2018 MLB Draft Profile: SS/3B Jeremy Eierman, Missouri State University

The next prospect in our MLB Draft profile series is infielder Jeremy Eierman, from the baseball powerhouse known as Missouri State University.

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Previous profiles:

• Parker Meadows
• Connor Scott
• Steele Walker
• Trevor Larnach
• Nico Hoerner
• Tristian Pompey
• Ethan Hankins
• Ryan Rolison
• Kris Bubic

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Vitals
6’1, 195 pounds
Position: Shortstop/Third base
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
DOB: Sept. 10, 1996

Location
Springfield, Mo.
Year: Junior

Rankings
2080 Baseball: 23
Baseball America: 26
ESPN: 51
FanGraphs: 26
MLB.com: 30
Perfect Game: N/A
Scouting Baseball: 19

Slot recommended bonus (No. 30): $2,275,800

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

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The Dodgers were linked to University of North Carolina shortstop Logan Warmoth last year, and any interest in Eierman reminds me a little bit of that. Warmoth is much more likely to stick at shortstop, but Eierman projects to be better with the bat.

He started off the season slowly, but he’s now hitting .302/.389/.550 for the Bears. He was more impressive in his sophomore campaign (.313/.431/.675, 23 HR), but he still has an impressive profile. His somewhat compact frame leads to a powerful swing and some high exit velocities. He projects to have above-average power at the next level. He does this without the benefit of a leg kick, because he just loads on his back leg and explodes toward the ball when the pitch is delivered. He has quick hands and strong wrists that help him produce above-average bat speed. The ball jumps off his bat and he has power to all fields. Eierman’s swing can get long and he can get out of sync at times because of a very wide stance. He gets off balance and lunges toward the ball when he’s fooled. His swing has the slightest uppercut, but it should produce plenty of line drives and fly balls in the pros. And he does have some swing-and-miss concerns (21.9 K% in his college career), but if he’s producing — especially with extra base hits — that is an acceptable rate. He also gets a bit pull happy, but that’s not overly concerning.

Eierman can run a bit, but he won’t be much of a stolen base threat in the pro ranks. On defense, he plays shortstop in college, but the lack of range to either side could prevent him from playing there in the pros. But the Dodgers have Corey Seager, who isn’t exactly the rangeiest shortstop, so maybe there’s a few teams (including LA?) that would allow him to stay at shortstop. If he has to move to third base in the future, he has plenty of arm for the position. It’s a borderline double-plus arm and he has natural good fielding actions otherwise. Sounds a lot like Seager, in that regard, when he was drafted.

Video

Videos courtesy of Baseball America, Perfect Game and 2080 Baseball.

Eierman shouldn’t have much trouble signing. He could go back for his senior season, but if he’s a Top 50 pick, there isn’t much of a reason for him to do that. He could go earlier than No. 30 if a team falls in love with the bat, but he also seems like the guy who could slide a bit and be available for the Dodgers.

He’s not a guy who can anchor a lineup, but he could be a strong contributor in the the second half of a batting lineup. If he can stick at shortstop, his value could jump significantly. If he has to move to third base, he should be at least an average regular. He could carve out an Eugenio Suarez-like role in the majors.