MLB: Kinneman could be 2nd OF in NC State history to go in first 3 rounds

MLB’s prospect focused twitter was taking questions a few days ago via their ‘Inbox‘ series…

Inbox:
📨 Better tools: Trout or Acuna?
📨 Position player to #Tigers at No. 1?
📨 McMahon winning #Rockies 1B job?
📨 Can @NCStateBaseball's Kinneman play RF/CF?
More: https://t.co/OeAYoqQgrj pic.twitter.com/kUBiMIIEcj

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 30, 2018

One of those questions was about NC State’s Brett Kinneman and his ability to transition from LF to CF/RF…

Can Brett Kinneman play an adequate CF or RF on his way through the minors?
I love the bat, but some teams aren't likely to burn an early choice on a LF/DH.

Thanks in advance.

— Tim Huwe (@tim815) March 27, 2018

This is a good question, actually. Kinneman has a bat that projects with plus-power in the bigs. He is batting 336 with 12 HRs (2nd in the nation), has already walked 16 times and has 36 RBIs. But will teams reach for him in the draft if they don’t think he’s going to cut it as a big league OF?

Here is what MLB analyst Jim Callis had to say…

A junior at North Carolina State, Kinneman currently ranks second in NCAA Division I with 12 homers. He has done a nice job of tightening his strike zone this spring and is batting .353/.427/.804 after having contact issues with the Wolfpack and in the Cape Cod League a year ago.

Though he plays left field for the Wolfpack, Kinneman has average to solid speed and arm strength, so he could move to right field in pro ball. If he keeps hitting, he should go in the top three rounds, something only one North Carolina State outfielder ever has done. The Rangers took Chuckie Canady in the second round in 1981.

Pretty interesting on two fronts.

One, they are projecting Kinneman to be a guy that goes in the top 3 rounds which would seem obvious if you’ve been watching this season, but is always good to hear from the MLB side.

And Two, that NC State hasn’t had an OF go in the top 3 rounds since 1981.