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#WATCHEM: MLB Picks at Five Tool Events
07/14/2021

A Look Back at Five Tool’s Coverage of Future MLB Draft Picks

For hundreds of draft-eligible players, this week’s MLB Draft was a dream come true. It’s an exciting time for Five Tool Baseball too because it encourages us to stop, take a breath during the busiest month of the calendar, and appreciate the elite talent that we saw in person, a list that will assuredly grow next cycle. For some of these players, we’ve been able to follow their journey closely for years, which makes seeing their name called even more enjoyable. A look at some of those players:

Jackson Jobe – RHP – Heritage Hall (Oklahoma)
First Round, No. 3 overall – Detroit Tigers

Despite his limited background, relative to his peers, as a pitcher, it didn’t take long for Jackson Jobe to emerge as the best prep pitching prospect in the country. Once he stepped on the mound, he immediately created a buzz that spread to scouts quicker than a deal on Marriott points. A great athlete thanks to his background as an infielder, Jobe’s mid 90’s gas comes easy. But the standout, as you’ll see below, is the plus-plus slider with elite spin and soul-crushing results. 

Jordan Lawlar – SS – Jesuit College Prep (Texas)
First Round, No. 6 overall – Arizona Diamondbacks

Each time local product Jordan Lawler stepped onto the field, like he did below at the Melissa Sports complex, his loud tools stood out. He hit. He hit for power. He showed a glove that can stick at short with a strong arm. And he showed his speed. The total package. 

Carson Williams – SS – Torrey Pines (California)
First Round, No. 28 overall – Tampa Bay Rays

As you’ll notice below, first-round pick Carson Williams can swing the bat and he packs some juice. However, the two-way standout is equally as strong of a prospect on the mound. Unsurprisingly, he found a home with the Rays, arguably the best organization to develop two-way players. 

Izaac Pacheco – SS – Friendswood (Texas)
Second Round, No. 39 overall – Detroit Tigers

Although many scouts project him to eventually end up at third base, Pacheco was announced as a shortstop. He showed his athleticism during Five Tool events along with a strong arm. However, nothing grabbed the attention of viewers more than the big-time power. 

Wes Kath – Desert Mountain (Arizona)
Second Round, No. 57 overall – Chicago White Sox

Speaking of power-hitting infielders from the left side, Kath put on a show his senior season in Arizona, becoming the top prep position player in the state. As you can see, he didn’t mind taking some time to appreciate the finer things in life, like admiring a mammoth blast. When scouts talk about impacting the baseball, Kath is a good example. 

Cameron Cauley – SS – Barbers Hill (Texas)
Third Round, No. 73 overall – Texas Rangers

If you enjoy slick infield glovework from a young man who looks like he was born to play on the dirt, Cam Cauley is your kind of player. Oh, he can hit too. Cauley made hard contact repeatedly and carried himself well beyond his years. 

Jordan Viars – OF – Rick Reedy (Texas)
Third Round, No. 84 overall – Philadelphia Phillies

Soon, Jordan Viars will turn 18-years-old, but not before being selected in the third round by the Phillies. A physical corner outfielder, Philadelphia believes Viars, who signed with Arkansas, will hit and hit with power at a high level. After seeing him hit two homers during a single Mattingly World Series game back in 2019, it’s hard to argue against the Phillies.

Tyler Whitaker – SS – Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
Third Round, No. 87 overall – Houston Astros

As the 2021 season continued, Tyler Whitaker’s hitting, power and athleticism showed more and more. Clearly, the Houston Astros noticed. 

Brock Selvidge – LHP – Hamilton (Arizona)
Third Round, No. 92 overall – New York Yankees

With a lively fastball featuring arm-side run and a strong, athletic build and delivery, Brock Selvidge stood out during the Five Tool West Spring Showdown. Oh, the lefty also punched out six in a 2.1-inning appearance. That’ll play. So will his velocity and breaking ball. 

Dustin Saenz – LHP – Texas A&M
Fourth Round, No. 112 overall – Washington Nationals

Way back in 2016, Dustin Saenz, playing for USA Mizuno at the time, turned heads with a fastball up to 91 MPH. Fast forward and he capitalized on a more prominent role at Texas A&M this past season and became a fourth-round pick. 

