Ryan Vilade

As the son of long-time minor league coach and current Oklahoma State assistant James Vilade, Ryan has grown up around the game, getting tips from future stars like Elvis Andrus when they were moving up through the Rangers farm system. As one might expect, Vilade plays the game with an understanding of situations and instincts that are beyond his years. He didn't always impress last summer--he had a particularly poor Area Code Games--but he's flushed those impressions with a strong run of consistent contact last fall and this spring. He also has a long track record of success with USA Baseball's 15U and 18U national teams and he won the home run derby at the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game. Vilade has plus raw power and he's shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate--he scrapped a significant leg kick to spread out more in his stance. A high school shortstop, Vilade projects as a second or third baseman in pro ball. He has an above-average arm that fits at third and the plus power potential teams look for from the position. He's an average runner for now. Vilade is committed to Oklahoma State to join his father if he doesn't opt to sign with a team out of high school.