2/16/25

2025 Draft Prospect - #88 - C -Jaden Fauske - Nazareth Academy (IL)

 


On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending with the pick for 1.1

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -

#88     Jaden Fauske                      C/OF, Nazareth Academy (IL)

18/years old            6' 3"               200

COMMITTED - Louisiana State 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45 

Fauske could be the best high school catching prospect in the Draft, but teams aren't convinced that he wants to play behind the plate. After helping Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park) win Illinois state 3-A titles as a freshman and sophomore, he spent most of his junior season at DH and much of the showcase circuit in the outfield. He could become a slightly smaller and less athletic version of Jayson Werth, a 1997 first-round pick as an Illinois high school catcher who became an All-Star outfielder.

With a smooth left-handed stroke and a disciplined approach, Fauske has a history of hitting against both high school and showcase competition. He rarely chases pitches or swings and misses, though he can get too passive at times. He works the ball from gap to gap and should develop 15-20 homer power as he gets stronger and turns on more pitches.

Fauske's fringy speed would make him quicker than most catchers but ordinary for a corner outfielder. The Louisiana State recruit has reliable hands along with average arm strength and a quick transfer, which should allow him to get the job done behind the plate if he puts in the time to refine his receiving and blocking. His bat will remain intriguing even if he winds up in left or right field, though he would need to provide more pop at a less challenging position.


1-27-25  -  Just Baseball –

2025 MLB Draft - Top 80 High School Prospects

https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-high-school-prep-prospects/  

8. Jaden Fauske – C

HT/WT: 6’3/210 | Bat/Throw: L/R | School: Nazareth Academy (IL) | Hometown: Louisiana State | Age: 18.7

An infielder from the state of Illinois, Fauske boasts one of our favorite swings in the whole class. It’s a lovely left-handed swing with loose wrists, quick hands, and a whippy barrel through the zone. There’s very few flaws in his approach, as he’s got excellent barrel control and will utilize the whole field to his advantage.

It’s hit-over-power right now, but as Fauske continues to grow into his body, we should see higher power output. He’s already beginning to register exit velocities into the triple digits and he’s shown some power to all fields in-game.

Expect the bat to be the money-maker in his profile. He’s already a pretty physical specimen, though he’s an above-average runner and possesses solid athleticism behind the dish.

Some scouts prefer Fauske in the outfield, where the speed and arm strength would be a better fit for his profile, though there’s enough tools behind the plate to give him run there. Fauske was the top uncommitted bat in the class until late November, as he announced his commitment to Louisiana State.


1-3-25 –

2025 MLB Draft: Top 75 Prep Prospects — Prospects Live

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/12/26/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-prep-prospects  -

8. C/UTL Jaden Fauske, Nazareth Academy (IL) 

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Willowbrook, IL

An infielder from the state of Illinois, Fauske boasts one of our favorite swings in the whole class. It's a lovely left-handed swing with loose wrists, quick hands, and a whippy barrel through the zone. There's very few flaws in his approach, as he's got excellent barrel control and will utilize the whole field to his advantage. It's hit-over-power right now, but as Fauske continues to grow into his body, we should see higher power output. He's already beginning to register exit velocities into the triple digits and he's shown some power to all fields in-game. Expect the bat to be the money-maker in his profile. He's already a pretty physical specimen, though he's an above-average runner and possesses solid athleticism behind the dish. Some scouts prefer Fauske in the outfield, where the speed and arm strength would be a better fit for his profile, though there's enough tools behind the plate to give him run there. Fauske was the top uncommitted bat in the class until late November, as he announced his commitment to Louisiana State.

 

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=558280

2024 National Showcase 

Jaden Fauske is a 2025 OF/RHP/C/IF with a 6-2 205 lb. frame from Willowbrook, IL who attends Nazareth Academy. Recorded a 6.79 second 60-yard dash time. Physical frame with lots of strength well-proportioned throughout. Primary outfielder with very good carry out of the hand. Throws up to 90 mph with accuracy. Clean funnels with good momentum towards the target. Secondary catcher with good catch and throw skills. Left-handed hitter with an easy swing and a high hand set with a high back elbow. Turns the barrel over quickly with intent. Lags the barrel nicely to stay in the hitting zone. Good blend of hit tool with present pull side power. Tremendous student. Selected to play in the 2024 PG All-American Classic.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/lsu-baseball-adds-2025-c-of-prospect-jaden-fauske/ar-AA1uP0Wo -

Prep Baseball wrote this on Fauske as a prospect.

“A gut-feel candidate heading into the summer, Fauske affirmed that intuition by showcasing one of the sweetest strokes in the class. Physically-gifted with lean strength throughout an athletic frame, the flick seen in his strong wrists combines with quick hands to produce endless lag in covering the plate with authority. Equipped with a keen eye, few (if any) demonstrated the plate discipline of Fauske and his swing decisions are advanced for the class. Synopsis: There is a chance that the Illinois native is the best pure hitter in the country.”


2025 MLB Draft: Top 30 Prep Prospects

link –

18. C/UTL Jaden Fauske, Nazareth Academy (IL)

 

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: N/A

Hometown: Willowbrook, IL

An infielder from the state of Illinois, Fauske boasts one of our favorite swings in the whole class. It's a lovely left-handed swing with loose wrists, quick hands, and a whippy barrel through the zone. There's very few flaws in his approach, as he's got excellent barrel control and will utilize the whole field to his advantage. It's hit-over-power right now, but as Fauske continues to grow into his body, we should see higher power output. 

He's already beginning to register exit velocities into the triple digits and he's shown some pull side power in game with quality bat speed. Expect the bat to be the money-maker in his profile. Defensively, he's logged a ton of innings behind the plate, where he's an average defender with a quick exchange and average arm strength. He's gotten more run in the dirt recently, mostly as a utility type when he's not catching. He's currently one of the top uncommitted bats in the country.

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