Jason Heyward, of, Braves

June 7, 2007
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2007 MLB Draft B-T: L-L.
Ht: 6-2. Wt.: 198.
Birthdate: 8/9/1989.
School: Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.
Class: Sr.

THROUGH THE YEARS IN BASEBALL AMERICA
2007
• Heyward ranked No. 11 in our Midseason Update: 2007 Draft's Top 30 Prospects Premium list.
• In the Midseason Update: Top 50 High School Prospects Premium, Heyward was the top-ranked outfielder and the No. 5 overall prospect.
• Heyward was a preseason All-America first team selection Premium.
Alan Matthews praised Heyward's agility and instincts Premium in right field.
2006
• Heyward's strength and power helped earn him the No. 5 ranking on our list of the top prospects from the World Wood Bat Association tournament Premium.
• Heyward participated in the Aflac All-American High School Classic.
• On our preliminary Top 10 high school prospects Premium list in July, Heyward was the No. 6 ranked prospect.
Heyward was the No. 8 prospect at the Perfect Game National Showcase.

SCOUTING REPORT
Along with Brackman, Heyward has as much upside as any player in the draft. He possesses a rare blend of strong tools and feel for all phases of the game. He draws physical comparisons to Fred McGriff, while his tools are similar to Willie McCovey's and his approach is comparable to Frank Thomas'. Heyward's father played basketball at Dartmouth and his uncle played basketball for John Wooden at UCLA. He led McDonough High to the school's first state championship in baseball as a junior, when he was used as a center fielder, first baseman and pitcher. He'll play right field as a professional, where he's a solid-average defender with average arm strength. He's an average runner. His plate discipline and pitch recognition are outstanding, though some scouts left his games frustrated that he wasn't more aggressive. He rarely misses his pitch, and he shows above-average bat speed and a willingness to use the whole field. He has plus-plus raw power. Heyward will need to lower his hands in his set-up to improve his ability to get backspin on balls, helping his power translate into more home runs.

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