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

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Florida base runner Jud Fabian (4) dives back into first after a snap throw. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Sec Tournament Florida Vs Mississippi State /

The

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.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: Matt McLain #1 of the UCLA Bruins. (Photo by Andy Bao/Getty Images) /

2. Reds should select UCLA shortstop Matt McLain in Round 1.

If Matt McLain were to fall to the Cincinnati Reds at No. 17, the front office must take him. McLain turned down the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018, preferring instead to go to UCLA. A broken thumb earlier this season limited McLain’s playing time, but the right-handed hitting shortstop is the consensus best college infielder in the class.

McLain is only 5-foot-10, but he’s added some mass to his frame during his time in with the Bruins. While he’s played all over the infield, most scouts feel as though McLain has what it takes to stick at shortstop. If his power doesn’t translate to the bigs, he could always be moved to second base.

I have a funny feeling that some team within the Top 5 of this year’s draft will select Matt McLain below slot in order to spend more later in the draft. In fact, given that the Reds have the 30th-overall pick as compensation for losing Trevor Bauer and the 35th-overall pick (competitive balance lottery), they may avoid McLain all together as he’d likely command more of the team’s draft pool.

If Cincinnati is able to land McLain, its would certainly boost what is a very weak position for them within the farm system. The Reds top shortstop, Jose Barrero, is likely to make it to the majors later this season or early next, leaving the organization virtually devoid of shortstops within their minor leagues.

CARY, NC – FEBRUARY 23: NCAA baseball. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

3. Reds should select Miami catcher Adrian Del Castillo in Round 1.

This is one of my favorite players from the 2021 MLB Draft. Adrian Del Castillo was drafted in the 36th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox, but chose instead to play for the University of Miami. The choice seems to have worked out well, as the Hurricanes’ backstop seems primed to be taken in Round 1.

Del Castillo appeared in 54 games for the Canes in 2021, with 44 of those coming behind the plate. Some scouts are unsure if the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Del Castillo can stick behind the dish, but most players who show the ability to field the position will be given every chance to succeed. There were those who thought Tyler Stephenson wouldn’t make it as a major league catcher either.

Del Castillo cranked out 13 doubles and racked up 37 runs batted in during his junior season at the U, and the 21-year-old would add some much needed depth to the catcher position within Cincinnati’s minor league ranks. The Reds selected Jackson Miller with the 65th-overall pick last season, but Miller was a prep catcher, and his development may take upwards of four years or more.

Next. Reds Top 10 all-time round-by-round draft picks

Adrian Del Castillo is a left-handed hitter who can hit for contact, and he’s shown the ability to hit for power as well, but this season he recorded only three round trippers after posting 14 during his first two seasons at Miami. With the scarcity of the talented backstops in the league, the Reds would do well to take a flyer on Del Castillo. If he doesn’t stick at catcher, he has experience playing the outfield.

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