By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

Thanks to the summer showcase circuit, there is a lot of knowledge on upcoming draft classes. But that doesn’t mean things can’t change and players can’t pop up or improve. In advance of the draft, which is now less than two weeks away, we look at several players that climbed draft boards this spring. This list includes players from across the country, inside and outside Prep Baseball Report’s coverage area.

Bryan Hudson, LHP, Alton HS, IL
A Missouri recruit, Hudson was a tough prospect to track down last summer and scouts really only caught glimpses of him if they saw him matchup against RHP Tanner Houck in the spring or at the PBR Labor Day Challenge. He capped his summer with a strong outing at the World Wood Bat Championship in Jupiter, FL, and then garnered a following this spring. He has a lanky frame at 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, with good athleticism and broad shoulders. He has long levers, but works with a short, quick arm action from a high-3/4 slot. He sits in the high 80s, touching 90-91 mph, so he doesn’t have the premium velocity you hear about from higher draft prospects, but the separator is his curveball. It has depth and late break at 75-78, projecting as a plus pitch. Athletic lefties with projection and good secondary stuff don’t last long and Hudson could get popped in the top three rounds.