Brett Baty Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

AB	54
AVG	.315
OBP	.362
SLG	.389
HR	1

Full name Brett Austin Baty
Born 11/13/1999 in Round Rock, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Lake Travis
Debut 08/17/2022
Drafted in the 1st round (12th overall) by the New York Mets in 2019 (signed for $3,900,000).

View Draft Report

One of the best pure hitters in the draft class, Baty brings 70-grade raw power to the table with impressive strength and plus bat speed. He also has an advanced approach at the plate and a feel for putting the barrel on the ball. In every batting practice Baty takes, his power stands out. The ease with which he’s able to send the ball out of the park, both to the pull side and to the opposite field, rivals nearly any player in the 2019 draft. A big, 6-foot-3, 218-pound third baseman, Baty has improved his body composition over the past few years, turning some of his baby fat into muscle, which has helped improve his game both offensively and defensively. Originally, most scouts believed that Baty was destined for a transition to first base in pro ball because of his below-average footwork, suspect hands and a plus throwing arm that had strength but was erratic with a slow exchange. He’s improved across the board defensively this spring, now giving himself a chance to stick at third base, but winding up at first base may still be the most likely outcome. He’s hit anything and everything thrown at him in a competitive area of Texas, but the biggest knock on Baty’s profile is his age. He’ll be just six months away from his 20th birthday at the time of the draft, and he is one of the oldest high school players in the class. Many teams operate with draft models that significantly penalize hitters for that, although at some point it’s hard to ignore Baty’s potential as a middle-of-the-order hitter—no matter his age or position. Baty is committed to Texas, but he is unlikely to make it to campus and could be drafted early on Day 1 of the draft.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium

Track Record: Baty stood out for his feel to hit, power and discipline as a high school senior in a loaded 2019 draft class. But his age--he turned 20 in November of his draft year--turned off many teams. The Mets drafted Baty 12th overall and watched him hit his way to MLB as a 22-year-old in 2022. He earned his first big league callup on Aug. 17 after a dominating minor league season that included a .950 OPS for Binghamton, highest among Eastern League qualifiers and third-highest at Double-A. His MLB debut season was cut short by surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament he suffered on Aug. 28.

Scouting Report: Baty homered in his first big league at-bat, a validation of the work he had put in to hit the ball in the air more often in 2022. He lowered his groundball rate from 56% in 2021 to 44% a year later even as he climbed to the upper levels. Baty hit all batting benchmarks in 2022. He hit the ball hard with regularity--near 92 mph average exit velocity with a 90th percentile reading of 107 mph--he didn't chase out of the zone often and he made contact when he swung at pitches in the zone. Baty takes his walks and should be a high on-base hitter with above-average power. Baty has improved his defensive play at third base, where his plus arm plays but his range and release grade as more capable than outstanding. He started 11 games in left field in the minors and is athletic enough to play there to get his bat in the lineup.

The Future: Baty is a good hitter with power and will bat toward the middle of the Mets' lineup at his peak. He projects to be playable at third base, but a stronger defender could push him to left field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
Track Record: Baty was one of the best high school hitters in a loaded 2019 draft, but his age—he turned 20 in November of his draft year—pushed him down the board to the Mets at 12th overall. He showed impressive raw power in his pro debut but struck out enough to introduce skepticism. Baty got into better shape for 2020 and impressed the Mets at the alternate training site. A loud full-season debut in 2021, which included a .292/.382/.473 batting line with 12 home runs in 91 games as he reached Double-A, validated his hard work. He also put on a show during batting practice at the Futures Game.

Scouting Report: Baty is a disciplined hitter with feel for the barrel, incredible raw power and greater athletic ability than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. While he will show double-plus raw power in batting practice, Baty focuses on making hard contact to all fields in games. He is unafraid to work deep counts and has a chance to hit for a high average with plus on-base ability. Scouts are optimistic that Baty can get to above-average and possibly plus power, despite a batting profile that was heavy on ground balls in 2021. That’s because he hits the ball hard consistently, and his doubles should turn into home runs as his batting approach continues to mature against advanced pitchers. Baty’s conditioning work paid off on defense, where he showed greater quickness at third base, a strong, accurate arm and an ability to throw from different angles. He tried his hand at left field and showed the potential to be playable there.

