Scouting Report - OF - Joshua Baez

 

Joshua Baez

 

OF      6-3      220      Dexter Southfield HS (MA) 

 

PG -

 

Joshua Baez is a 2021 OF/RHP with a 6-3 220 lb. frame from Boston, MA who attends Dexter Southfield. Only 16 years old but has a physically advanced build with plenty of present strength and surprising looseness and twitch. 6.67 runner, attacks the ball with authority in the outfield, has plus raw arm strength with developing timing and fundamentals through the ball, high level right field tools. Right handed hitter, has quick hands and a short hand path through the ball, barrel wrap creates some length, barrel whip when he gets out front, has plus juice when he squares up. Two way prospect on the mound, high leg lift delivery and an over the top arm slot, some energy at release. Fastball topped out at 94 mph with good downhill angle and some late sink. Flashed good power to his curveball. Outstanding young athlete with strength who will continue to improve with repetitions and experience.

 

Prospect Worldwide -

 

Joshua Baez – OF: One of the younger players in the Draft, not even turning 18 before he hears his name called, which I see happening in the 1st Round. The toolset and age are simply too hard to ignore and pass up. The only question is the hit tool, will he strike out too much, as your question with most prep bats with the power he possesses (70 Raw, 60 Game) but he shows it in-game consistently to all fields, as he did at the Area Code Games with a 107 Exit Velocity HR to RCF. A 70 Grade arm, Baez fits naturally as an RF but could see some reps in CF with his strong reads off the bat and speed that should drop from the Plus it currently shows into a 50-55 Runner. Profile similar to Yoenis Cespedes.

 

Prospects Live -

 

Josh Baez: The Boston native was one of the most intriguing names at the PG All American Classic. With arguably the best power tool in the draft (70/80), an arm topping out at 97mph from the outfield, and plus speed (50/60 range), the raw tools that make a superstar corner outfielder are there. As a result, he is widely considered to be a first round pick by the time the 2021 draft rolls around. After reaching the finals of the Home Run Derby pregame, Baez showed out during the classic as well.

 

In his first at bat of the day, Baez adjusted brilliantly to a Max Debiec curveball left up in the zone, blasting the ball to deep right center for a triple. The speed was on full display as he legged it out, and then subsequently scored on a passed ball later in the inning. The rest of Baez’s day was mostly forgettable, though scouts saw everything they needed to see with Baez. He projects first round.

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