With the 2017 Draft fast approaching (June 12-14 on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
Name: Evan White
Position: 1B
School: University of Kentucky
Rank on Draft Top 200: 18
DOB: 4/26/1996
Bats: R Throws: L
Height: 6'3" Weight: 177 lbs.
:: 2017 MLB Draft coverage ::
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Hit: 60
Power: 55
Run: 55
Arm: 55
Field: 55
Overall: 50
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Stats
Games: 51
Avg: .368
AB: 204
2B: 24
HR: 9
RBI: 40
OBP: .450
Scouting report
White has an unusual profile. He bats right-handed and throws left-handed, he's as athletic as it comes among first basemen and -- unheard of at his position -- his power might be weakest among all of his tools. He has produced and improved throughout three seasons at Kentucky, and he should join Chad Green (Brewers, 1996) as the only Wildcats position players ever to get drafted in the first round.
White manages the strike zone well and usually focuses on hitting line drives from gap to gap with a relatively flat swing. He has good bat speed and a long frame built to create leverage, so power should come once he adds more strength to his body and more loft to his swing. He's starting to turn on more pitches this spring, which bodes well for his future.
Whichever team drafts White will have to decide whether to deploy him as a potential Gold Glove first baseman or to try him in the outfield. Former Wildcats coach Gary Henderson thought White had the tools to try center field in pro ball. A plus runner with solid arm strength, White handled himself well on the outfield corners with the U.S. college national team last summer.
MLB comp: Stephen Piscotty offensively and Cody Bellinger defensively
Fun fact: Both White's grandfather and uncle played in the Cincinnati Reds organization, and the Reds are White's favorite team (he wears No. 19 because his father wore that when he played, and because Joey Votto wears it for the Reds).
He said it: "It's just something I've always played. Growing up, I was always one of those guys who could catch. It's something I've done for a really long time, and I'm pretty good at saving some outs over there. I feel like that's kind of kept me over there.
"It's something I take pride in and something I enjoy, working on picks, fielding ground balls. I love doing that. I could do that for days." -- White to Baseball America, on playing first base
They said it: "When you can go run, throw, field, hit, power -- the guy is literally a five-tool player, which is really weird because he's playing first base. Most guys who have five tools are playing in the outfield or something like that, but he's got a Gold Glove to prove how valuable he is at that position."
-- Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione to Baseball America