With the 2018 MLB Draft just around the corner, MLB Pipeline continues its coverage with a look at the best Draft prospect from each state.
Selections were based on Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo's latest list of the Top 200 Draft prospects. For states without a representative on the list, we polled and conversed with scouts to determine its top prospect.
:: 2018 Draft coverage ::
The 2018 Draft will take place from Monday through Wednesday, beginning with the Draft preview show on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. ET on Monday. MLB Network will broadcast the first 43 picks (Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A), while MLB.com will stream all 78 picks on Day 1. MLB.com will also provide live pick-by-pick coverage of Rounds 3-10 on Day 2, with a preview show beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. Then, Rounds 11-40 can be heard live on MLB.com on Day 3, beginning at noon ET.
Go to MLB.com/draft to see the Top 200 Prospects list, mock drafts, the Draft Tracker, the complete order of selection and more. And follow @MLBDraft on Twitter to see what Draft hopefuls, clubs and experts are saying.
Click on the states below to see a list of Draft-eligible players from that state.
Alabama: Casey Mize, RHP (Auburn) | No. 1
The top prospect in the 2018 class and the leading candidate to be selected No. 1 overall on Monday, Mize features three plus-or-better offerings in a fastball, slider and lethal splitter, the latter grading as the best of the bunch. He's also one of the top strike-throwers in the nation, as the 21-year-old posted a 14.0 K/BB ratio this spring, the second-best mark among D-I hurlers, after recording 12.1 K/BB as a sophomore. Altogether, Mize pitched to a 3.07 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP with 140 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings (15 starts).
Alaska: Johnny Hozma, the Padres' fifth-round pick last June, was Alaska's first Draft pick since 2014. Conversations with scouts yielded no viable Draft prospects for Alaska in '18.
Arizona: Matthew Liberatore, LHP (Mountain West HS) | No. 4
The top-ranked prep hurler in the class, Liberatore is the only left-hander who could land inside the top 10 picks in the first round. He has considerable physical projection remaining in his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame and plenty of stuff, including a low-to-mid-90s fastball that's been up to 96-97 mph, a plus curveball that serves as his out pitch, and a newly developed slider. That three-pitch mix made Liberatore a force this spring as he pitched to a 0.93 ERA with 104 strikeouts and a .134 BAA in 60 1/3 frames.
Arkansas: Blaine Knight, RHP (Arkansas) | No. 48
One of the best sophomore-eligible prospects in the 2017 Draft, Knight might have gone in the second round if his asking price hadn't scared teams away. Though extremely skinny at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, the right-hander has an impressive four-pitch mix, including a fastball that reaches 97 mph and an above-average slider/cutter in the mid-80s. Making 15 starts this spring, Knight went 10-0 with a 2.78 ERA and 86-to-21 K/BB ratio in 87 innings.
California: Cole Winn, RHP (Orange Lutheran HS) | No. 9
There might not be a more solid and consistent high school pitcher in this year's class than Winn, a physically strong strike-throwing righty who works with a mid-90s fastball, an advanced breaking ball and an improving changeup. Winn is committed to Mississippi State should he not sign. The 2016-17 Gatorade Player of the Year in Colorado, Winn transferred to powerhouse Orange Lutheran after the season, and he captured Gatorade Player of the Year honors in California this spring.
Canada: Noah Naylor, C (St. Joan of Arc HS) | No. 27
The younger brother of Marlins 2015 first-rounder and current prospect Josh Naylor, Noah, a Texas A&M recruit, outhomered prep slugger Nolan Gorman in the annual High School Home Run Derby during the 2017 All-Star Game at Marlins Park. He has the potential to hit for average and power from the left side of the plate, and while his defense currently lags behind his bat, Naylor does have a plus arm from behind the plate.
Colorado: Kyle Leahy, RHP (Colorado Mesa) | NR
A junior from Division-II Colorado Mesa, Leahy didn't perform as well this spring after he went 13-0 with a 1.41 ERA and limited hitters to a .211 average in 2017. The 6-foot-5 right-hander still managed to post a 7-2 record in 14 starts while compiling 85 strikeouts and 17 walks in 86 innings.
Connecticut: Tim Cate, LHP (Connecticut) | No. 62
Cate's Draft stock became a bit clouded because of forearm tightness that kept him off the mound for several starts, though he did return late in the spring to post a 3.23 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 47 innings for the NCAA Regional-bound Huskies. When healthy, he arguably has the best curveball in the class, a true 12-to-6 hammer he can throw for a strike at any point in the count, to go along with a running 90-93 mph fastball and an average changeup.
