Ryan Boldt: Prospect Profile for Boston Red Sox's 22nd-Round Pick

Player: Ryan Boldt

Drafted by: Boston Red Sox (No. 653 overall)

Position: OF

DOB: 11/22/1994 (Age: 18)

Height/Weight: 6’1”/190 lbs

Bats/Throws: L/R

School: Red Wing High School (Minn.)

College Commitment: Nebraska

Background

Hailing from a Minnesota high school, a notorious cold-weather state with inferior competition, Boldt made a name for himself last summer on the showcase circuit, capturing MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-American Classic with a 2-for-3 performance including a triple.

However, that was merely the tip of the iceberg, as the 6’1”, 190-pound outfielder went on to star for the USA Baseball 18U squad. Serving as the team’s leadoff hitter, the Boldt batted .279 with a .429 on-base percentage. He also scored 13 runs and was 13-for-13 on the basepaths.

As one of the top prep prospects in the draft, the toolsy outfielder appeared to be a Day 1 lock headed into the 2013 season. Unfortunately, Boldt suffered a knee injury early in the spring that required season-ending arthroscopic surgery. However, because he’s expected to make a full recovery and return to the field later this summer, it’s doubtful that the injury will cause his draft stock to slide too far.

Full Scouting Report

Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is average, with the current score first and projected score second.

Hitting: 45/60

Potential plus hit tool; loose, fluid swing from the left side; strong hands and wrists create above-average bat speed; line-drive bat path; shoots the gaps with ease; comfortable using entire field; generates modest extension after contact; mature approach and pitch recognition.

Power: 35/40

Questionable power potential; swing geared more towards contact; could show more over-the-fence pop as he grows in to projectable 6’1”, 190-pound frame; present wiry strength; whole-field approach impedes power utilization; may develop some surprising pop to the pull side.

Speed: 60/60

True plus runner; knee injury shouldn’t have significant impact on overall speed; gets out of the box and down the line in a hurry; shows off wheels at full speed on the basepaths and in the outfield; explosiveness; quick feet.

Defense: 55/65

Ideal profile as center fielder; plus defender who uses his speed; plus range in all directions; plays position with confidence; advanced actions and routes; instincts give him a quick first step; high baseball IQ aids his positioning; feel for tracking and sticking with balls when approaching the warning track/wall.

Arm: 45/45

Average-at-best arm strength; suitable for center field; could slightly improve as he fills out.

MLB Player Comparison: Darin Erstad

Projection: Everyday center fielder; .300 batting average/30-stolen base potential; leadoff hitter.

MLB ETA: 2017

Chances of Signing: 75%