Matt Wallner

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: A Minnesota native and Twins draftee out of high school, Wallner committed to North Dakota, where he would have likely been the team's best hitter and pitcher as a true freshman. The school dropped its baseball program and Wallner ended up at Southern Mississippi, where he became the Baseball America Freshman of the Year in 2017. The Twins drafted him again in 2019. After a solid 2021 season, Wallner broke out in 2022 as he climbed three levels and made his MLB debut. He totaled 30 home runs between the minors and majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Wallner's plus-plus arm is the bane of third base coaches. He can turn what seem like easy send decisions into outs where the baserunner never even got a chance to slide. He had 13 assists in 2022, and he topped out at 100.3 mph on throws in his brief MLB stint. Wallner's plus-plus power is nearly as impressive. He hits screaming line drives and mammoth home runs. His nearly 94 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the minors in 2022. Among MLB hitters with 25 or more balls in play, his 53% hard-hit percentage ranked 10th out of 565 batters. The catch? Wallner has significant swing-and-miss issues. His selectivity isn't an issue as much as his swing. Wallner's lofted, lengthy bat path translates to swings and misses in the strike zone. That's the tradeoff he has made to get to his big power. He's a well-below-average hitter, but one who could hit 35 home runs in a full season.
  
  The Future: Wallner's power and arm are top tier, but he faces questions about whether he will make enough contact to get to his exceptional power. The hope is that he is a streaky Joc Pederson type of slugger with low batting averages and big power. He heads to spring training with a shot at a big league role.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 70. Run: 55. Fielding: 45. Arm: 70
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #25 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Wallner set Southern Mississippi’s career home runs record (58) and parlayed that power potential into a $1.8 million bonus as the Twins’ 39th overall pick in the 2019 draft. After homering eight times in his pro debut in 2019, Wallner clubbed 15 at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2021 and performed well in an 18-game stint in the Arizona Fall League (1.011 OPS).
  
  Scouting Report: Power is Wallner’s calling card and the physical 6-foot-5 outfielder posts some of the best top-end exit velocity numbers in the system, along with first baseman Aaron Sabato. He has 70 or 80-grade raw power, but his plate discipline, the length of his swing and his swing-and-miss rate will severely limit his overall offensive upside and deflate his average. Wallner struck out at a 33.3% clip with Cedar Rapids—while old for the level—and chases outside the zone at an above-average rate. He’s pull-happy, which suits his power, but will also leave him susceptible to secondary offerings and more advanced pitching. A former pitcher, Wallner has plus arm strength that fits well in right field, where he is a fringy, but adequate defender and runner.
  
  The Future: Wallner will never compete for a batting title, but his power production could make him a big league contributor. He should get his first test against upper-level minor league pitching in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #18 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: One of the most decorated players in Southern Mississippi history, Wallner set the program's career record with 58 home runs and was drafted 39th overall by the Twins in 2019. He climbed to low Class A in his pro debut, but his feast or famine approach was exposed against pro pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner has prototypical right field tools with a large physical frame, plus-plus raw power from the left side and massive arm strength, but that comes with significant swing-and-miss concerns. Wallner struck out 27 percent of the time in his pro debut despite playing largely younger competition. He projects as a below-average hitter who will be almost entirely dependent on his home run production to be an offensive contributor. A fringy runner and athlete, Wallner won't track down many tough balls in the gaps in right field, but he does have a cannon for an arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wallner will need to show an improved hit tool to project as a regular. He'll see high Class A in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #19 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Wallner arrived at Southern Miss as a potential two-way star but he preferred hitting to pitching and by his junior season he focused entirely on being an outfielder. He slugged over .600 in all three seasons at Southern Miss and ranked fifth in Division I with 23 home runs in 2019. He also holds Southern Miss' record for career home runs (58).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner fits the bill of a power-hitting right fielder with an excellent frame, power and a right fielder's arm. He has to produce 25-plus home run power to be a useful MLB regular because he's a below-average hitter who relies on pouncing on mistakes. He has the potential to do that, with plus-plus raw power and he's shown a consistent ability to get pitches to drive. He has a strong base and uses his legs well in his swing. He is a below-average outfielder, but his plus arm is quite useful in right.
  
