Top Profiles of 2020: No. 9 Matt Manley
December 26, 2020
We continue our countdown of the Top Profiles of 2020 with '23 3B/RHP Matt Manley (Madison Academy) who comes in at No. 9. Manley enjoyed an impressive summer this year and is ranked inside the Top 20 in the '23 AL class.
Standing at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Manley has often flashed some physicality with the bat at prior events over the summer. As a member of Team Alabama the Alabama/Mississippi Border Battle this fall, Manley led the way both offensively and on the mound for the 2023 team. He posted an 87 mph EV during BP and showed a pull side approach with juice to the gaps. On the mound, his fastball has reached upwards of 85 mph and has solid secondary offerings to go along with it. Manley was also awarded the Underclass MVP award at the PBRT Southeast Fall Championships this year.
Matt Manley
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Scouting Report
6-foot, 160-pound athletic frame. In the 60-yard dash, his time was 7.47. Began in an open stance with a smooth load, then used a small leg kick just before his swing. Bat speed is efficient, has level swing plane and good extension on his finish. He found multiple barrels with a lot of loud contact. Gap to gap approach. the right-handed hitter's best exit velocity was 87 mph. In the infield, his position velocity was registered at 81 mph; has consistent hands and developing feet. Showed consistent accuracy to the bag with a loose arm action and a high ¾ slot. On the mound, showing above average arm speed he had a ¾ arm angle and a long arm action. Shows easy effort in his delivery. Threw his fastball 82-84 mph with a max of 85 mph; showed running action and very consistent control. Had sweeping action and consistent command on his 11/5 curveball (65-66). Has fading action and command low in the zone on his changeup (73-74).
Showed a very solid delivery and repeated solid mechanics pitch after pitch. The fastball showed some late cutting action and was up to 80 mph. The curveball showed late depth and he also threw a slider that showed nice, tight spin and late movement away from RH hitters. Also showed nice command of a change up that tumbled late. A ‘23 arm to watch. Has become much more physical in the batter’s box and the ball came off the barrel much louder than before with an 85 mph exit velocity off the tee. Tall stance and even feet with a nice load which allowed him to consistently be on time with the barrel. There is some tilt in the swing path with a middle to pull approach. Kees the barrel through the zone very well. The feet and glove presentation are solid on the infield and he does a nice job working through his throws to 1B.
Clean arm action from this young ‘23 grad showing a ¾ arm slot. The potential is there as his FB showed some late life at 76-77 mph and bumped 78 mph a few times. The breaking ball was 67-68 mph and showed some nice downward tilt. No wasted movement in the athletic delivery. Offensively, the ‘23 grad did a nice job of staying through contact with the barrel and showed a level swing path. The feet started even and he showed a middle of the field approach during BP. Very simple, compact approach with no wasted action at the plate. In the field, the glove work is smooth with solid presentation. The feet work well and he did a nice job gathering himself from catch to throw. A lot to like in this ‘23 grad.
1.20.19- A very nice 2023 prospect that should continue to progress as strength and physicality continues. Already had solid fundamentals and skills. Low to the ground player on the infield with nice body control and glove presentation. Very slight open stance with a toe tap approach at the plate. Does a nice job loading the hands and keeping them inside the ball on the swing. This makes for a short compact approach resulting in a middle of the field offensive game. Has some tilt in the swing. On the mound, he pounded the zone with all of his pitches and showed a plus change up with some tumble. The FB had nice down action and he located very well.