with injuries but if heโs healthy, he could be the first position player from this yearโs draft to suit up in the majors.
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA
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In addition to Trevor Bauer, UCLA has another Major League ready pitcher in Gerrit Cole.
Cole has great velocity, so itโs no wonders heโs drawn early comparisons to Stephen Strasburg. However, whatever team drafts Cole will hope his early career doesnโt follow the same path as Strasburgโs.
Cole can hit 100 mph with his fastball but his command needs a little work. Though he throws hard, professional hitters can hit a pitch at any speed if itโs straight.
Thatโs why when Cole mixes in his unhittable slider, heโll be very difficult to hit. Heโs projected as a lock for a top-five pick.
If he can stay healthy and shoot through the minors, heโll be pitching in the majors before too long.
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