Blaze Alexander

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #13 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Alexander was an older high school senior with contact questions and a supposedly high price tag in the 2018 draft, but the D-backs took a flier on him in the 11th round and signed him for $500,000. After some early-career struggles, Alexander broke out at Double-A Amarillo in 2022 and was added to the 40-man roster after the season. He moved to Triple-A Reno in 2023 and hit .292/.408/.458 for the Aces despite missing two months with a broken right thumb.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander is a well-rounded athlete who does a little bit of everything. At the plate he uses a leg lift before unleashing a controlled, relatively simple swing. He generates plus raw power but can struggle to get to it due to occasional contact issues, including on pitches in the strike zone. He has steadily improved his contact skills and plate discipline over the years and projects to be a fringe-average hitter with above-average power production. He does most of his damage against lefthanded pitching. Alexander is a reliable defender at shortstop with smooth actions and a plus-plus arm that is his best tool. He has the athleticism to bounce around the infield and has seen time at second and third base.
  
  The Future: Alexander projects to be a versatile infielder who produces against lefthanded pitching. He has a chance to be more if his hitting ability continues to improve.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #12 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Alexander had a strong showing on the summer circuit, but swing-and-miss concerns arose the following spring of his draft year. As an older senior who was said to have a high asking price, he slipped to the 11th round, where the D-backs took him and signed him for $500,000. He had a loud pro debut but struggled to replicate that success until 2022, when he posted a .928 OPS, the second-best mark in the organization among regulars.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander has a controlled swing with little to no wasted movement. He is at his best when he is taking aim at the right-center field gap. Alexander showed an improved approach last year, swinging less often at pitchers' pitches, and wound up making loads of loud contact. His profile still has significant risk. Though his data suggests he hits offspeeds well, questions remain as to whether that will translate to the majors. More alarmingly, his in-zone swing-and-miss rate of 29.7% ranked fourth-worst in the system. He is a flashy defender with smooth, easy actions, and though he can still boot routine balls, he showed more consistency last year and erased concerns about his ability to play at least an average shortstop. His plus-plus arm is his loudest tool.
  
  The Future: Having shown he can handle short, Alexander's floor has been raised, but his ceiling depends on how far his bat takes him. If he can tap into his power often enough, he could be a Chris Taylor-type hitter. Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 70.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Braves minor league C.J. Alexander, Blaze signed with the D-backs for an over-slot $500,000 bonus as an 11th-rounder in 2018. He had a loud debut followed by a so-so first full professional season at low Class A Kane County. His only 2020 action came during instructional league, which was cut short by a rib injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alexander has the athletic frame and actions of a big leaguer. His calling card has always been his rifle arm, which has long graded near the top of the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Alexander began to show burgeoning power production during spring training but tends to be overly streaky and needs to better maintain his approach and swing from at-bat to at-bat. Optimistic projections peg him as a potential fringe-average hitter with average power, but he'll need time to get there. Alexander can play shortstop but might fit best as a multi-positional infielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alexander will be looking to pick up lost developmental at-bats in 2021. Many see him as a future super-utility type like the Athletics' Chad Pinder.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #17 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Alexander's father, Charles, pitched in the Indians organization and his older brother, C.J., is in the Braves' system. The Diamondbacks snapped up the youngest Alexander in the 11th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an overslot $500,000 bonus. He produced right away with impressive numbers at two short-season levels, then put together a solid, if unspectacular, season in the low Class A Midwest League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lean and athletic, Alexander's loudest tool is his arm, which scouts rate near the top of the scouting scale. He has good hands and actions, as well, convincing evaluators he could be at least a serviceable shortstop in the majors. He also saw time at second base and third base. Though his numbers (.262, 7 HR) weren't great, he made strides at the plate and showed better pitch selection. Even so, Alexander gave away too many at-bats without a consistent plan, something the Diamondbacks hope will come with maturity. Scouts give him a chance to hit for a decent average and close to average power.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a crowded middle infield picture in the system, Alexander's versatility could help him carve out a role in the Chris Taylor/Chris Owings mold. He'll see high Class A Visalia in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #10 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Alexander slipped in the 2018 draft, perhaps due to some combination of a high asking price as well as concerns about how often he swung and missed his senior year at IMG Academy. After signing with the Diamondbacks for $500,000, he quickly quieted any worries about his bat, performing so well in his pro debut he helped ease the sting of the club's inability to sign top pick Matt McLain.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander, whose dad Charles pitched parts of three seasons in the Indians' system and whose older brother C.J. is in the Braves organization, has a lean, athletic frame and an arm that rates near the top of the scouting scale. His swing is consistent and under control, with no wasted movement, and he has good finish at the end, prompting some scouts to envision him growing into power to all fields, though he does tend to roll over on pitches with his top hand. He has good instincts in the field but isn't as fluid and easy as shortstops often are, leading some to envision a shift to third or second base.
  
