THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,452 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,452 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | Mock Draft | 6/2/2017

2017 MLB Mock Draft Version 2

Photo: Louisville Sports Information



2017 MLB Draft Preview | 2017 MLB Mock Draft Version 12017 MLB Draft Order

With just over a week to go until the draft, the rumor mill has begun to spin heavily across the industry, linking players to different teams. It's important to realize that a lot of these rumors are just that--rumors--designed to drum up interest in certain things for varying reasons, and are often nothing more than smoke with no fire behind it. With that being said, here's our attempt to take a look at how the draft might play out through 36 picks. 


1. Minnesota Twins | Brendan McKay, lhp/1b, Louisville
At this point the Twins are being linked to three players most heavily, in McKay, Hunter Greene, and Kyle Wright; with a little buzz surrounding other names like Virginia's Pavin Smith. This pick is likely not going to be decided for awhile yet, so for now the Twins go with McKay, a relatively safe mid-rotation starter, who might hit as well.



2. Cincinnati Reds | Hunter Greene, rhp/ss, Notre Dame HS (Calif.)
The Reds have been very heavy on both McKay and Wright at varying points this spring; but it seems overwhelmingly likely at this point that if Greene is there at No.2; he'll be a Red. They really like Kyle Wright as well, so if the Twins take McKay as I predicted above; they'll have a harder choice to make that many expect.  


3. San Diego Padres | Royce Lewis, ss/cf, JSerra HS (Calif.)
This is where it starts to get a little weird, because in this scenario, Kyle Wright is still on the board. Hunter Greene is mostly likely No. 1 on the Padres board and they would take him if he was available, but if he goes at No. 2; it seems more likely that the Padres go with Lewis or potentially prep lefty MacKenzie Gore. 


4. Tampa Bay Rays | Kyle Wright, rhp, Vanderbilt
Wright is No. 2 on my board behind Greene, and if he were to fall to No. 4 it's likely that the Rays would do cartwheels in the draft room and sprint to the podium. It seems just as likely; however, at this point that Wright goes No. 1 overall--which would, of course, throw this whole projection out the window. There's also been a relatively consistent rumor this spring of SoCal prep bat Nicholas Pratto in play here. 


5. Atlanta Braves | MacKenzie Gore, lhp, Whiteville HS (N.C.)
The Braves are known to covet Kyle Wright, and had been linked to prep outfielder Austin Beck earlier this spring--though that has died down substantially. Gore is getting play as early as potentially No. 1 overall at the moment; and it's well-known at this point that the Braves like him a lot. They'd be pleased with this pick at this spot. 


6. Oakland Athletics | J.B. Bukauskas, rhp, North Carolina
The Athletics are still considering both prep and college players; with Bukauskas, Pavin Smith, Adam Haseley, Gore, and Austin Beck all getting buzz with the A's. Bukauskas has the best pure stuff in the college class; with a mid-90's fastball and plus-plus slider; though he's undersized and his delivery/arm action raise some concerns.


7. Arizona Diamondbacks | Adam Haseley, of, Virginia
 
Haseley is getting some buzz in lots of spots all across the draft board, but he fits what Mike Hazen and Amiel Sawdaye like to do from a draft perspective and therefore is a good fit here to Arizona. Haseley is a big time collegiate performer with legitimate tools as well; and would slide right into the top spot in the D'Back's org.



8. Philadelphia Phillies | Pavin Smith, 1b, Virginia
The Phillies have been tied to both Smith and fellow UVA'er Adam Haseley for awhile now; with Austin Beck also getting some buzz here. Smith offers what might be the highest floor in the draft--he can really hit, with an outstanding approach and above average power as well. 


9. Milwaukee Brewers | Jordon Adell, of/rhp, Ballard HS (Kent.)
One of the louder buzzes all spring has been the Brewers tied to toolsy prep outfielders, with Jordon Adell, Austin Beck, and even Drew Waters generating some noise at this pick. They've also been tied to college pitching, though it's a bit harder to see anyone worthy of No. 9 right now. For now, they go with Adell. 


