The MLB Draft is upon us, and teams will be making franchise-changing selections over the coming days. Those picking at the top of the draft will have a chance at real game-changers, like switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman, who could go No. 1 overall to the Baltimore Orioles, or high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the son of former MLB pitcher Bobby Witt. Andrew Vaughn is another player who is likely to go in the top few picks, and he’s someone you need to know about.
Vaughn is a junior first baseman for Cal who won the Golden Spikes Award last year as the top amateur player in the country. He first got on our radar a month into his freshman season when he took a friend of LBS deep twice in the same game. He went on to finish his freshman season with 12 home runs, 50 RBIs, a .349 batting average and 19 walks to 24 strikeouts. Not bad for a guy who hit just one home run in high school.
The torrid freshman campaign was just a taste of what was to come.
Vaughn truly opened eyes with a spectacular sophomore season. He had three multi-homer games in the first three weeks of the season and did not stop crushing. He finished the season batting .402 with 23 home runs, 44 walks and just 18 strikeouts. His .531 on-base percentage was second in the country, and his .819 slugging percentage was a school record.
After a season like that, teams were sure to treat Vaughn differently this year, and they did.
Vaughn was pitched around often and took his walks — 59 in total and 15 times in his first eight games. He batted .381 with 14 doubles, 15 homers, 59 walks and 33 strikeouts, scored 49 runs and drove in 50. He did slump somewhat, going 1-for-10 in a 3-game series against LSU, and 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in the series against Oregon State, which was followed by an 0-for-4 game with three strikeouts against Sacramento State. Vaughn still had the best season on his team and finished with a 1.260 OPS.
So what’s to like? Obviously everything you read. He has great power and the ability to be a 30-plus home run hitter in the majors. He has a thick, wide lower half from which he generates that power, as well as excellent bat speed. His plate discipline and ability to recognize pitches/the zone are major pluses as well. His walks were over double his strikeouts the last two years. That’s high-end bat control and a strong signal that his ability will carry over to the highest levels.
What’s not to like? His profile isn’t great as just a 6-foot first baseman. But he is a good defender and will be hitting for average and power. Nobody complains about Paul Goldschmidt, do they?
Vaughn is going to be a great big league hitter. Take note of him now so you can remember when he gets called up in a few years, and hope that your team is lucky enough to draft him.
