Scouting the 2017 Draft: MJ Melendez and Bubba Thompson

MJ Melendez, C, HS.  B-L, T-R.  6'0", 190 lbs.

Melendez looks too lean and athletic to be a catcher, but with the new contact rules at home plate, more athletic and mobile catchers may be the wave of the future.  Has 5 tools including 89 MPH on throws, and a 6.85 60 yard dash.  His time to contact is an excellent .102 sec. and the ball jumps off his bat at 96 MPH.  His PG scouting report notes that he could play anywhere on the field.  My comp is Craig Biggio.  Melendez is the son of the baseball coach at Florida International where he is committed to college which means he could be a tougher sign than some HS prospects.  I see him as more of a supplemental first or 2'nd round talent but with a lot of upside.

Bubba Thompson, OF, HS.  B-R, T-R.  6'1", 180 lbs.

When I saw the name Bubba Thompson from Alabama on BA's Top 100 Draft Prospects list, I immediately imaging a chubby cheeked white kid about 6'2", 220 lbs.  Another lesson learned about stereotyping.  Thompson is a lean, wiry African-American kid who is super-athletic with a 6.35 60 yard dash under his belt and an 88 MPH arm.  Again, I might not want to risk a first rounder on this type of player, but he could be a home run anywhere from the supplemental first round on.