Delaware: Kyle Hinton, RHP (Delaware) | NR
Working 90 2/3 innings this spring, more than double his combined workload from his first two college seasons, Hinton pitched to a 2.78 ERA while compiling 94 strikeouts and 41 walks. The 5-foot-10 right-hander projects as a reliever with an 89-93 mph fastball, fringy slider and average changeup.
Florida: Brady Singer, RHP (Florida) | No. 2
Singer has everything teams covet in an advanced college arm, as he'll operate at 95-96 mph with an above-average slider and a changeup that earns similar grades from scouts. He commands all three pitches well and is praised by evaluators for his long, lean frame and durable build. The right-hander is 10-1 in 13 starts this season and carries a 2.25 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 into NCAA regional play.
Georgia: Joey Bart, C (Georgia Tech) | No. 6
Expected to be one of the top picks on Monday, Bart, the top catching prospect in this year's class, is set to become the highest-selected backstop since the Twins took Joe Mauer with the first choice in 2001. The Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as well as a Johnny Bench Award Semifinalist, Bart slashed .359/.471/.632 this spring and ranks second in the ACC in homers (16) and slugging (.632). Defensively, he threw out 31 of 80 basestealers (38.8 percent) over three seasons.
Hawaii: Micah Bello, OF (Hilo HS) | No. 171
Bello, a St. Mary's commit, has the makings of a future top-of-the-order hitter with his knack for making consistent contact from the right side of the plate and plus speed that serves him well on both sides of the ball. He lacks physicality in his 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame, but he already has extra-base pop and plenty of room to add strength.
Idaho: Jacob Pfennigs, RHP (Post Falls HS) | NR
Pfennigs intrigues scouts with his athleticism and untapped potential as a two-sport standout. A standout basketball player who helped to lead his school to a state title this year, Pfennigs, a 6-foot-7 right-hander, has also been up to 92 mph on the mound, albeit with lacking secondary offerings. He's committed to Oregon State.
Illinois: Alek Thomas, OF (Mount Carmel HS) | No. 41
The son of White Sox director of strength and conditioning Allen Thomas, Alek is a three-sport star at Mount Carmel High (Chicago). With his compact left-handed stroke, impressive bat speed and a mature approach at the plate, Thomas smacks line drives to all fields. He has no trouble barreling quality fastballs and led gold medal-winning Team USA in hitting with a .361 average at the 18-and-under World Cup in September. The Texas Christian commit is a plus runner, and he enhances his wheels with good instincts on the bases and in center field.
Indiana: Nick Schnell, OF (Roncalli HS) | No. 38
Few players have as much as helium heading into the Draft as Schnell, a Louisville commit who is set to become the first player drafted from Roncalli HS in Indianapolis. He has a sound left-handed swing and uses the entire field, with the solid bat speed and wiry strength needed to forecast average power once he fills out his extremely projectable frame. Schnell has the quickness and instincts to stay in center field and the strong arm -- he can run his heater into the low 90s -- to also profile well in right.
Iowa: Brandon Williamson, LHP (North Iowa Area CC) | No. 90
For a second straight year, the top prospect in Iowa is a left-handed pitcher from the junior college ranks. The 6-foot-5 lefty will sit at 90-92, topping out 95 mph, and features three solid if inconsistent secondary pitches. Williamson still requires quite a bit of physical projection and will honor his commitment to Texas Christian if he doesn't sign.
Kansas: Alec Bohm, 3B (Wichita State) | No. 7
Bohm's power was on full display this spring as he connected on a career-best 16 home runs while slashing .339/.436/.625 in 57 games with the Shockers. That power is Bohm's calling card, though he also shows good feel to hit and a patient approach. He's less advanced defensively, with hands, range and arm strength that all grade as average and portend a future move to first base.
Kentucky: Sean Hjelle, RHP (Kentucky) | No. 44
A 6-foot-11 pitcher, Hjelle has long impressed scouts with his ability to repeat his delivery and throw strikes despite his long levers and many moving parts. He complements his low-90s fastball with a plus knuckle-curve, his go-to secondary offering. Hjelle also possesses a slider and a changeup, giving him four average-or-better offerings that he throws with above-average control. If he reaches the big leagues, Hjelle will match Jon Rauch as the tallest player in MLB history.
Louisiana: Zach Watson, OF (Louisiana State) | No. 65
The Draft-eligible sophomore is a plus-plus runner as well as one of the premier defensive center fielders in college baseball. He's no slouch at the plate either, having posted a .311/.367/.489 batting line with 15 home runs and 25 steals in two seasons (117 games) with LSU.