10. Los Angeles Angels | Alex Faedo, rhp, Florida 
Faedo has been steadily good this spring; though the rumored velocity jump from the fall never really did show up. He pitches at 90-94 mph with a plus slider and average changeup; with a certain amount of safety given his track record and present stuff. The Angels have been tied to prep bats, especially Adell, but with him gone, Faedo is the pick right now. 


11. Chicago White Sox | Jeren Kendall, of, Vanderbilt
If Kendall didn't swing and miss as much as he does, we'd likely be calling him a slam-dunk 1:1 selection--the other tools are just that good. He's got plus raw power from the left side with plus-plus speed, a plus arm, and a chance to be plus in center field. The only question is just how much the whiffs will impact his hit tool. 


12. Pittsburgh Pirates | Austin Beck, of, North Davidson HS (N.C.)
Several teams have been linked with Beck ahead of this pick (as well as several after); as the prep outfielder has as loud of tools as anyone in the class, but the lack of performance history due to a torn ACL last year has led to some concerns with evaluators. Regardless of those concerns, this is a good fit here. 


13. Miami Marlins | Shane Baz, rhp, Concordia Lutheran HS (Texas)
While having been linked to several prep players, including both of the premier lefties remaining (Trevor Rogers and D.L. Hall), the Marlins go with Baz here. He's been up to 98 mph this spring with a host of potentially impact offspeed pitches. Baz is firmly committed to TCU, so, similar to Nick Lodolo last year, we'll see if that has any kind of impact. 


14. Kansas City Royals | Trevor Rogers, lhp, Carlsbad HS (N.M.)
Rogers has been rumored as high as No. 3 overall to the Padres, though that smoke died down quickly. He's also been tied to a bunch of other places, but it's well-known in the industry that the Royals are very heavy on the prep lefty from New Mexico, who has drawn comparisons to a young Andrew Miller. 


15. Houston Astros | David Peterson, lhp, Oregon
"Dominant" doesn't even begin to describe how David Peterson has been for Oregon this spring; as the huge lefthander has had no trouble whatsoever in the PAC-12. He works 90-94 mph on most nights with a potentially plus slider and plus command, and looks to be a pretty safe mid-rotation piece at this point. 


16. New York Yankees | D.L. Hall, lhp, Valdosta H.S. (Ga.)
Hall is the No. 3 prep lefty on our draft board, one spot behind Trevor Rogers, though it's well within reason that the hyper-athletic southpaw is higher on other boards. He shows mid-90's heat with a plus curveball and quality changeup, along with the athleticism to eventually have good command as well. Yankees have also been linked heavily with Nick Pratto and Austin Beck, along with UCLA righthander Griffin Canning. 


17. Seattle Mariners | Griffin Canning, rhp, UCLA
The Mariners have been consistently tied to college pitching all spring, and Canning is the best available remaining college arm. He's not flashy but has a quality collection of above average pitches with a plus breaking ball and a fastball that can touch 95-96 mph; and he's really performed this spring as well. 


18. Detroit Tigers | Nicholas Pratto, 1b, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)
The Tigers have been tied to their typical collection of hard-throwing righthanded arms, but we've also heard them linked with prep outfielder Drew Waters, Oregon's David Peterson, and Nicholas Pratto. Considered by some to be the best prep bat in the class, Pratto would provide a significant boost to the Detroit farm system, which is really lacking in pure hitters at the moment. 


19. San Francisco Giants | Logan Warmoth, ss, North Carolina
The Giants haven't been necessarily specifically tied to Warmoth, the shortstop from UNC who has really popped this spring due to increased power in his game, but it almost makes too much sense to tie the two parties together at this point. The Giants love prep catcher Luis Campusano, but this may be a touch high for him. 


20. New York Mets | Nate Pearson, rhp, College of Central Florida (JC)
A mountain of a righthander flamethrower, Pearson has been the No. 1 JC prospect on PG's list dating back to last fall. With a fastball that has touched 101-102 (depending on the gun you saw at his recent bullpen); Pearson pitches at 93-98 mph and will show an above average curveball along with delivery components to start. 


