2024 MLB Draft Profile: Ryan Waldschmidt

[Hector Rodriguez]

The Miami Marlins will likely take a college bat with their first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt could be an option for them. 

Overview

Position: OF

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 205 pounds

School: Kentucky

Ryan Waldschmidt is a 6’2”, 205-pound outfielder who plays for the Kentucky Wildcats. Waldschmidt wasn’t a blue-chip high school recruit but turned himself into one of the top prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft class.

Coming out of high school, Waldschmidt was a quality high school prospect in the talent-rich state of Florida. On Perfect Game, Waldschmidt was the 443rd-ranked prospect and the 84th-ranked shortstop in his class. Waldschmidt went undrafted and signed to play college baseball at Charleston Southern.

During his freshman season, Waldschmidt earned a starting role and made an immediate impact for the Buccaneers. Waldschmidt slashed .310/.485/.559 with 45 hits, five doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a 1.043 OPS. Waldschmidt was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team and entered the Transfer Portal. He committed and enrolled at the University of Kentucky.

In his first season at Kentucky, Waldschmidt was a key contributor for the Wildcats. Waldschmidt slashed .290/.427/.445 with 58 hits, fourteen doubles, five home runs, 37 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, 35 walks, and a .872 OPS.

In his junior season, Waldschmidt had a breakout season and helped lead Kentucky to their first College World Series appearance. Waldschmidt slashed .359/.482/.657 with 71 hits, 17 doubles, fourteen home runs, 46 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, and a 1.139 OPS. Waldschmidt was named Second Team All-SEC.

Ryan Waldschmidt doesn’t have any especially loud tools, but he’s a good ballplayer who can consistently make solid contact. His plate approach has improved, drawing nearly as many walks as strikeouts during his collegiate career.

 

Strengths

• Consistently makes contact
• Drives ball to all fields
• High exit velocities
• Short swing at the plate
• Added some power to his game

 

Weaknesses

• Injury history
• Average defender at best
• Below average arm

 

Pro Comparison: Mark Canha

Projection: Top 30 pick (29th on the 2024 MLB Mock Draft Consensus Board as of June 22)

 

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Bottom Line

Ryan Waldschmidt makes loud contact and has some of the best exit velocities in college baseball. He has a good plate approach and rarely chases pitches out of the zone. Waldschmidt is a high-floor prospect whose stock has risen significantly throughout this draft cycle.

The Marlins desperately need to add more hitters to their farm system. They have one of the worst systems in baseball and have struggled to develop hitters in the past. Waldschmidt could be an option for the Fish.

 

Check out the rest of our 2024 MLB Draft Profile series.

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