A speedy outfielder is headed to Colorado if one MLB mock draft comes true.
In MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo’s latest mock draft, he has Boston College outfielder Sal Frelick being selected by the Rockies with the No. 8 overall pick. It would be the second straight year Colorado selected an outfielder with its first pick, joining Zac Veen.
“The sense is the Rockies are looking for a bat at this point and Frelick has been a very consistent performer with plus speed and excellent center field defense,” Mayo writes.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Frelick slashed .359/.439/.560 for the Eagles this past season in 45 games. He also had six home runs, 25 runs batted in and led his squad in doubles (15) and stolen bases (11).
He ranks No. 11 on MLB.com’s 2021 prospect rankings list.
According to his scouting report on the site: “Offensively, he has a strong history of making contact and getting on base. He walked more than he struck out in 2019 and ’20 combined and has very impressive bat-to-ball skills along with plus bat speed, pointing to future potential as a plus hitter. He’s deceptively strong with good extra-base ability, and he could eventually get to average power from the left side of the plate.”
A three-sport athlete in high school, Frelick also played hockey and was named the Gatorade Massachusetts football player of the year for his play as a quarterback and defensive back.
Shortstop Marcelo Mayer — from Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif. — is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Pirates in the mock draft.
Mayo previously had Texas right-hander Ty Madden coming to the Rockies.