The Future: Baty made a ton of progress in 2021 and looks like a future regular, potentially an impact one. His rise to Double-A and trial in left field indicate he is in the Mets’ plans for 2022, with an MLB debut possible in the summer.
Hitting: 40.Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60.
TRACK RECORD: Some teams regarded Baty as one of the most promising high school hitters in the 2019 draft. Others viewed his age—19 and a half on draft day—as a non-starter in the first round. The Mets drafted him 12th overall and signed him for $3.9 million, nearly $500,000 under slot. Baty drew walks and hit for power in his 2019 pro debut but struck out too frequently.

SCOUTING REPORT: Strike-zone discipline, hard contact and incredible raw power to all fields are Baty’s defining traits. He played power forward for his high school basketball team and is a deceptive athlete. Baty struggled to catch up with velocity in his pro debut because he was drifting and not hitting against a firm front side. Baty has made progress but needs to continue hitting through the ball and making more contact. He has impact power potential and is capable of launching no-doubters to the opposite field. Baty is a capable third baseman with a plus arm. He came to camp toned after an offseason of conditioning and is one of the organization’s hardest workers.

THE FUTURE: Baty hits the ball as hard as any Mets prospect, so getting his swing more connected will be the key to realizing his potential. He should make his full-season debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Baty played basketball and football at Lake Travis High but shone brightest in baseball, where he was Gatorade player of the year as a junior and then even more prolific as a senior. He hit .624 with 19 homers in 93 at-bats in his draft year and was recognized by scouts as one of the top hitters, top power hitters and most disciplined hitters in the 2019 high school draft class. The complicating factor for Baty was his age—19 and a half on draft day—which dropped him to the Mets at No. 12. He signed for $3.9 million and showed power and patience in a 51-game pro debut focused at Rookie-level Kingsport.

SCOUTING REPORT: Baty's value is concentrated in his lefthanded bat, and he is a better athlete than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. He might have fielded Division I offers as a quarterback had he not dropped football as a sophomore and he can dunk a basketball. His prodigious power plays to both his pull side and the opposite field and is supported by high-end exit velocities and a swing geared for loft. Baty can handle velocity, doesn't often chase out of the zone and takes his walks, so the Mets expect him to be a solid-average hitter or better. He is a notoriously hard worker who handled third base better than expected in his pro debut, showing average potential and a plus arm that once fired 92 mph heat off the mound in high school.

THE FUTURE: Baty turned 20 in November and because of his age doesn't have the typical grace period of a prep pick. He needs to hit the ground running at low Class A Columbia and move up at least one level during the season.

Draft Prospects

One of the best pure hitters in the draft class, Baty brings 70-grade raw power to the table with impressive strength and plus bat speed. He also has an advanced approach at the plate and a feel for putting the barrel on the ball. In every batting practice Baty takes, his power stands out. The ease with which he's able to send the ball out of the park, both to the pull side and to the opposite field, rivals nearly any player in the 2019 draft. A big, 6-foot-3, 218-pound third baseman, Baty has improved his body composition over the past few years, turning some of his baby fat into muscle, which has helped improve his game both offensively and defensively. Originally, most scouts believed that Baty was destined for a transition to first base in pro ball because of his below-average footwork, suspect hands and a plus throwing arm that had strength but was erratic with a slow exchange. He's improved across the board defensively this spring, now giving himself a chance to stick at third base, but winding up at first base may still be the most likely outcome. He's hit anything and everything thrown at him in a competitive area of Texas, but the biggest knock on Baty's profile is his age. He'll be just six months away from his 20th birthday at the time of the draft, and he is one of the oldest high school players in the class. Many teams operate with draft models that significantly penalize hitters for that, although at some point it's hard to ignore Baty's potential as a middle-of-the-order hitter--no matter his age or position. Baty is committed to Texas, but he is unlikely to make it to campus and could be drafted early on Day 1 of the draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

