Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The fourth draft profile and first college profile is on a player that seems to fit the Dodgers mold, though a recent iffy draft pick could scare the Dodgers off. Here’s a look at Kameron Misner, a junior outfielder out of Missouri.
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Previous profiles
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Vitals
6’4, 219 pounds
Position: Outfield
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
DOB: Jan. 8, 1998
Location
Columbia, Mo.
Year: Junior
Rankings
Baseball America: 21
ESPN: 34
FanGraphs: 26
MLB.com: 30
Perfect Game: 36
Slot recommended bonus (No. 25): $2,740,300
Slot recommended bonus (No. 31): $2,312,000
Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and video.
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On the surface, Misner looks very similar to a few guys Dodger fans should be familiar with. Misner is a large lefty that can play anywhere in the outfield or at first base, much like MVP candidate Cody Bellinger. He’s drawn praise for his athleticism and stole 20 bases in 21 attempts this season. Misner can play in center, but is better suited for a corner spot. He has some pop in his bat, as he nearly doubled his career home run total in 2019 with 10 homers.
Misner’s drawn praise for four of his tools, but his weakness could be the most important tool. On Dustin’s second Big Board, he likened Misner to Jeren Kendall, the Dodgers’ first round pick in the 2017 draft. Kendall still looks pretty lost at the plate, but has a speed and defense combo that will get him to the Majors at some point. Misner isn’t as athletic, so he’ll need his hit tool in order to make it.
Misner has shown the ability to hit. He started his Missouri career with a .282/360/.446 triple slash as a Freshman. His Sophomore season got off to a torrid start, but a foot injury slowed him down and kept him from putting together a remarkable season. In his first 35 games in 2018, Misner had a .360/.497/.576 triple slash and struck out 26 times while walking 32 times. Misner got off to a hot start in 2019, but in conference play posted a .216/.326/.324 triple slash line. His overall numbers were still pretty good (.284/.443/.485 triple slash, 56 strikeouts to 54 walks), but some recency bias could help a talented player fall to the late-first. What’s the opposite of helium? Gravity?
The Dodgers certainly hope Misner is more Bellinger than Kendall. He entered the season as a projected top of the first round pick, but his 2019 struggles in the SEC have hurt his projection. With two late-first round picks, the Dodgers can afford to take a chance on Misner being the player he showed earlier in his Tigers career. He fits the versatility and athletic profile the Dodgers seem to love, and could be a value pick late in the first.
Video
Videos courtesy of Perfect Game Baseball and Prospects Live.
Signability likely won’t be an issue with a college junior. Maybe Misner bets on his ability to play his way back up in the first round, but he could provide the Dodgers with another powerful minor-league bat. His hit issues probably aren’t as drastic as say DJ Peters, but neither is his power. Pre-2019 Bellinger might be the most apt comp to make here.
