Crack of the Bat

by Patrick Ebert

College Thunder

One perceived weakness in this year’s draft class is the lack of college bats, or at least the lack of all-around toolsy players.  Tennessee ’s Julio Borbon entered the spring with the best collection of tools, and the only college hitter that was considered a lock for the first round.  Borbon has only begun playing the past couple of weeks again after missing the first couple of months of the season with a broken ankle.  Fortunately for him, a player that relies so much on his speed, his ankle has seemed to respond well as he’s running as though he hasn’t missed a beat.

Despite the perceived lack of college positional players, I would argue that the college class offers quite a few intimidating power bats, particularly left-handed sluggers.  Below I am going to profile my usual baker’s dozen of some of the college games best big bats.

J.P. Arencibia – C - Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers have not been blessed with good health this year, as noted by Borbon’s injury just above.  They have also missed their All-American catcher more than they would have liked, as Arencibia has battled some lower back soreness.  While that’s never a good sign for a catcher, a catcher that already has some questions about his defense, Arencibia’s bat has never been in question.  His bat has started slow given his injury, but it is starting to come around particularly after a big weekend against Kentucky .  Few college hitters are as proven over the last three years as Arencibia is, who has also put up great numbers for Team USA .

Corey Brown – OF – Oklahoma State

If you like gaudy numbers across the board, look no further than Brown’s.  His overall athleticism has allowed him to put up some big numbers over his first three years at Oklahoma State , despite struggling to hit with a wood bat last summer on the Cape .  Brown has also been successful in 12 of 13 stolen base attempts, a tribute to his speed, although he has struck out 34 times so far this year, evidence that his big swing hasn’t gotten any smaller this spring.  If the impressive power numbers continue, his athleticism coupled with the statistical success could mean he finds himself taken in round one.

Josh Donaldson – C – Auburn

In games Donaldson isn’t behind the plate, he’s at third base, as he has the lateral quickness and incredibly strong arm to play either position.  He has alternated between the two positions the last couple of years after starting his college career as a full-time third baseman, so he is still a little unrefined behind the plate, but has the tools to succeed there.  No matter where he plays his bat is going to earn him his paychecks at the next level with a powerful and quick right-handed swing that has allowed him to be a natural run producer.  He was one of the best hitters on the Cape last year by hitting .302, and has further improved his stock this spring by putting up big numbers.

Todd Frazier – SS  – Rutgers

Frazier follows in the footsteps of his brothers Charlie and Jeff, with Jeff currently playing in the Mariners system.  Todd plays shortstop for the Scarlet Knights, although most believe his large size and lack of pure shortstop range will prompt a move to either the hot corner or right field.  His bat should play anywhere, as his raw power potential is nearly unmatched across the nation, and he currently is hitting .395 with 13 dingers.  He has a big swing though, as he’s prone to racking up lofty strikeout totals, but he also has a keen enough eye to get on base via the free pass.  Frazier is a very good athlete and he continues to put up impressive numbers this spring.

Kellen Kulbacki – OF – James Madison

After slugging 24 home runs a season ago, scouts were anxious to see how his power transferred swinging a wood bat against some of the better pitchers in the nation in the Cape Cod League.  He started the summer extremely slow, but eventually found his stroke and finished his campaign with seven dingers, tied for the third best total in the league.  Built shorter and stouter than the prototypical athlete, Kulbacki has drawn a few Brian Giles comparisons for his powerful, compact left-handed stroke and fringy tools.  Like Giles, Kulbacki makes the most of his abilities, and seems to constantly overcome odds placed on him by those that doubt him.

Matt LaPorta – 1B – Florida

LaPorta hasn’t been a stranger to this column in the recent weeks, as his comeback season has been well chronicled after struggling mightily during his junior year.  With LaPorta’s success the Gators have also succeeded, playing much better since conference play has begun.  Patience and power is his game, as he currently leads the nation in both on-base and slugging percentage.  Teams also pitch around him, and he still puts up lofty home run totals, as he’s tied for third in the nation with 15.  His swing can get long, but he’s learning to lay off against outside breaking balls.  LaPorta will probably be at his best for an American League ballclub, as he’s never going to receive any accolades for his defense.

