We continue our top 100 countdown at number 87 with Coastal Carolina outfielder Cory Wood.
The 5-foot-9, 170 pound sophomore was ranked as the 24th best high school prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game.
He served mainly as the team’s designated hitter in 2017 as he hit .291 in 141 at-bats. Wood scored 41 runs, hit 3 home runs and drove in 24, while stealing 16 bases in 17 attempts. What was really impressive is that he walked 31 times and struck out just 34 times.
Wood was second on the team among those who qualified with a .423 on-base-percentage.
That performance led to him being named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, the Freshman of the year in the Sun Belt Conference and a second team All-Sun Belt selection.
He spent this past summer in the Coastal Plain League where he put up pretty good, but not great numbers. In 146 at-bats he hit .267 with 2 home runs, 29 runs scored, 22 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 21 attempts. He continued to show his patience at the plate walking 48 times and striking out 33 times, while posting an on-base-percentage of .452.
Wood was named to the Coastal Plain League East All-Star team.
Baseball America tabbed him as one of the 10 best prospects in the Coastal Plain League.
The small left-handed hitter has a very similar swing to number 88 on our list (Dominic Fletcher), but not quite as much power. He has a very advanced approach at the plate and knows when to take a walk.
He’s yet to define what position he will play at, but I think his best fit is at second base. We’ll see where he plays for Coastal Carolina this spring, and see how he follows up on a great freshman season.
