Top-10 Profiles of 2019: No. 7 Riley Stanford

December 24, 2019
Phil Kerber
Georgia Scouting Director

A true two-way talent, OF/RHP Riley Stanford (Buford, 2022) caught the attention of our staff at the 2019 National Program Invitational where he and a loaded Georgia Bombers 16U squad marched through the competition en route to capturing the title. From there, Stanford accepted an invitation to be a member of the inaugural Team Georgia at the 2019 Future Games at LakePoint Sports. And he did not disappoint.

Stanford stands 6-foot-4, weighing in at 185-pounds with broad shoulders that sit atop a long frame. When Stanford took to the mound at the Future Games, you could sense the electricity in the air, hundreds of coaches lined the backstop and stood up and down the line to witness one of the hardest fastballs the event has ever seen. Facing Team Florida, Stanford pumped in his fastball at 92-94 mph, a truly incredible sight from a prospect who had not even started his sophomore.

No. 7: Riley Stanford

Scouting Report

7/31/19 - Stanford is about as live a bodied athlete as you will find. His 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame is long and has room for more weight. This was our first extended look at Stanford as a position player and it was not a disappointing one. He generates elite bat-speed at the plate and he has the ability to keep the barrel in the zone for a long time. Defensively Stanford moves extremely well in the outfield and shows knowledgeable routes to the baseball. As you would imagine with his prowess on the mound, Stanford has major league caliber right field arm. Scouts watching Stanford at the Futures Game saw all of his raw abilities, but the thing that jumped out was just how much fun he has on the baseball field. Stanford missed the showcase portion of the event, where he would have likely been a show stopper, but in his return Team Georgia’s energy level went way up with the outfielder in the fold.

One of the more impressive athletes to take the mound during the Future Games. Stanford's arm strength is impressive with a fastball that can reach into the mid-90's. His breaking ball is still a work in progress and can be inconsistent, but as Stanford learns to trust his stuff and attack the zone he will be a force to be reckoned with down the road. While Stanford has electric velocity, his spin rates are not as eye popping and lend them self to that of a strong power sinker baller. Stanford's present grip and rip mentality plays well on the mound now, but he has a chance to be scary as he learns a little more touch and feel. Overall Stanford's excellent competitive nature and athletic ability that it would not be wise to sleep on.

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