Texas Rangers mock draft: Trio of outfielders to keep an eye on

The final member of the outfield trio being linked to the Rangers is Max Clark. Clark, like Jenkins, is a high school centerfield that has put up some impressive numbers over the last few years.

One factor that was thought to possibly hurt Clark in the draft rankings, is the fact that he is from Indiana. Due to weather, he didn't get to play as much baseball throughout the entire year. There has never been a high schooler selected in the top 10 of the MLB draft that came out of the state of Indiana. Clark will likely be the first and has put that issue to rest and has produced at an elite level every chance he has had.

Clark is from Franklin, Ind., which is located thirty minutes south of Indianapolis. He will be the highest ranked player to come out of Indiana since Ball State University pitcher, Bryan Bullington went No.1 overall in the 2002 draft to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clark has committed to Vanderbilt University which is another feather in his cap even though he will most likely go pro. Vandy coach, Tim Corbin, isn't going to have anything less than quality ball players with good character on his squad, which speaks highly for the young centerfielder.

Before the latest updated rankings from Baseball America, Clark was sitting in the number one spot ahead of Jenkins. Even with Jenkins moving ahead of Clark, most everyone has the two as 1A and 1B. Basically, the two prep stars are a tossup at this point. Clark currently wouldn't be labeled a true five tool player, but he could easily develop into one. He has plus plus speed, arm, hit, and defensive skills and does so from the left side of the plate and throws lefty as well.

Power has been lacking a bit, but with a 6'1, 190-pound frame and great bat-to-ball skills, that could develop into a strength over time as well. Part of the lower homerun total is because of his approach at the plate. Clark is a line-drive hitter that uses all parts of the field. He has the speed to stretch singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Another interesting part of Clark is that he has a mid-90s fastball from the left side, so if something were to get derailed offensively there could be a fallback plan to make him into a pitcher.

It will be interesting what direction the Rangers go with their fourth overall selection this summer. Much of that decision will be based on what the three teams ahead of them do. Drafts are interesting as there is no one set way to put one together and there are so many different opinions on who an organization should take. If they were based on the past, it would be easy, but predicting the future is an exercise in due diligence, hope, and a little luck, all mixed together. Hopefully the Rangers will hit a homerun with their choice this summer.