Baseball Factory Alumni Impact – Draft Edition
Follow along with us this season as we keep up with current and former Baseball Factory alumni who are making an impact on their team’s success.
With the 2015 Draft six days away, we’re keeping you up-to-date on the latest standout performances at the major league, collegiate and high school levels. This week, we focus on players who will likely have their name called during the first day or two of the Draft who made an impact at the college and high school levels.
Alex Bregman – LSU (2009 Team One Futures Game, 2010, 2011 Under Armour Pre-Season All-American) Bregman will most likely be a first round selection for a major league ballclub next week after the season and career he had while at LSU.
Bregman, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a Golden Spikes award finalist, leading the way as a junior for the Tigers in 2015, hitting for a solid average of .318, leading the team in runs scored (55) and walks (36) while leading the SEC conference in stolen bases with 35 and doubles with 22. He’s also hit nine home runs with 47 RBI.
He’s solid defensively as well, posting 206 assists, ranking him first in the SEC in that category.
James Kaprielian – UCLA (Ryan Lemmon Sophomore Showcase in 2010, 2011 Under Armour Pre-Season All-American) Kaprielian was the UCLA Bruins No. 1 pitcher on their staff, and the junior did just that, leading the team in strikeouts with 114, posting a 10-3 record with a 2.04 ERA in 17 games and 16 starts.
Kaprielian is a big, athletic kid with more room to grow to add strength as he continues maturing. He features a low 90’s fastball that he will continue to build upon to add velocity, in addition to a curve, slider and changeup, giving him four pitches that are all above-average and project well at the next level. He will likely hear his name called early on in this year’s Draft.
Mikey White – Alabama (2010 Team One South, 2010 Team One Futures Game – East, 2011 Under Armour All-American) White, a junior for the Crimson Tide, leads the way for his team, hitting for the best average on the team (.339), runs scored (48), doubles (19) and slugging percentage at .537.
In late April, White was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, one of 46 shortstops on the initial list, recognizing the nation’s top shortstops.
White is likely to be selected between the second and third rounds in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Lamonte Wade – Maryland (Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout) Wade’s stock has risen in this year’s Draft after his outstanding performance in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament against the UCLA Bruins. In the deciding win that sent the Terrapins to the Super Regionals, Wade made a leaping catch at the wall and had thrown out a runner at home during the UCLA regional, had a third spectacular play at the plate that saved a run for the Terps.
Dear LaMonte Wade, You are amazing. Sincerely, #RoadToOmaha http://t.co/NS7kBUOlcd
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 2, 2015
The freshman was a standout at St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, MD. He started 38 games this season for the Terps, hitting .347 with six doubles, a triple, four homers and 29 RBI. Wade could be selected anywhere from the third to fifth rounds in this year’s Draft.
High School
Brendan Rodgers – Lake Mary High School (2013 Under Armour Futures East Participant, 2014 Under Armour All-American) Rodgers is perhaps the best pure hitter in the Draft. Rodgers was recently featured in our Draft Preview for being one of the best pure hitters in the Draft.
Rodgers has a legitimate shot at being the first player selected next week in the Draft because of his strong, quick hands and shows good barrel accuracy in his swings. He should have no problem making the adjustment in facing better pitching at the next level because he can turn on a fastball and also handles his own with off-speed pitches. He’s the real deal.
Playing for Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida, the senior played in 25 games this season, batting .360 with eight doubles, eight home runs and 23 RBI to go along with a .786 slugging percentage.
Kyle Tucker – Plant High School (2014 Under Armour All-American) Tucker is an extremely talented young player that can mash from the left side of the plate. His swing is loose and natural and he can hit for power anywhere in the ballpark.
This season for the Panthers, Tucker hit .407 with six doubles, eight home runs and 21 RBI, while also scoring 26 runs and slugging .962.