21. Baltimore Orioles | Evan White, 1b, Kentucky
The Orioles love college bats at this point, with White, Logan Warmoth, Jake Burger, and Keston Hiura all being tied here at various points and intensities this spring. In this scenario they go with White, who can definitely hit and is a tremendous defender at 1st base, but lacks a ton of home run power. 


22. Toronto Blue Jays | Jake Burger, 3b/1b, Missouri State
Burger has been the preeminent collegiate power bat over the last two years (though Iowa's Jake Adams has him beat this season); smashing 20+ HR's each of the last two seasons. He seems likely to slide over to first base, but offers plus plus raw power along with good feel to hit. 


23. Los Angeles Dodgers | Bubba Thompson, of, McGill-Toolen Catholic (Ala.)
The Dodgers have been continually linked with the dual-sport superstar who is committed to Alabama to play strictly baseball. Thompson offers the type of high-impact athletic upside that few others in this class can, with the chops to be plus in the outfield long term and seriously advanced hitting tools. 


24. Boston Red Sox | Keston Hiura, 2b, UC-Irvine
The Red Sox don't shy away from drafting seemingly "unconventional" 1st rounders, and the concerns over both Hiura's future defensive home and his potentially needing Tommy John surgery put him in that mold. However, no one questions Hiura's ability to hit--he absolutely rakes--and there's potentially impact power there too. 


25. Washington Nationals | Tanner Houck, rhp, Missouri
Houck and LSU righthander Alex Lange are viewed somewhat similarly at this point, as SEC righthanders with big fastballs, quality breaking balls, and reliever concerns. Houck gets the nod in this mock, and he's been up to 98 mph with plus-plus fastball life to go with a potentially plus slider; though Lange is a name here as well. 


26. Texas Rangers | Matthew Sauer, rhp, Righetti HS (Calif.)
Perhaps the biggest single riser on draft boards this spring, Sauer's velocity took a big jump up from the 88-92 mph he mostly pitched at last summer/fall to the 93-96 mph he's pitched at this spring. He's got excellent physicality as well; with some remaining projection and a dynamic breaking ball that has earned plus grades. The Rangers are tied to him heavily at one of their two picks in the late 20's. 


27. Chicago Cubs | Nick Allen, ss, Francis W. Parker HS (Calif.)
We at Perfect Game have made no apologies for our affinity for Nick Allen over the years, as the undersized shortstop is the best defender overall in the class with a headiness for the game not seen often from a prep player. He's not going to offer much power, but he can hit, run, and will be a premium defender for years at SS.



28. Toronto Blue Jays | Brendon Little, lhp, State College of Florida-Manatee (JC)
Little is the second of the two-headed Florida JuCo pitcher monster with Nate Pearson; though more concerns about a future bullpen move have pushed him back a bit from his JC counterpart. Little works with a plus fastball and curveball from the left side, and could pitch in the majors quickly if moved to the 'pen immediately. 


29. Texas Rangers | Alex Lange, rhp, Louisiana State 
The Rangers are well-known to love prep upside, so I considered a prep bat like Jeter Downs or Drew Waters here, but having taken a boom-or-bust candidate at 26, they go a bit safer with Lange here. Many think Lange is a reliever long term, but the massive righty pitches in the mid-90's with the best true curveball in the class, so at worst he profiles as a lockdown late-innings reliever. 


30. Chicago Cubs | Heliot Ramos, of, Leadership Christian Academy (PR)
Though the Cubs went with a prep bat in their first pick, it was more of a safer selection given Allen's defensive prowess; so they go upside here with toolsy Ramos, an outfielder from Puerto Rico. There are lots of plus grades on Ramos' scouting report; though the rawness is pretty severe and makes him a boom-or-bust type of selection.


