MLB draft 2017 player profile: Austin Beck, OF

Beck tore his ACL last spring, but that hasn’t stopped him from impressing this season. With his combination of performance and tools, he has put himself in strong consideration for a top-10 pick.

Austin Beck, 18 y/o | 5’11” | 175 | OF | HS Senior

North Davidson HS, Lexington, North Carolina

Season Stats (OF): .588/.710/1.176, 1.896 OPS, 12 HR, 11 K, 28 BB

Beck’s power is his best trait, and like Jordan Adell he sometimes struggles with making contact. This has been masked against inferior competition, but it is evident as he often swings through breaking balls, at times struggling to identify them. His strong suit is the superior bat speed which aids him in making good contact when he does connect.

In the field, Beck has plus arm strength and speed, the latter of which has not shown ill-effects from the ACL tear. He does not have the best of instincts, which makes him a good defender instead of great. He may not stick at center field, and he could be moved to right or left field as his career progresses.

The main concern scouts have of Beck is that he has not faced quality competition using a wood bat, leaving them doubts he can rake in professional ball. Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs sums up Beck nicely and concisely.

But he has among the loudest tools in the entire draft including the class' best bat speed, plus raw power projection and a plus arm. If he hits he's a star, but the risk is high.

If he can make consistent contact, there’s no doubt he’s a star. Beck is a classic high-risk, high-upside prospect if there ever was one.

Scouting grades, per MLB Pipeline

Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

He homered three times in his final game of the season.

Chance of being there at 10th overall?

Mixed. Beck has been slated to go as high as fourth to as low as the mid-teens. If the Rays grab Royce Lewis at 4th, Beck would likely be one to fall.