With the 2017 MLB Draft beginning on June 12, let’s take a look at one of the most advanced outfield prospects available in Virginia’s Adam Haseley.
Adam Haseley 2017 MLB Draft Profile
Overview
Haseley has been a two-way threat since high school. MLB scouts and colleges alike marveled at both his ability at the plate and on the mound. The latter skill translates into a well above-average outfield arm that should play great at the next level.
According to John Sickels of MiLB.com, Haseley was committed to the University of Virginia well before he graduated from high school in Florida in 2014, and thus went undrafted that year. He has steadily improved at Virginia as both a pitcher and a hitter, but most scouts now agree that his professional future is in the outfield.
His plus arm, good speed, and improving bat should make him a fine player at any of the three outfield positions. His offense at Virginia this year has been truly impressive, as he slashed .390/.491/.659. Most impressively, he walked almost twice as many times as he struck out. That could alleviate some of the concerns about his middle-of-the-road power if he turns into a table-setting leadoff hitter with great patience and base stealing ability.
Strengths
Haseley is above average in four of the five tools which scouts use to evaluate players. He has good speed, a good arm, great pure hitting ability, and plays excellent defense all over the outfield. His medium build should allow him to develop a bit more power while not sacrificing any of his natural abilities that have made him such a good player already.
At worst, he makes for a super fourth outfielder with his advanced hitting approach and speed, but a bit more pop in his bat would make him a premiere top-of-the-order hitter. That type of player has tremendous value to any team.
Draft experts are somewhat split on where Haseley may go, but no one expects him to make it out of the top half of the first round. Baseball America has him as the 15th prospect, but Sickels says he could go even higher. Bleacher Report has him going seventh.
Weaknesses
With Haseley’s advanced approach, polish which comes from playing at a top college like Virginia, and moderate size, he has about as little downside as an amateur can.
Some scouts still have concerns that his lack of great power potential could relegate him to being a bench player, but his power numbers skyrocketed this year. Additionally, he is such a patient hitter and good runner that the overall offensive package, combined with his defense, could still make him a consistent 3-WAR player even if he seldom makes highlight reels. Expect him to be off the board before pick No. 20 or so.
