As we continue looking at potential draft prospects, many mocks have the Royals focusing on prep players, despite a college-heavy draft class for Roayls scouting director Brian Bridges last year. In a mock draft at ESPN last week, Kiley McDaniel has the Royals taking prep two-way player Josh Hammond.
Hammond has a number of potential landing spots starting around No. 10 and ending somewhere in the mid-20s. Given Hammond’s two-way exploits, there are parallels here with Austin Riley, a player Royals scouting director Brian Bridges drafted while with Atlanta. I’d expect prep pitching and/or a prep shortstop (lots of names are mentioned, especially given Kansas City’s history) at their next few picks.
Hammond hails from Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, North Carolina, just outside Greensboro. A year ago, evaluators thought his draft prospects looked better on the mound, but Hammond was determined to be a position player and has worked his way to become a first-day prospect as an infielder.
The 6’1’’ Hammond likely won’t stick at shortstop, but he has the arm to play third. The right-handed hitter shows good raw power, with MLB Pipeline writing he could improve if he focuses on hitting.
His bat speed and strength should translate into 20-25 homers per season, perhaps more if he learns to lift balls in the air more consistently. While his pop stands out more than his pure hitting ability, he’s making better swing decisions as he begins to leave pitching behind.
He is a physical marvel, as evidenced by his measureables as reported by Brian Switzer II at Prospects Live.
Physically, Hammond might be the most athletic player in the prep class. If baseball had a version of Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List,” he’d be on it. He clocked a 3.78-second 30-yard dash, posted a 10-foot-5 broad jump, and recorded a 17.3-inch countermovement jump with a peak power output of 5,385 watts. Those metrics have begun translating on the field in new ways, most notably at the plate, where Hammond registered a 106.4 mph exit velocity this spring.
Hammond was MVP at the Prep Baseball Report All-American Game in 2023, which opened eyes as to his potential as a hitter. He also excelled for the USA Baseball 18U National Team last year as a pitcher. Keith Law writes he has a 70-grade arm and will likely end up at third base, with Kiley McDaniel comparing him to Josh Donaldson.
As a pitcher, Baseball America writes he has a “three-pitch mix is one of the best in the high school class.” He throws a 95 mph fastball with good life and a plus slider along with a promising change up. Hammond is committed to Wake Forest.
MLB Pipeline: 30
Kiley McDaniel: 18
Baseball America ($): 44
Keith Law ($): 37
Hammond has a thick build and gets a good load in his swing. It is not hard to imagine him becoming a power-hitting third baseman, although much will depend on his ability to manage the strike zone and square up on good pitches.
Prep players are hard to project since so much can go wrong between age 18 and the early 20s when a player is expected to be Major League-ready. But Hammond has the kind of upside that teams look for when they gamble on such young players. He brings potential power to a power position, and could even use his pitching as a fallback option in case the bat doesn’t develop.
Poll
What do you think of Josh Hammond at #23?
17%
I’m indifferent
(3 votes)
17 votes total