No player received as much praise from league managers for the way he carried himself on the field as Baty, who only needed 51 games at High-A before a promotion to Double-A Binghamton in mid July. The 2019 first-rounder always had huge raw power, but this season he made significant gains with his discipline at the plate, with good strike-zone awareness, as well as showing improved athleticism to become a better runner. Baty was lauded by managers for taking a step forward defensively at third base, strengthening his ability to throw from multiple angles, increasing his first-step quickness and playing the ball better. He needs to more consistently hit to his pull side, which should lead to more home runs in the future.
Much was made of Baty’s age (19) before and after he was selected in the first round, but the Mets quickly pushed the slugging third baseman to the Appy League, where he posted a .775 OPS while being young for the league. Baty hit just .157 in his first month but made an adjustment and hit .261/.369/.500 with 13 extra-base hits in 22 games in August before a promotion to the short-season New York-Penn League. Evaluators in the Appy League were impressed with Baty’s ability to hit with authority to the opposite field and with his defensive work at third, citing a strong, accurate arm and reliable hands. "Tremendous power, especially the other way,” one Appy League manager said. "He crushes the ball. You try to teach young kids to go the other way and go gap-to-gap, and he does that as well as any young hitter.”

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the New York Mets in 2020
Rated Best Power Hitter in the New York Mets in 2020

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium

Track Record: Baty stood out for his feel to hit, power and discipline as a high school senior in a loaded 2019 draft class. But his age--he turned 20 in November of his draft year--turned off many teams. The Mets drafted Baty 12th overall and watched him hit his way to MLB as a 22-year-old in 2022. He earned his first big league callup on Aug. 17 after a dominating minor league season that included a .950 OPS for Binghamton, highest among Eastern League qualifiers and third-highest at Double-A. His MLB debut season was cut short by surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament he suffered on Aug. 28.

Scouting Report: Baty homered in his first big league at-bat, a validation of the work he had put in to hit the ball in the air more often in 2022. He lowered his groundball rate from 56% in 2021 to 44% a year later even as he climbed to the upper levels. Baty hit all batting benchmarks in 2022. He hit the ball hard with regularity--near 92 mph average exit velocity with a 90th percentile reading of 107 mph--he didn't chase out of the zone often and he made contact when he swung at pitches in the zone. Baty takes his walks and should be a high on-base hitter with above-average power. Baty has improved his defensive play at third base, where his plus arm plays but his range and release grade as more capable than outstanding. He started 11 games in left field in the minors and is athletic enough to play there to get his bat in the lineup.

The Future: Baty is a good hitter with power and will bat toward the middle of the Mets' lineup at his peak. He projects to be playable at third base, but a stronger defender could push him to left field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium

Track Record: Baty stood out for his feel to hit, power and discipline as a high school senior in a loaded 2019 draft class. But his age--he turned 20 in November of his draft year--turned off many teams. The Mets drafted Baty 12th overall and watched him hit his way to MLB as a 22-year-old in 2022. He earned his first big league callup on Aug. 17 after a dominating minor league season that included a .950 OPS for Binghamton, highest among Eastern League qualifiers and third-highest at Double-A. His MLB debut season was cut short by surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament he suffered on Aug. 28.

Scouting Report: Baty homered in his first big league at-bat, a validation of the work he had put in to hit the ball in the air more often in 2022. He lowered his groundball rate from 56% in 2021 to 44% a year later even as he climbed to the upper levels. Baty hit all batting benchmarks in 2022. He hit the ball hard with regularity--near 92 mph average exit velocity with a 90th percentile reading of 107 mph--he didn't chase out of the zone often and he made contact when he swung at pitches in the zone. Baty takes his walks and should be a high on-base hitter with above-average power. Baty has improved his defensive play at third base, where his plus arm plays but his range and release grade as more capable than outstanding. He started 11 games in left field in the minors and is athletic enough to play there to get his bat in the lineup.

