The home run has never been more important than in today’s MLB. With such a power-heavy focus on the major league level, teams are trying to find the next great slugger in a crop of young faces. For several teams picking in the mid-first, Lake Travis High Schooler Brett Baty could be their power-hitting third baseman of the future.
Brett Baty 2019 MLB Draft Profile
Strengths
The biggest positive with Baty is his power. According to Perfect Game, Baty recorded a ridiculous 101 miles-per-hour exit velocity at the event. This velocity was better than 99.74% of the draft class and speaks to his ability to tear the cover off the ball when making optimum contact.
Hitting for power is good, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t consistently make contact. Fortunately, Baty has an above-average hit tool and sees the ball well. He’s great at making contact, limiting strikeouts, and can send the ball all over the field.
His bat makes him special, but he’s can handle himself as a defender. Baty plays an adequate third base but has a rocket arm capable of making all the necessary throws. At 6’3” and 210 pounds, he has the prototypical body of a power-hitting third baseman.
Weaknesses
Baty has some of the best raw power in the draft, but he doesn’t always show it in the games. While he has great contact skills, he’s yet to combine his power and hitting and develop into an elite slugger. He is only 19, so he obviously has plenty of time to figure it out. He’ll be a good hitter regardless, but he’s yet to live up to his lofty potential.
Baty has the arm to play third base, but he might not have the range. The 19-year old is a little slow on his feet and cannot get to everything he should. He’ll need to improve his agility if he’s to stick at the hot corner. If he can’t do that, then he’ll be forced to play first base at the major league level.
This isn’t exactly a weakness, but it is a concern. Brett Baty has already committed to play college ball for Texas and might not sign if he feels the team fit isn’t right. While teams could easily sway Baty with a massive signing bonus, they need to factor in that Baty might ultimately choose college and try again in three years.
Last Word on Brett Baty
Brett Baty has a chance to develop into one of the better hitters in major league baseball. He already possesses amazing raw power which ranks among the best in the class. At age 19, he should only continue to develop that power as he gets older. Most power hitters struggle with making contact, but Baty has an impressive hit tool with the ability to drive the ball to all portions of the field.
Baty has yet to fully realize the potential of his raw power and hitting ability. The lefty has the raw ability to be one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, but he needs to show off more of his raw power before he reaches his ceiling. Defensively, Baty needs to improve his lateral agility and range if he’s to stick at third base in the major leagues.
Ultimately, Baty is one of the best all-around prospects in the upcoming draft. While he lacks the elite athleticism of some of his peers, he’s an incredibly gifted bat who could develop into an average defensive third baseman. Players like that are incredibly valuable in today’s MLB, and Baty should be selected sometime in the middle of the first round.
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