Video: Stealing home and a Southern Section title
See a gutsy play in a title game from CaliforniaMaxPreps begins its look at the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, set for Thursday through Saturday, with a look at some of the top players at each position. Today's preview: Corner Infielders.
Top 10 corner infielders for the MLB Draft
First baseWalker Robbins, George County (Lucedale, Miss.)
Considered the top pro prospect in the state of Mississippi, Robbins was named the Class 6A State Player of the Year by the state coaches association. The lefthander can hit for power, but has also shown a strong arm, as he posted an 8-2 pitching record with 110 strikeouts and a 0.67 ERA in 72 2/3 innings pitched. At the plate, Robbins batted .477 with nine doubles and three home runs. The Ole Miss signee will likely be chosen on the second day of the draft.
Christian Jones, Federal Way (Wash.)
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound slugger has impressed with his power hitting, blasting 21 home runs during a home run derby at the Area Code Games in Long Beach last summer. He had five home runs for Federal Way heading into the postseason and a 1.174 slugging percentage. He could go in the third or fourth round.
Andrew Daschbach, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, Calif.)
A three-sport standout, Daschbach was all-state in football and was a starter on the Gators' basketball team. His future is likely in baseball, however, as he committed to play baseball at Stanford. He is also considered a Division I prospect in lacrosse and reportedly has a six handicap in golf. He's likely to be chosen between rounds five and 10.
Spencer Brickhouse, Bunn (N.C.)
Another first baseman with good size (6-foot-3, 220) and power, Brickhouse is among the national leaders in home runs with 13. He batted .516 for Bunn this year and finished his career with 25 home runs and a 1.056 slugging percentage. He has committed to East Carolina and could be picked late on the second day or early on the third.
Bryant Packard, Conley (Greenville, N.C.)
The 6-3, 180-pound first baseman hit seven home runs this year, but saw his average drop over 100 points since his junior year. He batted .420 as a senior after hitting .547 as a junior. He figures to land somewhere in rounds 10-15.
Third BaseJoshua Lowe, Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Seen as a pitching prospect for most of his high school career, Lowe can hit as high as 94 mph with his fastball. However, a strong senior season at the plate could find Lowe drafted as an everyday player. He batted .400 with nine home runs for a team that went deep into the Georgia Class 6A state playoffs. He's a likely first round draft pick who has committed to play at Florida State.
Joe Rizzo, Oakton (Vienna, Va.)
Rizzo has shown the ability to hit the ball on a consistent basis since his freshman year at Oakton. His average has hovered around .400 this year with four home runs. Not necessarily coveted for his fielding ability, Rizzo will likely be targeted by a team that needs hitting over defense, and he's likely to be chosen at the beginning of the second round.
Ray Gaither, Coppell (Texas)
Gaither has risen to prominence this past season with Coppell's rise in the national team rankings. A pitcher and position player for the Cowboys, Gaither has committed to play at Dallas Baptist. However, he could go sometime during the second day of the draft.
Joe Polak, Quincy Notre Dame (Ill.)
A shortstop at Quincy Notre Dame, Polak will likely move to third base. At 6-5, he's one of the bigger corner infielders in the draft and he has shown power at the plate, including one playoff game this month in which he hit two home runs. He's likely to go near the end of the second day of the draft.
Ulysses Cantu, Boswell (Fort Worth, Texas)
Cantu is another player who will win a job with his bat. At 5-11 and 220 pounds, Cantu is seen as a player who could switch positions, possibly to catcher. He will be prized for his bat, which he used to earn all-state honors last year. He's signed with Texas Tech and will likely go early on the third day of the draft.
