2016 MLB Draft Reports: 1-50

David Rawnsley Jheremy Brown Andrew Krause

Photo: Perfect Game

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2016 Perfect Game MLB Draft Preview Index

Top 500 Prospects (list/Insider): 1-100 | 101-200 | 201-300 | 3 01-400 | 401-500

Draft Reports (Premium):
51-100 | 101-150 | 151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300 | 301-350 | 351-400 | 401-450 | 451-500

1. Jason Groome, lhp, Barnegat HS
L-L, 6-6/180, Barnegat, N.J.
College Commitment: Vanderbilt

Groome has survived an April suspension related to his transfer between his junior and senior seasons from IMG Academy in Florida back to his home high school in New Jersey, as cross-checkers flocked to see intersquad games in the interim. He is one of the most polished high school pitchers in the class despite being one of the youngest and that just makes his mid-90s fastball and potential plus curveball all the much more effective.

For more on Groome, read his Draft Pack profile here.

2. Riley Pint, rhp, St. Thomas Aquinas HS
R-R, 6-4/195, Lenexa, Kan.
College Commitment: Louisiana State

Pint is still a bit inconsistent in the quality of his command and off-speed pitches but he's made definite progress in both areas this spring due to improved mechanics. What has stood out, though, is that the Kansas right hander's fastball velocity, regularly touching triple digits and working in the mid-90s, is pretty much unprecedented in high school pitching history. That may not make him the first high school righthander ever picked first overall but he shouldn't fall very far from there.

For more on Pint, read his Draft Pack profile here.

3. Corey Ray, of, Louisville (JR)
L-L, 6-0/185, Chicago, Ill.
Previously Drafted: Mariners ’13 (33)

Louisville’s Corey Ray has continued to improve his draft stock ever since stepping foot on campus in the fall of 2013 but he’s truly come into his own over the last calendar year. Known for his top-of-the-scales athleticism since his prep days, the lefthanded hitting Ray has continued to see the power tool evolve while still maintaining the hit tool and elite speed. Though he plays left field now, it’s more than probable that he’ll be sent out as a center fielder at the next level.

For more on Ray, read his Draft Pack profile here.

4. A.J. Puk, lhp, Florida
L-L, 6-7/225, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Previously Drafted: Tigers ’13 (35)

Puk has been a bit inconsistent during his time with the Gators, but he’s had a tendency to turn it on down the stretch in each of his three seasons. While he’s always been a well-regarded prospect, Puk truly turned some heads late last spring when he ran his fastball up into the upper-90s. He’s flashed that velocity at times this season and also has shown a plus sweeping slider. The combination of size, stuff and handedness gives Puk one of the highest ceilings in the college class.

For more on Puk, read his Draft Pack profile here.

5. Kyle Lewis, of, Mercer (JR)
R-R, 6-4/195, Lithonia, Ga.
Previously Drafted: Never Drafted

You may not find an athlete who’s built quite like Mercer’s Kyle Lewis in the collegiate ranks for some time as they’re usually scooped up early and never make it to campus. Lewis however did arrive at Mercer after going undrafted out of high school and has used his three years to craft a resume that’s worthy of a top five pick. A right fielder at the next level, Lewis has continued to hit for power this spring and used his time on the Cape to prove he could do it with wood and against some of the nation’s best pitching. It’s also worth noting that his approach at the plate has taken a noticeable step forward this spring.

For more on Lewis, read his Draft Pack profile here.

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