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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Mitch Nay
MIF 3B 6-3 195   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
4/10/12: Mitch Nay entered the spring with perhaps a shorter scouting resume than any player with a realistic chance to be picked in the first two rounds. While he dominated Arizona high school baseball as a junior last spring, hitting .495-14-54, and has put up similar numbers this spring, the right handed hitter did not participate in any of the national level events where cross checkers would normally see him compete against other top level prospects. Injuries have been the culprit, as Nay has suffered from both a broken hamate in his left wrist and from an ill-timed lower back strain. Neither injury is the type that will hamper Nay in scout’s eyes nor mark him as injury prone, but they have served to put scouts in a catch-up position this spring. And Nay has done a very good job of catching up. In a draft class that isn’t short on top level third base prospects (Joey Gallo, Kyle Seager, Trey Williams, Rio Ruiz, Daniel Robertson, Carson Kelly, etc), Nay has moved himself into solid comp round/early second around status. Nay’s biggest tool and the source of all the excitement is his power potential, which combines both raw power (the scout’s term for how far a player can hit the ball) along with power frequency. Along with having plus bat speed, Nay has a loose swing with excellent extension through contact and uses his entire 6-foot-3, 195-pound body well. And although Nay will more than likely continue filling out his frame and getting stronger, his power is not the type, like Gallo’s, that needs much projecting. He can take the ball out of the park deep in the alleys and doesn’t need to square up the ball to get it to travel. The ball makes 'that' sound according to scouts when Nay squares it up, though, and that’s a sound one doesn’t hear frequently, even on top prospects. There is some debate among scouts about how to grade out Nay’s hitting tool, not uncommon when evaluating a top power hitter and certainly a common thread when evaluating the aforementioned Joey Gallo as well. Nay creates his power through a combination of length and bat speed, and length is something that can be exploited by upper level pitching. Nay also tends to step out and open early on his swing, which leaves the outside part of the plate open, especially on sliders and cutters moving away from him. That’s an adjustment that many young hitters struggle to make over time. Defensively, Nay has plus raw arm strength across the diamond and the ball comes out of his hand easily and cleanly. He hasn’t been gunned in infield drills by Perfect Game scouts, but he’d probably be the type that would register around 90 mph if he were. Nay will need to do more work defensively with is footwork and getting his hands in good position to field the ball before scouts are completely sold on his ability to stay at third base for the long term, however. He can look awkward fielding the ball at times and will depend on his arm strength to bail him out. He’s a 4.45/4.5 type runner to first base, which translates to 7.0 to 7.2 in the 60, so he should have the mobility for a corner outfield position and has experimented there for short times in the past. Whatever the defensive evaluation and projection, Nay will get drafted on his power potential. There is nothing that gets scouts excited on a position prospect as much as seeing a combination of raw power and power frequency. That will keep them coming back for more looks at Nay right up until June 4.




Oct 21, 2010 - Oct 25, 2010   Rays Scout Team  15
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Mitch Nay
MIF 3B 6-3 195   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Sep 24, 2010 - Sep 27, 2010   AZ Diamondbacks 17U  18
Peoria Sports Complex - Peoria, AZ
Mitch Nay
MIF 3B 6-3 195   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Sep 24, 2010 - Sep 27, 2010   Arizona Diamondbacks  37
Goodyear Ballpark-Reds and Indians Spring Training - Goodyear, AZ
Mitch Nay
MIF 3B 6-3 195   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle