Video: Top 25 national baseball rankings Brett Baty and Lake Travis check in at No. 15.
Aside from a couple of big-time talents, most of the top high school corner infielders will likely have to wait until the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft to hear their names called.
Brett Baty of Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) and Tyler Callihan of Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.) should be chosen in the first round and they are the top two prospects among the high school corner infielders.
In
2018, 37 high school players were chosen on the first day of the draft,
which includes two rounds and several compensatory rounds.
Backstrom has excellent size for a first baseman without sacrificing athletic ability. However, his best tool is likely his power as he has great bat speed and power. He batted .276 this year with five home runs, but he has a frame that will allow him to add muscle and improve his power numbers.
Draft prospect: Likely will go somewhere on the second day of the draft.
Joseph Naranjo, Ayala (Chino Hills, Calif.), 6-0, 175Although not a big frame for a first baseman, Naranjo showed good power his senior year with eight home runs. He is very quick on defense with great fielding skills.
Draft prospect: A possible late 10th round selection.
Henry Gargus, Davis (Yakima, Wash.), 6-0, 205Probably the only high school first baseman to come off the board on the first day of the draft. Gargus has shown great power-hitting ability, but is also very capable as a fielder. He batted .509 as a senior, showing patience at the plate with 21 walks and just five strikeouts. He only hit two home runs on the season, but had enough speed to leg out five triples.
Draft prospect: Look for him to go somewhere in the second or third round.
Daylen Xavier Carter, Capital Christian (Sacramento, Calif.), 6-4, 205Carter has plenty of potential to add weight and muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame. A contact hitter who has shown remarkable consistency over his high school career, batting .429, .425 and .429 from his sophomore to senior season. Had only two home runs this year, but had four as a junior.
Draft prospect: A potential second day pick.
Sean Rimmer, Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.), 6-4, 220Another big body who is capable enough to play in the outfield if not first base. He has shown some power, hitting three home runs this year. A contact hitter who puts the ball in play, Rimmer batted .392 as a senior. Could eventually become a power hitter at the next level.
Draft prospect: A possible second-day selection.
Brett Baty, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 6-3, 210Baty is a first-round draft pick for his bat. He leads the nation this year in home runs with 18 and also is batting .625 with 60 runs scored and 48 RBI. He also has a great eye at the plate with 42 walks with just eight strikeouts. Baty has a good enough arm to play third base, but is being drafted for his bat.
Draft prospect: Look for either Baty or Tyler Callihan to be the first high school third baseman off the board near the end of the first round.
Tyler Callihan, Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.), 6-1, 200A middle infielder at the high school level, Callihan likely transitions to third base at the next level. Callihan is one of the top hitters in the Class of 2019 thanks to his bat speed and power. He batted .403 on the season with five doubles and nine home runs.
Draft prospect: He could be the first high school third baseman to be drafted, going near the last picks of the first round.
Josh Rivera, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 6-2, 205The Ascenders could set a record for most draft picks from one high school in a single season and Rivera is part of that mix. Ranked as one of the top third basemen in the country by Perfect Game, he is seen as a very capable fielder with a good arm and has also shown the ability to hit for average and power. He batted .352 for IMG Academy this year with a pair of home runs.
Draft prospect: Rivera could be chosen late on the second day or early on the third day of the draft.
Chandler Freeman, Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas), 6-0, 190The Panthers could have three or four players chosen in the draft with Freeman landing somewhere in the third or fourth round. Perhaps overshadowed by the play of Bobby Witt Jr., who is projected to be the first high school player drafted, Freeman has had an outstanding season in his own right with a .360 batting average and seven home runs. Strong arm at third base, Freeman is strong and athletic.
Draft prospect: Could land in the third or fourth rounds.
Cameron Repetti, Cypress (Calif.), 6-4, 200A shortstop who will likely move to third base, Repetti was a standout pitcher for the Southern Section Division 1 champions this year, but he also excelled at the plate.
Draft prospect: Likely won't be selected until early on the third day or late on the second day of the draft.
