Alex Kielar | May 24th, 2019
Kameron Misner, OF (Missouri)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 219 lb
Age: 21
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
2018 Stats: .360/.497/.576, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 26 SO, 32 BB
2019 Stats (as of May 23, 2019): .286/.440/.481, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 58 SO, 54 BB
Hit: 50 Power: 55 Run: 60 Arm: 60 Field: 55 Overall: 50
Kameron Misner was born January 8, 1998, to Terry and Stephanie Misner in Poplar Bluff, MO. Misner was a two-way player in high school at Poplar Bluff High School, hitting .422 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, and stealing 29 bases, while also pitching to a 2.13 ERA and striking out 48 in 32 innings his senior year. This performance earned him the Semo Conference Player of the Year and also First Team All-State honors for Missouri and an Honorable Mention All-American. Following this stellar senior season, Misner was selected in the 33rd round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals but elected to instead commit to Missouri.
Misner had a phenomenal freshman campaign in 2017, slashing .282/.360/.446 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, and 39 runs scored while also stealing a team-high 17 bases. Misner was a middle-of-the-order threat for the entirety of the season for the Tigers, having one of the best true freshman seasons of recent memory which lead to him earning Freshman All-American Honors. Misner was having an even better and breakout season his sophomore year before unfortunately suffering a foot injury at the beginning of SEC play that shut him down for the final six weeks. He had 15 multi-hit games in the 34 games he played before going down with the injury.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKdu1X7RTew&w=560&h=315]
Strengths
Misner has phenomenal bat speed and strength, giving him raw power that he has begun really tapping into, with 10 bombs this year so far. He has great plate discipline and is a balanced hitter which had him leading Division 1 in walks with 32 in 2018 prior to going down with his injury. He is the best all-around player in this Draft class, also with plus speed with good instincts to steal bases, and a strong arm and solid quickness which help him have the talent to play anywhere in the outfield. Misner played mostly left field his freshman year and a good amount of first base last season, giving the team who drafts him options as to where to play him. He has patrolled center this year and looks comfortable there, a position he could definitely transition to playing in the pros.
Weaknesses
Looking at Misner’s full makeup, it’s tough to spot any weaknesses at first glance. The one weakness that does stand out, however, is his performance track record against the SEC Conference, the tougher competition. He only has a slashline of .222/.352/.315 against SEC pitching and has only walked 21 times to 39 strikeouts this season. There are certainly question marks as to how Misner will fair against pitching at the next level, and if he can stay disciplined even when he is struggling. He has a career strikeout rate of 20.54% to just a 16.34% walk rate.
Overview:
Misner certainly has all the tools to succeed at the next level, with just tapped into raw power, plate discipline, speed, quickness, arm strength, and fielding ability at all outfield positions. The one question is his ability to make contact at all times as he doesn’t always have the best plate discipline, and he isn’t very proven yet against tougher pitching. Misner will definitely have to make adjustments to improve his game against the next level pitching, but he has the discipline and work ethic to do so. He has the potential to have 20 seasons in the majors and will be a solid prospect to have in anyone’s system, with also the ability to play anywhere in the outfield and first base.
Draft Projection: Round 1 Pick 23 Colorado Rockies
With the question marks Misner has as to what he can do at the next level at the plate, he will fall closer to the end of the first round and I see him as a great fit in Colorado with the higher altitude. The Rockies could definitely use an outfield prospect with a high ceiling and potential with a rebuilding team.
Check out our other Draft Previews:
Andrew Vaughn | Will Wilson | Jackson Rutledge | Hunter Bishop | JJ Bleday
Questions and comments?
thescorecrowsports@gmail.com
Follow Us on Twitter @thescorecrow
Follow Us on Reddit at u/TheScorecrow
Follow Us on Facebook at The Scorecrow
Follow Us on Instagram at The Scorecrow
Follow Alex Kielar on Twitter @KielarScorecrow
Main Image Credit: [ Mizzou Team Lineup] https://mutigers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7213
