Aberdeen’s Isaiah Parido has been steadily spectacular in the second half of the season, recently named as the league’s Player of the Week. The left-handed hitter has three four-hit games in 29 games played and ranks second in RBI (32), third in runs (27) and fourth in AVG (.353). From a narrow and upright stance he’ll get out front and roll over on the changeup at times, but he stays inside the ball well, hammers fastballs and uses the opposite field gap. A line drive hitter, his max exit velocity is 104.7 mph. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound right fielder from Messiah College (Pa.) has also swiped 17 bases in 20 attempts and has been a flawless defender with no errors in 64 chances.
Arguably even a tick better in the production department is West Virginia’s Zack Thompson. In the second half of the season the 23-year-old catcher from Gardner-Webb leads the Black Bears in home runs (5), doubles (10), RBI (28), slugging (.602) and batting average at .373. His .373 batting average also leads the entire league. From an open setup, Thompson comes to the plate ready to grip-n-rip. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right handed hitter is very aggressive with a 55.8% swing rate, which has led to a chase rate a bit above 40%. He squares up the fastball especially well with a .400 batting average and a max EV against all pitch types of 104.3 mph. Behind the plate there’s some development needed as he’s committed seven errors, but he’s shown above average arm strength while throwing out 20% of base runners attempting to steal.
Beginning last summer, James McCoy (Williamsport) has found his groove at the plate. Collectively, between last summer, this past spring for Georgia Southern and the Draft League this summer, he’s batting over .350 with nearly a .600 SLG. Currently fifth in the league with a .355 batting average, he’s also tied for first with six home runs. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound switch-hitter is one of the top hitters in the league who combine contact rate and high exit velocities. His overall max EV is 108.2 mph coming against a changeup, but finds the sweet spot on all pitches with EVs over 107 against every type. He’s especially excellent against fastballs, batting an astounding .565 and slugging .913 against them. McCoy is also an above average runner who has swiped 10 bases in 11 attempts and checks in above average on defense. He’s committed just two errors this summer while splitting time between center field and first base. As a long-bodied, athlete with middle-of-the-diamond tools, there’s no doubt an affiliated opportunity awaits.
Cousin of former MLB outfielder Devon White, Jayden Hylton (Mahoning Valley) has played just 22 games in the second half. But, there’s no shortage in his results to date with a .341 batting average and plenty of hard contact with consistent triple-digit EVs and a max of 106.3. With 10 XBHs in his first 84 at-bats, the right-handed hitter uses all fields with a low launch angle swing path that is geared for line drives and hard ground balls. Standing 6-foot-5, he does have long levers and as a result, a larger than normal strike zone. His long arms also give some natural susceptibility to inside heaters, especially elevated ones but combats with a developing focus of staying short and putting the ball into play. Hylton also runs plus and has stolen eight bases in 11 attempts.
Although the second half of the Draft League season hasn't produced the same results for CJ Richmond (State College), he’s still hitting the ball hard. A physical, power bat who stands 6-foot-3, 240 pounds the left-handed slugger regularly posts triple digit EVs. He hammers changeups (.533 batting average) and curves (.545), but has struggled with velocity due to the length in his swing. Limited to first base defensively, Richmond moves well for his size with 21 stolen bases and three triples and has worked himself into a capable defender.
Third baseman AJ Swader (Trenton) also has plenty of pop in his stick with EVs regularly in the 100s with a max of 108.9 mph. With an open and upright stance in the box, his level swing has produced a line drive launch angle in the mid-teens. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound left-handed hitter is batting .321 through his first 26 games with nine doubles and three home runs. His current 2:19 BB:SO ratio pales in comparison to the 28:19 he posted this past spring at Bellarmine, but it's not due to whiff in the strike zone. His above average Z-Whiff of 8.5% is in the 78th percentile, but he will need to cut down on his over-aggressiveness that has resulted in a chase rate of 36.7% and swing rate of 57.0%. Swader is also a versatile defender who has seen time at third, second, first and left field.
For more information about the MLB Draft League, visit mlbdraftleague.com or follow @mlbdraftleague and @draftleaguedata on X, and @mlbdraftleague on Instagram.
