Draft profile: Brendan Rodgers
*** With the 2015 First-Year Player Draft fast approaching, we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class. ***
Name: Brendan Rodgers
Position: SS
School: Lake Mary HS, Fla.
Rank on Draft Top 200: 1
DOB: 8/9/1996
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6'0" Weight: 195 lbs.
College commitment: Florida State
Tools
Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale
30: Well below average
40: Below average
50: Average
60: Above average
70-80: Well above average
Hit: 60
Power: 60
Run: 55
Arm: 60
Field: 55
Overall: 60
Stats
Games: 29
Avg: .366
AB: 88
2B: 8
HR: 8
RBI: 24
OBP: .480
Scouting report
Rodgers is bidding to become the first high school shortstop to go No. 1 overall in the Draft since the Astros selected Carlos Correa in 2012 and there are some similarities in offensive profile between Rodgers and the Astros' top prospect. Rodgers has gotten considerably stronger in the last year and he generates power with an easy, compact stroke. He doesn't have to muscle up to hit home runs, and his bat speed and all-fields approach bode well for his ability to hit for average as a pro. He's a quality athlete with solid speed and above-average arm strength, Rodgers has the chance to remain at shortstop. He has soft hands and good instincts in the field. At worst, he develops into a power-hitting third baseman.
MLB comp: Addison Russell
Fun fact: Rodgers works out with big leaguers Dee Gordon and Nick Franklin during the offseason. Former big leaguer Dante Bichette was once his little league coach.
He said it: "This is what I've wanted to do ever since I was five, six years old. I always wrote down that I wanted to play professional baseball."
They said it: "There's at least one time a game, it just blows my mind what he can do. Hopefully I'll have a few kids someday, and he'll be on TV and I'll say, 'He's like a brother to me.'"
-- Lake Mary High school senior third baseman and pitcher Brett Brubaker