Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The next player in the MLB Draft profile series is Peyton Stovall, the player most (publicly and privately) linked to the Dodgers ahead of the 2021 draft. His profile will remind you of a couple current Dodgers.
Previous Profiles
- Sam Bachman (June 9)
- Chase Petty (June 11)
- Jaden Hill (June 15)
- Jud Fabian (June 16)
- Adrian Del Castillo (June 18)
- Ryan Cusick (June 21)
Vitals
6’0, 185 pounds
Position: Second baseman/shortstop
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
DOB: Feb. 14, 2003
Location
Haughton, La.
Commitment: Arkansas
Rankings
The Athletic: 71
Baseball America: 32
ESPN: 49
FanGraphs: 61
MLB Pipeline: 28
Perfect Game: 33
Prospects Live: 23
Slot recommended bonus (No. 29): $2,424,600
Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and videos.
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Of all the draft prospects profiled so far, Stovall may be the most polarizing. Some think he’s a 1st-round talent, while others think he’s more of a late-2nd-rounder. Such are draft rankings. But if we’ve learned anything from the Dodgers, is that they’ll take a chance on a small high school, left-handed hitting, middle infielder in the first round. Hi, Gavin Lux.
Amongst the prep players, Stovall’s hit tool projects to be one of the best. Stovall gets praise for consistently barreling balls thanks to above-average bat speed. He keeps the bat in the hitting zone for a long time and hits line drives all over the field. He has displayed plus-bat control thanks to his strong, quick hands. There’s some natural loft to his swing, which is why some scouts think Stovall could eventually develop above-average or better power. Most of the power is to the pull side, but there’s a chance for some opposite-field pop going forward. He’s not the most physically intimidating hitter, but his upside is apparent because of his natural feel for hitting. There are more than a few who think think there’s some more to come with this offensive-minded middle infielder. With college bats lacking, the Dodgers (and others) could be more tempted to pull the trigger on a well-rounded prep bat like Stovall.
I use the term “middle infielder” liberally, as the biggest knock on Stovall is his defense. He’s plays mostly shortstop, but he won’t likely stick there due to lack of quickness and a fringy arm. A move to the keystone seems imminent. The bat plays well there, but he’s not going to be Kolten Wong at second base. Depending how he develops, he might also be able to add first base and left field to his defensive profile — the prep version of Michael Busch, basically. He’s also a fringy runner who won’t clog the bases, but he also won’t be much of a stolen base threat.
Video
Haughton, LA shortstop Peyton Stovall continues his relentless assault on HS baseball. Dinger no. 12.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) April 2, 2021
Through 20 games, Stovall is slashing .585/.718/1.321 (31 for 53) w/12 bombs, 6 2Bs, 25 BBs and 2 Ks.
He has 53 at-bats and has been on base 56 times… 👀#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/sKifwOnxSD
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With evaluations ranging as much as they are, the Dodgers might be able to save a few bucks if they selected Stovall at No. 29. Arkansas is becoming a baseball hotbed, so it might take the entire bonus amount to get him out of that commitment. He has been tied to them for months now. However, there’s a chance a team in the 20s takes a chance on him before he makes it to the Dodgers’ selection. He’s basically a Lux-Busch clone, and we know the Dodgers like their left-handed hitting infielders.
