Bryant Packard

An impressive pure hitter with plus raw power, Packard had an exceptional sophomore season in 2018, when he hit .406/.462/.671 with 14 home runs. He led all American Athletic Conference hitters in each of the three triple-slash categories, set an ECU record with a 32-game hitting streak and was selected as a first-team All-American. His track record of hitting is extensive, and he also performed well over the summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .305/.421/.576 with four home runs and a 15.8 percent walk rate in 18 games. This spring hasn’t been as strong for Packard, although he still posted an impressive .361/.447/.568 line with 25 walks and 32 strikeouts through his first 48 games. He’s shown less power as a junior, but that could stem from an early season wrist injury that forced him to miss a few games. All of Packard’s value comes from the bat, as his supplemental tools leave much to be desired. He’s strictly a corner outfielder or a first baseman, and scouts are underwhelmed with his outfield defense as a well below-average runner with a 40-grade arm. Still, he has a terrific, loose swing with a great understanding of how to hit, and his wood bat track record against top-level competition should ease concerns over his profile.