MaxPreps Top 10 high school MLB Draft prospects, 2013

Scouting the two best high school players in the country won't be too difficult this year. They come from two high schools located 5.5 miles apart on either side of Loganville, Ga.

At Grayson, located midway between the city of Grayson and Loganville, Austin Meadows roams the outfield and he is being tabbed by most mock drafts as the No. 1 high school prospect in the country. Regarded as a five-tool player, Meadows already looks like a Major League ballplayer despite being young for his grade.

On the other side of town, Clint Frazier, an outfielder for Loganville, has his own set of mock draft pundits who feel he is the No. 1 high school player in the country. He has shown to be one of the top power hitters in the draft after belting 24 home runs last season as a junior.

Expect the scouts to be out in force on March 12. That's the day that Grayson hosts Loganville. Loganville is the defending AAAA state champion while Grayson reached the AAAAA semifinals.



Meadows and Frazier top our list of the top 10 high school players most likely to be chosen in the first round of the MLB draft, which is scheduled for early June. A look at 10 different mock drafts was used to compile the list. Only five of the players on the list were named among the top 15 high school players on all 10 mock drafts. They included Meadows, Frazier, Kohl Stewart, Trey Ball and Oscar Mercado.

MaxPreps Top 10 MLB Draft Prospects

Austin Meadows, 6-3, 200, OF, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), Committed to Clemson
An outfielder from Georgia, Byron Buxton, was the first U.S. high school player chosen in last year's MLB draft and that could happen again in 2013. Meadows is the No. 1 overall pick on several mock draft lists and he is the No. 1 overall high school player on all but a handful. Scouts like his plus arm and plus speed, as well as his frame. Regarded as a five-tool player who projects to a corner outfield spot.

{PAGEBREAK}Clint Frazier, 6-0, 190, OF, Loganville (Ga.), Georgia
Although just 6-0, Frazier is able to generate a lot of power, as witnessed by his 24 home runs during his junior season. He will contend with fellow Loganville native Meadows for the honor of first high school player chosen. Not necessarily a five-tool player, but certainly a strong defender and baserunner.

{PAGEBREAK}Kohl Stewart, 6-3, 185, RHP, St. Pius X (Houston), Texas A&M
A quarterback prospect as well, Stewart throws in the low 90s but occasionally hits over 95. Scouts report that Stewart also has a solid slider but will need to work on control at the next level. He has also committed to play football for the Aggies and that could affect his draft selection.

{PAGEBREAK}Trey Ball, 6-6, 175, LHP, New Castle (Ind.), Texas
Hits 94 mph on his fastball, but he is still working on developing a plus second pitch. Regarded as a solid all-around athlete, Ball may be able to land a spot in the outfield as well due to a promising bat and a strong arm.



{PAGEBREAK}Reese McGuire, 6-1, 190, C, Kentwood (Covington, Wash.), San Diego
While the class of 2013 includes a number of outstanding catchers, McGuire has moved ahead of a pack that includes Mater Dei's Jeremy Martinez, Lexington's Nick Ciuffo and Eustis's Chris Okey. McGuire's athletic ability and defensive prowess have helped make him a potential first round pick. Scouts also believe he will be able to develop into a good hitter because he has solid bat speed.

{PAGEBREAK}Oscar Mercado, 6-2, 175, SS, Gaither (Tampa, Fla.), Florida State
The top high school infield prospect in the draft, Mercado will likely stay at shortstop due to his outstanding fielding abilities and strong arm. He also had outstanding speed and is expected to be able to hit at the next level. However Mercado's defensive abilities are what will get him drafted in the first round.

{PAGEBREAK}Justin Williams, 6-3, 215, OF, Terrebonne (Houma, La.), LSU
Williams joins Frazier as one of the top high school sluggers in the draft. Impressed at several power showcases, but he is still regarded as a being a raw talent. Scouts say that he has an above average arm and above average speed, but he has a huge upside due to his athletic ability.

{PAGEBREAK} Ian Clarkin, 6-2, 190, LHP, Madison (San Diego, Calif.), San Diego
Possesses perhaps the best fastball among the three lefthanders listed, hitting up into the mid-90s. Also has an excellent curveball that keeps batters guessing.

{PAGEBREAK}Dominic Smith, 6-0, 200, 1B/OF, Serra (Gardena, Calif.), Southern California
Some reports say that Smith has good power and other scouting reports say his power is still developing. Either way, scouts all seem to agree on Smith's ability to hit the ball and he is regarded as one of the top high school hitters in the draft. Also a strong defender with a powerful arm.

{PAGEBREAK} Stephen Gonsalves, 6-4, 185, LHP, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), San Diego
Developing curveball and easy delivery style make Gonsalves a potential first rounder. He hits 94 mph on his fastball and he has a frame that projects him to be even stronger once he fills out.