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2019 MLB Draft: Scouting the top three prospects

By Tyson Shushkewich

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 28: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Oregon State Beavers races after a foul ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 28, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 28: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Oregon State Beavers races after a foul ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 28, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Bobby Witt Jr. 

With a baseball pedigree in his family history, Bobby Witt Jr. is no stranger to the pressures of major league baseball. His father, you guessed it, Bobby Witt, was a major league pitcher for 16 seasons, playing a majority of his career with the Texas Rangers.

Bobby Witt Jr. is a high school senior who has a verbal commitment to the University of Oklahoma. He is categorized as a shortstop, but has also been used a right handed pitcher as well, with a fastball averaging around 90-91 MPH.

Junior is no stranger to big league events, as he won the high school home run derby last year and played in tournaments such as the Under Armour All-America Game and Pan American Championships with the 18U USA National Team.

It is safe to say that Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the best high school players in the draft coming into 2019. His defensive abilities have been widely admired as his arm and his quick hands to make difficult plays seem easy. His bat has also been impressive at times, but he has received criticism in that he sometimes loses power and can be a bit aggressive at the plate. Even with these criticisms, Witt Jr. can still hit anywhere on the diamond and has impressive speed on the base paths, with many scouts applauding his baseball instincts when he is on the base paths and at shortstop.

Who will draft him?

The Baltimore Orioles could select Bobby Witt Jr. at first overall, but I believe they will select Rutschmann first overall. This will leave the Kansas City Royals with the option to select Jr., and I do believe they will draft him if he is available.

The reason I think Witt Jr. will be drafted by the Royals is because he will be the best all around player left on the board, but will also take enough time to develop through the minor league system that in 4-5 years, the Royals will need a SS. Currently the Royals only have Jeison Guzman as the only SS within their top 30 prospects, and Witt Jr. would be a significant contribution to the Royals farm system.

While Adalberto Mondesi has had an impressive 2019 campaign, I do not believe he will be the long term solution the Royals will be looking for.

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