2017 MLB Draft Profile: SS Logan Warmoth, University of North Carolina

Logan Warmoth

The next MLB Draft prospect profiled is shortstop Logan Warmoth from the University of North Carolina. He’s more on the safe side, but that doesn’t mean he lacks upside.

Previous profiles:

Vitals
6’0, 190 pounds
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
DOB: Sept. 6, 1995

Location
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Year: Junior

Rankings
Baseball America: 24
ESPN: 26
FanGraphs: 20
Hero Sports: 35
MLB.com: 27
Perfect Game: 24
Scouting Baseball: 20

Slot recommended bonus (No. 23): $2,702,700

Editor’s Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and video.

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Teams will always value up-the-middle talent, and Warmoth is one of the better middle infielders available in Round 1 of the draft. He isn’t the flashiest player, but his floor is a lot higher than most position players in this draft.

At the plate, Warmoth has a quiet approach. His legs are shoulder width apart and his hands are at shoulder level until he begins his swing. The swing path is direct and quick to the ball. It’s a swing geared to hit many line drives, but doesn’t project to produce more than average power. The bat speed is there, though, so there’s a chance he could get to that power as he develops. He has a small leg kick and recoil and he gets his front foot down quickly. At times, it looks as if he’s a bit off balance/out on his front foot. That might need some clean up in the pros. But his bat control is advanced and his strike zone judgment is sound. He’s not that dissimilar to last year’s first-rounder Gavin Lux in terms of offensive profile, but Warmoth has a more advanced hit tool (which Lux could have in a year or two) and definitely has more pop, while Lux has a bit more raw speed.

Defensively, he has natural actions at shortstop but lacks standout tools there. His range is average and his arm is a bit above-average. It plays up a bit because he’s accurate with his throws and has good footwork. If he has to move to second base, his tools play up a bit. It might ultimately be his home, but if he can play at least an average shortstop at the MLB level, he’s going to be a valuable player there. On the base paths, Warmoth has average speed and is an intelligent base runner. He can be a double-digit stolen base threat in the pros simply because understands situations and gets the most out of his skill set.

Video

Videos courtesy of Prospect Pipeline, FanGraphs and Perfect Game.

Warmoth projects to stick at shortstop because he has enough athleticism and arm strength to play the position well. If a move to second base is in order, he projects to be above-average there. Worst-case scenario is he’s a super utility player with enough bat to start 3-5 times a week.

He could always go back to Chapel Hill for his senior season, but as a projected Top 25 pick, he’s not going to be able to improve his stock enough for that to make sense. He could be had for a slot-recommended deal.

About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.