A capsule of our draft picks so far:
118Rutherford, BlakeChaminade Prep HSOFBats: LThrows: RClass: HSDOB: 05/02/97Height: 6'3"Weight: 195When a player is on the radar for multiple years, there is a danger of prospect fatigue. Rutherford has been a known quantity for a while, playing for USA Baseball's 18U team for two summers in a row, so he has been evaluated more than most high school players. The left-handed-hitting outfielder from the Southern California high school ranks can do just about everything on a baseball field. Rutherford has the chance to be an above-average hitter with above-average raw power. He'll record average to plus run times, and his speed helps him on the basepaths and in the outfield. Rutherford is a solid defender in the outfield, though most feel he'll move to right field in the future. The good news is his bat should profile just fine if that move does happen. Rutherford will be 19 when the Draft comes, a year older than most high schoolers, and some evaluators wish they had seen more from him as a result. That shouldn't deter a team in the first round from considering Rutherford's ability to be an everyday player, if not more, at the big league level.
Watch Video 1 18 Rutherford, Blake Chaminade Prep HS OFL/RHS
Watch Video 6'3" 195lbs DOB: 05/02/97
262Solak, NickLouisville2BBats: RThrows: RClass: JRDOB: 01/11/95Height: 5'10"Weight: 180An unheralded recruit, Solak made an instant impact as a freshman, posting the highest batting average (.351) and on-base percentage (.455) on Louisville's 2014 World Series team as a semi-regular. He hit .455 in his first 22 games this year before getting hit on the right hand by a pitch and missing a month. He wasn't as productive following his return but still is regarded as one of the better hitters in the college ranks. Solak also produced with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer, ranking second in OBP (.438) and fourth in hitting (.329). He has a line-drive stroke and focuses on the middle of the field, an approach that leads to consistent contact but not much power. Once he gets on base, he has the solid speed and good instincts to make things happen. A DH as a freshman and primarily a corner outfielder as a sophomore, Solak has moved to second base this spring. He has sure hands and his quickness gives him range, though he doesn't have the smoothest infield actions and some scouts wonder if he might wind up in center field in pro ball. He receives praise for his gritty makeup.
Watch Video 2 62 Solak, Nick Louisville 2BR/RJR
Watch Video 5'10" 180lbs DOB: 01/11/95
398Martinez, NolanCulver City HSRHPBats: RThrows: RClass: HSDOB: 06/30/98Height: 6'2"Weight: 165Southern California typically has a flush crop of high school pitching to consider every Draft year. The Class of 2016 is no different and while Martinez isn't the prototypical tall and projectable right-hander, his stuff has made scouts sit up and take notice. Just because Martinez isn't as big as some of the prep arms near the top of this list, that doesn't mean he lacks upside potential. He has seen his velocity spike this spring, firing his fastball up to 93 mph at times. He backs it up with a solid average curveball. Like with many high schoolers, Martinez's changeup is his third pitch. He has shown some polish and a repeatable delivery, with the hope that his feel for pitching should allow him to develop that third pitch. Martinez has been inconsistent with his fastball at times over the course of the spring, but there is room for him to add strength and he should be able to maintain velocity in the future. Martinez threw fairly well down the stretch, giving him a little boost. His stuff might have a ways to go, but his clean delivery and projectability has moved him solidly into top three round consideration.
Watch Video 3 98 Martinez, Nolan Culver City HS RHPR/RHS
Watch Video 6'2" 165lbs DOB: 06/30/98
4128Nelson, NickGulf Coast CCRHPBats: RThrows: RClass: J2DOB: 12/05/95Height: 6'1"Weight: 205 4 128 Nelson, Nick Gulf Coast CC RHPR/RJ2 -- 6'1" 205lbs DOB: 12/05/95
5158Thompson-Williams, DomSouth CarolinaCFBats: LThrows: LClass: JRDOB: 04/21/95Height: 6'0"Weight: 190An outfielder out of South Carolina, Thompson-Williams has good speed and the potential for power in his bat. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 19th round in 2014. 5 158 Thompson-Williams, Dom South Carolina CFL/LJR -- 6'0" 190lbs DOB: 04/21/95
6188Kriske, BrooksUSCRHPBats: RThrows: RClass: SRDOB: 02/03/94Height: 6'3"Weight: 190 6 188 Kriske, Brooks USC RHPR/RSR -- 6'3" 190lbs DOB: 02/03/94
