Mahki Backstrom

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #26 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019 draft, Backstrom had impressive bat speed and raw power but lacked refinement in all phases of the game. The Braves took a shot on his power potential and signed him for $400,000 in the 18th round, and in three years he's struggled to make contact but shown impressive impact when he does so. He hit 10 home runs with Low-A Augusta in 2022 but hit just .205.
  
  Scouting Report: Backstrom is a large and physical, lefthanded-hitting first baseman listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. The power that comes from that build is Backstrom's calling card, and he can boast some of the best raw power in the minor leagues, evidenced by a near 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity mark that was the best in Atlanta's system in 2022. His contact ability is at the opposite end of the spectrum with his 45.9% whiff rate among the worst for Braves minor leaguers. He has a career 37.5% strikeout rate in Rookie ball and Low-A. Backstrom still managed to be an above-average hitter with a 117 wRC+ with Augusta, thanks to a 17% walk rate and solid eye. He provides little value defensively and on the bases, with a first base-only profile and well below-average speed.
  
  The Future: Backstrom is a three true outcomes hitter who has eye-popping power potential, but it's hard to see him finding a way to access that power against upper-level arms without significantly improving his bat-to-ball skill.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 25. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019 draft, Backstrom had impressive bat speed and raw power but lacked refinement in all phases of the game. The Braves took a shot on his power potential and signed him for $400,000 in the 18th round, and in three years he's struggled to make contact but shown impressive impact when he does so. He hit 10 home runs with Low-A Augusta in 2022 but hit just .205.
  
  Scouting Report: Backstrom is a large and physical, lefthanded-hitting first baseman listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. The power that comes from that build is Backstrom's calling card, and he can boast some of the best raw power in the minor leagues, evidenced by a near 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity mark that was the best in Atlanta's system in 2022. His contact ability is at the opposite end of the spectrum with his 45.9% whiff rate among the worst for Braves minor leaguers. He has a career 37.5% strikeout rate in Rookie ball and Low-A. Backstrom still managed to be an above-average hitter with a 117 wRC+ with Augusta, thanks to a 17% walk rate and solid eye. He provides little value defensively and on the bases, with a first base-only profile and well below-average speed.
  
  The Future: Backstrom is a three true outcomes hitter who has eye-popping power potential, but it's hard to see him finding a way to access that power against upper-level arms without significantly improving his bat-to-ball skill.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 25. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: One of the youngest players in the 2019 draft, Backstrom had impressive bat speed and raw power but lacked refinement in all phases of the game. The Braves took a shot on his power potential and signed him for $400,000 in the 18th round, and in three years he's struggled to make contact but shown impressive impact when he does so. He hit 10 home runs with Low-A Augusta in 2022 but hit just .205.
  
  Scouting Report: Backstrom is a large and physical, lefthanded-hitting first baseman listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. The power that comes from that build is Backstrom's calling card, and he can boast some of the best raw power in the minor leagues, evidenced by a near 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity mark that was the best in Atlanta's system in 2022. His contact ability is at the opposite end of the spectrum with his 45.9% whiff rate among the worst for Braves minor leaguers. He has a career 37.5% strikeout rate in Rookie ball and Low-A. Backstrom still managed to be an above-average hitter with a 117 wRC+ with Augusta, thanks to a 17% walk rate and solid eye. He provides little value defensively and on the bases, with a first base-only profile and well below-average speed.
  
  The Future: Backstrom is a three true outcomes hitter who has eye-popping power potential, but it's hard to see him finding a way to access that power against upper-level arms without significantly improving his bat-to-ball skill.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 25. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.