Seattle Mariners 2019 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: Kameron Misner

While most of the focus in the Mariners baseball universe is on Opening Day, an even more important day approaches as well, the MLB Draft. Today, we look at one of the toolsiest collegiate options in the draft, Kameron Misner.

Now, if there is one thing we know about Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto and Director of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter, is that they love toolsy collegiate bats. Look at Kyle Lewis, Evan White, and Josh Stowers as examples from the last 3 draft classes.

In the 2019 draft, very few players, if any, posses the balance of tools like Kameron Misner. A 21-year-old left-handed outfielder, Misner is currently a junior at the University of Missouri. Misner went on to dominate the New England Collegiate League in 2017. There, he slashed .378/.479/.652 with 8 home runs in 38 games. After, he began flying up 2019 draft boards with a 2018 season that saw him slash .360/.497/.576 in the SEC.

Misner returned to Missouri with first round buzz. Thus far, he hasn’t done anything to dissuade interest, slashing .325/.469/.584 with 6 homers and 10 steals in his first 21 games. Misner fouled a ball off his foot in 2018, which cost him the rest of season, which has dampened his meteoric rise.

Tools wise, Misner has all five. The hit tool is above-average with room to grow, showing good pitch recognition skills and discipline at the plate. Perhaps the most exciting tool from Misner is the power tool. His swing generates good bat speed, and with his natural strength and swing plane, should produce more power in the years to come.

Misner is a good athlete as well, possessing plus speed with an above-average arm and defense grades. While he has played mostly LF and 1B at Missouri, he has the athleticism, arm, and skill to handle CF at the big league level, though he could be plus in RF.

Scouting Grades (20-80)- Hit: 55 Power: 60 Run: 60 Arm: 55 Field: 55 Overall: 55+

Misner seems as good a bet as any to be a big league contributor, with the opportunity to be a star. While it seems unlikely that Misner would be available to the Mariners at pick 20, stranger things have happened.

With his current toolset and upside, the 6’4″ lefty has a similar feel to Seattle Mariners OF Mitch Haniger, from the left side. The good defense and a bat that could be .280/.350/.500 make Misner a longshot for Seattle, but a player to dream on as we approach the MLB Draft.