Video: Top 5 Plays of the Week // Week 3 Check out the best of the best from the past week on the diamond and beyond.
When it comes to the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, high school catchers often are on the outside looking in. One high school catcher has been taken in the first round of the past four drafts.
That situation may hold true this year as only a couple of high school catchers from the U.S. have a shot at going in the first round. The Georgia tandem of Will Banfield from Brookwood and Anthony Seigler from Cartersville are a pair of strong-armed backstops who've shown power at the plate. Mock drafts have both slotted among the last couple spots in the first round. Noah Naylor, a high school catching and first base prospect from Canada, has a shot at being drafted somewhere in the middle of the first round.
With the draft scheduled for June 4-6, MaxPreps takes a look at the top prospects at each position, starting with the Top 5 catchers.
MLB Draft Prospects: Top 5 Catchers
Will Banfield, Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.)Considered at one time one of the Top 10 players in the senior class by the ranking services, Banfield likely won't go that high in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. Most mock drafts have Banfield going early in the second round or during the compensation rounds. That's not necessarily a knock on Banfield. Only one catcher is listed among the top 30 selections in most of the mock drafts and that's collegian Joey Bart. Banfield can hit, as his .402 batting average with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 49 RBIs attest. He is also strong defensively with an outstanding arm.
Draft forecast: Look for Banfield to go early in the second round.
Anthony Seigler, Cartersville (Ga.)After a slow start to his senior season, Seigler has shown a skill many didn't know he possessed — power. Over the second half of the season, Seigler has been outstanding at the plate, batting .409 with 10 doubles and 11 home runs. The switch-hitting Seigler was seen as more of a line drive hitter heading into his senior year. Although his arm is not quite as strong as Banfield's, it's still elite. Mock drafts have Seigler going as high as No. 30 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Draft forecast: If the Dodgers don't take him, look for Seigler to drop to the second round.
CJ Willis, Ruston (La.)Currently a catching prospect, the 6-foot-4 Willis could move to first base at some point in his career. He has the arm strength and athletic ability to play quarterback for the football team so he can probably stay at catcher. Although he missed several games in the middle of the season, Willis batted .389 with 28 runs, 22 RBIs, four triples and four home runs.
Draft forecast: Willis could go in the first five rounds, but it wouldn't be surprising if he honors his college commitment to LSU.
Austin Wells, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)Wells might not have the arm strength of the other catchers on the list, but he's the most accomplished hitter. He has good bat speed and a little bit of pop as his .527 batting average, 19 doubles and four home runs show. His hitting ability alone will get him some looks in the first five rounds.
Draft forecast: First five rounds, but he may end up at Arizona.
Kameron Guangorena, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)Regarded as the top catching prospect in California, Guangorena has been moving up the national charts. A strong all-around athlete, Guangorena might not have the hitting ability of a Wells or the defensive ability of a Banfield, but he's not far behind. He's hitting .360 with 10 doubles and four home runs this season.
Draft forecast: Could go early on the second day.
