Davis Wendzel

A teammate of 2017 No. 1 pick Royce Lewis at California’s JSerra High, Wendzel quickly found his home at Baylor. The hirsute Wendzel boasts one of the fullest beards and longest mullets in college baseball, making him easily recognizable. Big 12 coaches have noticed his consistent ability to barrel baseballs, and he’s also proven to be one of the most reliable defenders in the conference. Scouts liked Wendzel last year as a draft-eligible sophomore, but he was clear about his intentions to return to Baylor for his junior year. That’s why he slid to the 37th round to the Red Sox. He’ll likely not make it out of the second round this year, as he’s a well-rounded third baseman with a lengthy track record of hitting. Wendzel has more hitting ability than power, although evaluators believe he has the potential to get to average power eventually. He projects as an above-average hitter despite a less than picture perfect swing. There’s some length to his front arm as he begins his swing by dropping his hands in the beginning of his load, then powers it through the zone. But his excellent pitch recognition and strike-zone awareness make it work. Defensively, he’s an above-average third baseman with an above-average, accurate arm who is very reliable—he’d made only one error all year as of mid-May. He’s sneakily athletic and has even slid over to shortstop from time to time for the Bears. Wendzel doesn’t have the power potential of some of the other top third baseman in the class, but scouts’ comfort level with his well-rounded game will ensure he goes high in the draft.