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Draft  | Prospect Scouting Reports  | 5/29/2018

2018 MLB Draft Reports: 301-350

David Rawnsley      Jheremy Brown      Vincent Cervino     
Photo: Antoine Duplantis (LSU Athletics)




2018 Perfect Game MLB Draft Preview Index

Top 500 Prospects (list/Insider): 1-100 | 101-200 | 201-300 | 301-400 | 401-500

Top 500 Prospect Reports (Premium): 1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150 | 151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300 | 351-400 | 401-450 | 451-500


301. Kingston Liniak, of, Misson Hills HS
R-R, 6-3/175, San Marcos, Calif.
College Commitment: San Diego

Liniak is a long-limbed and very projectable 6-foot-3 center fielder who has been rising up draft lists in Southern California all spring. He missed all last spring with a broken hand and didn't appear to be at full strength with the bat during last year's summer circuit, so the strong swing has been import to the righthanded hitter. With his long arms, Liniak's swing can get a bit long at times but there is present bat speed and plenty of barrel whip coming through the zone. He has more gap-to-gap power now than over-the-fence power, but that could well come with physical maturity. Defensively, Liniak has the tools to play any outfield position, with an easy running stride, 6.6 speed in the 60-yard dash and a very strong throwing arm. Liniak's uncle, Cole, signed as a seventh round draft pick by Boston out of San Dieguito High School in 1995 and made his big league debut with the Cubs in 1999 at the age of 22, playing 15 games in the Majors overall.


302. Franco Aleman, rhp, Alonso HS
R-R, 6-6/215, Tampa, Fla.
College Commitment: Florida International

The ace righthander for one of the more established Tampa high school programs, Aleman offers tremendous upside with a very physically projectable frame and long limbs, and as an added bonus he is young for the class. The fastball can work its way up to 94-95 mph with plenty of velocity left in the tank with further physical development. Aleman also utilizes a traditional 11-to-5 breaking ball that shows pretty good depth and he has feel for it.

For more on Aleman view his High School Notebook report with video here.


303. Nick Podkul, 2b, Notre Dame (JR)
R-R, 6-1/198, Schererville, Ind. 
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

Podkul had a very strong season for the Irish, slashing .312/.433/.525 with 13 doubles, three triples and eight home runs to go along with nine stolen bases and more walks that strikeouts. The righthanded hitting second baseman has a direct, linear stroke with good leverage off of his front side, and while he has solid raw power and can drive the ball out of the park, his approach is more of the gap-to-gap variety. He's a solid enough athlete who is likely limited to second base defensively, but he has some ability there to go with average speed. 


304. Grant Witherspoon, of, Tulane (JR)
L-L, 6-3/208, Lakewood, Colo.
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

One of the more powerful lefthanded prospects in the class, Witherspoon had a monster season for the Green Wave. He slashed .330/.436/.587 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 13 stolen bases and more walks than strikeouts. He's always been lauded as a very projectable athlete who had a chance to have very good power in time. That power took a large step forward this spring as evidenced by the numbers, showing closer to plus raw power from the left side. His athleticism intrigues, and there is a shot that can play center field long term, though most scouts seem to believe that left field will eventually be his defensive home. 


305. Jared Poland, 2b/of, Cathedral HS
R-R/6-0/190, Indianapolis, Ind.
College Commitment: Louisville

Poland is a strong and athletic righthanded hitter with a high ceiling as an offensive player. He was one of the most consistent performers on last summer's prospect circuit and has gone on to hit .407-7-25 this spring. Poland was especially impressive last summer against higher velocity pitching, as his short right-center field swing driven by strong and quick hands enabled him to stay back on 90-plus velocity better than most of his peers. Poland also has 6.6 speed, so he can be an impactful offensive player on the bases as well. One drawback of Poland's overall game right now is his future position. While he has the obvious speed and very good arm strength that enables him to throw up to 92 mph off the mound, he doesn't have a real present position. He plays shortstop in high school and played second base for much of the summer but does not have natural infield actions moving to the ball. Outfield seems like an obvious option, and while he has some experience there, scouts haven't seen him play enough to make any real judgments. Every year there seems to be a high college draft who was overlooked out of high school despite being a well-circulated and exposed player. Poland reminds one of top Reds’ prospect Nick Senzel out of high school with his swing and bat speed, only with more speed and overall athletic ability. Should he make it to Louisville for the next three years he has a chance to really blossom as a prospect, especially if he settles on a defensive position.


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