After the first round of the MLB Draft, there is absolutely no such thing as a sure thing. Teams start taking chances and betting more so on potential and growth rather than proven track records. Zach DeLoach of Texas A&M is a prime example of a prospect who is far from perfect, but has the future outlook of a second round talent. The 80th-best prospect according to MLB.com is a collegiate outfielder whose swing is capable of major league success.
Strengths
Let’s start with what we can visually see from his swing. For whatever the reason is, everything looks sweeter from the left side in baseball. DeLoach is no exception, as the lefty’s bat is very fluid through the zone with an ideal finish. This is a power-potential swing which scouts graded well (50) with overall hitting falling in the same range (50). There is natural power here which can be seen in many of his highlights where short cuts somehow found their way over the right field wall in Aggieland.
As a junior, DeLoach does have slightly more collegiate experience than many of the players atop this year’s draft class. The strongest offensive numbers of his career came this past spring in the COVID-19 shortened season where he had a top OPS in the nation at 1.336. In just 18 games of his junior season he hit .421 with 24 hits, six home runs, and 17 RBI. This came the year after winning the Cape Cod batting title hitting .353 in the summer of 2019.
The biggest advantage to the 21-year-old DeLoach’s profile is his recent offensive success at the highest levels of collegiate competition. Despite being known for his power potential, its been his ability to hit for average and contact that has impressed scouts this past calendar year. It’s equally important to mention his above average speed (55) which has improved throughout his career and will give him plus range in center field.
Weaknesses
Consistency has been the problem for Zach DeLoach who struggled in his first two seasons at Texas A&M. Summer ball was where he really shined in the eyes of scouts whereas he only hit .239 with five homers in two full springs with the Aggies. The question then becomes do general managers take the small sample size in 2020 or the larger ones from his first two years.
As a quality contact hitter, DeLoach will not strikeout much but needs to gain a more aggressive approach at the plate. Scouts refer to his defensive approach where he settled for weak contact. With such a loose and fluid swing, once a major league teams gets a hold of him the lefty could easily correct this approach. This will improve his power numbers and make his tools that much more attractive as he progresses through the minor leagues.
MLB Comparison
There’s something about watching his swing that shows off more power than even his statistics show. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, DeLoach is pretty standard size for a major league outfielder but his build does not exactly scream “power guy”. The first name that emerges is a breakout power candidate from the Minnesota Twins, Max Kepler.
After hitting 36 home runs last year out of the leadoff spot, the 6’4,” 205-pound lefty has a very similar approach at the plate. He is reminiscent of DeLoach in the way their swing is so easy and loose while letting their bodies generate the power. Now this is the name for the power direction, however he could just as easily remain more of a contact hitter in his development.
Should this be the case, David Dahl is the other comparison to throw out there for DeLoach. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, they are the same exact height while they both bat from the left side and throw from the right. Dahl does still have some power while consistently hitting for average to pair with some speed and range in the outfield that mimics DeLoach. All it will take is one team to value what they saw in a shortened spring, and Zach DeLoach will find himself off the board much earlier than anticipated.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
