• Full name Matthew Szczur
  • Born 07/20/1989 in Cape May, NJ
  • Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Villanova
  • Debut 08/17/2014
  • Drafted in the 5th round (160th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2010 (signed for $100,000).
    View Draft Report
    A wide receiver for Villanova's football team, Szczur led the Wildcats to a Football Championship Subdivision national title last fall, earning MVP honors in the championship game after racking up 270 all-purpose yards. He is a legitimate NFL draft prospect as a receiver in the Wes Welker mold, which clouds his baseball signability, but he also could be drafted as early as the fifth round in baseball. Szczur is an electrifying athlete with true 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He is still learning to put his speed to use in the outfield--he arrived at Villanova as a catcher and has never concentrated on baseball full-time--and has played right field for the Wildcats, but he could become an adequate defender in center or left with work. His arm is well-below-average. Offensively, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Szczur has an unorthodox, slashy swing, but he has a knack for barreling up balls consistently, and he projects as an average hitter with below-average power. He has a patient approach, and he can use all fields and make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat. Scouts love Szczur's intensity on the field, and coaches rave about his work ethic and ability to learn. He also has special makeup off the field; days after hitting for the cycle on April 27, Szczur donated bone marrow to a 1-year-old girl with leukemia, sidelining him for the next three weeks.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Pacific Coast League in 2014
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2013
  • Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Chicago Cubs in 2013
  • Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2012
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2012
  • Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Chicago Cubs in 2012
  • Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Midwest League in 2011
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2011
  • Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Chicago Cubs in 2011

Scouting Reports

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