Scouting Reports - Manny Machado (2010 Draft Class)

Scouted:
Team USA 18U Trials (Cary, N.C.), September 14, 2009 (film)

East Coast Pro Showcase (Lakeland, Fla), August 1-4, 2009 (in attendance)

USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars (Cary, N.C.), June 22-29, 2009 (in attendance)

Frame:

Machado has a long and lanky build that bears a physical resemblance to Astros 2008 first-round pick Jiovanni Mier. Like Mier, Machado is athletic and graceful, giving him a chance to stay at shortstop as he adds strength and bulk.

Swing:

Machado has a natural aptitude for hitting, employing an open stance and a controlled weight shift. He begins his swing with a wrap, but has the bat speed, balance through contact and level swing path to consistently produce line drives to all fields. He could hit for above-average power once he fills out his lean frame.

Defense:

Machado is a solid bet to remain at his position in pro ball because of his fluid actions and sure glove. An average runner who should add weight, Machado projects to have just average range at shortstop, but his long legs, smooth footwork and advanced defensive instincts help him compensate for a lack of lateral quickness. Although he will occasionally field the ball too deeply, he has a strong throwing arm that would play at either position on the left side of the infield should a move to third base be required.

Jesse's Notes:

Machado has the tool set to become an offensive-minded shortstop. Even if he adds too much bulk to field his position adequately, he should hit enough to justify a move to third base, where his soft hands and strong throwing arm would make him a well above-average defender. Machado’s bat-to-ball ability and patience at the plate should allow him to hit for the average and power that major-league managers would expect out of their two-hole hitter.

Projected Position: SS/3B

Suggested Draft Slot: Mid- to Supplemental-1st Round

Updates:

5/5/2010 -- (Update by Nick James) Machado has seen his stock bump over the past six months, with public perception moving towards him as the clear-cut top prep positional talent by a fair amount. While he is undoubtedly talented, and possesses a nice blend of current skillset and future projection, I am slightly less optimistic than is Jesse that he'll stick at SS once he fills-in. Also, while the bat speed is excellent, I am not sold on him being ahead of Nick Castellanos, SS/3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS (Fla.) or Josh Sale, OF, Bishop Blanchet HS (Wa.) in terms of offense package at the prep ranks. I'm less bullish on the future hit/power rating -- I'd probably slap a 50/55 on each. With the right organization, Machado's game could develop at an impressive rate, but there is enough fine-tuning to come for me to place him slightly lower on the draft board than I've seen among most national draft publications. He currently ranks #11 on the PnR Mid-Season Top 300, ahead of Castellanos and Sale due to his potential to stick at short and provide more defensive value than the aforementioned duo (giving more cushion if the bat doesn't develop).

11/25/2009 -- WWBA World Championship, October 25, 2009 (Jupiter, Fla.) (Nick James in attendance) -- Machado showed clean actions and an above-average to plus arm in the field. Range could hamper ability to stick at SS. Solid command of strike zone at the plate.

11/25/2009 -- Perfect Game National Showcase, June 11-14, 2009 (Nick James film review) -- Good leverage in swing and potential for power down the line. Swing plane currently better suited to linedrives than homeruns. In the field, good footwork, soft hands and quick arm action. Generally clean; frame could eventually force a shift to 3B (range) as he fills-in.

Videos: