Miami Marlins OF Monte Harrison Scouting Report, January 2018

Low-set hands to start, creeps slowly and consistently up to his ear before and during load; clearly trying to flatten bat path as some others have done in emphasizing overly-low hands recently. Above-average bat speed with great athleticism through his swing; inconsistent stride/leg kick mechanics, almost as though he has real trouble timing pitchers and isn’t sure when to pull the trigger on a leg kick. Regardless, more than enough leverage in his bat speed and physical strength to overcome that. Considerable swing-and-miss in his game; poor pitch recognition and very poor strike zone discipline. Significant strikeout totals will forever be part of his game and he will never hit for average, but his overall approach isn’t too bad and you can live with the whiffs so long as he produces enough barrel contact in the air when he does connect.

Plus raw power in batting practice, with increasingly legitimate ability to actualize it as gap-to-gap and over-the-fence production in game action. Phenomenal leverage from above-average bat speed through the point of contact combined with strong hands and wrists; supremely athletic in his swing with approach to do damage. Bat path conducive to putting the ball in the air; can pull off pitches to pull side too often during lean times, but plate coverage and natural strength gives him the ability to hit for power to all fields when he chooses to do so. Feels like there’s still some room left to grow into his power stroke — particularly in picking and choosing spots, and working opposite field — and so for me, there’s a shot for him to get near double-plus power at ceiling. Very projectable.

Good athlete in the outfield with good reads on balls off the bat; speed plays up his ability to play all three outfield positions, as does arm strength that’ll work anywhere across the three. Solid, likely shot to survive as everyday outfielder who could even sneak into above-average territory defensively.

Very, very strong arm in right field; great carry on throws with exceptional velocity in from the outfield. Likes to show it off; more than enough to play right field everyday at the next level. Further aided by good foot speed which has him charging hard up on balls quickly; everyday outfielder with some ability.

Wide range of home-to-first times from 4.19 to 4.31 in my looks at Arizona Fall League; particularly clustered around 4.25-4.28; chance to improve speed somewhat considering his top-end run times and very good overall athletic profile. Good feel for stealing bases thus far early in his career, but I think that’ll wane as he produces more power and settles into corner outfield role; that said, athletic enough to swipe a bag or two as necessary and remain a threat if left unchecked.

One of the four prospects traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Miami Marlins in the Christian Yelich deal on January 25, 2017. One of the more impressive and physically imposing players I’ve seen on the field over the last few years; likely near final physical form with not much room left to grow into his body, but he is a physical specimen and a great athlete who is built like a linebacker. Unsurprisingly, he was a great football player in his youth and turned down a college scholarship to sign with the Brewers. Older brother Shaquille Harrison plays professional basketball.  

Freakish athletic tools with physically imposing frame and good athleticism should combine to make him an above-average everyday right fielder at ceiling, perhaps with shot to stick in center thanks to foot speed; floor as serviceable second division/everyday starter is well within reach. Some sizable risk here with his offensive profile, particularly considering Harrison is going to rack up strikeouts with the best of ’em, but if he can keep it in check enough with a consistent approach for power, he will produce beyond the whiffs. Seen comps to Yasiel Puig, and perhaps that’s true in so much as it captures three major similarities about the two of them: impressive physique, good raw power, and cannons in the outfield; they play the game differently though, with Puig far more loose and reckless and Harrison playing with a slow heartbeat and a little more inclined to let the game come to him. Regardless, Monte Harrison is a big-time prospect, albeit with some questions about his hit tool, and he should provide big league value for the Miami Marlins soon enough after likely spending most of 2018 with Double-A Jacksonville. MLB ETA: 2019.