  THE FUTURE: The question Wallner has to answer moving forward is whether he has enough feel for hitting to survive against more advanced pitching. He likely will start with low Class A Cedar Rapids, but should spend plenty of time in Fort Myers if he starts strong.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #49 prospect in 2019 draft
  Wallner is going to be one of the toughest evaluations in this year's draft class, simply because scouts are convinced they aren't seeing him at his best. Wallner was one of the best freshmen in the country in 2017, hitting 17 home runs while also impressing on the mound as a talented two-way player. He was less effective as a pitcher during his sophomore season, and then prior to this spring Southern Mississippi announced Wallner would miss some time due to a forearm strain. He was limited to DH duty early on and returned to right field a few weeks into the season, but he never returned to the mound. Even when he returned to the outfield, some scouts said they didn't see nearly the same plus arm strength he'd shown in the past, and early in the season he seemed to struggle to get full extension in his follow-through at the plate. Before this spring's forearm injury, there were some teams who liked Wallner more on the mound--he's been up to 95 mph with his fastball in the past. But Wallner has told evaluators that he prefers hitting, and he hasn't seen significant time on the mound for a year now. As a hitter, Wallner fits the profile of a right fielder with his plus arm, average speed and plus power potential. His swing generates plenty of loft, but also draws concerns about whether he'll be an average hitter. Wallner has shown steady improvement as the season has worn on, although questions revolving around his forearm injury cloud his draft status.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #6 prospect in 2019
  The 39th pick in the 2019 draft, Wallner showed two-way potential in college but has been exclusively a hitter in pro ball after dealing with a forearm injury this spring. Wallner impressed with his raw power in the Appy League, hitting .269/.361/.452 with six home runs and 18 doubles, though a 26 percent strikeout rate for a college hitter in Rookie-ball is concerning. Defensively, Wallner profiles best as a right fielder. He’s an average runner who’s shown plus arm strength when healthy, but to profile at the position, he will need to show that he’s capable of regularly tapping into the power that he generates from a big, 6-foot-5 frame. "Big kid. Raw power,” one Appy League manager said. "I remember seeing him in BP and he had a lot of raw power.”

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: A Minnesota native and Twins draftee out of high school, Wallner committed to North Dakota, where he would have likely been the team's best hitter and pitcher as a true freshman. The school dropped its baseball program and Wallner ended up at Southern Mississippi, where he became the Baseball America Freshman of the Year in 2017. The Twins drafted him again in 2019. After a solid 2021 season, Wallner broke out in 2022 as he climbed three levels and made his MLB debut. He totaled 30 home runs between the minors and majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Wallner's plus-plus arm is the bane of third base coaches. He can turn what seem like easy send decisions into outs where the baserunner never even got a chance to slide. He had 13 assists in 2022, and he topped out at 100.3 mph on throws in his brief MLB stint. Wallner's plus-plus power is nearly as impressive. He hits screaming line drives and mammoth home runs. His nearly 94 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the minors in 2022. Among MLB hitters with 25 or more balls in play, his 53% hard-hit percentage ranked 10th out of 565 batters. The catch? Wallner has significant swing-and-miss issues. His selectivity isn't an issue as much as his swing. Wallner's lofted, lengthy bat path translates to swings and misses in the strike zone. That's the tradeoff he has made to get to his big power. He's a well-below-average hitter, but one who could hit 35 home runs in a full season.
  
  The Future: Wallner's power and arm are top tier, but he faces questions about whether he will make enough contact to get to his exceptional power. The hope is that he is a streaky Joc Pederson type of slugger with low batting averages and big power. He heads to spring training with a shot at a big league role.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 70. Run: 55. Fielding: 45. Arm: 70
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: A Minnesota native and Twins draftee out of high school, Wallner committed to North Dakota, where he would have likely been the team's best hitter and pitcher as a true freshman. The school dropped its baseball program and Wallner ended up at Southern Mississippi, where he became the Baseball America Freshman of the Year in 2017. The Twins drafted him again in 2019. After a solid 2021 season, Wallner broke out in 2022 as he climbed three levels and made his MLB debut. He totaled 30 home runs between the minors and majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Wallner's plus-plus arm is the bane of third base coaches. He can turn what seem like easy send decisions into outs where the baserunner never even got a chance to slide. He had 13 assists in 2022, and he topped out at 100.3 mph on throws in his brief MLB stint. Wallner's plus-plus power is nearly as impressive. He hits screaming line drives and mammoth home runs. His nearly 94 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the minors in 2022. Among MLB hitters with 25 or more balls in play, his 53% hard-hit percentage ranked 10th out of 565 batters. The catch? Wallner has significant swing-and-miss issues. His selectivity isn't an issue as much as his swing. Wallner's lofted, lengthy bat path translates to swings and misses in the strike zone. That's the tradeoff he has made to get to his big power. He's a well-below-average hitter, but one who could hit 35 home runs in a full season.
  
