2016 State Draft Report: Utah

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

In 2015, just three players were selected out of Utah schools. All three of them were college pitchers. This year, the top prospect in the state is Payton Henry, a catcher who had late helium after a performing well in workouts for teams leading up to the draft. Henry could be the first Utah prep player taken in the top five rounds since the Mariners selected Marcus Littlewood in the second round of the 2010 draft.

The state also boasts several projectable prep arms this year, as well as a trio of college arms inside this year’s BA 500. While there may not be a first rounder in the Beehive State this year, there is impressive depth in Utah.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Payton Henry, c, Pleasant Grove (Utah) HS (National Rank: 153)
2. Brennon Lund, of, Brigham Young (National Rank: 214)
3. Michael Rucker, rhp, Brigham Young (National Rank: 251)
4. Daniel Beddes, rhp, Utah Valley (National Rank: 339)
5. Dalton Carroll, rhp, Utah (National Rank: 488)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

6. Sean Keating, lhp, Bingham High, South Jordan, Utah
7. William Jensen, rhp, Cottonwood HS, Murray, Utah
8. Dakota Donovan, rhp, Pine View HS, St. George, Utah
9. Joe Barlow, rhp, Salt Lake CC (Utah)
10. Oliver Dunn, ss/2b, Cottonwood HS, Murray, Utah
11. Riley Pierce, lhp, Salem Hills HS, Salem, Utah

 

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Sean Keating, lhp, Bingham High, South Jordan, Utah – The Arizona State commit is a southpaw pitcher from South Jordan, Utah who could get drafted high enough to sign rather than becoming a Sun Devil. He’s got a good arm and a projectable, athletic 6-foot-3, 180 pound body, using a fastball touching 92 and sitting in the upper 80s. His secondary pitches — curveball and changeup — are both a work-in-progress. He’ll thrive more on pitchability rather than on pure stuff.