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2017 State Draft Report: Minnesota

CROP RATING
updated_state_rating_four_star Banner year
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

First rounders don’t come out of Minnesota very often. It’s been 13 years since a Minnesota high school or college played was drafted in the first round (Glen Perkins, 2004). Back in 2006, no Minnesota player was taken until the 13th round.

But this year, Sam Carlson has a chance to hear his name called in the first round, making this a great year for Minnesota draft talent.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS
BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville (Minn.) HS (21)
2. Lucas Gilbreath, LHP, Minnesota (218)
3. Brody Rodning, LHP, Minnesota State (484)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE
2017 Draft Map

4. Nick Belzer, rhp, Minnesota State
5. Alex Boxwell, of, Minnesota
6. Dalton Roach, rhp, Minnesota State
7. Max Meyer, rhp, Woodbury (Minn.) HS
8. Jimmy Ramsey, rhp, Minnetonka (Minn.) HS
9. Brian Glowicki, rhp, Minnesota
10. Alex Belch, rhp, John Marshall HS, Rochester, Minn.
11. Dylan Criquet-Danielson, ss, Marshall (Minn.) HS

Nick Belzer, rhp, Minnesota State
Belzer transferred to Minnesota State after two seasons at Des Moines (Iowa) CC sandwiched around Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the 2015 season. He’s been wild, walking nearly 4 batters per nine innings, but effective as a starter, showcasing an 88-90 mph fastball that will touch 93-95 and a low-80s spike curveball that varies from above-average to well below-average depending on the pitch and the day. Belzer’s funky delivery adds some deception but also adds to the likelihood he becomes a reliever in pro ball.

Alex Boxwell, of, Minnesota
Boxwell is an athletic, lefthanded-hitting center fielder with a lithe 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. He has shown some ability to hit, most notably with a .392/.458/.588 slash line in Big Ten Conference play during his sophomore season, but hamstring problems slowed him as a junior.

Dalton Roach, rhp, Minnesota State
Roach was a dominant pitcher for three years for the Mavericks, but his lack of a plus pitch makes it likely he’ll have to wait to be a senior sign next year. Roach succeeds with a fringy 87-90 mph fastball and average curveball because he locates both precisely. His above-average control is his best attribute. Roach posted double-digit strikeouts while walking one or less in five of his first 10 starts in 2017.

Max Meyer, rhp, Woodbury (Minn.) HS
Meyer has present arm strength with a fastball that will touch 92 mph, although he generally sits 88-90 and there’s some effort to the delivery. He has signed with Minnesota.

Jimmy Ramsey, rhp, Minnetonka (Minn.) HS
Ramsey, an Oregon signee, is a massive 6-foot-8, 240 pound physical righthander who also has power as a slugging first baseman, albeit it with a very big strike zone.

Brian Glowicki, rhp, Minnesota
A high school teammate of White Sox ace relief prospect Zack Burdi, Glowicki proved to be an accomplished closer as well. He set a Minnesota single-season record for saves as a senior with 16. Glowicki throws a fastball, a changeup and a slider. None of them is plus, but he fills the strike zone and is very competitive.

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