  The Future: Wallner's power and arm are top tier, but he faces questions about whether he will make enough contact to get to his exceptional power. The hope is that he is a streaky Joc Pederson type of slugger with low batting averages and big power. He heads to spring training with a shot at a big league role.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 70. Run: 55. Fielding: 45. Arm: 70
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record:: Wallner set Southern Mississippi&#39s career home runs record (58) and parlayed that power potential into a $1.8 million bonus as the Twins&#39 39th overall pick in the 2019 draft. After homering eight times in his pro debut in 2019, Wallner clubbed 15 at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2021 and performed well in an 18-game stint in the Arizona Fall League (1.011 OPS).
  
  Scouting Report: Power is Wallner&#39s calling card and the physical 6-foot-5 outfielder posts some of the best top-end exit velocity numbers in the system, along with first baseman Aaron Sabato. He has 70 or 80-grade raw power, but his plate discipline, the length of his swing and his swing-and-miss rate will severely limit his overall offensive upside and deflate his average. Wallner struck out at a 33.3% clip with Cedar Rapids—while old for the level—and chases outside the zone at an above-average rate. He&#39s pull-happy, which suits his power, but will also leave him susceptible to secondary offerings and more advanced pitching. A former pitcher, Wallner has plus arm strength that fits well in right field, where he is a fringy, but adequate defender and runner.
  
  The Future: Wallner will never compete for a batting title, but his power production could make him a big league contributor. He should get his first test against upper-level minor league pitching in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Wallner set Southern Mississippi’s career home runs record (58) and parlayed that power potential into a $1.8 million bonus as the Twins’ 39th overall pick in the 2019 draft. After homering eight times in his pro debut in 2019, Wallner clubbed 15 at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2021 and performed well in an 18-game stint in the Arizona Fall League (1.011 OPS).
  
  Scouting Report: Power is Wallner’s calling card and the physical 6-foot-5 outfielder posts some of the best top-end exit velocity numbers in the system, along with first baseman Aaron Sabato. He has 70 or 80-grade raw power, but his plate discipline, the length of his swing and his swing-and-miss rate will severely limit his overall offensive upside and deflate his average. Wallner struck out at a 33.3% clip with Cedar Rapids—while old for the level—and chases outside the zone at an above-average rate. He’s pull-happy, which suits his power, but will also leave him susceptible to secondary offerings and more advanced pitching. A former pitcher, Wallner has plus arm strength that fits well in right field, where he is a fringy, but adequate defender and runner.
  
  The Future: Wallner will never compete for a batting title, but his power production could make him a big league contributor. He should get his first test against upper-level minor league pitching in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the most decorated players in Southern Mississippi history, Wallner set the program's career record with 58 home runs and was drafted 39th overall by the Twins in 2019. He climbed to low Class A in his pro debut, but his feast or famine approach was exposed against pro pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner has prototypical right field tools with a large physical frame, plus-plus raw power from the left side and massive arm strength, but that comes with significant swing-and-miss concerns. Wallner struck out 27 percent of the time in his pro debut despite playing largely younger competition. He projects as a below-average hitter who will be almost entirely dependent on his home run production to be an offensive contributor. A fringy runner and athlete, Wallner won't track down many tough balls in the gaps in right field, but he does have a cannon for an arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wallner will need to show an improved hit tool to project as a regular. He'll see high Class A in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the most decorated players in Southern Mississippi history, Wallner set the program's career record with 58 home runs and was drafted 39th overall by the Twins in 2019. He climbed to low Class A in his pro debut, but his feast or famine approach was exposed against pro pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner has prototypical right field tools with a large physical frame, plus-plus raw power from the left side and massive arm strength, but that comes with significant swing-and-miss concerns. Wallner struck out 27 percent of the time in his pro debut despite playing largely younger competition. He projects as a below-average hitter who will be almost entirely dependent on his home run production to be an offensive contributor. A fringy runner and athlete, Wallner won't track down many tough balls in the gaps in right field, but he does have a cannon for an arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wallner will need to show an improved hit tool to project as a regular. He'll see high Class A in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the most decorated players in Southern Mississippi history, Wallner set the program's career record with 58 home runs and was drafted 39th overall by the Twins in 2019. He climbed to low Class A in his pro debut, but his feast or famine approach was exposed against pro pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner has prototypical right field tools with a large physical frame, plus-plus raw power from the left side and massive arm strength, but that comes with significant swing-and-miss concerns. Wallner struck out 27 percent of the time in his pro debut despite playing largely younger competition. He projects as a below-average hitter who will be almost entirely dependent on his home run production to be an offensive contributor. A fringy runner and athlete, Wallner won't track down many tough balls in the gaps in right field, but he does have a cannon for an arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wallner will need to show an improved hit tool to project as a regular. He'll see high Class A in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wallner arrived at Southern Miss as a potential two-way star but he preferred hitting to pitching and by his junior season he focused entirely on being an outfielder. He slugged over .600 in all three seasons at Southern Miss and ranked fifth in Division I with 23 home runs in 2019. He also holds Southern Miss’ record for career home runs (58).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner fits the bill of a power-hitting right fielder with an excellent frame, power and a right fielder’s arm. He has to produce 25-plus home run power to be a useful MLB regular because he’s a below-average hitter who relies on pouncing on mistakes. He has the potential to do that, with plus-plus raw power and he’s shown a consistent ability to get pitches to drive. He has a strong base and uses his legs well in his swing. He is a below-average outfielder, but his plus arm is quite useful in right.
  
