Levi
Michael
SS-2B
/ North Carolina
Bats-Throws: B-R
Height/Weight: 5-10/180
Hometown: Welcome,
N.C.
Previously
Drafted: Never drafted
Birthdate: Feb.
9, 1991
SCOUTING
PROFILE: In a draft deep in talent, but noticeably thin in
premium college shortstops, Michael stands to become one of the first
middle infielders selected. It’s unclear, though, whether Michael
will be drafted as a second baseman or shortstop—though the team
that ultimately drafts him will almost certainly believe he can play
shortstop at the next level in order to get maximum value out of the
pick. Michael has a live body and is the best athlete on the Tar
Heels roster. He has played all over the infield in his three seasons
at North Carolina—second base as a freshman, third baseman as a
sophomore, shortstop as a junior. He has the soft, quick hands
desired in a shortstop, and the quick feet to get to most balls. His
arm strength also plays on the left side. Most scouts believe Michael
will ultimately end up at second base because he just seems like a
better fit there, though he did find a comfort level this spring at
shortstop, committing just seven errors. He had 13 at third base in
2010, 15 at second base in 2009. Michael was hampered this spring by
an ankle injury, but it seemed to impact his game more at the plate
and on the bases, more than in the field. As a sophomore, he topped
the Tar Heels in almost every offensive category—batting (.346),
slugging (.575), on-base average (.480), runs (76), homers (9),
stolen bases (20)—but was not as dominant a hitter this season,
batting .313-5-48 overall with 15 stolen bases. A switch-hitter,
Michael generates slightly better raw power from the right side, but
is considered a more complete hitter lefthanded as he has a shorter
swing with more bat speed from that side. Overall, he is a polished,
patient hitter (46:37 walk-to-strikeout ratio this season) with the
ability to drive balls to the gaps. With above-average speed and
excellent base-running instincts, he has an ideal combination of
skills for a top-of-the-order hitter. Though Michael does not have
one exceptional tool, he has very polished skills and is solid in
every area of his game. He generally gets the most out of his ability
as he plays exceptionally hard and has an excellent approach to the
game. Michael is one of the younger college players in this draft as
he turned 20 in February. Like high-profile UCLA righthander Trevor
Bauer, projected to be one of the top picks in the 2011 draft,
Michael graduated a semester early from high school, and joined the
North Carolina baseball program in the spring of what should have
been his senior year at North Davidson High. At a then 5-foot-10 and
165 pounds, Michael had surprisingly polished skills, but didn’t
appear to be physically mature enough to compete at the NCAA Division
I level. He shot down that concern quickly, hitting 13 home runs (his
career high) with 57 RBIs, while batting .290. Now a junior with
three college seasons under his belt, Michael has become the
unquestioned team leader of a 45-14 Tar Heels squad and is projected
to be picked late in the first round, approximately the same position
that Hawaii second baseman Kolten Wong should be drafted. Though
Michael hasn’t played second base since his freshman year, he and
Wong are similar players, with Wong having a bit more strength with
the bat and Michael the better arm, with Michael having the obvious
advantage of potentially being able to play shortstop at the
big-league level.
Projected
Draft Position: Late first round /
sandwich round.
Perfect
Game Events Attended
2007 WWBA 2008 Grads or 17u National Championship
2007 WWBA 2009 Grads or 16u National Championship
2007 WWBA Underclass World Championship
2007 WWBA World Championship
2008 National Showcase
2008 WWBA 2009 Grads or 17u National Championship
2008 WWBA World Championship