Eric Silva – RHP – JSerra Catholic (California)
Fourth Round, No. 115 overall – San Francisco Giants

On perhaps the most loaded high school team in the country, Eric Silva didn’t have a problem standing out thanks to his arm strength and three-pitch mix. With his hard breaking ball and explosive fastball, Silva was one of the most intriguing prep pitchers in California. 

Logan Henderson – RHP – McLennan Community College
Fourth Round, No. 116 overall – Milwaukee Brewers

The Five Tool Collegiate League continues to grow, which made it especially cool to see some of its participants selected in this year’s draft. With a strong lower half and short, quick arm action, Henderson overpowered hitters with heaters that played up through the hitting zone and a future plus changeup. After participating in the Five Tool Collegiate League, Henderson went on to win the JUCO World Series at McLennan and racked up 15.6 K/9. 

Dru Baker – 3B – Texas Tech
Fourth Round, No. 130 overall – Tampa Bay Rays

After enjoying a productive career at Texas Tech, Dru Baker was selected by Tampa Bay. Like Carson Williams above, Baker seems like an ideal fit for the Rays given he can play various spots all over the diamond without a true defensive home. His speed and bat profiles well, making him an attractive prospect.

Tanner McDougal – RHP – Silverado (Nevada)
Fifth Round, No. 155 overall – Chicago White Sox

An imposing presence on the mound with power stuff to match, McDougal really stood out in front of Five Tool Arizona. He touched 95 MPH, showed a three-pitch mix, and repeated his delivery despite his 6-5 frame. 

AJ Smith-Shawver – RHP – Colleyville Heritage (Texas)
Seventh Round, No. 217 overall – Atlanta Braves

During last year’s Mattingly World Series, right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver put together a very, very loud performance on the mound with a lively fastball up to 94 MPH. It was an important outing because at that point, Smith-Shawver was still fairly new to pitching. Like Jobe, who pitched on the same field at the same event, Shawver didn’t waste any time standing out with big-time stuff. 

Creed Willems – C – Aledo (Texas)
Eighth Round, No. 227 overall – Baltimore Orioles

Creed Willems was always fun to watch because he wasn’t afraid to show off his arm behind the plate. With pop times routinely in the 1.9 range, Willems showed a strong, accurate arm with impressive carry through the bag. His arm strength showed on the mound too. He was up to 93 MPH during the 2020 Mattingly World Series and touched 94 MPH in front of Five Tool during the high school season.

Will Frizzell – 1B – Texas A&M
Eighth Round, No. 233 overall – Washington Nationals

Will Frizzell showed his power at the plate during the 2020 Texas Collegiate League season and toyed with the Red Monster at Melissa Sports Complex. His next season at Texas A&M, the left-handed power bat slashed .343/.460/.686 with 19 homers. 

Tyler Collins – OF – McKinney Boyd (Texas)
Eighth Round, No. 247 overall – Atlanta Braves

No one terrorized pitchers and defenses quite like Tyler Collins. With his elite speed, impressive ability to put the ball in play and willingness to use the bunt as a weapon, Collins kept defenses on their toes. Then when he reached base, which was often, Collins rattled pitchers because he was a threat to steal second and third and always wanted to put pressure on a defense. 

MORE SELECTIONS

Teo Banks – OF – Permian (Texas); 12th round, No. 364 overall (Chicago Cubs)

Quinton Low – LHP – Chatfield (Colorado); 13th round, No. 387 overall (Milwaukee Brewers)

Phillip Sikes – OF – TCU; 18th round, No. 526 overall (Boston Red Sox)

Eric Hammond – RHP – Keller (Texas); 19th round, No. 558 overall (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Daniel Avitia – RHP – Alhambra (Arizona); 19th round, No. 574 overall (Chicago Cubs)

Brenden Dixon – 2B – Weatherford College; 20th round, No. 583 overall (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Elie Kligman – C – Cimarron-Memorial (Nevada); 20th round, No. 593 overall (Washington Nationals)

Xavier Casserilla – 3B – V.R. Eaton (Texas); 20th round, No. 601 overall (St. Louis Cardinals)

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor
Five Tool Baseball

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