FINAL NAIA BASEBALL MOCK DRAFT IS LISTED HERE! CLICK HERE.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is another opportunity for baseball players to continue to play while hoping to get that taste of big league action. There are always a handful, averaging around 20-30 guys drafted or signed each year out of the NAIA. With help from NAIA Ball on Twitter and a HUGE help from Robby Gutierrez, we’ve compiled the top draft picks and players to watch out for during the June 4th MLB Draft. For our most recent mlb mock draft (click here) or view our NAIA Baseball home page! Note: Robby Gutierrez was the joint author on this article.
If we left someone out, please let us know in the comments and why you feel they will be drafted. Note: A lot of draft ability comes from the competition a pitcher or hitter faces. If they put up video game numbers against lower level competition or league, that hinders their draft stock until they can do it against the best.
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Elih Marrero – St. Thomas University – Catcher
Marrero is part of a talented tandem of SEC Baseball transfer catchers for St. Thomas. Marrero is considered as a high baseball IQ behind the plate with a strong arm and great ability to work the game. His father is a former big leaguer, Eli Marrero, who spent 10 seasons between the Cardinals, Braves, Royals, Orioles, Rockies, and Mets. Elih, in his first season for the bobcats, hit .370 with 91 hits, 24 doubles, 9 HR, and led his team with 80 RBI. In 2015, Marrero was selected in the 29th round by the Reds out of Mississippi State.
Lane Milligan – Oklahoma City University – Catcher
Lane Milligan has put up video game numbers this season for OCU. Milligan, in 58 games, has hit .457 with 100 hits, 15 triples (NAIA Record), 15 HR, and national NAIA leader in RBI with 90. Milligan has done it all this season for the Stars. As several opposing coaches from the Sooner Athletic Conference have spoke about, Milligan can use the whole yard while hitting. He can play multiple positions, has good speed, and a plus baseball IQ. Milligan has been the best overall hitter this season for an OCU team that’s no stranger to having players go pro, along with a long-time head coach in Denney Crabaugh. Lane Milligan was described to me as the best draft prospect the NAIA had. There aren’t many left handed hitting catchers with speed in the nation, that can also play multiple positions.
Eddie Jimenez – Southeastern University – RHP – Closer
Jimenez is the hardest thrower in the NAIA. The RHP out of Oklahoma was up to 99 mph on scout day for Southeastern. Despite only throwing 21.2 innings this season, Jimenez only allowed 12 hits, 2 earned runs, and struck out 31 batters. Jimenez had four saves for the Fire this season and posted an ERA of 0.84. Everywhere Jimenez goes radar guns go up. Because of his plus velocity, control, and ability to make batters miss, Eddie Jimenez will find himself drafted likely on day three.
Marvin Malone – Southeastern University – OF
At the beginning of this season, Robby was told by a coach to watch out for Malone, and he would be the best all-around hitter in the nation. This season Malone hit .360 with 16 HR and 58 RBI, hitting in the heart of a prolific offense. Malone has power to all fields and has been gap to gap with 16 doubles this season.
Angel Reyes – University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma – RHP
Reyes came to USAO from Western Oklahoma State, a program known for producing some great talents like Andrelton Simmons, who starred there at short and on the mound. Reyes is a pitcher who sits 92-95 mph but has hit 96 several times. Despite the plus fastball, Reyes also features a hard slider for the Drovers. In 28 appearances this season, Reyes had a 3.07 ERA, 4-1 record, 11 saves, 44 innings, 11 walks, 58 Ks. Reyes is an all-conference reliever for the Sooner Athletic, he’s described as very athletic from opposing coaches. That ability to have plus velocity will get Reyes taken in the upcoming MLB draft.
Gage Burland – RHP – Lewis-Clark State ID
Burland is a two time draftee already, touching 98 on the radar multiple times. Health has been his biggest challenge and has stayed healthy in the 30 innings as a reliever this year. He’s pitched to a 2.40 ERA with 39 strikeouts.
Mitch McIntyre – RHP – Tabor (Kan.) College
McIntyre is a past Tommy John patient and still throws in the low 90’s. He’s a transfer from Indiana State and pitched to a 9-2 record with 77 innings pitched, putting up a 3.82 ERA and 78 Ks.
Renny Tolentino – RHP – LSU-Shreveport
Tolentino followed up an impressive 2017 campaign with a stellar 2018. Renny went 11-3, 93 innings, 2.89 ERA, and an amazing 126 strikeouts. He’s a fastball/slider combo, sits in the low 90’s.
Chris Acosta-Tapia – OF – Oklahoma Wesleyan
Tapia was the 2017 NAIA National Player of the Year and a preseason draft pick. He had an amazing year with 24 Home Runs and a .441 average in 2017. Tapia’s 2018 hasn’t been as kind, batting .310 with only 10 home runs in 174 at bats. He has struck out at a higher pace as well. Known as a solid hitter, he could offer some upside to a Major League team.
Elliott Cary – OF – Oklahoma City
Cary is the son of former big leaguer Chuck Cary and a 34th round draft pick out of high school with the Nationals. He went to Oregon State for two years before arriving at Oklahoma City batting .300 with nine homers and 32 runs batted in. Cary is an intriguing draft pick for this year’s draft.
Honorable Mentions/Independent Signs
Jacob Hulcher, RHP, University of Northwest Ohio (1.62 ERA, 3-2, 8 saves, 58 Ks in 44 innings), Addison Domingo, RHP, Point Park University (6-2, 2.08 ERA in 24 games) Jonathan Bermudez, RHP, Southeastern (14-2, 1.83 ERA, 141 K in 101 innings) Nelson Mompierre, C, St. Thomas University (.395, 15 home runs, 77 runs batted in) Alec Lamrouex, RHP, Keiser University (10-4, 2.73 ERA) Walter Coursey, IF, Georgia Gwinnett (.497, 42 RBIs and 5 triples) Kiki Menendez, OF, Texas Wesleyan (.466 average with NAIA leading 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, 24 doubles)
Follow us on Twitter @TTFBaseball or on Facebook at Through The Fence Baseball for 2018 MLB draft updates, high school and college news.