Lee's Summit prospect Harrison to attend Draft

TORONTO -- The Kansas City area will be represented by one of seven amateur players scheduled to attend the First-Year Player Draft on Thursday at MLB Network's Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J.

Monte Harrison, an outfielder from Lee's Summit West High School, will join six others from around the country for the event.

Harrison, 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, is a right-handed hitter who played in USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars last summer after a big junior season in high school. He batted .457 with six home runs, 12 doubles, 36 runs and 33 RBIs.

He was a 2013 Underclass First Team selection, a 2014 First Team All-American and was named to the Central All-Region First Team by Perfect Game.

MLB.com ranks Harrison as No. 23 on its Top 200 Prospects with this assessment:

Few prospects in the 2014 Draft have as many options as Harrison. He's one of the best outfield prospects available, his arm strength could lead to a future on the mound if needed and he's also a four-star wide receiver recruit. He has committed to play both baseball and football at Nebraska, where the baseball coach (former All-Star outfielder Darin Erstad) once did the same.

If Harrison's bat develops as hoped, he could have solid or better tools across the board. His most impressive attribute is his arm, as he was clocked at 97 mph making a throw from the outfield during the Perfect Game National in June. He's an above-average runner who could become a quality center fielder.

If not, Harrison has the bat and arm to profile well in right field. He has the strength and bat speed for above-average power. He'll need some time to develop at the plate, and his progress should be expedited once he focuses full-time on baseball.