J.T. Schwartz

Schwartz ranked No. 456 on the BA 500 out of high school and was one of UCLA’s top recruits in the 2018 class. After redshirting his freshman year and having the 2020 season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, Schwartz got his first chance at a full season this spring and hit .405/.528/.635 with seven home runs during the regular season despite missing time with a shoulder injury. Schwartz is a superb contact hitter who projects to hit for a high average. He makes an elite amount of contact on pitches in the strike zone and doesn’t chase out of the zone. He had significantly more walks (35) than strikeouts in the regular season (22) and projects to be at least an above-average hitter. Schwartz looks the part of a power hitter at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, but his swing and approach are geared for contact. He stands close to the plate and takes short, inside-out swings geared toward pushing balls the other way. He flashes average raw power and will turn on soft stuff, but his approach, swing path and average bat speed mostly yield line drives for singles and doubles. Schwartz is limited to first base defensively by his below-average speed and general lack of mobility. He has previously had hip surgery and knee problems in addition to this year’s shoulder injury, so his health is a concern. Schwartz’s physicality and excellent contact skills are enticing to teams who believe they can help him tap into more power. He projects to be taken early on the draft’s second day.