re: MLB.com mock draft: Curiel #17 overall to Houston

Man his glove has really improved over the season. I would consider his glove to be a tool

Keep him away from those cheaters.

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ceiling

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high-floor

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I am so sick of these over-used terms.

True but they will lean more one way or another between pitching and hitting at times.

Some teams also really like college players while others tend to draft more HS guys. The A's have been college heavy lately and it seems to working for them

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Anyone drafting a one tool player in the first round is a bit bullish on Curiel.

His one tool is the bat.

Good speed. Ok glove, Ok power. Unimpressive arm.

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While I agree Curiel is not the type of freak athlete that tends to go top 10, the way you framed this is kinda disingenuous imo. I would rate 3 of Curiel's 5 tools average to above average (50+ on the famous 20-80 scale). Guys like that who have produced in the SEC at a young age and have good character makeup will always be in demand in the middle to back end of the 1st round.

Any of the projected HS 1st rounders LSU commits?

Here is another link.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/draft

Curiel - #15

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Curiel projected as a potential first-rounder early in his career at powerhouse Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS, but he didn't perform as hoped in his final showcase summer or senior season. He withdrew from the 2024 Draft and headed to Louisiana State, where he was the leading hitter (.345/.470/.519) on a College World Series championship team as a freshman and batted .390 in the NCAA tournament. Draft-eligible as a sophomore in 2026, he's posting similar numbers and proving that he can play center field.

A lean left-handed hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills, Curiel uses a fluid stroke and mature approach to spray hard line drives all over the field. His swing is somewhat flat and he may not have more than average strength or bat speed, so he might not deliver more than 12-15 homers per season. He resembles Christian Yelich at the same age, though scouts are skeptical that Curiel can match the power gains Yelich made later in his career.

While scouts debate how much pop Curiel will have, there are fewer concerns about his ability to stay in center field. Though he played left field as a freshman, he has solid speed and looks more comfortable tracking balls up the middle. His arm is fringy but playable in center.

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Brown - #45

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Brown rated as Louisiana's top 2023 prep prospect ahead of fellow left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson, who was recovering from Tommy John surgery but would go on to become the No. 3 pick in the 2025 Draft after starring at Louisiana State. Though pro teams preferred Brown on the mound, he became a full-time outfielder at LSU after turning down the Rangers as a 16th-rounder. He batted a team-high .385 at the College World Series last June as the Tigers won their eighth national title, then showed improved pop this spring before a broken right hamate ended his season in mid-April.

Brown has a smooth left-handed stroke and repeatedly barrels balls. Ater making a concentrated effort to drive balls in the air more often as a junior, he looks like he'll provide 20-25 homers per season. He has traded some contact to get to more pop, and he still needs to figure out how to solve southpaws.

With solid to plus speed, Brown can steal an occasional base. Though he has played mostly right field for the Tigers, some evaluators believe he has the quickness and instincts to patrol up the middle. He has a strong arm that delivered fastballs up to 94 mph and bat-missing low-80s sliders in high school.

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Explain your metrics please, I’d love to know your take compared to scouts

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25K% in SEC games the last two seasons

.270 batting average

He’s toolsy, just has some holes in his game. Curiel is just a much safer bet.