Stone Garrett is yet another 5 tool HS OF prospect who I think might be the best hitter in the draft. Stone is an appropriate first name because he is built like a rock. He's 6'2, 190 lbs of chiseled stone, I tell you! In physical appearance he looks a lot like Torii Hunter and that is exactly who Garrett has tried to emulate on the field. He has an arm that produces 92 MPH velocity from the OF and has run a 6.47 60 yard time.
On video he shows minimal extraneous movement with the bat and a short quick stroke to the ball that produces power at the point of contact. His cumulative batting line for the showcase circuit led all showcase prospects in BA. .365/.410/.538 with 10 BB, 13 K in 115 PA.
BLF has him ranked at #38. Matt Garrioch has him at #100. He is not listed in BA's top 50 draft prospects.
He is not real popular for scouts who are into projection because he is physically what he is going to be now. Of course, that was the rap on Arroyo too, not that Arroyo has proven that rap wrong yet.
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Ha, I played with Stone in travel ball. I creamed him in the 60 yard, he got 6.49 when we were timed and I got 6.27.
ReplyDeleteOK, thanks for sharing.
DeleteThis is going to be an interesting draft - it's crazy to picture that you might get the best hitter in the 3 RD...hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI concur with the Stone Garrett and Tori Hunter comp. However I'm not sure how you justify a player like Stone Garrett who is "very athletic" and takes care of his body that he has no projection left when he is only 17 years old. That's like stating Bo Jackson or Adrian Peterson would never become good College / NFL running backs because when they left high school they had no projection remaining. That chiseled 6'2" 190 body must have come from his workout ethics. From my observation and speaking with scouts, Stone Garrett has proven to be a top hitter in games and not just the showcases throughout the last two summer circuits against some really good 2014 pitching. If he slips to the third round some team is going to be really excited.
ReplyDeleteI did not say Stone Garrett is not a great athlete or that he is not a good player. When I say he has no projection left, I mean he is likely to never get bigger or stronger than he already is. Further development will be based on his developing his skills. That does not mean he won't be a top notch player. 6'2, 190 lbs is plenty big enough to hit a lot of HR's.
DeletePersonally, I think too many scouts place too much emphasis on projectability that often ends up never happening. Give me the kid who is doing it now. If Garrett was 5'9 and weighed 160 lbs, there might be a concern.
Having said all that, I do think one reason why he isn't being ranked higher by some analysts is the projectability issue. That is why I think he is undervalued and could end up being the steal of the draft. The best part is it seems like you don't have to worry about whether the hit tool will develop which is usually the Achilles heel of 5 tool prospects.
A guy from last year Phil Ervin had this rap. Well... He is tearing it up big time. I think the projection thing works best with the pitchers, kids who are in their teens who have lanky frames with room for strength. I think that Stone Garrett is a very interesting prospect, as well as the kid from Florida with the same rap. Lots of interesting (and fast) HS OF in this upcoming draft.
DeleteI just witnessed Stone Garrett play in his last three baseball games. He hit two home runs in one game and one in another game. Two home runs where bombs to dead center field and the other opposite field to right. The one game he didn't hit a home run he just missed a grand slam by a few feet but the ball went so far I would have gave him the home run, however he did go 3 for 3 with two walks reaching base on all at bats. With his early season hitting approach I agree with your comments on his hitting.
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