Jake Gatewood

Gatewood has baseball pedigree as his father Henry was drafted in the first round (January phase) of the 1982 draft and has won multiple home run derbies in big league stadiums last summer. At least 70-grade raw power is Gatewood's best tool and he hit home runs into the third deck of Citi Field and out of Wrigley Field. He has arguably the most raw power in the high school class. His ability to get to that power remains a question for scouts. He has quieted a hand hitch and made mechanical adjustments this spring. Gatewood showed the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field at the NHSI. He is likely going to be a below-average hitter for average but has special hands, looseness, bat speed and leverage in his stroke. A prep shortstop, Gatewood's 6-foot-4 frame will likely push him to a corner. He has smooth actions, first-step quickness and a plus arm that could make him a solid defender at shortstop. He has wiry strength and could get much stronger and bigger, potentially pushing him to right field. The Southern California commit can post average run times out of the box and is a long strider, though his speed will likely play below that level.