Local players make cut in early MLB draft looks

Posted Mar 18, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Mar 18, 2010 at 01:30 PM

Baseball America came out with some early looks at the MLB drafts for 2011 and 2012, and a pair of players with Hillsborough County ties made their way into those early projections.

Former Plant High standout Preston Tucker, now at the University of Florida, was listed as the No. 13 draft-eligible prospect (on a list of 50) for the 2011 MLB draft, while Jesuit sophomore shortstop/pitcher Lance McCullers was listed as the No. 2 prospect (on a list of 25) for the 2012 MLB draft.

Tucker, an All-American at Florida as a freshman, is in the midst of another good season for the Gators. Through 16 games, Tucker is hitting .383 with two homers and 15 RBIs.

McCullers, the son of former major-leaguer Lance McCullers, was the MaxPreps.com National Freshman of the Year in 2009.

As for the 2010 draft, two Hillsborough County high school players made the cut in Baseball America’s High School Top 100 prospects.

Tampa Catholic catcher Shane Rowland was at No. 84, and Jesuit pitcher Daniel Gibson was at No. 95.