Lars Nootbaar

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #6 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Drafted in the eighth round in 2018 out of Southern California, Nootbaar advanced from Low-A all the way to Double-A in his first full season in 2019. He spent the summer of 2020 working as a mechanic during the coronavirus shutdown, but the time away from the field didn’t hurt him. Nootbaar broke out offensively at Triple-A Memphis in 2021 and earned his first callup to the majors in late June. He returned to the majors for good in late July and appeared in 58 games overall for the Cardinals, mostly as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement.
  
  Scouting Report: Nootbaar’s intelligence and work ethic stand out in the organization. He’s shown an ability to catch up quickly to each new assignment and has progressed rapidly in limited time as a professional. Nootbaar has the tools to be an above-average hitter with his advanced, patient approach at the plate. He rarely swings at bad pitches and has had nearly as many walks as strikeouts throughout every level of his career. Nootbaar possesses good bat speed and his strong, 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame should allow him to access more power in the future. His power is currently fringy, however. Nootbaar is a good athlete with average arm strength who should be able to stick in either corner outfield spot. He has below-average speed but covers enough ground with his long strides and solid route-running.
  
  The Future: Nootbaar’s improvements have turned him from an up-and-down player to a potential everyday outfielder. He’ll likely be on the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster in 2022.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #353 prospect in 2018 draft
  Nootbaar began the year in consideration to be drafted in the top five rounds, but he has since slid after hitting .254 in a down year for the entire Southern California program. The younger brother of former Trojans pitcher and Orioles draft pick Nigel Nootbaar, Lars intrigues analytically-inclined teams as a lefthanded power hitter with as many walks as strikeouts (70) the last two seasons. Nootbaar is physical at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and has a polished, patient approach at the plate. He hit 13 home runs in the last two years combined for USC and has the strength to hit more, but he hits the ball on the ground too often. Some see him as a launch-angle candidate. Nootbaar is a below-average defender with a poor arm in left field and will have to move to first base or become a designated hitter in pro ball. How much a team can make tweaks to unlock Nootbaar's power will determine his ceiling.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Drafted in the eighth round in 2018 out of Southern California, Nootbaar advanced from Low-A all the way to Double-A in his first full season in 2019. He spent the summer of 2020 working as a mechanic during the coronavirus shutdown, but the time away from the field didn’t hurt him. Nootbaar broke out offensively at Triple-A Memphis in 2021 and earned his first callup to the majors in late June. He returned to the majors for good in late July and appeared in 58 games overall for the Cardinals, mostly as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement.
  
  Scouting Report: Nootbaar’s intelligence and work ethic stand out in the organization. He’s shown an ability to catch up quickly to each new assignment and has progressed rapidly in limited time as a professional. Nootbaar has the tools to be an above-average hitter with his advanced, patient approach at the plate. He rarely swings at bad pitches and has had nearly as many walks as strikeouts throughout every level of his career. Nootbaar possesses good bat speed and his strong, 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame should allow him to access more power in the future. His power is currently fringy, however. Nootbaar is a good athlete with average arm strength who should be able to stick in either corner outfield spot. He has below-average speed but covers enough ground with his long strides and solid route-running.
  
  The Future: Nootbaar’s improvements have turned him from an up-and-down player to a potential everyday outfielder. He’ll likely be on the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster in 2022.