Scouting the Draft: First Round Tiers- High School Hitters

Just a note before we get started, I added LHP Burl Carraway to the College Pitching 1C tier.  There is a large peloton of HS hitters worthy of consideration for the top half of round 1, but the pickings think out after that before you get another tier who would be more appropriated for Round 2 and beyond.  Let's break it down:

1A:

None. Again, unless the Tigers are hunting for a significant under-slot deal, I don't see any other demographic challenging Tork and Austin Martin for the top tier.

1B:

Ed Howard SS
Tyler Soderstrom C
Zac Veen OF
Austin Hendrick OF
Robert Hassell OF
Pete Crow-Armstrong OF

Zac Veen is at the top of most draft rankings from this demographic.  He's a tall, lanky lefty hitter who reminds people of a young Christian Yelich.  That is probably very unfair to Veen.  I mean, how many tall lanky lefty HS hitters turn into Christian Yelich?   I actually think all 6 of these have an approximately equal case.  I've kind of settled on Howard and Soderstrom due to positional strength as PC-A is the only one of the OF's who really projects as a CF.  I could see a scenario where the Giants have their choice of all 6 at #13 but it's more likely 1 or 2 will be off the board by then.  Hassell has a sweet swing and probably the best hit tool and PC-A is the fastest and most likely to be a future MLB CF.  Both Hassell and PC-A are committed to Vandy which may make teams shy away, especially this year.

1C:

Jordan Walker 3B
Dylan Crews OF
Carson Tucker SS

First of all, I really like Jordan Walker a lot.  He reminds me of a more muscular version of Jo Adell.  I mean, is that even possible?  There are a lot of questions about his swing and future contact abilities which keep him out of the top half of the first round rankings.  Earlier in the draft cycle, Dylan Crews drew comps to Mike Trout.  Right now he's drawing more to Christian Arroyo.  Carson Tucker's older bro is SS Cole Tucker, a former underslot deal first round selection by the Pirates who has taken his time developing but may still be an impact player.  Carson's stock seems to be rising as one of the few draft prospects who look like they can stick at SS.

There are quite a few more HS hitters I have my eye on but they would all be reaches before round 2 starts.  It's looking like we will have more than enough first round tier prospects for the 37 first and competitive balance rounds but not enough for the Giants to be guaranteed a first round talent at #49.