Player: Bo Bichette
Position: 2B/SS
DOB: March 5, 1998 (18 years old)
Height/Weight: 6'1", 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Lakewood High School (FL)
College Commitment: Arizona State
Background
The son of 14-year MLB veteran Dante Bichette and brother of 2011 first-round pick Dante Bichette Jr., infielder Bo Bichette has some of the best raw power of any high school bat in the 2016 class.
He's been on the prospect radar since his sophomore season at Lakewood High School in Florida and has only solidified his stock with a huge senior season.
In 25 games, Bichette hit .569/.698/1.400 with seven doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBI and 46 runs scored in 96 plate appearances.
The young slugger credits the summer of 2013, when his father was the Colorado Rockies' hitting coach, as the turning point in his career, as he was able to learn from some quality MLB hitters as well as his dad.
"I really feel that was the summer where I went from good to really good, learning from [Troy] Tulowitzki and the best players they had," Bichette told Maggie Hendricks of USA Today.
Making consistent contact will be the biggest battle for Bichette once he begins his career at the next level. He has a bit of a hitch in his swing, but if he can adjust to the pro game, he'll have a chance to make an impact.
If nothing else, his bat-flip game is MLB-ready.
Pick Analysis
Baseball America had the following to say about Bichette while ranking him as the No. 46 prospect in its pre-draft rankings:
The right-handed hitter has exceptionally fast hands, allowing him to whip the bat through the zone and drive the ball. His swing includes a deep load and an exaggerated back elbow swoop, but his bat works through the zone well and he controlled at-bats against elite competition on the showcase circuit.
Bichette has a steady glove and a strong arm. He plays shortstop now and could go out as one, but will eventually move to second base or, more likely owing to his 6-foot, 200-pound frame, third base.
Hitting coaches may try to simplify his swing once he starts his pro career, but his raw power is something you can't teach, and his in-game power is already at a level that is rare for a high school middle-infield prospect.
He'll never be a Gold Glove winner, regardless of where he eventually lands defensively, but his bat will carry him to the big leagues.
MLB Player Comparison: Jedd Gyorko
Second basemen with plus power from the right side of the plate are few and far between, but Jedd Gyorko is one player who looks like a reasonable comp for Bichette.
Gyorko burst onto the scene with 26 doubles and 23 home runs as a rookie in 2013, but he's struggled at times to make enough contact to tap into that pop, which is the biggest concern surrounding Bichette.
The 27-year-old Gyorko also has a similar build to Bichette at 5'11" and 215 pounds, and both players possess below-average speed and athleticism.
Despite his athletic limitations, Gyorko is a capable defender at multiple defensive positions, and Bichette could find himself in a similar role once he reaches the majors, since he doesn't profile as a shortstop long-term.
Projection: Everyday second baseman or left fielder with 20-homer power
Major League ETA: 2021
Chances of Signing: 90 percent
Bichette has as much power potential as any high school bat in this year's class, and that should land a bonus high enough to lure him away from his commitment to Arizona State.
All high school stats courtesy of MaxPreps, unless otherwise noted.
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