The Hotlist: PBR Draft 100 Sneak Peek
October 4, 2017
By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
With the summer circuit and much of the fall season wrapped up, it's time for the first rendition of the 2018 PBR Draft 100. The full list will be released Thursday, but The Hotlist is giving a sneak peek of the list with an in-depth look at the top 10.
PBR Draft 100 Top 10
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Matthew Liberatore LHP / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2018Facing Korea for a second time in three days, Team USA turned to Liberatore for the gold medal game at the 2017 WBSC World Cup in Thunder Bay, ON. The Arizona recruit delivered, tossing six innings and allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out one to secure Team USA’s fourth consecutive gold medal in a world tournament. At 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, Liberatore has a long, lean and projectable frame and works with easy, loose delivery. From a high-3/4 slot, he can sit in the low 90s with arm-side life and he locates his whole arsenal well. He can spin a curveball, showing 1/7 shape with depth at 72-75. He also shows feel for a fading changeup that looks like a fastball out of his hand and sits 82-85. Liberatore earned MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game after being called upon to go multiple innings. The game had gone into extras and he allowed one hit over three innings while striking out five. Between his time with Team USA (Tournament of Stars through the World Cup), the Under Armour Game and Area Code Games, Liberatore logged 28 innings, allowed just one run on 11 hits and nine walks, while striking out 40. |
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Brice Turang SS / Santiago, CA / 2018Turang has long been on the prospect radar and considered the top position player in his class. He starred for Team USA 15U in 2014 and made the 18U team as an underclassman in 2016, only to bow out before international play because of an injury. His father, Brian, played in the big leagues and it shows in Turang’s polish. He’s an excellent defender, showing the range, hands and arm to stick at shortstop. He takes a professional round of batting practice, peppering the opposite field and hitting hard line drives back up the middle. He has a loose, quick swing, though he tended to get big and leak out with his front side toward the end of the summer. Between Team USA and the Area Code Games, he hit .299 (29-for-97) with 21 runs scored, 14 walks and 22 strikeouts. He is committed to Louisiana State. |