July 12, 2021 at 2:13 PM
Red Sox select Tyler McDonough with third-round pick
McDonough had a strong freshman season in 2019, earning ACC All-Freshman and all-conference second team honors, while he was named a freshman All-American by both Baseball America and Perfect Game. He was eligible for the shortened 2020 MLB Draft, but he was not selected and returned to school for his third season in Raleigh. He throws right-handed and is a switch-hitter.
He has spent most of his collegiate career at center field, but he has also played at both second and third base collegiately. A smaller player, listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, McDonough had more of a contact-oriented approach earlier in his career, with a career .332 batting average in 548 at-bats for the Wolfpack, but he hit 15 of his 23 career home runs in 2021, while his strikeout rate increased to 17 percent, indicating he may have had a shift in his swing as he matured physically.
As a result, Baseball America is of the opinion that the Ohio native can continue to develop his power tool, as his home runs were spread throughout the field and his exit velocities were strong for a player of his size. MLBPipeline still has a good opinion on his control of the strike zone despite his change in approach, projecting him to hit .270 with 15 home runs at his peak.
Both MLBPipeline and Baseball America indicate that McDonough can stick in center field due to his speed profile and strong instincts, but his glove can also play in the infield, as well. His run and field tools, both of which were graded 55, are considered his best by MLBPipeline, while his arm, which is at a 50, is not far behind.
Photo Credit: Tyler McDonough by NC State Wolfpack