Reds Draft: 3 college position players Cincinnati should target in Round 1

The

Cincinnati Reds

have the 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Might Nick Krall and Cincinnati front office decide to go with a college bat in Round 1? The last time the Reds went with a college position player in the first-round, they

drafted Jonathan India with the No. 5 overall pick in 2018 MLB Draft

. That seems to be working out fairly well, right?

India has emerged as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, along with teammate Tyler Stephenson. India played his college career for the University of Florida and helped lead the Gators to the 2018 College World Series. Who might top the Reds’ list of college position players in the 2021 MLB Draft?

1. Reds should select Florida Gators outfielder Jud Fabian in Round 1.

The Reds seem to have struck gold with the selection of Jonathan India three years ago, so why not take a look at University of Florida’s Jud Fabian in Round 1 this year? The 20-year-old outfielder has the type of bat speed that, according to MLB Pipeline, reminds some scouts of former MVP Mookie Betts. That sounds pretty good.

Fabian is the Gators’ centerfielder, and most scouts believe he has the speed to stick at the position, though he’s not a burner. The question mark surrounding judgment Fabian is his hit tool. Can he make enough contact at the major league level to tap into that raw power that saw the right-handed hitter smack 32 round trippers during his college career.

Fabian posted a .924 OPS in 2021, which is drop off from his numbers in 2020 when slashed .294/.407/.603. However, those numbers come from just 17 games. Fabian would add to an already stacked minor league outfield of Michael Siani, Austin Hendrick, Allan Cerda, and Ariel Almonte.