Baseball America: Preseason All Americans

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OUTFIELD
JEREN KENDALL, VANDERBILT

A high price tag out of a Wisconsin high school kept Kendall from signing in 2014, and scouts have been waiting patiently ever since. Kendall has better tools than last year’s top outfielder, Louisville’s Corey Ray, a similar player as a left handed bat with speed. But Kendall is a 70 runner to Ray’s 60, and scouts consider him a potential plus defender in center field—which he’ll play for the first time this season for Vanderbilt—after seeing him there with the CNT.

Kendall also has excellent bat speed and a chance to hit for plus power if his approach and feel for hitting continue to improve. He’s struck out 122 times in 435 college at-bats, but scouts still consider him a potentially above-average hitter.

“He has natural, smooth athleticism,” one national crosschecker said, while another added. “The only question is the bat, especially the left-on-left question. The industry will zero in on the bat.”

STARTING PITCHERS
ALEX FAEDO, RHP, FLORIDA

Faedo missed time in the fall due to minor knee surgery but is expected to be fully healthy when the Gators’ season starts. He’d moved ahead of Puk in the team’s rotation last season and has two easy plus pitches at his best in his mid-90s fastball and powerful mid-80s slider. He’s a strike-thrower with just 37 walks in 166 career innings, while striking out 192 (10.4 K/9). Faedo’s body still has some developing to do, and scouts are convinced that despite his performance, the best is yet to come.

“He’s got some delivery issues,” one scouting director said, “but you can’t deny that he has performed at an elite level, and that he’s shown command of two plus pitches against good competition.”

TANNER HOUCK, RHP, MISSOURI

Lean and athletic at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Houck has the fastest arm in the class’ potential starters, and his pure arm speed helps him overcome some timing issues in his delivery. He pounds the zone with a lively fastball with plus life as well as plus velocity from an unconventional, low-three-quarters slot. He needs to more consistently stay on top of his slider, a pitch with sharp bite at times but that was inconsistent last summer with Team USA. He’s already shown impressive durability for Missouri, working more than 100 innings in each of his first two seasons. He’s working with a new coaching staff this season with the Tigers, with Steve Bieser replacing retired coach Tim Jamieson.

KYLE WRIGHT, RHP, VANDERBILT

A reliever as a freshman, Wright moved into Vanderbilt’s rotation as a sophomore and now is the undisputed leader of the staff. Vandy’s pitching tradition includes 10 picks in the first two rounds since first-rounder Jeremy Sowers (2004). Wright has the potential to be the first college pitcher drafted thanks to his profile size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), clean arm and fastball command, the best among the four first-team All-Americans.

Wright’s body attracts the most attention, as he still has projection, and he repeats his arm action and delivery well, so scouts are confident he’ll hit more 95 mph readings down the line. He sits 90-92 more often presently, with cutting action at its best, and his curveball has been above-average as well. His changeup rates as his third pitch and will be a focus.

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Every year Baseball America surveys scouting directors and national crosscheckers asking them to vote on our Preseason College All-America team. This year 17 of the 30 teams participated, giving a solid cross-section of how scouts view the college talent heading into the 2017 season. As we have for more than 30 years, we ask scouting directors’ opinions because we’re attempting to look forward with this team, not back at past accomplishments. Our end of season College All-America Team rewards results, but our preseason list is a look at the top talent in college baseball.

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