Scouting the 2017 Draft: Nate Pearson; Drew Waters; Tanner Burns; Stuart Fairchild; Jeter Downs

I present 5 draft prospects who have made their way into late first round discussion:

Nate Pearson RHP, JC(Florida).  6'6", 245 lbs.

2017:  5-2, 1.56, 81 IP, 23 BB, 118 K.

Tall and big, Pearson has attracted national attention for a big FB that reaches 97 MPH and more.  At one point he was rumored to be touching 100.  He has excellent command of the pitch and pounds the strike zone with it.  His secondary offerings lag behind and will need development after he turns pro.  A bit of a project but a tremendous base of raw talent for work from.

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Drew Waters OF, HS.  B-S, T-R.  6'2", 190 lbs.

Toolsy HS OF.  PG metrics:  6.69 60 yd dash.  Time to Impact .100(the best I've seen).  Exit Velocity 103 MPH.

Waters holds his bat high but brings it into a comfortable hitting position as the pitch is delivered.  The swing itself is short and quick with some power behind it.  He's got a pretty big leg kick for timing.  Nice prospect but probably more of a second round talent.

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Tanner Burns RHP, HS.  6'0", 205 lbs.

Stocky, muscular pitcher who hits 95 MPH not the radar guns.  Secondary stuff needs development.  Comp for body type is Grant Holmes.  I would worry about the body as he matures.   Second round talent on my board.

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Stuart Fairchild OF, College(Wake Forest).  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 205 lbs.

2017:  .353/.430/.621, 16 2B, 15 HR, 17 SB, 26 BB, 47 K, 235 AB.

Nice combination of speed and power and a chance to stick in CF.  College hitters are starting to move up in this draft as they tend to.  Fairchild in discussion for late first-early 2nd round.

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Jeter Downs SS, HS.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 180 lbs.

Great baseball name!  Yup, he was named after Derek Jeter.  Toolsy kid who can probably stick at SS or move to CF.  Excellent speed and arm.  PG metrics:  6.45 60 yd dash.  93 MPH IF throw.  Time to impact= .104 sec. which is excellent.  Seems to have moved ahead of other HS SS prospects who I like such as Brady McConnell, Mark Vientos and Ricardo De La Torre.