5 Collegiate Pitchers to Know for the 2017 MLB Draft

RHP Kyle Wright, Vanderbilt

The Skinny

Standing at 6'4" and 220 pounds, junior hurler Kyle Wright is set to be the eighth pitcher drafted in the first round out of Vanderbilt in the last 11 MLB Drafts, and he could potentially be the top overall pick once the Minnesota Twins are on the clock.

The second team All-American held a 2.98 ERA before the Corvallis Super Regional with Oregon State. And while his ERA jumped to 3.40 after pitching 6.2 innings against the Beavers -- allowing 7 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks with 8 strikeouts -- one postseason outing won't put anything in jeopardy for the Alabama native.

His profile on MLB.com pins him with a 60 grade on his fastball, along with a 55 for his curveball, slider, and changeup. He has added 40 pounds to his frame since his freshman year with the Commodores, which has allowed him to touch 97 with a fastball that usually sits in the low 90s.

Defining Quote

I’ve heard that the Twins are in on at least four players at No. 1, including Brendan McKay (as a bat or a two-way guy but not just as a pitcher), Mackenzie Gore and Hunter Greene, but the current betting in the industry is that they will take Wright as the prospect with the best combination of floor and ceiling. - Keith Law, Senior Writer and scout for ESPN

College Career

In 61 appearances (35 starts), he's posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 290 strikeouts in 255.2 innings.