MLB Draft Preview: Corner Infielders

Video: Joseph Perez of Archbishop McCarthy
Watch the Maverick third baseman in action during Archbishop McCarthy's championship season.

MaxPreps continues its preview of the MLB Draft, scheduled to begin June 12, with a look at the top 10 corner infielders.


Nick Pratto, Huntington Beach (Calif.)
A possible prospect as a pitcher, Pratto is one of the top defensive first basemen in the draft. He hit for power with nine home runs this season to go along with his .330 average. His athleticism and hitting ability make him a potential first-round pick.
Potential selection: Second round

Alex Toral, Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
A promising power hitter as a freshman, when he was considered the top prospect in the Class of 2017, Toral hasn't quite matched that potential in his last two high school seasons. Although a strong defensive first baseman, Toral managed one home run his senior season. He began the year with an injury and missed the early part of the season. He hit .370 with 18 RBIs and walked 26 times with only seven strikeouts.
Potential selection: Fifth round

Danny Zimmerman, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Zimmerman was second in the nation in home runs among prep first basemen, hitting 10 on the year. Add in the 11 he clubbed as a junior and Zimmerman ranks as one of the nation's top power hitters over the past two seasons. Zimmerman's big, 6-foot-4, 230 pound frame is impressive, but his strength may be the ability to hit the breaking ball for power.
Potential selection: Third round

Nick Brueser, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
One of the top power-hitting first basemen in the prep ranks, Brueser saw his power numbers take a dip last year. After hitting nine home runs as a sophomore and a junior, he hit six as a senior with his average dropping 100 points to .344. He also had more strikeouts than walks, showing a more free-swinging approach at the plate. Brueser, a Stanford signee, may also be difficult to sign thus dropping his draft potential.
Potential selection: Rounds 5-10

Bryce Hutchinson, DeLand (Fla.)
A possible draft pick as a right-handed pitcher, the 6-6, 255-pounder is an imposing figure on the mound. He struck out 66 batters in 52 innings. He could also be drafted as a first baseman as he showed some power this past season with four home runs.
Potential selection: Rounds 5-10
Jacob Gonzalez, Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
The son of Arizona Diamondbacks World Series hero Luis Gonzalez, Jacob has good pop and the ability to put up solid power numbers at the next level. He hit .489 with 14 doubles and seven home runs for one of the top teams in Arizona.
Potential selection: End of first round

Joe Perez, Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
The best all-around player for one of the top teams in the country, Perez has been clocked at nearly 95 mph on his fastball, but also hit nine home runs while playing third base for the Mavericks. Expected to have Tommy John surgery next week to repair an elbow injury suffered last month, Perez may slide in the draft if teams are wary of his ability to recover from the injury.
Potential selection: Second round

Tyler Hardman, Temescal Canyon (Lake Elsinore, Calif.)
A hard-hitting prospect with a 6-2, 200-pound frame, Hardman put up big numbers for Temescal Canyon this year. He batted .526 with a 1.131 slugging percentage that included nine home runs and 11 doubles.
Potential selection: Third round

Tim Elko, Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.)
Another prospect with a big frame (6-4, 225) and the possibility of getting bigger. Elko hit two home runs this spring with three doubles and a .388 batting average. He's seen as having a good stroke, however, and should develop his power at the next level.
Potential selection: Fifth round

Nick Egnatuk, Immaculata (Somerville, N.J.)
Scouts feel he has lots of raw potential that could develop at the next level. A shortstop in high school, Egnatuk has good hands, a strong arm and is a solid defender as well.
Potential selection: Fifth round