The Future: Baty is a good hitter with power and will bat toward the middle of the Mets' lineup at his peak. He projects to be playable at third base, but a stronger defender could push him to left field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Baty was one of the best high school hitters in a loaded 2019 draft, but his age—he turned 20 in November of his draft year—pushed him down the board to the Mets at 12th overall. He showed impressive raw power in his pro debut but struck out enough to introduce skepticism. Baty got into better shape for 2020 and impressed the Mets at the alternate training site. A loud full-season debut in 2021, which included a .292/.382/.473 batting line with 12 home runs in 91 games as he reached Double-A, validated his hard work.

Scouting Report: Baty is a disciplined hitter with feel for the barrel, incredible raw power and greater athletic ability than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. While he will show double-plus raw power in batting practice, Baty focuses on making hard contact to all fields in games. He is unafraid to work deep counts and has a chance to hit for a high average with plus on-base ability. Scouts are optimistic that Baty can get to above-average and possibly plus power, despite a batting profile that was heavy on ground balls in 2021. That&#39s because he hits the ball hard consistently, and his doubles should turn into home runs as his batting approach continues to mature against advanced pitchers. Baty&#39s conditioning work paid off on defense, where he showed greater quickness at third base, a strong, accurate arm and an ability to throw from different angles. He tried his hand at left field and showed the potential to be playable there.

The Future: Baty made a ton of progress in 2021 and looks like a future regular, potentially an impact one. His rise to Double-A and trial in left field indicate he is in the Mets&#39 plans for 2022, with an MLB debut possible in the summer.

Scouting Grades:Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Baty was one of the best high school hitters in a loaded 2019 draft, but his age—he turned 20 in November of his draft year—pushed him down the board to the Mets at 12th overall. He showed impressive raw power in his pro debut but struck out enough to introduce skepticism. Baty got into better shape for 2020 and impressed the Mets at the alternate training site. A loud full-season debut in 2021, which included a .292/.382/.473 batting line with 12 home runs in 91 games as he reached Double-A, validated his hard work. He also put on a show during batting practice at the Futures Game.

Scouting Report: Baty is a disciplined hitter with feel for the barrel, incredible raw power and greater athletic ability than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. While he will show double-plus raw power in batting practice, Baty focuses on making hard contact to all fields in games. He is unafraid to work deep counts and has a chance to hit for a high average with plus on-base ability. Scouts are optimistic that Baty can get to above-average and possibly plus power, despite a batting profile that was heavy on ground balls in 2021. That’s because he hits the ball hard consistently, and his doubles should turn into home runs as his batting approach continues to mature against advanced pitchers. Baty’s conditioning work paid off on defense, where he showed greater quickness at third base, a strong, accurate arm and an ability to throw from different angles. He tried his hand at left field and showed the potential to be playable there.

The Future: Baty made a ton of progress in 2021 and looks like a future regular, potentially an impact one. His rise to Double-A and trial in left field indicate he is in the Mets’ plans for 2022, with an MLB debut possible in the summer.
No player received as much praise from league managers for the way he carried himself on the field as Baty, who only needed 51 games at High-A before a promotion to Double-A Binghamton in mid July. The 2019 first-rounder always had huge raw power, but this season he made significant gains with his discipline at the plate, with good strike-zone awareness, as well as showing improved athleticism to become a better runner. Baty was lauded by managers for taking a step forward defensively at third base, strengthening his ability to throw from multiple angles, increasing his first-step quickness and playing the ball better. He needs to more consistently hit to his pull side, which should lead to more home runs in the future.
Hitting: 40.Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60.
TRACK RECORD: Some teams regarded Baty as one of the most promising high school hitters in the 2019 draft. Others viewed his age—19 and a half on draft day—as a non-starter in the first round. The Mets drafted him 12th overall and signed him for $3.9 million, nearly $500,000 under slot. Baty drew walks and hit for power in his 2019 pro debut but struck out too frequently.

