The Draft: North Carolina SS Levi Michael.

by Thundering Turtle on May 22, 2011 10:53 AM EDT

Let’s remain on the infield as our quest to discover who the Reds will select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft June 6 continues with a visit to Chapel Hill, N.C., where we’ll examine North Carolina SS Levi Michael.

Michael (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) is a switch-hitter from Welcome, N.C. While he’s a better hitter from the right side, his swing is almost identical from either side of the plate. Michael is the top-rated college shortstop in the country and ranks No. 3 overall among draft-eligible players at the position, trailing high schoolers Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez. This is a very thin draft, however, for shortstops, particularly in the college ranks.

Michael, a junior, stands out for his ability to remain at the position, although his versatility is a plus. After graduating from high school a semester early, he won the starting 2B job for the Tar Heels and went 13-57-.290/.377/.527 as a freshman when he stole five bases in nine tries and fielded .949.

As a sophomore, Michael moved to third base where he posted a line of 9-54-.346/.480/.575 with 20 steals in 22 attempts and a .913 fielding percentage. This season, Michael moved to shortstop and has gone 4-45-.317/.398/.492, with 14 steals in 15 attempts and a .968 fielding mark.

Michael has a good eye, walking more than he strikes out. He’s a patient hitter who sprays line drives to all fields. Michael is an above average runner with enough arm to stay at shortstop, although his range might be no better than average.

Michael possesses impressive bat speed and projects as a doubles hitter who draws Brian Roberts comparisons, without the blazing speed. One scout profiles Michael as an offensive-minded 2B, but many others see him remaining at short.

An intelligent guy and member of FCA (shameless plug, thank you), Michael’s sister is the starting 2B for Campbell’s softball team. Michael is confident and displays great baseball knowledge. An ankle injury slowed Michael somewhat this season, but it’s not deemed to be serious.

Baseball America ranks Michael the 22nd-best player available. Mocks have him going anywhere from No. 20 to Colorado to the supplemental round. The Cardinals are thought to have interest, as well, at No. 22.

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doesn't sound like a first rounder

i hope they go pitching, pitching, and in the later rounds get some pitching.

great job on the prospects as always,
what high school bats project in the 2-4 rounds(high upside/low floor)

Jack McKeon on 2000 Reds "We have more MRI's than RBI's on this club."

by dunnateher on May 22, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

I'd be cool with this one as well.

With how deep the pitching is, getting a polished middle infielder who will get on base and hit for average seems like a good bet.

They can easily get a solid starter prospect in the second round if they go this route.

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on May 22, 2011 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Curious as to which player you prefer.

Wong or Michael?

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 23, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Good question. They seem like remarkably similar players.

I think I’d give the edge to Michael, because
1) He has faced better college competition
2) He (for now) plays the more valuable position
3) I love switch hitters

Billy Hamilton: Snax
Devin Mesoraco: Snacks

by nycredsfan on May 24, 2011 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Peter Gammons says the Mets

might be targeting Levi at No. 13. Of course, New York also is supposedly interested in Stilson there, too.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 25, 2011 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

I think there are a lot of places Levi could go

this is going to be an intersting draft, looking like there’s enough talent that someone good is going to fall to the Reds. Do you have a George Springer post planned?

by pack_fan on May 26, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I do have Springer coming up.

I’m hearing he’ll go higher than 27. Very talented player. I’ll throw Matt Purke in the mix, too, since he’s the real wildcard of the draft.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 26, 2011 7:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Great! I see the post is up.

I saw Springer going to the Reds in a few mocks early on, but yes I think he may go before he gets to them. Purke I think might fall, but I’m starting to think Boston might take him.

by pack_fan on May 27, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Boston has a history of taking guys like him.

The Yankees and Texas have some of that, too. The injury situation and that he’s a draft-eligible sophomore complicates things, but sure makes it interesting.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 28, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I could see him going in the first, or falling to anywhere from the 2nd to the 5th

I think he ends up back at TCU personally, but someone might gamble on his upside

by pack_fan on May 29, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I could see Tampa Bay taking him.

The Rays have so many extra picks they can’t sign all of them. If they take Purke and like what they see, maybe they work something out at the signing deadline. If not, they at least prevent the Red Sox or Yankees from drafting him.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on May 31, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they will have the money to sign him

due to all those picks. If I am them I look to sign as many of them as I can, and drafting a guy that will prevent you from doing that is not the route I would take. Just my opinion though.

by pack_fan on May 31, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions