2017 State Draft Report: Virginia

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

The success of the program at the University of Virginia has made the state a consistent breeding ground for draft talent. The Cavaliers have two no-doubt first round picks in 2017 in outfielder Adam Haseley and first baseman Pavin Smith. The Hoos also have Ernie Clement and Tommy Doyle, who should do in the top five rounds. The state’s mid-major programs also boast talent this season, with Old Dominion shortstop Zach Rutherford and William & Mary’s Nick Raquet leading the charge.

The state tends to churn out players with profile questions out of high school who go on to be good college players and better draft picks later on. This year is no different in that regard, with a number of intriguing, projectable arms.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia (8)
2. Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia (15)
3. Ernie Clement, SS/OF, Virginia (92)
4. Zach Rutherford, SS, Old Dominion (101)
5. Tommy Doyle, RHP, Virginia (136)
6. Nick Raquet, LHP, William & Mary (145)
7. Tanner Morris, SS, Miller School, Charlottesville, Va. (267)
8. Cullen Large, 2B, William & Mary (285)
9. Nathan Perry, C, Bassett (Va.) HS (314)
10. Packy Naughton, LHP, Virginia Tech (338)
11. Michael Ludowig, OF, Briar Woods HS, Ashburn, Va. (443)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2017 Draft Map

12. Hunter Perdue, RHP, Grassfield HS, Chesapeake, Va.
13. Mike Osinski, SS, Longwood
14. Keenan Bartlett, RHP, Richmond
15. Andrew Abbott, LHP, Halifax County HS, South Boston, Va.
16. Kyle Whitten, RHP, Osbourn Park HS, Manassas, Va.
17. Derek Casey, RHP, Virginia
18. Tyler Solomon, C, Battlefield HS, Haymarket, Va.
19. Robbie Coman, C, Virginia
20. Montae Bradshaw, OF, Patrick Henry JC (Va.)
21. Alec Bettinger, RHP, Virginia
22. Kyle Zurak, RHP, Radford
23. Sam Fragale, 1B, Virginia Tech
24. Jake Jessell, C, Patrick Henry JC (Va.)
25. Jack Roberts, RHP, Virginia
26. Garrett Jones, INF, Patrick Henry JC (Va.)
27. Aaron McGarity, RHP, Virginia Tech
28. Matthew Cooper, C/1B, Norfolk (Va.) Academy
29. Nick Brown, RHP, William and Mary
30. Danny Hrbek, RHP/2B, Radford
31. Aaron Fernandez, RHP, William and Mary
32. Ethan Winesburgh, OF, Patrick Henry JC (Va.)

Mike Osinski, SS, Longwood
Osinski drew some interest from scouts in high school but attended Longwood and earned the starting shortstop job as a freshman. He’s been a steady performer for three years. Scouts grade Osinski’s arm strength and speed as average. Some see him moving to third base long-term, where he’ll have to develop more power to profile. He has a quick bat and a projectable frame. Osinski receives positive marks for his makeup, and some believe that he could improve quickly with exposure to professional coaching. He has a temporary contract to play in the Cape Cod League; he could play there and return to Longwood for his senior year if he doesn’t get what he’s looking for in the draft.

Keenan Bartlett, RHP, Richmond
Bartlett had helium in the summer time, when his fastball reached as high as 97 mph. He was suspended by the NCAA in the beginning of the spring because he played fantasy football with his teammates in the fall. When he returned, Bartlett struggled mightily, with his fastball bumping 94-95 but often coming in flat.

Andrew Abbott, LHP, Halifax County HS, South Boston, Va.
Abbott is an athletic lefthander with advanced control. His fastball typically works in the mid-to-upper 80s. He has a full, fluid arm action and flashes feel for his potentially above-average curveball, as well as a mid-70s changeup. He made it clear that he plans to attend Virginia, and he could have an instant impact for the Cavaliers as he develops into a more prominent prospect in college.

Derek Casey, RHP, Virginia
Casey was the No. 193 prospect in the 2014 class. His fastball bumped the mid-90s in high school, but he has pitched mostly in the upper 80s as a junior at Virginia. His offspeed stuff remains inconsistent, but Casey throws strikes and has improved his pitchability this season.

Tyler Solomon, C, Battlefield HS, Haymarket, Va.
Solomon is a switch-hitting catcher with intriguing power potential. Evaluators like his physicality and strong frame, but there are concerns that he may not be a catcher at the professional level. His Vanderbilt commitment will likely make him difficult to sign out of high school.

Robbie Coman, C, Virginia
Coman missed most of his senior season due to injury, but received a medical redshirt and returned for one more year in 2017. He’s physical and strong, and he showed more power this year than he had earlier in his Virginia career. Coman has handled Virginia’s pitching staff well this year behind the plate. His tools aren’t overwhelming, but he’s a very good college performer—he batted .347 this season—and can certainly catch at the lower levels of the minor leagues, meaning he could be a good organizational player with a chance to carve out a career if his bat ends up playing up the minor league ladder.

Montae Bradshaw, OF, Patrick Henry JC (Va.)
The son of former big leaguer and current Royals minor league hitting coordinator Terry Bradshaw, Montae Bradshaw is one of the fastest runners in this year’s draft. His 6.5 speed in the 60-yard dash plays well in the outfield. Bradshaw stole 27 bags in 29 tries this year while hitting .322/.377/.437.