When the 2018 season began for Nick Madrigal he was the top college bat in the draft. Things have changed a bit on that, perhaps, depending on who you ask.
Background Information
- Position: Second Base
- Height: 5′ 8″
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Class: Junior (Oregon State)
- Previously drafted: 17th round, Cleveland in 2015
College Career
As a freshman, Nick Madrigal played a large majority of the season for Oregon State. He hit .333/.380/.456 with more walks, 15, than strikeouts, 14. He was one of the better hitting freshmen in the country, though he didn’t show much power. In the 2017 season he established himself as one of the better hitters in the country, posting a .380/.449/.532 line for the Beavers. His power went up, hitting four home runs in 60 games, and he drew 27 walks with just 16 strikeouts.
This season hasn’t gone as well as hoped for Nick Madrigal, but only because he’s missed significant time with an injury. Early in the season he broke a bone in his wrist sliding into home plate, causing him to miss nearly two months. He’s only played in 26 games this spring, but he’s made them count. The second baseman has posted a .435/.496/.620 line with 11 walks and just 4 strikeouts in 123 plate appearances.
Career Stats
Let’s note that they are through May 22nd, 2018
| Year | AB | 2B | 3B | HR | SB | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 2016 | 195 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 14 | .333 | .380 | .456 |
| 2017 | 237 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 27 | 16 | .380 | .449 | .532 |
| 2018 | 108 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 4 | .435 | .496 | .620 |
Scouting Report
Hitting, hitting, hitting. That’s what leads the scouting report for Nick Madrigal. He’s got the best hit tool in the entire draft. He has strong bat-to-ball skills, and makes tons of contact. The hit tool, however, isn’t his only big skillset. Madrigal is also a plus runner, and he’s stepped up his ability to steal bases this season, going 8-for-8 so far in stolen base attempts.
Defensively, he’s a quality second baseman. That may be underselling it a little bit, as there are some who believe there’s a chance he could slide over to shortstop as a professional. His arm only grades out as a 50, according to MLB Pipeline. That’s bottom of the barrel as far as shortstops go at the highest level. While at Oregon State he’s been a second baseman the entire time, though the guy that’s played shortstop is a quality prospect himself.
The big question with Nick Madrigal is his power. He’s hit seven home runs in his college career. He projects to have below-average power, and he’s currently below that.
What’s to like with Nick Madrigal
He’s a strong defender up the middle, even if it’s at the position up the middle of the least value. There’s going to be value on the bases, too. And of course, everyone seems to think he’s going to hit for a strong average.
What’s to be concerned about with Nick Madrigal?
Listed at 5′ 8″ and 165 lbs, Nick Madrigal is very undersized for a professional athlete. There are small guys in the Major Leagues right now who are quite successful. Jose Altuve is shorter, but also thicker and stronger. Dee Gordon is taller, 5′ 11″, and only a little bit heavier these days. Mookie Betts, is listed at 5′ 9″, and he’s listed at 180 lbs. Smaller guys can have success. But, we tend to remember the guys that do it, and never hear about all of the guys that size who don’t.
The lack of power, perhaps due to the size, can be a bit concerning. In the Major Leagues it’s very rare for a guy to be a valuable hitter without hitting for power. It’s possible that Nick Madrigal can be that kind of outlier player, but it seems risky to bet on someone being an outlier when you are selecting at the top end of the draft.
Does Nick Madrigal fit for the Reds?
If you are a believer that a team should draft for need, then no, a second baseman that should move quickly isn’t a fit for the Cincinnati Reds. Second base is the deepest position the team seems to have right now. But, if the team believes that Nick Madrigal can play shortstop (and not that there’s a chance, but actually believes it’s a near certainty), then that would fill a big need.
Personally, I’m on the “don’t draft for need, and take the best player on your board”, guy. That does seem to be how the Reds have approached their drafts under Chris Buckley, too. There’s a chance he could be there at #5, but he could go earlier, too.