The 2017 MLB draft is upon us and while the TCU Baseball team is still celebrating their Super-Regional win against Missouri State and advancing to their fourth straight College World Series, we have to look ahead a bit to next year and how the MLB Draft will impact the future of Horned Frog Baseball. Let's look at some current TCU players and some TCU signees who will be taken in the next three days.
Evan Skoug - Catcher
Skoug has been amazing this season for the Horned Frogs and was named Co-Big 12 Player of the Year and Second Team All-American. He has been ranked as a Top 3 catcher in this year's draft since before the college season began. He is currently ranked as the #48 overall prospect according to MLB.com. Skoug could go anywhere from the late first round to the third round. He could always come back to TCU for his senior season if he isn't taken in the draft where he likes or the contract isn't what he wants.
Shane Baz - Pitcher (Concordia Lutheran HS - Houston, TX)
Baz is the #1 ranked player in Texas and is likely to go in the Top 15 of tonight's MLB Draft. Why should TCU fans be concerned? It appears that more and more MLB teamas are concerned that Baz may in fact head to Fort Worth where he would be a two-way player like Luken Baker was last year. Baz is a 6-foot-3 190 pound RHP/3B with 95 MPH heat and some serious power as a hitter. If Baz does slide in the draft, things are looking good for TCU fans.
Of note, Jim Schlossnagle has had two former 1st round draft picks attend TCU instead of going pro, Matt Purke in 2009 and Nick Lodolo in 2016. TCU advanced to the CWS in each of their freshman seasons.
Jacob Gonzalez - 3rd Base/1st Base (Chapparal HS - Scottsdale, AZ)
Gonzalez is a 6-foot-4 210 pound corner infielder. The son of former MLB'er Luis Gonzalez, Jacob has grown up around baseball. He has an open stance similar to his father, except from the right side. Gonzalez shows good range and glove work at third base and has played some first base as well. He has tremendous power potential and a frame that could add 20-30 pounds over the next three years. Gonzalez is currently ranked #124 by MLB.com.
Adam Oviedo - Shortstop (Alvarado HS - Grandview, TX)
Oviedo is a smooth defender with solid defensive mechanics. Standing 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, he stays low on the ball and has a solid arm. As a hitter, Oviedo has a short, smooth stroke and makes good contact with the ball. A solid line-drive hitter, he drives the ball to all fields. Oviedo is ranked #130 by MLB.com
Tyler Freeman - Shortstop (Etiwanda HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Freeman is a prototypical middle infielder. He has a lean frame (6-foot-0 170 pounds) but the body type to add muscle. Good defensive player with a plus arm. A right-handed hitter that drives the ball to the gaps and shows good bat speed. Is aggressive, but doesn't strike out much. A good contact hitter. Freeman is ranked #142 by MLB.com
Caleb Sloan - Pitcher (Regis Jesuit HS - Centennial, CO)
One of the more athletic players in the bunch, Sloan comes in at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. Sloan throws a low-to-mid 90's fastball and mixes in a good slider as well. Shows good command of the strike zone and doesn't walk many. He has hit 94-95 MPH on occasion in high school. Sloan is ranked #171 by Baseball America.
Austen Wade - Outfielder
Austen Wade is the other current TCU player that could be drafted in the Top 10 rounds of the 2017 draft. Wade became a full-time starter last year becoming All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Wade was named All-Big 12 First Team this year batting .342 while finishing second in the Big 12 in walks (47) and third in hits (78).
There you have it Frog Fans. These are the players that could be Frogs next year to watch for in this year's MLB Draft that begins at 6PM ET tonight with the first 75 picks. Rounds 4-10 are on Tuesday and the final 30 rounds take place on Wednesday. i will have a draft recap later this week once the draft has concluded with where the TCU players and signees were drafted.
