Pure talent-wise, Freddy Zamora is at the top of the list of collegiate players coming out in the 2020 Draft. If not for his suspension to start out this past season at the University of Miami, he would be a second round prospect. The once 49th-best prospect according to MLB.com is now ranked 100th.
Strengths
It is not easy to find the future heart of a middle infield in the MLB Draft. Shortstop Freddy Zamora has the type of tools that could lead to a long and successful career as the captain of a defense. His glove is as elite as they come, which means more to his position than any other on the diamond.
Zamora’s greatest gift is his arm, an absolute cannon from the middle infield that will keep him on the left side. Scouts graded his arm one of the strongest in his class (60) with his fielding coming in right behind (55). At 6’1″ and 190 pounds he has decent size but excels at shortstop due to his range.
The 21-year-old has improved throughout his college career at the plate where scouts currently grade his hitting (50). In two full seasons at Miami, Zamora was consistent at the plate hitting a combined .300 with 24 doubles, 74 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. His numbers provide more speed than scouts give him credit for with his running grade (50).
Weaknesses
The shortened 2020 season brought extreme levels of concern to Zamora’s draft profile in two separate departments. His suspension followed by a knee injury in practice resulted in zero innings played this spring. Hurricanes’ head coach Gino DiMare explained the suspension as just a violation of team rules.
Despite the questions of makeup that emerged, more concerning was the news of a season-ending knee injury. Two days after the suspension, his season was cancelled due to an injury suffered in practice. Combine this with a hamstring injury in the fall and there begins to be an injury history building.
There are very few, if any, weaknesses to point to on the field for Zamora. There might be a lack of power (40) for a position that has become more dependent on homers in recent years. However, he has time to add strength and power to a lean build as long as he is able to keep his motor high on the field.
MLB Comparison
It is a lot more common to develop offensive skills as players progress in their careers as opposed to defensive. It is a lot easier to polish bat skills than glove instincts and arm strength. Freddy Zamora checks both of these boxes with defensive skills that coaches cannot teach.
This makeup is reminiscent of a former second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2010, Andrelton Simmons. The 6’2″, 195-pound defensive wizard has nearly the exact same dimensions at shortstop. This is a four-time Gold Glove award winner whose bat has developed throughout his career. Now with the Los Angeles Angels, Simmons has raised his average while improving upon his power and speed numbers.
Zamora’s contact-oriented approach makes him a tough bat to strikeout, also like Simmons. However, the strongest parallel is in their one-of-a-kind cannons that can make any throw on the diamond. This is a can’t-miss glove in the 2020 Draft that could get him selected within the first three rounds.
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