31. Tampa Bay Rays | Jeter Downs, ss, Monsignor Pace HS (Fla.)
The Rays pick at 4, 31, and 41; so expect them to get creative with their selections, though in this projection they have Kyle Wright fall into their laps at No. 4. If that happens, it's possible they go with prep upside here with a guy like Downs, Drew Waters, or Minnesota prep arm Sam Carlson. Downs has had a fantastic spring, pushing him up boards by showing more power than he'd shown on the circuit along with the tools to stay at shortstop. 


32. Cincinnati Reds | Drew Waters, of, Etowah HS (Ga.)
Cincinnati has been linked to Waters all spring long either here or at No. 38, and while it's well within reason that the switch-hitting center fielder is gone before now, the Reds would likely be ecstatic to get him here. Waters can hit from both sides with the tools to stay in center field long term. Plus, the Reds went with a toolsy prep OF from Georgia as their second pick last year in Taylor Trammell, so why not do it again with Waters?


33. Oakland Athletics | Seth Romero, lhp, Houston
Romero was getting light buzz as a potential 1:1 candidate prior to being dismissed from the team at Houston for off the field incidents, and had even drawn a few comparisons to Carlos Rodon. This could be a landing spot for him here, though it's impossible to say with any certainty. Makeup aside, Romero offers mid-90's heat from the left side along with one of the best breaking balls in the class; so the upside is hard to ignore even still. 


34. Milwaukee Brewers | Clarke Schmidt, rhp, South Carolina 
Schmidt was looking like a possible top-20, even top-15 type of pick prior to injuring his elbow and needing Tommy John surgery last month. Even with the surgery, this looks like a good potential landing spot for him after going for upside with Adell earlier. At his best, Schmidt works in the 91-95 mph range with a plus slider; and if he recovers fully could look like a steal at No. 34. 


35. Minnesota Twins | Sam Carlson, rhp, Burnsville HS (Minn.)
This is a bit too close to a Hollywood ending, as the Twins select Minnesota native Sam Carlson with their second choice. After going safer (with upside) at No. 1 overall in Brendan McKay, the Twins go for upside with Carlson here. The physical righthander has been up to 97 mph this spring with a future plus changeup; and he's shown better feel for spinning his slider as well. 


36. Miami Marlins | Corbin Martin, rhp, Texas A&M
Typically speaking, after going for prep upside at No. 13 in Shane Baz, a good pairing here at No. 36 would be a college bat. However, the draft gets awful light on college bats at this point; so the Marlins go for a college arm here in Corbin Martin of Texas A&M, who has really flourished since joining the Aggie rotation at the start of conference play. 


Draft | Story | 5/8/2026

PG Draft Top 400: Biggest Risers

Tyler Henninger
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The draft cycle is officially in full swing. With the college season nearing postseason play and high school baseball underway across the country, the board is beginning to shift in a major way. Over the past month, a number of players have significantly altered their stock, whether by continuing dominant spring performances or showing improved tools that warrant a jump. That movement was evident throughout our latest Top-400 update, which featured several notable jumps across the board. Here’s a look at the biggest risers from the newest rankings update. Biggest Risers Overall  Huge day at the yard for James Tronstein (‘26, CA). 3-for-4 which included 2 HRs, one to dead center and the other to straight away right. Now up to 8 on the year. Has been a consistent @PG_Draft riser this spring and is getting hot at the right time. #PGHS @PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/6grT1zZ9lg...
Tournaments | Story | 5/27/2026

East Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
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East Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Trigg Listerman (28, Tampa, FL) had a great showing on the mound Sunday, throwing 4 inning while allowing only 2 hits and no earned runs. Listerman is a quick, athletic righty arm with a fastball that ran up to 90 with some run to it and a sharp breaking ball with sharp, late break to it. Kept hitters guessing at the plate all game and struck out 7 batters. Brody Root (28, Saint James City, FL) had a good start on the mound in the first round of the playoffs, throwing 5 innings allowing only 3 runs and sitting 6 batters down on strikes. pounded the zone with the fastball that ran up to 86 and complimented it nicely with a late breaking slider with tight spin to it. Drives hard down the mound and has an explosive, quick arm. Hayden Pelegrin (27, Miami, FL) had a great day at the plate today going 2-2 with 2 doubles and bringing in 2 RBIs. Smooth...
Tournaments | Story | 5/27/2026