  The Future: Alexander has a chance to open next season in low Class A Kane County and could develop into an infielder in the J.J. Hardy or Chris Taylor mold.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #85 prospect in 2018 draft
  His name is fitting, as Blaze Alexander is the hardest-throwing infielder in the 2018 class. He clocked a now-legendary 99 mph throw from shortstop to first base last summer during the Perfect Game National Showcase. Alexander, whose father, Chuck, played in the Indians organization from 1988-91, is a flashy shortstop who is capable of playing all over the infield thanks to his advanced internal clock, athleticism, body control, quick hands and obvious plus-plus arm strength. Most scouts say Alexander has a good chance to play shortstop at the next level, and he has the elite confidence to make it happen on top of all the physical tools. Offensively, Alexander has above-average or plus bat speed that leads to real pull power despite a smaller, 6-foot, 160-pound frame. He has twitchiness in the box and takes aggressive swings to get the most out of his power--leading to some swing and miss during the summer--but he made good adjustments in simplifying both his handset and his load this spring. Scouts are impressed with his ability to make adjustments in the box, but there are still some questions about the impact he'll make down the line with the bat. He's an average runner who is committed to South Carolina, and if he makes it to campus and develops a track record hitting in the SEC then he could become a first-round pick thanks to his elite defensive ability.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #20 prospect in 2018
  The performance of Alexander this summer, who Arizona signed for a welll-above-slot $500,000, likely made up for at least some of the disappointment in the D-backs organization that came with not signing first round pick Matt McLain. What stood out most was Alexander's feel for the game and advanced instincts. His bat was also better than expected, with a swing that is short to the ball with some pull power. Alexander's versatility will likely be his calling card as he should be able to handle all three infield positions, with his plus to plus-plus arm playing well on the left side. It should be even better when he learns to use his feet better. His average speed plays up on the bases, flashing plus speed on balls hit to the gaps.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #13 prospect in 2018
  Like teammate Alek Thomas, Alexander continued his outstanding play when promoted from the Arizona League to Missoula for the last month of the Pioneer League season. His swing is short to the ball with pull-side power and good feel to hit, and his average speed plays up on the bases. Alexander's carrying tool is his plus arm which some evaluators have graded as plus-plus, enough for anywhere in the infield or a move to the outfield if a super utility role suits him. Alexander is a good athlete with instincts and feel for the game, impressing observers with his advanced approach to the game. "You watch him play and you do not feel that you're watching a high school kid play," said Mike Bell, Arizona's Vice President of Player Development. "He's mature, and you can tell that he's had good coaching and training as he was growing up."

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Alexander had a strong showing on the summer circuit, but swing-and-miss concerns arose the following spring of his draft year. As an older senior who was said to have a high asking price, he slipped to the 11th round, where the D-backs took him and signed him for $500,000. He had a loud pro debut but struggled to replicate that success until 2022, when he posted a .928 OPS, the second-best mark in the organization among regulars.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander has a controlled swing with little to no wasted movement. He is at his best when he is taking aim at the right-center field gap. Alexander showed an improved approach last year, swinging less often at pitchers' pitches, and wound up making loads of loud contact. His profile still has significant risk. Though his data suggests he hits offspeeds well, questions remain as to whether that will translate to the majors. More alarmingly, his in-zone swing-and-miss rate of 29.7% ranked fourth-worst in the system. He is a flashy defender with smooth, easy actions, and though he can still boot routine balls, he showed more consistency last year and erased concerns about his ability to play at least an average shortstop. His plus-plus arm is his loudest tool.
  
  The Future: Having shown he can handle short, Alexander's floor has been raised, but his ceiling depends on how far his bat takes him. If he can tap into his power often enough, he could be a Chris Taylor-type hitter. Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 70.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Alexander had a strong showing on the summer circuit, but swing-and-miss concerns arose the following spring of his draft year. As an older senior who was said to have a high asking price, he slipped to the 11th round, where the D-backs took him and signed him for $500,000. He had a loud pro debut but struggled to replicate that success until 2022, when he posted a .928 OPS, the second-best mark in the organization among regulars.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander has a controlled swing with little to no wasted movement. He is at his best when he is taking aim at the right-center field gap. Alexander showed an improved approach last year, swinging less often at pitchers' pitches, and wound up making loads of loud contact. His profile still has significant risk. Though his data suggests he hits offspeeds well, questions remain as to whether that will translate to the majors. More alarmingly, his in-zone swing-and-miss rate of 29.7% ranked fourth-worst in the system. He is a flashy defender with smooth, easy actions, and though he can still boot routine balls, he showed more consistency last year and erased concerns about his ability to play at least an average shortstop. His plus-plus arm is his loudest tool.
  
