Before this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional, MLB.com updated its ranking of MLB draft prospects, many of whom are participants in this weekend’s Supers. One of those top prospects is Ryan Waldschmidt, the star left-fielder for your University of Kentucky Wildcats. Earlier this week, we told you where “Waldy” stood in two MLB mock drafts. Today, we’re back to tell you that the junior leadoff hitter climbed up MLB.com’s MLB Pipeline before Kentucky hosts Oregon State in Lexington, two wins from Omaha.
“After tearing the ACL in his left knee last summer and getting off to a slow start while getting back to 100 percent this spring, Waldschmidt has cemented himself as a first-rounder in recent weeks,” writes Jim Callis. “He keeps climbing as he attempts to lead Kentucky to its first-ever College World Series and wows analysts with his combination of selectivity, contact and power.”
Callis projects Waldschmidt to the Tampa Bay Rays with the 18th pick in next month’s MLB Draft. Tampa would be a nice landing spot for Waldschmidt, who is from nearby Bradenton, Florida.
Waldschmidt is No. 39 on the latest update to MLB.com’s Top 200.
Travis Smith and Émilien Pitre are also among MLB.com’s Top 200
Joining Waldschmidt on MLB.com’s Top 200, Kentucky’s Travis Smith and Émilien Pitre were named among the 200 best prospects for the 2024 draft. Smith, a right-handed pitcher from Walton, Kentucky, is No. 178. Pitre, UK’s second baseman, is seven spots lower at No. 185 in the Top 200.
The MLB Draft runs Sunday, July 14 through Tuesday, July 16.
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