SCOUTING REPORT: Strike-zone discipline, hard contact and incredible raw power to all fields are Baty's defining traits. He played power forward for his high school basketball team and is a deceptive athlete. Baty struggled to catch up with velocity in his pro debut because he was drifting and not hitting against a firm front side. Baty has made progress but needs to continue hitting through the ball and making more contact. He has impact power potential and is capable of launching no-doubters to the opposite field. Baty is a capable third baseman with a plus arm. He came to camp toned after an offseason of conditioning and is one of the organization's hardest workers.

THE FUTURE: Baty hits the ball as hard as any Mets prospect, so getting his swing more connected will be the key to realizing his potential. He should make his full-season debut in 2021.
Hitting: 40.Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60.
TRACK RECORD: Some teams regarded Baty as one of the most promising high school hitters in the 2019 draft. Others viewed his age—19 and a half on draft day—as a non-starter in the first round. The Mets drafted him 12th overall and signed him for $3.9 million, nearly $500,000 under slot. Baty drew walks and hit for power in his 2019 pro debut but struck out too frequently.

SCOUTING REPORT: Strike-zone discipline, hard contact and incredible raw power to all fields are Baty’s defining traits. He played power forward for his high school basketball team and is a deceptive athlete. Baty struggled to catch up with velocity in his pro debut because he was drifting and not hitting against a firm front side. Baty has made progress but needs to continue hitting through the ball and making more contact. He has impact power potential and is capable of launching no-doubters to the opposite field. Baty is a capable third baseman with a plus arm. He came to camp toned after an offseason of conditioning and is one of the organization’s hardest workers.

THE FUTURE: Baty hits the ball as hard as any Mets prospect, so getting his swing more connected will be the key to realizing his potential. He should make his full-season debut in 2021.
Hitting: 40.Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60.
TRACK RECORD: Some teams regarded Baty as one of the most promising high school hitters in the 2019 draft. Others viewed his age—19 and a half on draft day—as a non-starter in the first round. The Mets drafted him 12th overall and signed him for $3.9 million, nearly $500,000 under slot. Baty drew walks and hit for power in his 2019 pro debut but struck out too frequently.

SCOUTING REPORT: Strike-zone discipline, hard contact and incredible raw power to all fields are Baty’s defining traits. He played power forward for his high school basketball team and is a deceptive athlete. Baty struggled to catch up with velocity in his pro debut because he was drifting and not hitting against a firm front side. Baty has made progress but needs to continue hitting through the ball and making more contact. He has impact power potential and is capable of launching no-doubters to the opposite field. Baty is a capable third baseman with a plus arm. He came to camp toned after an offseason of conditioning and is one of the organization’s hardest workers.

THE FUTURE: Baty hits the ball as hard as any Mets prospect, so getting his swing more connected will be the key to realizing his potential. He should make his full-season debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Baty played basketball and football at Lake Travis High but shone brightest in baseball, where he was Gatorade player of the year as a junior and then even more prolific as a senior. He hit .624 with 19 homers in 93 at-bats in his draft year and was recognized by scouts as one of the top hitters, top power hitters and most disciplined hitters in the 2019 high school draft class. The complicating factor for Baty was his age—19 and a half on draft day—which dropped him to the Mets at No. 12. He signed for $3.9 million and showed power and patience in a 51-game pro debut focused at Rookie-level Kingsport.

