AB | 367 |
---|---|
AVG | .313 |
OBP | .379 |
SLG | .512 |
HR | 15 |
- Full name Thomas Darren Saggese
- Born 04/10/2002 in Carlsbad, CA
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Carlsbad
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Drafted in the 5th round (145th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2020 (signed for $800,000).
View Draft Report
Saggese hit .422 with 10 home runs as a junior to win MVP of San Diego’s Avocado West League, one of the top high school leagues in the country. He carried on this spring with a .440 batting average, three triples and three home runs in seven games before the season shut down. Saggese is an athletic shortstop with a history of performing against good competition. He has a loose, wristy swing that makes lots of contact and drives the ball hard to all fields. He already shows double-digit home run potential and should grow into more power as he matures. Saggese doesn’t wear batting gloves and is often described as a “gritty” or “throwback” player. He plays an average shortstop and has a chance to stick at the position, although his arm strength will need to improve for him to avoid a move to second base. He makes the all the routine plays and has good instincts for the game. Saggesse is committed to Pepperdine but has attracted draft interest as an athletic shortstop who has a chance to grow into power.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: The Rangers went high school-heavy in the shortened 2020 draft, popping four prep players after taking Justin Foscue out of Mississippi State in the first round. The last player in their class was Saggese, who looks like he could be another pleasant surprise along with second-rounder Evan Carter. His average (.308), slugging percentage (.487) and OPS (.846) each placed among the top 10 in the South Atlantic League, where he was the circuit's third-youngest player on Opening Day.
Scouting Report: Saggese is a very aggressive hitter who swung 56% of the time but made loud impact on contact. Internal evaluators said he did a good job being more patient as the year wore on but still could stand to improve even further. He chased far too often. He doesn't have the cleanest actions in the field but is nimble enough to make plays on the run thanks to average arm strength despite a throwing stroke with a bit of a hitch that could lead to inconsistency. He's a fringe-average runner who can turn in times closer to average when he gets clean breaks out of the box. The Rangers also love Saggese's baseball rat tendencies and note his intense level of focus during games.
The Future: Saggese finished 2022 at Double-A Frisco for the last part of the regular season and then the team's run to the Texas League title. He'll return to the level in 2023, when a refined approach married with the league's hitter-friendly atmosphere could lead to a big season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.
Draft Prospects
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Saggese hit .422 with 10 home runs as a junior to win MVP of San Diego’s Avocado West League, one of the top high school leagues in the country. He carried on this spring with a .440 batting average, three triples and three home runs in seven games before the season shut down. Saggese is an athletic shortstop with a history of performing against good competition. He has a loose, wristy swing that makes lots of contact and drives the ball hard to all fields. He already shows double-digit home run potential and should grow into more power as he matures. Saggese doesn’t wear batting gloves and is often described as a “gritty” or “throwback” player. He plays an average shortstop and has a chance to stick at the position, although his arm strength will need to improve for him to avoid a move to second base. He makes the all the routine plays and has good instincts for the game. Saggesse is committed to Pepperdine but has attracted draft interest as an athletic shortstop who has a chance to grow into power.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: The Rangers went high school-heavy in the shortened 2020 draft, popping four prep players after taking Justin Foscue out of Mississippi State in the first round. The last player in their class was Saggese, who looks like he could be another pleasant surprise along with second-rounder Evan Carter. His average (.308), slugging percentage (.487) and OPS (.846) each placed among the top 10 in the South Atlantic League, where he was the circuit's third-youngest player on Opening Day.
Scouting Report: Saggese is a very aggressive hitter who swung 56% of the time but made loud impact on contact. Internal evaluators said he did a good job being more patient as the year wore on but still could stand to improve even further. He chased far too often. He doesn't have the cleanest actions in the field but is nimble enough to make plays on the run thanks to average arm strength despite a throwing stroke with a bit of a hitch that could lead to inconsistency. He's a fringe-average runner who can turn in times closer to average when he gets clean breaks out of the box. The Rangers also love Saggese's baseball rat tendencies and note his intense level of focus during games.
The Future: Saggese finished 2022 at Double-A Frisco for the last part of the regular season and then the team's run to the Texas League title. He'll return to the level in 2023, when a refined approach married with the league's hitter-friendly atmosphere could lead to a big season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45. -
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: The Rangers went high school-heavy in the shortened 2020 draft, popping four prep players after taking Justin Foscue out of Mississippi State in the first round. The last player in their class was Saggese, who looks like he could be another pleasant surprise along with second-rounder Evan Carter. His average (.308), slugging percentage (.487) and OPS (.846) each placed among the top 10 in the South Atlantic League, where he was the circuit's third-youngest player on Opening Day.
Scouting Report: Saggese is a very aggressive hitter who swung 56% of the time but made loud impact on contact. Internal evaluators said he did a good job being more patient as the year wore on but still could stand to improve even further. He chased far too often. He doesn't have the cleanest actions in the field but is nimble enough to make plays on the run thanks to average arm strength despite a throwing stroke with a bit of a hitch that could lead to inconsistency. He's a fringe-average runner who can turn in times closer to average when he gets clean breaks out of the box. The Rangers also love Saggese's baseball rat tendencies and note his intense level of focus during games.
The Future: Saggese finished 2022 at Double-A Frisco for the last part of the regular season and then the team's run to the Texas League title. He'll return to the level in 2023, when a refined approach married with the league's hitter-friendly atmosphere could lead to a big season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.