Toronto Blue Jays OF Reggie Pruitt Scouting Report, 2017

Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of a Georgia high school, outfield prospect Reggie Pruitt wrapped his third professional season in 2017, a short-season slate spent with the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. There, the 20-year-old (DOB: May 7, 1997) appeared in 72 games, logging 279 at-bats and slashing .229/.297/.297/.595 with nine doubles, two homers, 28 stolen bases, 23 walks, and 80 strikeouts. Across his three year minor league career Pruitt has struggled to gain traction at the plate, slashing just .230/.306/.286/.592 in 573 at-bats, though he has logged 59 stolen bases and only been caught 12 times in 154 minor league games.

Reggie Pruitt is extremely raw at the plate, and he’ll need considerable work there as he moves through the minor leagues the next few years, but you can’t teach speed and his exceptional natural athleticism will always be a weapon that could carry him into a big league role one day depending on roster fit. After seeing the Toronto Blue Jays prospect during his Northwest League stay this summer at a road series in Hillsboro, we’ve got a full Reggie Pruitt scouting report below, including tool grades, game video, and projections.

Reggie Pruitt Scouting Report, Toronto Blue Jays — 2017

Dates observed in 2017: August 1-3

TOOL (FV)

NOTES & COMMENTS

Hit (40)

Very, very raw at present. Swing issues. Lots of bat wrap behind head with arm bar creating an inside-out approach that has him fighting off balls to the opposite field. Little ability to turn on pitches on the inner half with authority; ground ball swing; lacks plane to hit the ball in the air with consistency. There is some natural bat speed here; modest pitch recognition with good tracking and good athleticism, so there’s a chance to markedly improve hit tool even with present issues, but unlikely to be above-average even with growth.

Power (30)

Extremely little raw power. Virtually no over-the-fence pop in BP or game action at present. Swing plane at present not conducive to hitting the ball in the air; inside-out swing. Struggles with fastballs, especially on inner half at good velocity. Two career home runs in 154 professional games; unlikely to add significant power, especially over the fence, but double-plus speed will play into gap-to-gap game if he can alter his swing path in the future.

Glove (55)

Average defensive outfielder that plays up some because of exceptional speed. Good reads and jumps on balls in the air; can run ’em down easily in center field. Occasional lapses in concentration and focus with some situational awareness work to be done, but raw tools are ample with the profile to easily stay in center field as he ages. Speed sets him apart.

Arm (50)

Average arm in center field; probably enough arm strength to play all three but more ideal for center or left than right. Good carry on throws but inconsistent accuracy; lacks raw arm strength but plays up particularly with ability to charge hard in on balls and cut down distance when he needs it. Ought to develop into average big league arm with age.

Speed (70)

Legitimate double-plus speed; 4.11 and 4.16 in two home-to-first times this summer, plus a 4.32 turn. Proven execution stealing bases already in his career with great raw speed and very good instincts/reads. Gets good jumps off the ball, both on defense and the bases, and that speed (combined with defensive capabilities) will carry him forward. Can’t steal first base, though.

Intangibles

Walked away from commitment to Vanderbilt to sign for $500,000 with the Toronto Blue Jays; low-round slot based on perceived college commitment more than raw talent. Three pro years and still not out of short-season ball; not necessarily behind, and only 20 years old (will be 21 next May), but it’s about time to transition to full-season ball and prove himself there. Bat will need a lot of work in coming years, but glove and speed are already there. Plenty of intrigue in his athleticism and upside to give it a shot the next few years.

Reggie Pruitt Scouting Report, Toronto Blue Jays — 2017 Game Video

Reggie Pruitt Scouting Report — Notes, Analysis, & Projection

An interesting and supremely athletic outfielder who walked away from Vanderbilt University to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, Reggie Pruitt is as raw as they come, but with ample tools — particularly on defense — to tantalize as he moves along slowly. There’s no doubt 2018 is the time for the speedy outfielder to make a splash in full-season ball at Low-A Lansing, but his bat will struggle there and it might be a while before he really produces at the plate. As fast as he is — and Pruitt is fast — you can’t steal first base, and weak contact plus poor swing mechanics leave Pruitt’s future less than ideal. Long term, swing changes are necessary if he’s to be taken seriously as an everyday player; even though he won’t ever show a plus hit tool, there’s growth to be done here to reach ceiling.

Long term, Reggie Pruitt will be carried forward by his speed and his glove, the combination of which should have him ticketed for a platoon/bench role as a defensive center fielder. A lot must develop between now and then, though, and so it could be a few years before we really start to consider his future with the Toronto Blue Jays. The risk is high and the road will be long, but the tools are there and the athleticism really is special. If Reggie Pruitt can turn himself into a bona fide baseball player to go along with all that athletic ability, he still has a shot to be an impactful big leaguer in Toronto a few years from now.

Overall Future Potential (Future Value): Defense-first platoon outfielder or second-division regular at ceiling; high risk; long development road ahead and will likely fall short (40/45)

MLB ETA: 2021