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In the latest mock draft at Baseball America, the Angels are projected to return to the Louisville well once again, selecting third baseman Alex Binelas in the first round.
The Angels’ top prospect at BA (Jo Adell) played high school in Louisville, and was drafted in the first round in 2017. Last year, the Angels took University of Louisville pitcher Reid Detmers, who like Adell was selected 10th overall. Now, Carlos Collazo at Baseball America has the Angels taking Detmers’ former teammate with the ninth pick. From Collazo:
Binelas homered 14 times in his one full season with Louisville in 2019. That was the first time a Louisville freshman hitter tallied at least 10 home runs since Chris Dominguez in 2007. The track record for college third baseman selected among the first 10 picks is quite good, so if Binelas does go here that would be a promising sign for his pro career.
Baseball America rates Binelas as the ninth-best college prospect in the draft, while MLB.com has Binelas rated seventh among college players.
“Binelas slammed 14 homers as a freshman but played just two games last spring before needing surgery to repair a broken hamate in his right hand,” Jim Callis wrote at MLB.com. “He rivals [Miami catcher Adrian] del Castillo as the best lefty power hitter in the college crop and has the strong arm needed for the hot corner, but there are some swing-and-miss concerns and his lack of quickness may push him to right field or first base.”
The 6’3 Binelas was drafted out of Oak Creek High School in Wisconsin in the 35th round in 2018 by the Nationals, but he did not sign, opting for Louisville instead. Binelas hit .291/.383/.612 with 14 home runs and 33 extra-base hits in 59 games as a college freshman in 2019, helping Louisville to the College World Series.
He was named a first-team preseason All-American at third base for 2021 by Perfect Game.
Here’s an interview with Binelas by Prospects Live from September, talking about preparing for the 2021 season and draft.
The 2021 MLB Draft will take place during All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta, starting on Sunday, July 11.