Yesterday, I covered Midwest prep players from this latter category that I've been able to see in person a few times over the past few years. This set of notes will include recent college draftees (from both four-year programs and junior colleges) that I caught this year in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Hunter Cranton, RHP, Kansas
Team: Mariners Round: 3 Overall Pick: 91
Cranton will turn 24 in October and is a near-finished product expected to move up to the minor leagues soon. He has a wide 6-foot-3 frame and throws from a high arm position, and there is a violent effort in every pitch. His fastball sat 95-98 mph in most of my looks and touched triple digits a few times throughout the year. Cranton doesn't create much extension, but he still creates riding action on his four-seamer because of how well he returns it, and he's fully capable of harassing hitters in the zone. At his best, his upper-80s slider is solid, cutting through two planes with enough action to generate above-average rush rates, but Cranton also has a tendency to miss the right tight end that's more likely to generate whiffs. Cranton is a one-inning power-plus accuracy reliever who signed a $50,000 contract. He will likely be offered to one of Seattle's A-ball affiliates, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he finished the regular season in Double-A or higher.
Braden Davis, LHP, Oklahoma
Team: Cardinals Round: 5 Overall Pick: 142
Davis' three-pitch mix title is a change that I would argue warrants a future 70's grade. Used a 51% in-zone whiff rate this year and has a late diving action in the low 80s that he sells very well with his arm speed. Davis has been in the Sooners' rotation this season, sitting at 90-93 mph with his fastball and touching 95 when emptying the tank. He throws high and hides the ball well with his online arm technique, which allows his fastball to sneak up on hitters, especially when it's high. His breaking ball is a low 80s slider that will show a traditional two-plane action and sometimes add more depth. It is a contribution that the profiles play better against similar flankers; Davis will likely need to rely more on his changeup against right-handed hitters. Davis lowered his walk rate to 10.5% in 2024 after running a 15% walk rate in Sam Houston's bullpen last year. His command will need to take another big step forward to serve as a starter at the big league level, but we can look for a solid multi-inning type whose best stuff is in short bursts, allowing him to move. immediately by using children. Davis and the Cardinals agreed to a $485,700 slot money deal. He will be an arm to watch in the Cardinals system, especially with that change.
Tyson Neighbors, RHP, Kansas State
Team: Padres Round: 4 Overall Pick: 118
Neighbors have a medium frame with a limited body image. He throws high and has an arsenal of vertical on his four-edge fastball and curveball. His heater sits at 93-96 mph and has touched 98 each time I've seen him this spring. Neighborhood fastball shows and riding life if more than half of the zone, but he worked on the knees as often as he tried to lift, and the life on the field is not so explosive there. Neighbor's curveball is an 81-85 mph 12-to-6 downer with a sharp break that plays well against left-handed hitters due to the vertical nature of its pitch. He will also mix in a short cutter at 88-91 mph to give hitters another look. In 2023, Neighbors struck out 46.7% of the batters he faced, and this year they struck out 36.5%. Neighbors' walk rate reached 11.4% this year after he projected a free pass (8.7% walk rate) in 2023. Neighbor's control has always exceeded his command, and if he can control the movement, he can move quickly. they are small. He has the potential to be a classy breed. He agreed to a $600,000 deal, slightly less than the slot.
Kodey Shojinaga, Catcher, Kansas
Team: Phillies Round: 6 Overall Pick: 192
Shojinaga was a sophomore eligible to be drafted that I had a front row seat to a few years ago when he played at Kansas. Shojinaga has an improved ability to drive the ball, evidenced by his sub-10% in-zone whiff rate this season, and has posted a .335/.402/.485 slash on the year. He projects below-average power play, but his lane driving and gap-to-gap approach will generate significant double-doubles.
The question about Shojinaga is where and where he will play on the defensive side of the ball. The Phillies announced him as a catcher, a position he played in high school and in the fall each year in college, but he has been shaky back there and has only appeared in one game for the Hunters in his two years. of college football. He has average arm strength, and his catching and blocking abilities are currently out and below average. He switches between second and third base a lot, but his hands and footwork will have to take a big step forward in pro ball to be a pass defender at either position.
Shojinaga's offensive tool gives him a shot, but he'll need to find a way to be a pass defender in a position that can support his below-average power profile. I don't think that will be in his announced holding position. Shojinaga recently signed with the Phillies for $257,500.
Caden Powell, SS/CF, Seminole State (OK)
Team: Astros Round: 6 Overall Pick: 193
Powell won the 2024 National Junior College Player of the Year award at Seminole State, a longtime Oklahoma junior college powerhouse. In 253 plate appearances this spring, Powell had 56 extra-base hits (1.088 SLG), including 32 homers, and hit .502 on the season while playing shortstop for the Trojans. Powell is a top prospect who already has significant draft-based projections and is going to a team that will likely have the most success in snagging under-the-radar Midwest young college players who eventually find their way to the big leagues.
Powell was drafted as a shortstop, but when I watched him this year, I thought he did better in center because his actions at short can be tight at times and his hands don't connect. Powell is aggressive at the plate and there will be some swings and misses in his game, but the pure athleticism and bat speed he brings to the table is a great foundation to build on. It doesn't matter where you end up on the defensive spectrum, you buy the bat and the perfect run with Powell. The comp I have on him entering proball includes another former prospect from the state of Oklahoma: Lane Adams. The Astros and Powell agreed to an over-slot bonus of $422,500. He is a high-differential position player to watch in Houston's system
Brendan Jones, CF, Kansas State
Team: Yankees Round: 12 Overall Pick: 361
Jones walked (55) more than he did (51) at Kansas State in 2024 en route to posting a .303/.442/.500 line as the Wildcats' everyday center fielder. Jones has the flattest bat path in the zone, but he also hits the bat in the zone with above-average bat speed. Without a major swing change, Jones' approach and style won't yield a large number of home runs, but his current cut is more than suitable for spraying hard line drives to all fields.
Jones shouldn't have a problem staying in the middle for long, as his combination of speed allows him to cover both slots even though he has a tendency to set up too deep in the middle. Despite not being expected, Jones' ability to stay on top and make himself a nobody in the batter's box gives him an effective way to become a role player. The Yankees offered Jones a $150,000 signing bonus and he will likely join the organization soon.
Iziah Salinas, LHP, Cowley College (KS)
Team: Orioles Round: 17 Overall Pick: 519
Salinas is a talented left fielder at Cowley College, a JUCO in Kansas that has produced the likes of Travis Hafner, Junior Spivey, and Trevor Rosenthal. Salinas is a very good player with a soft frame. The significant hip-shoulder separation in his delivery really allows you to project his fastball speed. His fastball sits at 88-91 mph, and depending on which start you caught this spring, you could see him touch 93 or 87 mph on either side of that range. Salinas' curveball is the biggest eye-catcher in the mix. It ranges between 70-77 mph, has an unusual amount of depth, and varies between 12-to-6 and 1-to-7 shapes. He also threw a rarely used 77-81 changeup that often lacked notable action.
Salinas' command has generally been below average and unless something improves with that, he's likely destined for a relief role. There's a lot of meat on the bone when it comes to Salinas' frame and the speed of his fastball. He's an exciting arm for the O's developing team, but they have a long way to go in terms of improving Salinas' ability to throw strikes. Salinas and the Orioles reached an agreement on a $150,000 bonus before the signing deadline.
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