Elijah Green

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Washington drafted Green fifth overall in 2022, signing one of the most dynamic prospects scouts had seen in years for the slot value of $6.5 million. He put up a .939 OPS in the Florida Complex League during his pro debut but also struck out 40% of the time. Green regressed in nearly every offensive category in 2023 at Low-A Fredericksburg, but few players make such authoritative contact when they do connect. The Nationals don’t view Green’s 2023 as a step backward, but they acknowledge that in order for him to reach his potential, he needs to make better swing decisions and put more balls in play.
  
  Scouting Report: Green’s athleticism speaks loudly, and he has plus-plus raw power and has shown the ability to hit to all fields. Swing-and-miss is the major concern with his game after he struck out nearly 42% of the time in 2023 and whiffed at nearly 38% of pitches in the zone. Green is aggressive at the plate, so when he makes contact, it is loud. He hit a ball as hard as 117 mph, while his 90th percentile exit velocity of 110 mph was one of the very best in the minors. Green’s swing does not look natural yet, but the Nationals are working on smoothing out his bat path. He has flashed elite speed and could stick in center field. His strong arm would play in right field if he gets pushed out of center by superior defenders.
  
  The Future: Green is a physical player with loud tools but is still very raw at the plate. He hits the ball harder than anyone, but he needs to do it more frequently. If he is successful in fine-tuning his swing in the seasons ahead, he has impact potential. Green’s development may be the toughest challenge facing Nationals player development.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Green is one of the most dynamic athletes scouts have seen in years. As an underclassman in 2020, he jumped on the map during the summer showcase circuit. After an impressive stint with USA Baseball's 18U National Team and senior season with IMG Academy, he left no question that he was one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft. The Nationals drafted him fifth overall and signed him for $6.5 million, right at slot value for the pick. Green mashed in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, hitting .302/.404/.535 in 12 games. His .939 OPS was highest among those 18-and-under who batted at least 50 times. Green proved he can do just about everything at an elite level, with strength and power that rival some top MLB sluggers.
  
  Scouting Report: The son of NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah's physicality is rarely seen on the baseball field at his age. The righthanded hitter has already accessed his power at 18 years old. Green has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields and out of just about any ballpark. He has shown some swing-and-miss--he struck out 40% of the time in the FCL--and has struggled against higher velocity. Not only has Green shown plus-plus power, but he also shows elite speed. He's able to steal bases and cover a ton of ground in center field. It's uncommon to see an MLB center fielder with Green's size, but he is an outlier athlete. He has a plus arm and has a chance to be an above-average defender.
  
  The Future: Green has rare tools and athleticism and a lot of upside to reach. The biggest question mark surrounding him is his feel to hit and contact ability. His 45% swinging-strike rate was well above the average in the swing-happy FCL. Green should make more than enough impact to live with those whiffs, but a full season in 2023 will make that assessment much more clear.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #5 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Committed/Drafted: Miami
  Age At Draft: 18.6
  BA Grade: 65/Extreme
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60
  Green is one of the most dynamic and unique athletes scouts have seen on the baseball field in a long time. The son of 10-year NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah’s physicality would stand out on a football field and is almost unheard of on the baseball field at his age. At 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, Green has tremendous strength and power currently and would look right at home standing next to the top sluggers in baseball as an 18-year-old. His power/speed combination with his frame gives him the biggest pure upside in the 2022 draft class as a righthanded hitter with the power to drive the ball out of any ballpark, while also turning in 70-grade run times. As one scout remarked, “Guys that big and that strong aren’t supposed to be running 6.5 in the 60.” Green isn’t a raw hitter without a plan at the plate either. He has an impressive track record of performance as an underclassman and accessed his power regularly in games over the summer showcase circuit, with USA Baseball’s 18U National Team—where he homered four times in seven games—and this spring against strong competition with IMG Academy. There is swing and miss in Green’s game. He’ll get caught out in front on breaking balls and he has shown whiff tendencies against velocity as well, but he should make more than enough impact to live with those whiffs. He has more than enough speed for center field now, and will likely begin his career at the position, but will need to refine his routes and reactions to stick there long term. It’s uncommon to see a major league center fielder with Green’s size, but he is an outlier athlete. If he does have to move to a corner he has the tools to be an above-average defender in right, with plus arm strength to profile nicely there. While other hitters in this class might top Green as a pure hitter, you won’t find anyone with his combination of dynamic athleticism, power, speed and pure upside.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Green is one of the most dynamic athletes scouts have seen in years. As an underclassman in 2020, he jumped on the map during the summer showcase circuit. After an impressive stint with USA Baseball's 18U National Team and senior season with IMG Academy, he left no question that he was one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft. The Nationals drafted him fifth overall and signed him for $6.5 million, right at slot value for the pick. Green mashed in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, hitting .302/.404/.535 in 12 games. His .939 OPS was highest among those 18-and-under who batted at least 50 times. Green proved he can do just about everything at an elite level, with strength and power that rival some top MLB sluggers.
  
