MLB Draft Names to Know: College Power Hitters

This year’s MLB draft has a plethora of big power hitters. How many of those bats will translate to the pros?

One of the constant things in the MLB draft is evaluating power. Guys like Michael Conforto, Kyle Schwarber, and Kris Bryant have come quickly to the big leagues and succeeded as power hitting college players. Could someone in the 2016 draft follow their path and move quickly to the major leagues?

Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer University

Who Is He?

A guy from tiny Mercer may not typically garner big headlines, but Lewis has definitely been doing exactly that all season long. He ended up near the top of the heap of all D1 college hitters with 20 home runs on the season. This followed up a big season in the summer Cape Cod League, a league using wood bats, so Lewis has shown an ability to drive the ball with wood bats as well as the aluminum bats.

Lewis has very solid skills in the outfield, showing solid range in right field and a very good arm, but teams won’t be calling his name on June 9th due to his defensive abilities. Lewis will be an early selection because he’s a guy who can drive the ball 450 feet without a ton of effort. His swing does have some noise in it, and he could work on a consistent swing path, but he’s done tremendous work on pitch recognition this year, which should go a long way in his early development in the major leagues.

Where May He Be Picked?

If you’re tuning into the draft to hear Lewis’ name called, you’ll need to tune in quite early. He’s rumored as high as #1, and he’s almost certain to go in the top 5 selections in the draft.

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