2018 MLB Draft Preview: Corner Infielders

While a large value is placed on the athletes who man the middle infield spots, it takes a unique ballplayer to cover the corner infield positions. Typically of larger stature than those who man second base and shortstop, first and third baseman often possess a strong arm or powerful bat, sometimes both. 

Though they aren't required to cover as much ground or necessitate elite range, the instincts and awareness needed to be a positive performer at either corner, in the field of play, are of practice. Furthermore, no other spots are counted upon to provide more power productivity and drive in runs with men standing on base. 

This year's crop of corner infielders provide depth at both first and third base, at the prep ranks as well as the collegiate level. Many of the best pure power hitters reside in this position group and there are more than a few prospects who will be called in the first round of the MLB Draft, Monday, June 4th.

Luken Baker, TCU

A massive man indeed, Baker looks every part of his listed 6'4, 265 pound size. A product of Oak Ridge HS in Texas, he could've been an early selection as a high school senior but was selected in the 37th round by the Houston Astros, after it was clear he would matriculate to TCU. 

Baker was a dual-threat his freshman season, pitching to a 3-1 record in 10 games on the mound to a tune of 1.70 ERA, while also slashing .379/.483/.577, with 16 doubles and 11 home runs in 67 contests. For his efforts on the field in 2016 he received multiple accolades and acknowledgement, being named to Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American, while also earning All-Conference and All-American team honors, was well. 

For the second season in a row, Baker's campaign ended prematurely due to injury, as he suffered a broken left fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle, which ended his year on April 17. In 2017 Baker's year came to end after 47 games as a result of ligament and muscle damage in his left arm, due to a collision at first base. 

Despite his injury history the power hitting first base prospect shows promise, having produced 26 doubles and 28 home runs in 145 career games at TCU. Those numbers are complemented by his 109/93 walk-to-strikeout ratio, exhibiting his pro-like patience, and .347/.465/.561 college career slash line. 

Seth Beer, Clemson

Few players in college history have had the type of career Beer has put forth as a member of the Clemson Tigers. Immediately establishing himself as one of the elite hitters at the level in his first year, he batted .369 with 18 home runs and 70 runs batted in during 62 games played. For that the lefty swinging Seth Beer was named the consensus Freshman of the Year in the country and also won the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) Player of the Year and Dick Howser National Player Of the Year awards in 2016. 

Even though he hasn't been able to replicate the high .300's batting average he accumulated as a freshman, Beer has remained a patient and powerful producer at the plate. He's drawn nearly twice as many walks to strikeouts (178-93) and has a slugging percentage that's steadily remained over .600 throughout his career. 

While he's been successful at the college level, the 6'2 left-handed batter has occurred some challenges in the summer circuit, using wooden bats, both in high school and, most recently, on Team USA. After playing 48 of his 62 games in right field as a freshman Beer has spent time in left field and at first base during his sophomore and junior seasons. 

He projects most seamlessly to first base as a professional, with ordinary moving skills and fringe-arm strength. However, with 96 extra-base hits, including 54 home runs and 175 RBI in 184 career games, you can bet a MLB team will find a place for Beer's bat in the future. Possibly as a designated hitter candidate for an American League team.

Alec Bohm, Wichita State

The long-limbed 6'5, 240-pound Bohm has experience at both the hot corner and first base, but it's his ability at the plate that will be the primary tool relevant to his productivity. Possessing a swing that has some launch to it and easy power to all fields, he also shown an increase in patience when batting. 

With his size there are some concerns for swing and miss, but Bohm has lowered his strikeout percentage from 13.09 as a freshman to 10.53, now, as a junior. In the same time he's raised his BB% from a minuscule 4.71 to 14.66, totaling more walks than strikeouts for the first time in his career this year (39/28). 

While his bat reigns above all, Bohm is a satisfactory fielder with a decent arm that could allow him to remain at third base. Regardless of which corner he ends up at the Wichita State Shocker has the power tool to play at either spot. Having a career year in 2018, the All-American hit 14 doubles and 16 home runs in 57 games, with a slash line of .339/.436/.625. 

Bohm impressed MLB scouts with his success against elite arms in the Cape Cod League, last summer, when he hit .351, with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 28 RBI in 39 games, earning a selection to the all-star event. That, followed by what has been a successful junior season should justify a potential top ten selection.

