Keep an eye on these prospects at the Draft Combine

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Major League Baseball started running a Draft Combine in 2021, making the one that starts Tuesday at Chase Field the fifth annual version of the event. While some of the players come only to have their medicals done and meet with teams, many participate in on-field events, from batting practice and infield/outfield workouts for position players to bullpen sessions for pitchers. There’s also a high school game on Tuesday, which will be streamed on MLB.com after hours of MLB Network coverage, with MLB Pipeline’s own Jim Callis part of the team (I’ll join him and Jesse Borek for live coverage of that high school game.).

Who are the best and most intriguing prospects participating in on-field workouts? Here’s a list of 10 from our Draft Top 200, the five highest-rated prospects and then an additional five definitely worth keeping an eye on.

JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS, Miss. (No. 10): You’ll have to watch closely because his twin brother Jacob (ranked No. 107) is also participating. But JoJo is a sure-fire first-rounder who Callis projected to go No. 10 to the White Sox in his most recent mock draft. He has the chance to be a plus hitter with average pop and a chance to stick at short.

Kayson Cunningham, SS/2B, Lady Bird Johnson HS, Texas (No. 11): Another left-handed-hitting high school middle infielder, Cunningham has the chance to really hit, with amazing barrel control and contact rates with decent pop. He’s a high-energy player who might have the chance to go out as a shortstop, but many see a move to second in his future.

Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS, Calif. (No. 26): Fien had a huge showing in the summer showcase circuit, with many evaluators thinking he was the best pure hitter in the prep class, one who won MLB Develops MVP honors at Major League Baseball's High School All-American Game. His senior season in California was a bit more uneven, but there are plenty of believers in the bat, and he has the chance to be a solid third baseman.

Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian Academy, NC (No. 30): Hammond has been an exciting two-way guy in high school, one who initially was thought to have a brighter future on the mound, with a plus fastball and slider. But he prefers swinging the bat and has hit his way into first-round consideration with considerable raw power. He’ll likely move to third at the next level.

Quentin Young, 3B/OF, Oaks Christian HS, Calif. (No. 33): The nephew of Dmitri and Delmon Young, Quentin Young is an exciting -- but a bit enigmatic -- prep hitter. He’s 6-foot-6 and has huge raw power, but it’s come with concerning swing-and-miss at times. He’s more athletic than you’d think given his size and hasn’t looked bad at short this year in high school, but he's likely destined to move to third or a corner-outfield spot.

Alec Blair, OF, De La Salle HS, Calif. (No. 49): Hailing from the same high school that produced the just-traded Kyle Harrison, Blair might be one of the best athletes in the class. He offers a ton of projection at the plate, with plenty of pop to tap into, and he has the ability to chase down baseballs in center field. The key question is whether he’s signable away from playing basketball and baseball at Oklahoma.

Ethan Petry, OF/1B, South Carolina (No. 52): After smashing 24 home runs over his first two years at South Carolina, then winning Cape Cod League MVP honors last summer, Petry looked like one of the best college power bats in the class. But a sprained left shoulder joint hampered him this year and he only played one game after April. He can show off a healthy swing at the Combine to help assuage fears about his shoulder.

Brady Ebel, 3B, Corona HS, Calif. (No. 61): The son of Dodgers’ third-base coach Dino Ebel, Brady showed off an advanced feel for the game over the summer but scuffled for much of his senior season, not showing much impact at the plate. He does have an excellent approach and a smooth left-handed swing, while showing off a plus arm and good actions that will play well at third.

Taitn Gray, C/OF, Dallas Center Grimes HS, Iowa (No. 92): High school catching is a tough demographic, but Gray possesses an exciting array of tools. He has some of the best high school power in the class, is a switch-hitter with an idea at the plate and is very athletic and runs well for his size. His receiving needs work, but he also could end up in an outfield corner.

Jayden Stroman, RHP, Patchogue Medford HS, NY (No. 129): Marcus’ brother has shot up boards this spring as he’s committed more to pitching as opposed to his play at shortstop. He’s super-athletic, with a fastball up into the upper 90s and a real feel to spin a breaking ball.