Matt Mangini – 3B – Oklahoma State

The second Sooner to grace this list, Mangini hasn’t stopped hitting since he dazzled observers during his stint in the Northwoods League two summers ago.  He followed one successful summer campaign with another by leading the Cape League in hitting last year with a .310 batting average.  Armed with a powerful stroke from the left side of the plate, Mangini is more of a single and doubles hitter at this point in time, but many believe his power will come sooner rather than later given his powerful swing and overall frame.  His defense is in question, but most scouts seem to believe he will make the necessary adjustments to stick at third.

Beau Mills – 3B – Lewis-Clark (ID) State College

Yet another left slugger, Mills has been the most consistent run producer of those on this list even stepping onto Fresno State ’s campus as a freshman.  Academic issues have since caused him to transfer to NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State , where he has continued to swing an extremely productive bat with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 64 RBI.  He is the son of Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, so he knows what it takes to make the big leagues.  He may not make it as a third baseman, as while he has plenty of arm for the position, he footwork can get rather stiff, and may be better suited across the diamond at first or in left field.

Brian Rike – OF – Louisiana Tech

When scanning the top power statistical categories in the nation, you will find Rike’s name early in often.  First in runs, second in homers and seventh in slugging percentage nationally, Rike is having a fine season as he’s carried his success over from a strong sophomore campaign and an impressive summer showing in the Jayhawk League, where he impressed scouts for his overall toolset and his defensive ability in centerfield.  Few players are enjoying such a rapid ascent up follow charts as Rike is this spring, whose power and defense combination are hard to come by this spring at the college level.

Kyle Russell – OF - Texas

Russell is a draft-eligible sophomore is having an absolutely huge year, leading the nation in home runs with 20, just a step ahead of Rike’s 19.  Russell’s 20 dingers recently made him the most prolific home run hitter in the Longhorns’ illustrious history.  His power comes from a huge left-handed swing, which leads to equally stunning strikeout totals (currently at 37).  Scouts and coaches will look past the strikeouts if he continues to hit home runs at his current pace.  A very talented overall athlete, the Longhorns were extremely happy when both Russell and Jordan Danks joined the program a year ago.  While Danks received more national attention as an Aflac All-American, Russell received more playing time as a freshman, as he started the spring hot before slumping as the season wore on.

Matt Spencer – OF – Arizona State

Arizona State is loaded with sluggers, just like they always are, but most of them are underclassmen.  Spencer is the one notable junior, a transfer from North Carolina whose initial college commitment made him a tough sign coming out of high school.  Blessed with a tall and powerful frame, that size translates well to his power potential at the plate, as he can crush pitches to any part of the park.  He is finally getting a chance to play everyday this year, and responded well hitting four home runs over the first two weeks of the season.  The home run production has cooled, having hit only one since, but his bat has not, as he’s hitting .398 on the year.

Matt Wieters – C – Georgia Tech

Wieters stands out on this list, as in my mind he could easily be taken first overall in the draft given his overall talents.  There are some questions about whether or not he’ll be able to stick behind the plate long-term given his large 6’5”, 230 pound frame, but there are zero questions about his polished and powerful switch-hitting bat.  He has controlled the strike zone extremely well since stepping onto Georgia Tech’s campus, and has shown his big bat in big situations.  Wieters days as a closer seem to be coming to an end, as that double duty could be wearing on his efficiency at and behind the plate.

C.J. Ziegler – 1B – Arizona

Ziegler’s power starts from his huge powerful frame and his natural sense at the plate.  He really got the attention from scouts last summer by consistently showing his power with a wood bat in the Coastal Plain League, and has carried that success into the season for the upstart Arizona Wildcats.  Ziegler makes opposing pitches work when he’s at the plate by working the count deep and drawing a high number of walks.  Despite his size and his approach, he doesn’t strike out as much as you think he would.  He is a little stiff and is never going to fool anyone as a Gold Glove candidate, making him a future American Leaguer.

The thoughts and opinions listed here do not necessarily reflect those of Perfect Game USA .  Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.