Video: Carter Kieboom highlightsGeorgia shortstop could go on second day of draft.
MaxPreps looks at the top high school baseball players for the Major League Baseball Draft, which is scheduled for June 9-11. We continue the series today with middle infielders.
Top 10 Middle InfieldersDrew Mendoza, Lake Minneola (Minneola, Fla.)
A shortstop in high school, Mendoza may eventually move to a corner spot. He has a strong arm, but his bat is the key. He has shown good power throughout his high school career, belting seven home runs this year in just 77 at-bats. Could go toward the end of the first round or could wind up at Florida State.
Nolan Jones, Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, Pa.)
Jones is a shortstop with a big frame at 6-foot-5, but he has shown to be quick despite the size. He also has a powerful arm and can hit for power, as his five home runs in just 44 at-bats would attest this year. Some mock drafts have Jones going near the middle of the first round so he could be the first high school middle infielder chosen.
Gavin Lux, Indian Trail (Kenosha, Wis.)
Lux is an excellent fielder who has shown improvement at the plate. He is batting close to .500 this year with six doubles and four home runs. Some mock drafts have Lux going ahead of Jones and Mendoza in the draft, but he is likely to go near the end of the first day of the draft.
Cole Stobbe, Millard West (Omaha, Neb.)
Stobbe is a prospect at second base who could eventually become a shortstop at the next level. He has shown impressive power during his senior year, ranking among the national leaders in home runs with 14. He batted .437 with 43 RBI and seven doubles as well. Not a first round pick, but could go early on the second day of the draft.
Nick Quintana, Arbor View (Las Vegas)
Quintana has been one of the top power hitting shortstops in the nation this year as he batted .449 with 58 RBI and 15 home runs while earning the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award. Quintana has a strong arm, but some scouts see him moving out of shortstop to another position in the infield. Likely to be drafted early on the second day.
Carter Kieboom, Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
Photo by Will Fagan
Kieboom comes from a family of baseball players that include his older brother Spencer (drafted in 2012) and Trevor, who is eligible to be drafted this year as well. Kieboom plays shortstop in high school, but he could move to another position. Scouts like his swing and he showed plenty of power in high school with five home runs while leading Walton to a state title. Could go early on the second day of the draft.
Colton Welker, Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Welker made good contact with good power this year for the state champion Eagles as he batted .500 with 11 doubles and six home runs. Could end up at second base, but he played shortstop in high school. Could be drafted early on the second day.
Tyler Fitzgerald, Rochester (Ill.)
The Gatorade State Player of the Year, Fitzgerald batted .483 for Rochester with six home runs and 36 stolen bases. His defense could necessitate a move to another position away form shortstop, where he plays in high school. His improved hitting has risen his stock. Could be chosen on the second day of the draft.
Hudson Sanchez, Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Sanchez is young for his class and thus needs some developing. He could stick at shortstop and he batted for a high average with good power this year for the Dragons. A second day draft selection.
Luis Curbelo, Cocoa (Fla.)
Curbelo is from Puerto Rico, but he played at Cocoa for his senior season. He exhibited good contact with the bat, but is not necessarily a power hitter. Due to his fielding skills and average arm, he could move away from shortstop. A second day draft pick.
