Keon Barnum

Barnum and Georgia prep Matt Olson have similar profiles as lefthanded-hitting power prep first basemen. Olson has superior hitting ability and ranks higher, but Barnum has more power, which may elevate him past Olson on some draft boards. Barnum has been a prospect since eighth grade, joining Reggie Williams' travel-ball team in the Tampa area as a 14-year-old and playing with older competition. Scouts have seen plenty of his somewhat long but powerful, leveraged swing. He has the strength and loft power to earn 70 raw power grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. Barnum also has long arms that lead to swings and misses, and he's not always confident or comfortable against offspeed pitches. His solid-average arm strength would be wasted at first base, and his fringe-average speed could make left field a possibility down the road. He's a Miami recruit.