Future Redbirds

Niko Vasquez, SS, Durango HS, Las Vegas, NV (video)

Yes, he does come from the same HS as Tommy Pham. I like this pick here, much better than the Peterson pick. Vasquez was ranked by Keith Law the 38th best draft prospect overall, BA ranked him 65th. He profiles as a #5-6 hitter. He may not hit for a high average, as scouts note his swing is long and he does have some holes, but he has above average power. He has a strong arm but is slow for a SS, and he’ll probably have to move to 3B or 2B.

Here’s BA’s report:

Vasquez emerged as a potential high draft pick at last summer’s Area Code Games as he started turning his raw tools into performance, using his strong hands and good bat speed to blister good velocity. He also showed good defensive tools during a January Under Armour event, with a strong, accurate arm and better hands and actions. However, his season has been wildly inconsistent, starting with an academic suspension in February that cost him a month’s worth of games. When he returned, Vasquez was inconsistent defensively, and most scouts see him moving either to third base or second due to his below-average speed and lack of range at shortstop. However, his bat and perceived signability should get him drafted in the first three rounds. A skilled hitter, he has excellent hands and a good swing path, helping him lash line drives from gap to gap. He was at his best when the scouting heat was on this spring. Some scouts want to try him behind the plate, while others think he’ll hit enough and has enough arm (it’s average at best) to handle third base. His academic issues didn’t hinder his Oregon State commitment, but he’s considered signable.