Player: Jacob Heyward
Drafted by: Atlanta Braves (No. 1,153 overall)
Position: RF
DOB: 8/1/1995 (Age: 17)
Height/Weight: 6’2″/197 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (GA)
College Commitment: Miami
Background
Jacob Heyward has the blessing and curse of being the younger brother of Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward. Jacob is always going to be compared to Jason, but that doesn’t mean the former is without talent.
In fact, unlike a lot of famous alumni you will see in this class, Heyward actually has a very high ceiling and could be an intriguing option for a team later in the draft.
Full Scouting Report
Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 80-point scouting scale, with the current score first and projected score second.
Hitting: 35/55
Very good hit tool; still raw and unrefined, will struggle adjusting to professional pitching; shows bat speed and leverage; quick through the zone; should grow into more power as his frame fills out.
Power: 40/60
Love his future power potential; will show raw pop but still struggles to make it play in games consistently; bat speed, size, leverage, quick-twitch wrists and future muscle give him big-time power upside.
Plate Discipline: 30/45
Biggest obstacle to getting him to reach offensive ceiling; very hacky approach at the plate at times; can crush a fastball, but throw him something soft and he looks like he has no idea what to do; want to see how he does and adjusts early in pro ball.
Speed: 55/50
Above-average running speed right now; can get down line in a hurry from right side, but doesn’t overwhelm you with wheels; as frame adds more bulk, speed will most certainly decrease; could remain average because he is such a good athlete.
Defense: 40/50
Fringy defender in outfield; still learning to play right field after spending most of his high school career at first base; athleticism and arm strength give him strong chance to be average glove in right field.
Arm: 50/50
Average arm strength; plays up because he puts himself in good positions to field and gets rid of the ball quickly; not likely to increase with age and muscle, but good enough to at least remain a grade-50 tool.
MLB Player Comparison: Nelson Cruz (admittedly, that is very optimistic)
Projection: Average corner outfielder with big power potential on first-division team.
MLB ETA: 2019
Chances of Signing: 20 percent
While I am very high on Heyward’s potential and upside, he is still very low on the draft totem pole because he is so raw and unrefined in a lot of areas. It would actually be smart for him to go to college for three years, try to plug some of the holes he has at a solid Miami program and re-enter the draft when he is physically mature.
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