  Scouting Report: The son of NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah's physicality is rarely seen on the baseball field at his age. The righthanded hitter has already accessed his power at 18 years old. Green has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields and out of just about any ballpark. He has shown some swing-and-miss--he struck out 40% of the time in the FCL--and has struggled against higher velocity. Not only has Green shown plus-plus power, but he also shows elite speed. He's able to steal bases and cover a ton of ground in center field. It's uncommon to see an MLB center fielder with Green's size, but he is an outlier athlete. He has a plus arm and has a chance to be an above-average defender.
  
  The Future: Green has rare tools and athleticism and a lot of upside to reach. The biggest question mark surrounding him is his feel to hit and contact ability. His 45% swinging-strike rate was well above the average in the swing-happy FCL. Green should make more than enough impact to live with those whiffs, but a full season in 2023 will make that assessment much more clear.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Green is one of the most dynamic athletes scouts have seen in years. As an underclassman in 2020, he jumped on the map during the summer showcase circuit. After an impressive stint with USA Baseball's 18U National Team and senior season with IMG Academy, he left no question that he was one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft. The Nationals drafted him fifth overall and signed him for $6.5 million, right at slot value for the pick. Green mashed in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, hitting .302/.404/.535 in 12 games. His .939 OPS was highest among those 18-and-under who batted at least 50 times. Green proved he can do just about everything at an elite level, with strength and power that rival some top MLB sluggers.
  
  Scouting Report: The son of NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah's physicality is rarely seen on the baseball field at his age. The righthanded hitter has already accessed his power at 18 years old. Green has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields and out of just about any ballpark. He has shown some swing-and-miss--he struck out 40% of the time in the FCL--and has struggled against higher velocity. Not only has Green shown plus-plus power, but he also shows elite speed. He's able to steal bases and cover a ton of ground in center field. It's uncommon to see an MLB center fielder with Green's size, but he is an outlier athlete. He has a plus arm and has a chance to be an above-average defender.
  
  The Future: Green has rare tools and athleticism and a lot of upside to reach. The biggest question mark surrounding him is his feel to hit and contact ability. His 45% swinging-strike rate was well above the average in the swing-happy FCL. Green should make more than enough impact to live with those whiffs, but a full season in 2023 will make that assessment much more clear.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 60/Extreme
  
  August Update: Green is one of the most dynamic and unique athletes scouts have seen on the baseball field in a long time. The son of 10-year NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah&#39s physicality would stand out on a football field and is almost unheard of on the baseball field at his age. At 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, Green has tremendous strength and power currently and would look right at home standing next to the top sluggers in baseball as an 18-year-old. His power/speed combination with his frame gives him the biggest pure upside in the 2022 draft class as a righthanded hitter with the power to drive the ball out of any ballpark, while also turning in 70-grade run times. As one scout remarked, “Guys that big and that strong aren&#39t supposed to be running 6.5 in the 60.” Green isn&#39t a raw hitter without a plan at the plate either. He has an impressive track record of performance as an underclassman and accessed his power regularly in games over the summer showcase circuit, with USA Baseball&#39s 18U National Team—where he homered four times in seven games—and this spring against strong competition with IMG Academy. There is swing and miss in Green&#39s game. He&#39ll get caught out in front on breaking balls and he has shown whiff tendencies against velocity as well, but he should make more than enough impact to live with those whiffs. He has more than enough speed for center field now, and will likely begin his career at the position, but will need to refine his routes and reactions to stick there long term. It&#39s uncommon to see a major league center fielder with Green&#39s size, but he is an outlier athlete. If he does have to move to a corner he has the tools to be an above-average defender in right, with plus arm strength to profile nicely there. While other hitters in this class might top Green as a pure hitter, you won&#39t find anyone with his combination of dynamic athleticism, power, speed and pure upside.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Run: 70. Field: 55. Arm: 60.