Kyle Datres, North Carolina

A native of the home of the Little League World Series, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Datres was a standout scholastic, all-around athlete in high school before arriving in Chapel Hill. An all-state selection at quarterback, Datres also played basketball, and was a shortstop as well before transitioning to third base in college.

A three year starter at the hot corner for Tar Heels, the 6'0 righty has improved his profile as a hitter throughout his career at UNC. Datres has had his best season in 2018, ranking third in the ACC with a .339 batting average, being recognized as a first-team all-conference performer. He also ranks in the top ten in the conference with 78 hits, 55 runs scored, and a .430 on-base percentage.

Though he primarily plays third, his line-drive approach resembles that suited more of a middle infielder and could force him to a potential utility role where he fills in across the different spots around the dirt. Faced against quality competition, he experienced mixed results when using wooden bats during the past two summers in the Cal Ripken and Cape Cod League.

An adequate runner, the instinctive infielder has stolen 20 bases, being thrown out only five times, while scoring 142 runs in 177 games in his NCAA career. He's also hit 34 doubles, five triples, and 15 home runs. Datres plays with a veteran-like awareness and has a glove that is capable at multiple spots in the infield.

Jonathan India, Florida

Having played his prep ball at the powerhouse American Heritage in Florida, the infielder decided to attend his native state university, after being selected in the 26th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Making an immediate impact on a talented Florida team, India was more solid than spectacular with his play during his freshman and sophomore seasons. With that being said, he displayed consistency at the plate and in the field to be counted upon as an everyday player and provide an impact in particular aspects of the game. 

Specifically, India has proven he has a plan and patience when facing premier pitching, having a near equal walk-to-strikeout (23/25) ratio in the Cape Cod League over the last two summers. An added plus on the base paths, he's stolen 10 bases in 11 attempts as well as a member of the Harwich Mariners, and has grabbed 24 bags for Florida the last two seasons — being caught only twice. 

This season he's raised his game to another level and established him as one of the top prospects in all of college baseball, winning the SEC Player of the Year. Having hit ten home runs in his career prior to 2018, India has blasted 18 out of the park as a junior. He boasts an impressive an impressive slash line — batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.502), and slugging percentage (.733) — that was accentuated by a 24 game hit streak when he batted .513, with eight home runs and 21 RBI. 

India represents one of the safer picks in this year's draft and profiles as someone who should carve out a career at the Major League-level. Always a solid gloveman, capable at multiple spots, the biggest question to his future lays in his bat. 

The prospect who performed admirably in the Cape Cod League and during his freshman and sophomore seasons could be a solid utility guy. What he showed this season at Florida has shades of another former SEC infielder and current Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. 

Bren Spillane, Illinois

Similar to India, Spillane was taken later in the 2015 MLB Draft as a high school senior, being selected in 34th round by Pittsburgh Pirates. A native of Wheeling, Illinois, his college career came with challenges to begin with. 

Recovering from Tommy John surgery, he played in only five games his freshman season, totaling nine at bats and no hits. Spillane showed promise during his sophomore season, as he hit .295/.378/.500 across 36 games, but he wasn't able to exhibit his talent over the course of a full year — having missing significant time with a concussion that effected his consistency. 

Playing the the corner outfield spots and spending time at third base in his first two seasons at college, the 6'5 Spillane has transitioned to a more appropriate first base, given his profile. Now healthy, Spillane has tapped into the power stroke representative of his size, smashing 23 home runs on the season. 

The 2018 Big Ten Player of the Year won the triple crown for the conference, with a .407 batting average and 57 RBI. He also was the leader in on-base percentage (.512), slugging percentage (.944), OPS (1.456), and total bases (153), en route to earning the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year Award. 

Though he he has a solid approach at the plate, Spillane has been susceptible to swing and misses (26.7 strikeout % for his career), but will send the ball with authority on contact. He has shown the ability to hit to all fields, though most notably often going the opposite way, with a lot of his power heading out to the gap in right-center. 

Should he continue to be able to grow as legit power threat there will determine if he can be a regular at first base. Be that as it may, his ability to exploit that part of the field should make him a viable option at a few of the corner spots, in general.

High School Prospect Profiles Coming Soon ...