Monday, March 27, 2017

Scouting the 2017 Draft: Griffin Canning; Brewer Hicklen

Griffin Canning, RHP, College, UCLA.  6'2", 180 lbs.

2016:  5-8, 3.70, 109.1 IP, 21 BB, 95 K.
2017:  1-1, 2.72, 39.2 IP, 15 BB, 49 K.

Canning is a classic pitchability college pitcher.  His FB is adequate at best topping out at 94 but usually sitting 89-92 MPH, but he has 4 pitches he can command.  His changeup is his primary secondary offering.  Canning will be popular with teams who value a high floor over a high ceiling on draft day.  For me, he's a round 2 talent at best.

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Brewer Hicklen, OF, College, UAB.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 208 lbs.

2016:  .289/.413/.408, 7 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 22 SB, 38 BB, 41 K, 201 AB.
2017:  .349/.389/.663, 4 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 9 SB, 5 BB, 21 K, 83 AB.

Hicklen may be moving up draft boards.  I found out about him on Minor League Ball where some under-the-radar college prospects were profiled.  Hicklen is a tremendous athlete who doubles as a WR on the UAB football team.  He has done a 6.5 60 yd dash and plays CF for the baseball team.  He has shown more speed than power so far but the size and strength would suggest there is power potential there.  With the extreme dearth of good college hitters in this draft, Hicklen may have a chance to move all the way into the first round.  He is a redshirt sophomore and draft eligible.

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Don't have time to update my draft board right now. Will catch that later.

1 comment:

  1. i see Hicklen as a lead off guy or 2nd spot hitter. Good batting average and speed works well top of the order.

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