SCOUTING REPORT: Baty’s value is concentrated in his lefthanded bat, and he is a better athlete than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. He might have fielded Division I offers as a quarterback had he not dropped football as a sophomore and he can dunk a basketball. His prodigious power plays to both his pull side and the opposite field and is supported by high-end exit velocities and a swing geared for loft. Baty can handle velocity, doesn’t often chase out of the zone and takes his walks, so the Mets expect him to be a solid-average hitter or better. He is a notoriously hard worker who handled third base better than expected in his pro debut, showing average potential and a plus arm that once fired 92 mph heat off the mound in high school.

THE FUTURE: Baty turned 20 in November and because of his age doesn’t have the typical grace period of a prep pick. He needs to hit the ground running at low Class A Columbia and move up at least one level during the season.
TRACK RECORD: Baty played basketball and football at Lake Travis High but shone brightest in baseball, where he was Gatorade player of the year as a junior and then even more prolific as a senior. He hit .624 with 19 homers in 93 at-bats in his draft year and was recognized by scouts as one of the top hitters, top power hitters and most disciplined hitters in the 2019 high school draft class. The complicating factor for Baty was his age—19 and a half on draft day—which dropped him to the Mets at No. 12. He signed for $3.9 million and showed power and patience in a 51-game pro debut focused at Rookie-level Kingsport.

SCOUTING REPORT: Baty's value is concentrated in his lefthanded bat, and he is a better athlete than his physical 6-foot-3 frame suggests. He might have fielded Division I offers as a quarterback had he not dropped football as a sophomore and he can dunk a basketball. His prodigious power plays to both his pull side and the opposite field and is supported by high-end exit velocities and a swing geared for loft. Baty can handle velocity, doesn't often chase out of the zone and takes his walks, so the Mets expect him to be a solid-average hitter or better. He is a notoriously hard worker who handled third base better than expected in his pro debut, showing average potential and a plus arm that once fired 92 mph heat off the mound in high school.

THE FUTURE: Baty turned 20 in November and because of his age doesn't have the typical grace period of a prep pick. He needs to hit the ground running at low Class A Columbia and move up at least one level during the season.
One of the best pure hitters in the draft class, Baty brings 70-grade raw power to the table with impressive strength and plus bat speed. He also has an advanced approach at the plate and a feel for putting the barrel on the ball. In every batting practice Baty takes, his power stands out. The ease with which he's able to send the ball out of the park, both to the pull side and to the opposite field, rivals nearly any player in the 2019 draft. A big, 6-foot-3, 218-pound third baseman, Baty has improved his body composition over the past few years, turning some of his baby fat into muscle, which has helped improve his game both offensively and defensively. Originally, most scouts believed that Baty was destined for a transition to first base in pro ball because of his below-average footwork, suspect hands and a plus throwing arm that had strength but was erratic with a slow exchange. He's improved across the board defensively this spring, now giving himself a chance to stick at third base, but winding up at first base may still be the most likely outcome. He's hit anything and everything thrown at him in a competitive area of Texas, but the biggest knock on Baty's profile is his age. He'll be just six months away from his 20th birthday at the time of the draft, and he is one of the oldest high school players in the class. Many teams operate with draft models that significantly penalize hitters for that, although at some point it's hard to ignore Baty's potential as a middle-of-the-order hitter--no matter his age or position. Baty is committed to Texas, but he is unlikely to make it to campus and could be drafted early on Day 1 of the draft.
Much was made of Baty’s age (19) before and after he was selected in the first round, but the Mets quickly pushed the slugging third baseman to the Appy League, where he posted a .775 OPS while being young for the league. Baty hit just .157 in his first month but made an adjustment and hit .261/.369/.500 with 13 extra-base hits in 22 games in August before a promotion to the short-season New York-Penn League. Evaluators in the Appy League were impressed with Baty’s ability to hit with authority to the opposite field and with his defensive work at third, citing a strong, accurate arm and reliable hands. "Tremendous power, especially the other way,” one Appy League manager said. "He crushes the ball. You try to teach young kids to go the other way and go gap-to-gap, and he does that as well as any young hitter.”