Reds linked to five-tool prep shortstop with elite bat speed

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Reds linked to five-tool prep shortstop with elite bat speed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Reds are one team that understands the importance of making the most of their first-round picks. Plenty of their recent pick have already made the MLB roster and are core contributors right now.

Chase Burns was the first-round pick back in 2024, and he already has a role with the big league club. The same can be said for Rhett Lowder, who was drafted in 2023, Sal Stewart in 2022, and Matt McLain in 2021.

Last year, they took a chance on a high school shortstop, Steele Hall. And while they have preferred to take college players, there may be another high school player they will want to take a chance on.

MORE: Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done since 1900

Reds linked to five-tool prep shortstop with elite bat speed​

The amount of college talent on the board this year is outstanding. However, there are a few high school players that teams will want to take a closer look at.

One of these players is James Clark, a shortstop from St. John Bosco HS in California. He is having a terrific spring, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has linked him to the Reds as the 18th overall pick.

"Clark has some serious helium this spring and profiles as a five-tool shortstop who is only scratching the surface of his long-term potential. He has a polished approach at the plate, and while his swing is not built for power, he doesn't have impact potential thanks to his bat speed. The Princeton commit also has an extremely high baseball IQ."

Clark has risen on the boards and could be an excellent pick for the Reds. He has an exciting combination of upside, instincts, and a smooth left-handed swing.

While the power is not there, he does have the ability to drive the ball. But the biggest concern is his ability to stick at shortstop, with some scouts believing a move to second or third could be in his future.

More MLB news:​

• 
  Rangers projected to bolster future core with elite Arkansas backstop
  
  
• 
  Diamondbacks linked to dynamic SEC outfielder as first-round target
  
  
• 
  Marlins projected to take chance on South Florida prep arm in latest mock
  
  
• 
  Versatile ACC outfielder linked to the Cardinals in latest mock
  
  
• 
  Angels projected to take elite SEC power hitter in latest mock draft
  

Continue reading...