Buddy Kennedy

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #19 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The grandson of four-time all-star Don Money and a product of the same high school as Mike Trout, Kennedy swung the bat well in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2018, winning over some onlookers who see a chance for him to develop into a big leaguer, perhaps even an everyday player.
  
  Scouting Report: Kennedy does not particularly look the part. He has the build of a fire hydrant, and while he's more athletic than that suggests, scouts believe he's going to have to work to maintain that athleticism. He seems to have a natural ability to find the barrel with a short, controlled swing, and he avoids expanding the strike zone and rarely strikes out. He may never be a big power guy, but scouts believe his gap-to-gap power could grow into double-digit home runs. He showed improvement at third base but his future could be all over the infield or even on an outfield corner, assuming the bat continues to develop. His arm is average, both in strength and accuracy, and he's said to be an average runner, perhaps slightly above-average once underway.
  
  The Future: Kennedy figures to be part of the crew of interesting prospects bound for low Class A Kane County in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #27 prospect in 2018
  The D-backs made Kennedy the first player drafted out of Millville High since Mike Trout in 2009 then signed him for $550,000 to buy him out of a college commitment to North Carolina. While he doesn't have the same skill set as Trout, with whom he regularly works out in the offseason, he does have a lot of skills to like, most notably a knack for squaring up baseballs. Kennedy has a short, compact swing that has a chance to produce above-average power. Though he didn't hit a home run in the Rookie-level Arizona League in his pro debut, he did collect 17 extra-base hits, including nine triples. His body--a stout, stocky frame--is a drawback for some scouts, who wonder about his athleticism. Others remain unconcerned, with one scout drawing a comparison with Jedd Gyorko––both for his physique and his ability to barrel balls. He's an above-average to plus runner, has good hands and has a plus arm that works at third base. Kennedy will likely start 2018 in extended spring training before heading to Rookie-level Missoula.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #229 prospect in 2017 draft
  Kennedy could be the first player drafted out of Millville High since 2009, when the Angels used their first round pick on a projectable righthanded hitter named Mike Trout. Kennedy, who works out with Trout in the offseason, is the grandson of longtime major leaguer and minor league coach Don Money. Kennedy will have a tough time living up to those two, but he has the most important tool; he can really hit. Kennedy drops and wraps his hands in his swing, but he has above-average bat speed and consistently timed and barreled good pitching on the summer showcase circuit. He's a tick above-average runner with an average arm and smooth actions at third base. Kennedy has a stocky 5-foot-11, 215-pound build and doesn't exactly fit the stereotypical third base mold. He has a bit of an unconventional body and profile, but he's a solid all-around athlete and has a lot of ways to impact the game. He is committed to North Carolina, but there are some teams that really believe in his bat and could make a run at him in the draft.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  Midseason Update: Kennedy earned his first big league callup after a strong start to the year at Triple-A Reno. His pure hitting ability is a tick short, but his power and defensive versatility in the infield give him a chance to stick as a reserve.