Scouting the 2018 Draft: Konnor Pilkington; Luken Baker

Konnor Pilkington LHP, College(Mississippi St.).  6'3", 225 lbs.

2017:  8-5, 3.08, 108 IP, 47 BB, 111 K.
2016 CCL:  2-1, 1.37, 39.1 IP, 12 BB, 33 K.

Pilkington is a large college lefty with a nice 3 pitch mix.  According to his MLB scouting report, his FB sits 88-93 and touches 96 MPH.  His best second pitch is a changeup.  His breaking ball tends to be slurvy.  He has a high release point with a steep downhill plane.  College pitchers tend to move up boards as the draft approaches.  Pilkington could easily break into the top 10 picks on draft day with a strong junior campaign.

Luken Baker 1B/DH, College(TCU).  B-R, T-R.  6'4", 265 lbs.

2016:  .379/.483/.577, 16 2B, 11 HR, 45 BB, 39 K, 298 PA.
2017:  .317/.454/.528, 8 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 40 BB, 36 K, 207 PA.

10-15 years ago, Luken Baker(do you think maybe his parents were fans of Waylon Jennings?) would have been a darling of the sabermetric crowd.  Terrible body but wow!  Look at that plate discipline.  Baker has a simple swing with a wide stance, barely a heel lift on his front foot with a small weight shift and short, quick body rotation.  The power comes from his massively strong arms which is what allows him to cut down on the extraneous motion.  The bat will likely eventually get him a MLB job, but he's stuck at 1B or DH.  Now that Billy Butler's career seems to be over, can we call Baker "Country Breakfast: Second Course"?

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DrB's Updated 2018 Draft Board:

1.  Seth Beer OF/1B, College(Clemson).
2.  Nander De Sedas SS, HS.
3.  Kumar Rocker RHP, HS.
4.  Ethan Hankins RHP, HS.
5.  Jarred Kelenic OF, HS.
6.  Matthew Liberatore LHP, HS.
7.  Brady Singer RHP, College(Florida).
8.  Logan Gilbert RHP, College(Stetson).
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9.  Travis Swaggerty OF, College(Univ. of South Alabama).
10. Tristan Pompey OF, College(Kentucky).
11.  Carter Stewart RHP, HS.
12.  Mike Vasil RHP, HS.
13.  Cole Wilcox RHP, HS.
14.  Mason Denaberg RHP, HS.
15.  Casey Mize RHP, College(Auburn).
16.  Nolan Gorman 3B, HS.
17.  Greyson Jenista OF/1B, College(Wichita St).
18.  Alec Bohm OF/1B, College(Wichita St).
19.  Tristan Casas OF/1B, HS.
20.  Nick Madrigal 2B, College(Oregon St.).
21.  Ryan Weathers LHP, HS.
22.  Shane McClanahan LHP, College(Univ. of South Florida).
23.  Ryan Rolison LHP, College(Mississippi).
24.  Konnor Pilkington LHP, College(Mississippi St).
25.  Steele Walker OF, College(Oklahoma).
26.  Will Banfield C, HS
27.  Griffin Conine OF, College(Duke).
28.  Brice Turang SS, HS.
29.  Tim Cate LHP, College(Connecticut).
30.  Jeremy Eierman SS, College(Missouri St.).
31.  Joey Bart C, College(Georgia Tech).
32.  Luken Baker 1B/DH, College(TCU).