MLB Draft 2012: Indians Take Tyler Naquin With Top Pick

The Cleveland Indians selected Texas A&M Outfielder Tyler Naquin with the 15th pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. The selection surprised just about everyone outside of the Indians’ front office, as many expected a college pitcher.

The 6’2″ 175 pounder isn’t some scrub though, as he hit .380 last year with three home runs and 49 RBIs. Power will never be a part of his game, but he does have above average speed (21 steals in 26 attempts).

ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Naquin as the 42nd best prospect in the draft, making him a surprising reach. Law still likes some of his tools, the best of which being his outfield arm, ranked as a 70 on the 20-80 scout rating scale.

Naquin’s speed is rated as a 65 by Law, while his power is well below average at only a 40.

A question for the Texas A&M product is if he can stick in center field, but with his speed and arm he should be a good fit there. The Indians don’t have many quality CF prospects outside of the raw LeVon Washington, making him a good selection.

Assuming Naquin can stick at CF, he should turn into a solid to above-average centerfield option for the Tribe. Personally, this pick reminds me of the Indians selecting Trevor Crowe, though that doesn’t mean Naquin is destined to have the same career as the former first round pick.