Maine: Jeremy Pena, SS (Maine) | No. 168
Pena stands out for his defensive ability as a shortstop, as he possesses plus speed that translates to excellent range along with the strong arm and footwork necessary to excel at the demanding position. Offensively, Pena does have some strength and raw power, enough where some see 15 homers annually as a reasonable projection, though there are concerns about his capacity to make consistent contact.
Maryland: Richie Palacios, SS (Towson) | No. 134
Palacios comes from a baseball family, with a father (Tigers), uncle (Royals) and brother (Blue Jays) who either played or currently play in the professional ranks. He posted a .457 OBP this spring behind 52 walks (and just 16 strikeouts) in 55 games and did so while hitting for more power, as his eight home runs, 18 doubles and .515 slugging all marked career highs. Those advanced on-base skills, along with his plus speed, make Palacios a potential table-setter in the future.
Massachusetts: Steven Hajjar, LHP (Central Catholic HS) | NR
A 6-foot-4 left-hander, Hajjar has physical projection remaining and already works with a solid three-pitch mix, highlighted by a fastball that reaches the mid-80s. He's committed to play for Michigan.
Michigan: Michael Brettell, RHP (Central Michigan) | NR
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Brettell is a projectable righty who at times has flashed a promising three-pitch mix. When he's at his best, Brettell operates with a heavy fastball at 91-94 mph that he pairs with a average-or-better slider and a raw changeup.
Minnesota: Terrin Vavra, SS (Minnesota) | No. 129
Vavra emerged as one of top college shortstops in this Draft this spring by slashing .385/.485/.620 and hitting a career-best 10 home runs after producing just three homers in his first two seasons (82 games). With his smooth left-handed swing and an advanced approach at the plate, he makes contact with ease and has raw power that could produce 12-15 homers per season in pro ball. It's an offensive profile that will fit at either middle-infield position.
Mississippi: Ryan Rolison, LHP (Mississippi) | No. 17
A Draft-eligible sophomore, Rolison saw his stock pick up over the course the spring as he established himself as one of the top lefties in the class. Employing an athletic and easy delivery, Rolison is adept at using a fastball that reaches 95 mph to set up a plus curveball that's among the best in the Draft. He has feel for locating both pitches and rounds out his arsenal with a slider and a changeup, two average offerings. Appearing in 16 games (15 starts) this spring, the 20-year-old southpaw logged a 3.79 ERA and piled up 107 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings
Missouri: Jeremy Eierman, SS (Missouri State) | No. 29
Though he couldn't match the gaudy numbers he posted as a sophomore (.313/.431/.675, 23 HR, 17 SB), Eierman still had a solid junior campaign, slashing .292/.383/.533 with 29 extra-base hits and 20 steals. Eierman's bat speed and strength create natural power from the right side of the plate, albeit with some swing-and-miss tendencies. He lacks prototypical shortstop tools but has a chance to stay at the position thanks on account of his body control, soft hands and cannon arm.
Montana: Ben Tallman, C (Billings West HS) | NR
Though primarily a catcher, Tallman's athleticism has also seen time in center and right field as well as on the mound. He committed to North Dakota State after a junior campaign in which he batted .333 with three home runs and 32 RBIs.
Nebraska: Colby Gomes, RHP (Millard West HS) | No. 161
A 6-foot-6 right-hander, Gomes is athletic with a long, lanky frame that requires plenty of projection. Operating from a three-quarters slot, he works with a 91-95 mph fastball and shows some feel to spin a power curveball. Gomes also has feel for throwing his changeup, though it's a clear third pitch for him. Some teams worry about Gomes' chances of signing given his perceived strong commitment to Nebraska.
Nevada: Kyle Isbel, OF (UNLV) | No. 75
Isbel followed up an All-Star campaign in the Cape Cod League with a breakout junior campaign this spring, as he set personal bests in every offensive category by hitting .357/.441/.643 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs in 59 games. The left-handed hitter has a very good approach at the plate and a compact swing that sends line drives to all fields. There's some power to tap into as well, especially to the pull side, and he has enough speed to impact games both on the basepaths and in the outfield.
New Hampshire: Grant Lavigne, 1B (Bedford HS) | No. 99
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Lavigne is uncommonly strong for a high school player and has some of the best left-handed power available in the 2018 Draft. He shows feel for hitting and plate discipline as well, making for an impressive package of offensive potential. The 18-year-old Wake Forest commit is also more athletic than his burly build might indicate, and some scouts believe he's worth trying in the outfield.
