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Draft  | Prospect Scouting Reports  | 5/30/2018

2018 MLB Draft Reports: 351-400

David Rawnsley      Jheremy Brown      Vincent Cervino     
Photo: Josh Watson (TCU 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 | 301-350 | 401-450 | 451-500


351. Clark Cota, rhp, UNC-Wilmington (JR)
R-R, 6-3/225, Hampstead, N.C.
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

Cota came to UNC-Wilmington as a two-way player, but over the course of his college career he has transitioned to being a pitcher-only, and has had great success in doing so. He's been dynamic as the closer this season, with a 4-0 record and 1.95 ERA across 32 1/3 innings, racking up 44 strikeouts and 13 saves while keeping his WHIP around 1.00. He doesn't have overwhelmingly loud stuff, but he does a good job of throwing strikes and forcing hitters to adjust to what he wants to throw. He usually operates in the 90-94 mph range with his fastball, generating good downhill plane to the plate, and mixes in a 50-55 (on the 20-80 scale) curveball that he can throw for strikes as well as out of the zone as a chase pitch. He profiles best as a potential middle relief option long term. 


352. Justin Montgomery, rhp, Cal Baptist (JR)
R-R, 6-5/205, Norco, Calif.
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

Splitting time between the bullpen and the rotation this season, Montgomery was solid for Cal Baptist, but wasn't wholly dominant. He went 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA across 48 1/3 innings, picking up 64 strikeouts but also walking a way-too-high 33 hitters along the way. He's a long, lean and still-projectable righthander who has some upside remaining. The arm action and delivery are mostly easy, and scouts believe he has a chance to be a good strike thrower as he continues to develop. The stuff is plenty good as well, with a fastball that usually rests in the 90-93 mph range with good, late life, in addition to both a slider and changeup that will both show above average. The overall command is well below average, and he is prone to spurts of wildness as well, but his raw stuff and physicality still gives him promising pro upside. 


353. Tim Borden, ss/3b, Our Lady of Providence HS
R-R, 6-2/180, Sellersburg, Ind.
College Commitment: Louisville

Borden was one of the most active players on last year's summer prospect circuit and has been well seen by scouts throughout his development. He's a well-rounded player without a true standout tool but with lots of baseball skill and physical projection. Borden's most likely future position is third base but the key to his future professional prospects is his righthanded bat, which flashes plenty of power and barrel skills and should continue to improve as he fills out his long and athletic build. Borden is signed with Louisville, which has an outstanding freshman class even if potential first round outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Nick Schnell turn professional this summer. The quartet of Borden, Jared Poland, Alex Binelas and Andrew Benefield could make up one of the most impactful class of college infielders in memory if they all make it to campus.


354. Erick Rivera, of/lhp, Carlos Colon Burgos HS
L-L, 6-0/180, Salinas, Puerto Rico
College Commitment: None

Rivera is a toolsy right fielder with 6.8 speed in the 60-yard dash and one of the strongest outfield throwing arms in the 2018 class. He threw 95 mph in drills at the 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase and 96 mph at the 2018 PG World Showcase in January and with outstanding carry and accuracy along with mature footwork through the ball. A lefthanded hitter, Rivera has shown two base approaches to hitting: one a short and simple swing that emphasizes consistent middle-of-the-field contact, the other a pull-and-lift approach that showcases his raw bat speed and ability to drive the ball out of the park. His future ability to meld these two approaches and adjust to individual game situations will determine his future as a hitter.


355. Josh Watson, of, TCU (JR)
B-R, 5-11/215, Arlington, Texas.
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

In what has been a very tough year for TCU, especially from an injury perspective, Watson was one of the bright spots from a production standpoint. The junior outfielder slashed .305/.437/.495 with 10 doubles, three triples and eight home runs, adding in eight stolen bases and a great deal of walks. He swings and misses a bit too much with a relatively elevated strikeout rate, but has shown improvement in that regard this season. He has some pretty legitimate raw power from the right side of the plate and scouts are pleased with the swing adjustments he made coming into the season, which has allowed for him to get to that power in game more frequently. The swing-and-miss is a concern but he does have a very quality approach and is able to work his share of walks. He's likely a left fielder long term, which puts more emphasis on how his bat is expected to develop at the next level. 


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