Southeast Memorial Day Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 SS Malachi Butler doesn’t miss a stitch of this one, hitting it out to the PS for a 2-run HR. Profile littered with tools & performs at an elite level. @GTBaseball commit. #SEMemorialDay https://t.co/WOCXkOZmiL pic.twitter.com/lSHadfcfKZ — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) May 22, 2026 Georgia Tech commit Malachi Butler (2027, Powder Springs, Ga.) hasn’t missed a beat since the summer began, putting up gaudy numbers through the first two tournaments. A week ago, he hit .500 while taking home MVP honors, well he almost replicated those numbers over the weekend, hitting .412 across six games with three doubles and a homer. He showed elite strike zone awareness throughout, finishing with six walks to zero strikeouts and the impact has ticked up in a big way. Butler recently took over the top spot in the state and it’s easy to see why. He checks a ton...
Tournaments | Story | 5/27/2026

USA Prime Claims 17U Title in Thriller

Alyssa Golden
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USA Prime Tampa Scout 2027 edged VSA Scout 17U 4-3 Monday afternoon, using strong defense and a walk-off RBI from Bryce Flemming to secure the title. A light breeze helped cool down an otherwise warm afternoon at JetBlue Park during the championship game. USA Prime jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning to apply early pressure on VSA. VSA responded behind relief pitcher Finlee Crowder, who settled the game down after entering in the second inning and helped keep his team within reach as the game turned into a back-and-forth battle. VSA eventually battled back to tie the game at 3-3, but several momentum-shifting defensive plays from USA Prime catcher Marcello Fraccola helped preserve the tie throughout the middle innings. “I feel like a huge motivator on the team,” Fraccola said. “The catcher is a big position on the field. You have to make...
Tournaments | Story | 5/27/2026

West Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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West Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Hawk Licari (‘27,AZ) lambastes this one to the LCF gap for a triple. Finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI. This kid can swing it. He’s a legit @PG_Uncommitted 2WP and the #1 ranked LHP in the state. Get in to see this one. #MDWest pic.twitter.com/9gKjZdkcLq — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) May 23, 2026 Hawk Licari, LHP/1B, Scottsdale, AZ. Canes West National (2027) Licari is a high-upside uncommitted 2027 who can really swing it from the left side. The combination of hit tool, athleticism, and left-handed pitching projection makes him a priority follow for college programs. Continued strength gains and refinement on the mound will only elevate his stock. Colin Murphy (‘27,CA) Stands 6’1/190 and shows athletic actions and promising offensive traits. Stays inside this one and shoots it to the back side for a...
College | Story | 5/25/2026

Field of 64 Projections

Vincent Cervino
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The 2026 season was one of the most exciting and unpredictable editions of college baseball in recent memory, and as quickly as it flew by, we are ready to start the “Road to Omaha”.  After hours of deliberation, we are ready to release our projected region field and “Field of 64” as we see it.  The UCLA Bruins (51-6) start us off as the anticipated No. 1 National Seed as they put the finishing touches on a historic season, including a 27-game win streak, a Big 10 Regular Season title and Big 10 Tournament championship.  The Big 10 looks like they will have (4) teams in the field, with (3) host sights, representing the West Coast well.  The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (48-9) should secure the No. 2 Nation Seed and lead the charge for (8) teams from the ACC in the field with (3) of them securing host opportunities.  Meanwhile, the Georgia...
Tournaments | Story | 5/24/2026

East Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 IF Braylon Sheffield (FL) with an absolute 🚀 here, launching high off the RCF wall for a 3B. Super polished LH stick; hit over .400 last year on the circuit. #GoHoos commit. #EastMemorial pic.twitter.com/mdehqpR5v5 — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) May 23, 2026 Braylon Sheffield (2027, Fort Myers, Fla.) got the event started with the loudest swing of the night on Friday at Terry Park, rocketing a triple off the wall in the stadium. Sheffield, ranked 121 and committed to Virginia, is a super polished left-handed hitter with left side of the infield projection long term. The swing is tension-free with loose wrists and he generates easy bat speed with already present power to the pull side. This blast came inches away from being a home run and hitting a ball that far at Terry Park stadium is a significant shot. Sheffield also tripled in his second game of the weekend at...
Tournaments | Story | 5/24/2026

