MLB Draft Preview: Middle Infielders

Video: Potential No. 1 pick Hunter Greene
Watch the Notre Dame All-American in action during his senior season.

MaxPreps begins its preview of the Major League Baseball Draft, which is set to begin June 12, by taking a look at the top 10 middle infielder prospects. MaxPreps will preview each position leading up to the draft.


Hunter Greene, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Greene has been one of the top middle infielder prospects since his freshman season, but recently he has also been tabbed as one of the nation's top pitchers with his fastball topping 100 mph. Greene's ability at the plate and on the mound makes him the top high school prospect and possibly the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. Greene could be the first high school right-handed pitcher ever chosen No. 1 overall. He threw just 28 innings this year before shutting down his season in order to avoid injury. He struck out 43 batters and had a 0.75 ERA. At the plate, Greene hit .324 with six home runs.
Potential selection: No. 1 overall

Royce Lewis, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
The Gatorade state Player of the Year for California, Lewis could be the first prep hitter chosen (if Greene is selected as a pitcher). He has the necessary speed to play shortstop, or even an outfield spot. His arm may require a move from shortstop and that could affect where he is chosen. He hit .377 with four home runs and also added 25 stolen bases.
Potential selection: Top 5 picks

Nick Allen, Francis Parker (San Diego)
Scouts love Allen's defensive ability, citing his range and above-average arm as the reasons he will likely stick at shortstop despite being 5-foot-8. Allen slumped at the plate this year, hitting a career low .297 after batting .469 as a junior. He hit five home runs last year but hit only two as a senior. Still, scouts see Allen capable of using his speed to become a gap hitter at the next level.
Potential selection: End of first round
Mark Vientos, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Scout like Vientos's hitting ability, however he notched only one home run and six doubles as a senior in his one year at American Heritage. He did make contact, batting .417 with only 11 strikeouts in 84 at-bats. A shortstop for the Patriots, Vientos has the arm to move to third base if he can't stick at shortstop.
Potential selection: Second round

Brady McConnell, Merritt Island (Fla.)
McConnell is one of the most improved shortstops in the nation over the past three seasons, going from an undersized sophomore to a 6-foot-3 senior with a wiry frame. He has the tools necessary to play shortstop, but his offensive skills could drop him from the first to second round.
Potential selection: Second round

Ryan Vilade, Stillwater (Okla.)
A shortstop in his one year in Oklahoma, Vilade transferred from Frisco (Texas) after his father, a member of the Texas Rangers organization, joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff. Vilade likely won't stick at shortstop, but could be a power hitting third baseman for some organization. He batted .410 with 28 RBIs and seven home runs at Stillwater.
Potential selection: Second round

Chris Seise, West Orange (Winter Garden, Fla.)
Seise could be the top shortstop taken in the state, even ahead of McConnell. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and a good enough arm to stay at shortstop for the duration. He's also improved his power numbers, belting eight home runs as a senior while hitting .444 at West Orange.
Potential selection: Third round

Tyler Freeman, Etiwanda (Calif.)
Freeman helped Etiwanda capture a Southern Section Division II championship with a .526 average, 36 RBIs and four home runs. He is seen as the prototypical middle infielder, but greatly improved his hitting since last year. He's improved his patience at the plate, drawing 18 walks and striking out just six times in 130 plate appearances.
Potential selection: Third round

Jeter Downs, Monsignor Pace (Miami)
Named after former New York Yankee great Derek Jeter, Downs has worked his way into potentially being chosen on the first day of the draft. Although not big at 5-11, Downs has decent range and a strong enough arm to stay at shortstop. He also showed good power at the plate this year with 12 home runs, 10 doubles and a .412 average.
Potential selection: Rounds 3-5

Ben Ramirez, Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.)
Ramirez has the size and frame at 6-3 to possibly play shortstop moving up, but a switch to third isn't out of the question. A strong, powerful hitter, Ramirez helped lead Eastlake to a San Diego Section Open Division championship last week.
Potential selection: Rounds 3-5