John Aiello

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #182 prospect in 2018 draft
  After a huge sophomore season (.328, 20 HR) for Wake Forest and a strong summer for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod League, Aiello hit a wall this spring. As one of the last remaining big bats in Wake Forest's once-loaded lineup, Aiello pressed at the plate early in the season. His timing suffered, his swing got a little long, and his swing-and-miss issues were exposed. Aiello finished the regular season batting .237/.355/.401 with just nine homers and 75 strikeouts in 207 at-bats. Aiello possesses above-average power, but he had trouble consistently getting to it in 2018, and his high strikeout rate could prohibit him from hitting for contact at the next level. A solid third baseman with a plus arm, Aiello fits the prototypical third baseman profile. Junior season aside, Aiello's ACC track record and summer performance still give him a chance to go in the first five rounds.
• Ranked #228 prospect in 2015 draft
  Aiello achieved early fame on the showcase circuit, showing off intriguing tools with Team USA and as a member of the prestigious Tri-State Arsenal travel program. As a rising senior, Aiello showed intriguing tools, with above-average arm strength from the left side of the infield and feel for the barrel. A switch-hitter, Aiello has shown the ability drive the ball with authority to either gap, and scouts projected him to develop more power as he grew into his athletic 6-foot-2 frame. Unfortunately for Aiello, he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in the fall and required Tommy John surgery. He made it back onto the field as a designated hitter in the spring, but didn't quite have the strength that made him a potential top five rounds pick. Even when fully healthy, scouts projected Aiello to move to third base. He appears likely to end up honoring his commitment to Wake Forest, where he could develop into a high round pick after three years of refinement.