2018 MLB Draft: Jameson Hannah, OF, Dallas Baptist

Scouts are always looking for an impact tool. And when that tool is attached to a solid bat with a good performance record, “let’s draft that guy” is often the result. This could happen for Dallas Baptist outfielder Jameson Hannah in the 2018 MLB Draft this evening, and if not this evening than certainly tomorrow.

Hannah is an outfielder from Flower Mound, Texas, listed at 5-11, 190, a left-handed hitter and thrower born August 10th, 1997. Undrafted out of high school, he saw regular action as a freshman for the Dallas Baptist Patriots in 2016, hitting .332/.407/.456 with 11 steals in 11 attempts, 20 walks and 39 strikeouts in 193 at-bats. He followed that up with an excellent tear through the Coastal Plains League during the summer, hitting .374/.455/.551.

Hannah continued to play well in 2017 (.328/.411/.530) and 2018 (.360/.444/.555). He’s gone from “single-digit round draftee” to “possible first-rounder.”

Speed is his best overall tool, minimum 60 with some 70 grades. He’s not an especially aggressive stealer but when he does go, he’s successful: he’s stolen 28 bases in 30 attempts in college. In pro ball he’ll probably be given the green light more often. He has a good eye for the strike zone and a consistent line drive swing that should lead to high batting averages and on-base percentages. His speed works well in center field, and while his arm is mediocre his instincts and quickness help make up for that.

His isolated power has increased each season as he’s refined his swing and matured physically. At worst Hannah projects as a fourth outfielder but if his power continues to develop he could be a regular.

2080Baseball video from Cape Cod League