  The Future: Having shown he can handle short, Alexander's floor has been raised, but his ceiling depends on how far his bat takes him. If he can tap into his power often enough, he could be a Chris Taylor-type hitter. Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 70.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Alexander ranked as one of the top prep shortstops in the 2018 draft class but surprisingly slipped to the 11th round. The D-backs signed him for an overslot $500,000—equivalent to fourth-round money—and saw positive early returns before he slipped in full-season ball. Alexander rebounded at the start of 2022 at Double-A Amarillo to become one of the system&#39s biggest risers.
  
  Scouting Report: Alexander has long had big tools and is finally learning to translate them into production. Once a streaky hitter whose at-bat quality varied wildly from game to game, he now controls his at-bats and consistently finds ways to get on base. His power is more geared for doubles and triples than home runs, but he shows enough to be a fringe-average hitter with average power. Alexander&#39s rifle arm is nearly an 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. He previously suffered from a lack of focus that resulted in too many botched routine plays, but he has improved his consistency to make both the highlight-reel and routine plays.
  
  The Future: Alexander&#39s improvements give him a chance to be a valuable utiltyman who can play shortstop. He&#39ll try to hold them over the course of the season.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Braves minor league C.J. Alexander, Blaze signed with the D-backs for an over-slot $500,000 bonus as an 11th-rounder in 2018. He had a loud debut followed by a so-so first full professional season at low Class A Kane County. His only 2020 action came during instructional league, which was cut short by a rib injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alexander has the athletic frame and actions of a big leaguer. His calling card has always been his rifle arm, which has long graded near the top of the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Alexander began to show burgeoning power production during spring training but tends to be overly streaky and needs to better maintain his approach and swing from at-bat to at-bat. Optimistic projections peg him as a potential fringe-average hitter with average power, but he'll need time to get there. Alexander can play shortstop but might fit best as a multi-positional infielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alexander will be looking to pick up lost developmental at-bats in 2021. Many see him as a future super-utility type like the Athletics' Chad Pinder.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Braves minor league C.J. Alexander, Blaze signed with the D-backs for an over-slot $500,000 bonus as an 11th-rounder in 2018. He had a loud debut followed by a so-so first full professional season at low Class A Kane County. His only 2020 action came during instructional league, which was cut short by a rib injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alexander has the athletic frame and actions of a big leaguer. His calling card has always been his rifle arm, which has long graded near the top of the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Alexander began to show burgeoning power production during spring training but tends to be overly streaky and needs to better maintain his approach and swing from at-bat to at-bat. Optimistic projections peg him as a potential fringe-average hitter with average power, but he'll need time to get there. Alexander can play shortstop but might fit best as a multi-positional infielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alexander will be looking to pick up lost developmental at-bats in 2021. Many see him as a future super-utility type like the Athletics' Chad Pinder.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alexander’s father, Charles, pitched in the Indians organization and his older brother, C.J., is in the Braves’ system. The Diamondbacks snapped up the youngest Alexander in the 11th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an overslot $500,000 bonus. He produced right away with impressive numbers at two short-season levels, then put together a solid, if unspectacular, season in the low Class A Midwest League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lean and athletic, Alexander’s loudest tool is his arm, which scouts rate near the top of the scouting scale. He has good hands and actions, as well, convincing evaluators he could be at least a serviceable shortstop in the majors. He also saw time at second base and third base. Though his numbers (.262, 7 HR) weren’t great, he made strides at the plate and showed better pitch selection. Even so, Alexander gave away too many at-bats without a consistent plan, something the Diamondbacks hope will come with maturity. Scouts give him a chance to hit for a decent average and close to average power.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a crowded middle infield picture in the system, Alexander’s versatility could help him carve out a role in the Chris Taylor/Chris Owings mold. He’ll see high Class A Visalia in 2020. BA GRADE 45 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Alexander's father, Charles, pitched in the Indians organization and his older brother, C.J., is in the Braves' system. The Diamondbacks snapped up the youngest Alexander in the 11th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an overslot $500,000 bonus. He produced right away with impressive numbers at two short-season levels, then put together a solid, if unspectacular, season in the low Class A Midwest League in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lean and athletic, Alexander's loudest tool is his arm, which scouts rate near the top of the scouting scale. He has good hands and actions, as well, convincing evaluators he could be at least a serviceable shortstop in the majors. He also saw time at second base and third base. Though his numbers (.262, 7 HR) weren't great, he made strides at the plate and showed better pitch selection. Even so, Alexander gave away too many at-bats without a consistent plan, something the Diamondbacks hope will come with maturity. Scouts give him a chance to hit for a decent average and close to average power.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a crowded middle infield picture in the system, Alexander's versatility could help him carve out a role in the Chris Taylor/Chris Owings mold. He'll see high Class A Visalia in 2020.