West Memorial Day Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Tyler Henninger
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Colton Floyd (‘27,AZ) just misses a HR here. Can really impact the baseball & shows over the fence power potential. Took 3 QAB’s today. He’s the #1 ranked 3B in the state and #4 in the country. #MDWest https://t.co/ReMh7D0v4y pic.twitter.com/w1dzssSy8N — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) May 23, 2026 Colton Floyd, 3B, Chandler, AZ. Canes West National (2027) Floyd is a high-upside prospect with physical tools and burgeoning power. His combination of size, bat speed, and raw strength makes him one of the top power-hitting third basemen in the country. Currently ranked the #1 third baseman in Arizona and #4 nationally in his class. With continued refinement of his approach and defensive consistency, he has all the ingredients to be a middle-of-the-order bat at Texas A&M and a legitimate MLB Draft prospect JJ Utash (‘27,AZ) with a triple here....
Tournaments | Story | 5/21/2026

Memorial Day Classics Set to Kick Off

Perfect Game Staff
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Southeast Memorial Day East Cobb Baseball will welcome more than 100 teams spanning the 13-17u age groups this weekend as summer baseball gets underway with the highly anticipated PG Southeast Memorial Day Classic, commencing on Thursday, May 21st. This weekend’s annual premier event will feature 11 nationally ranked teams across the five age groups with the No. 9 16u East Cobb Astros headlining the 17u division alongside top prospects such as No. 11 ranked Bryan Johnson Jr. And No. 22 ranked Georgia Tech commit, Malachi Butler. The No. 34 17u ranked 643 DP Cougars will also be a squad to watch as they will look to challenge the Astros for the championship amongst the other 14 17u division teams. While the oldest division will draw lots of attention with highly touted prospects, the 16u field is stacked with 29 total teams including three nationally ranked clubs. Over 30 top 1000...
High School | General | 5/22/2026

Northeast High School Notebook: May 22

Anthony Gambardella
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‘26 RHP Hunter Brown (@NHLionsBaseball - NJ) struck out 1️⃣5️⃣ thru 6 IP w/ 0 BB & 2 H allowed. FB lived 90-92, T93 w/ ASR & late life. Froze bats with his 11/5 CB both early/late in counts (2600rpm). Mixed in fading CH & short/tight SL. #WeAre commit. @PG_Draft#PGHS @PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/NbSSOmCyD0 — Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic (@PGMidAtlantic) April 23, 2026 Hunter Brown - 2026 RHP, North Hunterdon Reg (N.J.) was utterly dominant in his start against Franklin last month, tossing six shutout innings with 15 strikeouts, zero walks and just two hits allowed. The 6-foot-5 215-pound right-hander has pitched to a 0.97 ERA this spring with 78 punchouts over 36 innings of work. Brown has been one of the many northeast arms receiving increasingly more buzz ahead of the MLB Draft this July. Brown’s heater lived in the low-90s throughout the duration of his...
Press Release | Press Release | 5/22/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 65

Ron Wolforth
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The Insidious Lie That Hurts Pitchers Thep Most How many of you have ever had a terrible outing and afterward couldn’t really explain what went wrong? And how many of you have ever had a great outing and couldn’t explain what you did differently either? That gap between what is happening and your awareness of what is happening may be one of the most important gaps in player development. Closing that gap has a name. It is called metacognition. In simple terms, metacognition means thinking about your thinking. It is the ability to understand how you learn, how you perform, how you respond under pressure, and how you make adjustments when things are not going your way. For a pitcher, that matters because no matter how good your coach is, he cannot stand on the mound with you. Your coach cannot take the ball with the bases loaded, two outs, and the best hitter in the league...
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