-Isaiah Burrows
Cody Schrier, Junior, SS, UCLA
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 81
Schrier is in his third year as the Bruin’s starting shortstop and currently on pace to put up the best numbers of his career. After 11 games, Schrier has posted .364/.451/.568 slash line. A simple right-handed swing shows quick bat speed and some sneaky power for a slightly undersized frame. The profile will continue to be hit-over-power, but the ability to draw walks has seen an improvement. Schrier already has nearly half the amount of walks he recorded a year ago in a third of the games played. Continuing to show he is healthy will be key for Schrier this spring as he looks to rebuild his draft stock.
Colby Shelton, Sophomore, SS, Florida
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 63
Shelton transferred to Gainesville after a stellar freshman campaign at Alabama and has put up even better numbers so far. The Gator’s shortstop has posted a 1.223 OPS with five home runs and nine walks across the first 11 games of the year. A simple swing at the plate is willing to drive balls where they are pitched with plus power showing to all fields. The on-base ability and power potential make for a high-end offensive profile that will draw plenty of interest as a draft-eligible sophomore.
Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford HS (AL)
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 33
Johnson entered the year as a potential first round selection and has done nothing but help his stock since. The Alabama prep shortstop features a smooth left-handed swing that consistently finds barrels. Johnson put together a hitting clinic at the PG High School Showdown, recording seven total hits and posting a 1.134 OPS. The hit tool, approach, and athleticism look to be the makings of a very early pick this summer.
Duce Gourson, Junior, 2B, UCLA
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 184
Gourson has flown a little bit under the radar during his collegiate career, but continues to make noise and the plate. Gourson has posted an OPS near 1.000 up to this point in the year and shown an intriguing mix of on-base ability and power from the left side of the plate. Gourson has walked the same amount of times he has struck out and the power looks to be up a tick from last year. It is likely a second base profile defensively, but the offensive ability will warrant an up arrow in the next draft board update.
William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS (LA)
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 48
Schmidt is making a strong case early this spring to be the top prep right-hander off the board come draft time. The righthander features an uber-projectable build at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds with loud stuff present. Schmidt dominated at the PG High School Showdown striking out 12 hitters across five innings of work. The fastball works up to 96 mph, while a hammer curveball shows spin rates near 3000 rpm. The stuff, spin profile, and projectability will warrant a significant bump in the next draft board update.
For more on Schmidt, read about his performance at the High School Showdown here.
Cam Caminiti, LHP/OF, Saguaro HS (AZ)
Draft Eligible: 2024 | Draft Board Rank: 19
Caminiti entered the year as the top prep arm on the board and has showcased exactly why during a dominant start to the spring. The left-hander has recorded a 0.60 ERA with an absurd 30 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings of work. An overpowering fastball has been up to 98 mph, showing why it is one of the best pitches in the entire prep class. Feel for a sweeping slider and changeup have both been shown and can keep hitters off balance. If the performance on the mound isn’t impressive enough, Caminiti has gone 8-for-16 at the plate with four extra-base hits and nine walks to go with it. The profile has one of the highest ceilings in the entire draft class and should result in an early selection this summer.
For more on Caminiti, read about his performance in the High School Notebook here.
-Tyler Henninger