  THE FUTURE: The question Wallner has to answer moving forward is whether he has enough feel for hitting to survive against more advanced pitching. He likely will start with low Class A Cedar Rapids, but should spend plenty of time in Fort Myers if he starts strong.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wallner arrived at Southern Miss as a potential two-way star but he preferred hitting to pitching and by his junior season he focused entirely on being an outfielder. He slugged over .600 in all three seasons at Southern Miss and ranked fifth in Division I with 23 home runs in 2019. He also holds Southern Miss' record for career home runs (58).
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wallner fits the bill of a power-hitting right fielder with an excellent frame, power and a right fielder's arm. He has to produce 25-plus home run power to be a useful MLB regular because he's a below-average hitter who relies on pouncing on mistakes. He has the potential to do that, with plus-plus raw power and he's shown a consistent ability to get pitches to drive. He has a strong base and uses his legs well in his swing. He is a below-average outfielder, but his plus arm is quite useful in right.
  
  THE FUTURE: The question Wallner has to answer moving forward is whether he has enough feel for hitting to survive against more advanced pitching. He likely will start with low Class A Cedar Rapids, but should spend plenty of time in Fort Myers if he starts strong.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Wallner is going to be one of the toughest evaluations in this year's draft class, simply because scouts are convinced they aren't seeing him at his best. Wallner was one of the best freshmen in the country in 2017, hitting 17 home runs while also impressing on the mound as a talented two-way player. He was less effective as a pitcher during his sophomore season, and then prior to this spring Southern Mississippi announced Wallner would miss some time due to a forearm strain. He was limited to DH duty early on and returned to right field a few weeks into the season, but he never returned to the mound. Even when he returned to the outfield, some scouts said they didn't see nearly the same plus arm strength he'd shown in the past, and early in the season he seemed to struggle to get full extension in his follow-through at the plate. Before this spring's forearm injury, there were some teams who liked Wallner more on the mound--he's been up to 95 mph with his fastball in the past. But Wallner has told evaluators that he prefers hitting, and he hasn't seen significant time on the mound for a year now. As a hitter, Wallner fits the profile of a right fielder with his plus arm, average speed and plus power potential. His swing generates plenty of loft, but also draws concerns about whether he'll be an average hitter. Wallner has shown steady improvement as the season has worn on, although questions revolving around his forearm injury cloud his draft status.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The 39th pick in the 2019 draft, Wallner showed two-way potential in college but has been exclusively a hitter in pro ball after dealing with a forearm injury this spring. Wallner impressed with his raw power in the Appy League, hitting .269/.361/.452 with six home runs and 18 doubles, though a 26 percent strikeout rate for a college hitter in Rookie-ball is concerning. Defensively, Wallner profiles best as a right fielder. He’s an average runner who’s shown plus arm strength when healthy, but to profile at the position, he will need to show that he’s capable of regularly tapping into the power that he generates from a big, 6-foot-5 frame. "Big kid. Raw power,” one Appy League manager said. "I remember seeing him in BP and he had a lot of raw power.”