2018 MLB Draft: Connor Scott, OF, Tampa, Florida

Continuing our coverage of Monday’s 2018 MLB Draft, we switch back to the high school ranks with a look at outfielder Connor Scott, a likely first round pick.

Like many warm-weather preps, Scott has been on the radar for some time. Attending Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, Scott has been a showcase presence for several years now. Some players with this type of exposure endure “prospect fatigue” and are unfairly nitpicked. That hasn’t happened in his case. Part of that may be because he missed much of the 2017 showcase summer recovering from appendicitis, so scouts were naturally intrigued this spring to see if his skills had slipped in any way.

They haven’t.

Listed at 6-4, 180, Scott is a left-handed hitter and thrower born October 8th, 1999. His best present tool is speed, earning consistent 70-grades. However, unlike many young speed players Scott is not a slap-and-dash hitter and will show occasional power as well. There’s plenty of bat speed here and he could easily add muscle and strength as he matures physically. His feel for hitting is considered sound and ultimately he could be double-digit producer in both steals and homers with a high OBP as well.

His speed and overall athleticism show up particularly well in the outfield, combining with an above-average arm and good field reads to make him a fine center fielder. His arm is strong enough that he is also a prospect as a pitcher with a fastball that exceeds 90, although teams prefer him on the diamond every day.

Scott is committed to the University of Florida and would be an enormous asset for the Gators should he get to college. That seems unlikely at this point, with Scott projected as a mid-first round pick at least.

Here’s some Prospect Pipeline video