Top Canadian prospect Morgan impresses

Outfielder Gareth Morgan entered the year widely regarded as the top Canadian high schooler in this year's Draft class. Listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the Toronto native has the size and tools to profile as a prototypical right fielder.

Scouts have gotten plenty of chances to see him in action lately. Morgan has spent much of March playing games against low-level Minor Leaguers at Spring Training facilities in Florida with the Canadian Junior Team and in Arizona with the Langley Blaze, an elite travel team. The Canadian Junior Team also played a game against the Blue Jays' big leaguers during which Morgan hit a sharp drive off Brandon Morrow back through the box.

Though evaluating an 18-year-old playing against professionals isn't always easy, Morgan's performance over the last month has only reinforced his status as Canada's top prospect.

"He has outstanding tools," one scouting director said. "He's a little more raw, and as a Canadian kid, that's understandable.

"He has the kind of tools you're looking for. His raw power is outstanding. It's well, well above average."

Morgan is committed to North Carolina State, and his power and physical presence give him significant upside.

The biggest concern scouts have about Morgan is how well he'll be able to adjust to more advanced pitching. It's a question scouts have to answer with every high school hitter, but Morgan's rawness and mixed track record makes it more pointed for him.

"Depending on how good a team feels about his bat and the contact and the plate adjustment is where he'll get selected," the scouting director said. "If you feel real good about it, he's going to be a high pick. If you feel so-so, maybe he'll go in the third or fourth round."