New Jersey: Nick Decker, OF (Seneca HS) | No. 74
Decker's calling card is his left-handed raw power, and he's already shown that he can get to it regularly during games. He has excellent strength to his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, but he lacks physical projection for that same reason. Some scouts worry about the Maryland commit's pure hitting ability, though there a few who doubt that Decker's power will translate at the next level.
New Mexico: Kyle Bradish, RHP (New Mexico State) | No. 89
Bradish intrigues scouts with his size and stuff, the combination of which helped the 6-foot-4 righty rack up 131 strikeouts this spring while compiling a 2.79 ERA in 93 2/3 innings (16 starts). The fact that Bradish also issued 50 walks speaks to the inconsistency of his deceptive but high-effort delivery, and it's led some scouts to question whether he might profile better as a reliever in the pro ranks.
New York: Lenny Torres Jr., RHP (Beacon HS) | No. 47
A St. John's recruit, Torres, a 6-foot-2 righty, has been up to 96-97 mph with his fastball but typically sits around 93. Just 17 years old, he should continue to add velocity as he grows into his projectable frame. Though he dominated throwing primarily his heater this spring, Torres also has the makings of a plus slider and a solid changeup.
North Carolina: Jordyn Adams, OF (Green Hope HS) | No. 37
There might not be a better athlete in this year's class than Adams, who is committed to play both football and baseball next year for North Carolina, where his father is a defensive line coach. A team willing to go over slot to sign the tooled-up outfielder will be getting a premium athlete with elite speed and defensive ability in center field, as well as a solid foundation for hitting -- despite his two-sport background -- and power potential from the right side of the plate.
North Dakota: Kevin Folman, RHP (N.D. State) | NR
Back on this list for a second straight year, the redshirt senior right-hander is coming off of a spring in which he posted a 3.18 ERA with a 49-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 45 1/3 innings. After injuring his elbow during the summer of 2015 and missing all of '16 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is working with an 89-93 mph fastball and a fringy curveball.
Ohio: Nick Northcut, 3B (Mason HS) | No. 81
The Vanderbilt-committed Northcut's game is all about his offensive potential. He has a quick right-handed swing with loft and strength that enables him to generate impressive raw power, which he showed off by finishing second in the home run derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic last August. Northcut's arm, which produces a low-90s fastball on the mound, is an asset at the hot corner, where he projects as a solid defender if he can improve his agility.
Oklahoma: Steele Walker, OF (Oklahoma) | No. 30
One of the more accomplished hitters in this year's class, Walker led the Northwoods League with a .406 batting average in the summer of 2016 and was Team USA's most productive hitter last summer. He continued to rake this spring, hitting .352/.441/.606 with 13 home runs heading into NCAA Regionals. Walker's bat is his lone standout tool, as he otherwise receives average-at-best grades as a runner and defender.
Oregon: Nick Madrigal, 2B (Oregon State) | No. 3
The best pure hitter in the Draft returned from a broken hamate in his hand this spring and batted .395, giving Madrigal a .367 mark in 138 games for his college career. He doesn't offer much in the way of power, but he produces consistently hard contact and good pop to the gaps, with a disciplined approach that netted him more walks (54) than strikeouts (35). On the other side of the ball, Madrigal has spent his collegiate career at keystone and could develop into a Gold Glove-caliber defender there.
Pennsylvania: Mike Siani, OF (William Penn Charter) | No. 40
A two-time member and gold-medal winner of USA Baseball's 18-and-under national team, Siani will likely get the chance to play both ways -- the left-hander shows a low-90s fastball on the mound -- if he chooses to honor his Virginia commitment. Siani is raw but shows potential at the plate, while his plus speed and outstanding instincts make him one of the best defensive outfielders in the class and a candidate to stick in center field long term.
Puerto Rico: Yeankarlos Lleras, RHP | NR
A young and highly projectable right-hander, the 17-year-old Lleras has a fast arm that produces a fastball that reaches 94 mph with late life. He has some feel for a slider, too, though it lags well behind his heater. Lleras is committed to Florida International.
Rhode Island: Billy Butler, OF (Pontaganset HS) | NR
A 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, Butler stands out for his offensive potential from the right side of the plate. He has a solid approach and makes consistent line-drive contact, and scouts expect the Rhode Island recruit to tap into more raw power as he adds strength to his frame.
South Carolina: Seth Beer, 1B (Clemson) | No. 45
Beer has been viewed as one of the top prospects in the class since he was the consensus freshman of the year and won the Dick Howser Award as the college player of the year in 2016. Few college players can match his combination of patience and strength at the plate, though there is some concern among evaluators regarding Beer's ability to apply his power as consistently at the next level. He blasted 20 home runs this season to finish his Clemson career with 54 home runs in 184 games.
South Dakota: Jacob Blank, RHP (Augustanna) | NR
Blank was the Division-II national pitcher of the year in 2017, when he went 10-0 and posted a 0.78 ERA to lead all D-II hurlers. He has continued to impress this spring as a senior, going 8-0 with a 1.98 ERA. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hander's best pitch is a curveball that he sets up with an 87-91 mph heater.
Tennessee: Ryan Weathers, LHP (Loretto HS) | No. 13
The son of former big league hurler David Weathers, Ryan set a Tennessee high school tournament record with 28 strikeouts last spring, including 12 in a shutout in the Class A championship game, and turned in two scoreless outings for Team USA as it won the 18-and-under World Cup in September. The 6-foot-2 southpaw lacks a true out pitch but does have three solid offerings that he mixes them well. If it all clicks for him, the Vanderbilt commit could one day pitch in the front half of a big league rotation.
Texas: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP (Central Heights HS) | No. 22
A 6-foot-5 right-hander who is committed to Texas A&M, Rodriguez's fastball climbed up to 97-98 mph this spring and he consistently sat at 92-94 with late sinking action. An above-average slider headlines Rodriguez's secondary arsenal, and he also shows feel for a curveball and changeup, flashing at least average potential with both pitches.
Utah: DaShawn Keirsey Jr., OF (Utah) | No. 144
Keirsey has excellent bat-to-ball skills and makes consistent hard contact. It's more of a line-drive approach at present, though the left-handed hitter does have some extra-base thump. While he might run into a few homers along the way, he's definitely an average-over-power kind of hitter -- one who also offers value with his above-average speed and center-field defense.
Vermont: Leif Bigelow, RHP (Brattleboro Sr. Uhsd #6) | NR
At 6-foot-3, 160 pounds, Bigelow is all projection right now. The UConn commit can reach the mid-80s with his fastball and demonstrates feel for mixing in a breaking ball and a changeup, with the latter currently ahead of the former.
Virginia: Jake McCarthy, OF (Virginia) | No. 39
The brother of Joe McCarthy, a fifth-round pick of the Rays out of Virginia in 2015, Jake has a strong track record of hitting, having produced a .337/.423/.476 batting line in 85 games with the Cavaliers. While scouts expect him to tap into more power as a pro after refining his swing, McCarthy has a solid floor thanks to his hitting ability, plus speed and above-average outfield defense.
Washington: Jayson Schroeder, RHP (Juanita HS) | No. 93
Schroeder fired a 17-strikeout perfect game this spring as part of a dominant senior season with Juanita. The Washington commit features an advanced four-pitch mix headlined by a low- to mid-90s fastball and quality curveball. He has good strength to his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, with easy arm action that enables him to pound the zone with strikes.
Washington D.C.: Isaiah Pasteur, 3B (George Washington) | NR
The decision to transfer from Indiana to George Washington cost Pasteur all of 2017, but he put himself on the map this spring by hitting .331 with 11 home runs and an Atlantic 10 Conference-leading .589 slugging percentage. The senior also showcased his wheels on the basepaths by swiping 31 bases in 34 attempts.
West Virginia: Madison Jeffrey, RHP (Cabell Midland HS) | NR
A 6-foot, 200-pound right-hander, Jeffrey has been up to 92 mph with his fastball, pairing it with a solid curveball in the mid-70s. The West Virginia recruit has also shown potential at the plate as a left-handed-hitting first baseman with power potential.
Wisconsin: Jarred Kelenic, OF (Waukesha West HS) | No. 10
Kelenic's track record against high-end competition is well known, as he was the leading hitter on the 18-and-under U.S. National Team as a rising junior in 2016 and helped the squad win a gold medal for the second straight summer in '17. At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, Kelenic, a Louisville commit, is dynamic in all facets of the game, possessing five tools that grade as average or better -- he's arguably the best prep hitter in the class -- and the ceiling of an impactful everyday player at the highest level.
Wyoming:Brandon Nimmo, whom the Mets' took 13th overall in 2011, is the lone player to be drafted out of Wyoming since 2007. Conversations with scouts yielded no viable Draft picks for Wyoming in '18.