Jacob
Berry

2022 MLB Draft: Another draft-eligible sophomore, Berry broke the middle finger on his right hand late in the season, forcing the switch-hitter to bat exclusively right handed against Vanderbilt. He was then hit in the left hand during the series finale which led to him missing the SEC tourney entirely. During regionals he returned to batting from both sides of the plate, going 5-for-19 and finished the season with a .373 average and 15 home runs, good for a .630 SLG. Limited by these injuries to both hands his power production did slide a bit, but with a more basic approach of hitting the ball hard up the middle, rather than lift and takeoff, he lowered his season strikeout rate from 19.5% as a freshman at Arizona to just over 9% as a sophomore this season. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has a very simple swing from both sides of the plate with no extra movements. When fully healthy this swing produces plus power to all fields from both sides. Defensively, Berry shows average arm strength with below accuracy from third base, making it play below average on the dirt. Not a natural infielder, his defensive chops are likely in the outfield where he catches what he gets to for the most part and his arm plays better with its carry. Although many in the industry believe his future is at DH in pro ball, he has a chance to hold down right field where his hit and power tools will likely place him in the middle of a MLB lineup.

Recovering from a broken middle finger on his right hand, the switch-hitter Berry saw action only at DH and only batted right handed, even against right handed pitchers. While hitting right-on-right it looked like Berry went back to the basics, concentrating more on hitting line drives to the middle of the field rather than lifting for takeoff. He finished the series 4-for-9 (all singles) with an RBI. Despite this short-term injury, Berry remains a likely top 10 overall pick in this year's draft.

Off to a slower start compared to those of several of his teammates, Berry looked a bit stiff at the plate and out of sync with more length to his swing than I previously recall. The 6-foot, 205-pound switch hitter has a very simple swing from both sides with no extra movements that produces plus power to all fields. He pulled off the ball just enough to result in most contact above the barrel, yet still managed to go 6-for-16 with six RBI over the four-game weekend. Berry is currently slashing .343/.400/.657 with three home runs and 11 RBI through the first eight games this season. His top exit velocities for the weekend were 103.2, 102.7 and 101. Defensively, Berry showed average arm strength with below accuracy from third base, making it play below average on the dirt. Not a natural infielder, his defensive chops are likely in the outfield where he catches what he gets to and his arm plays better with its carry. At the pro level he profiles as a right fielder where his hit and power tools will likely place him in the middle of a Major League lineup.

Prior to his struggles against the professional pre-Olympic squad (during which he struck out seven times in 10 plate appearances), Berry was raking his way through the CNT summer schedule with a .387/475/.871 slash. He showed a simple, polished approach with big-time power from both sides of the plate. His setup was quiet with minimal pre-pitch movement and his swing was so simple and repeatable it looked slump-proof. Overall, Berry was one of the CNT’s most advanced hitters with exceptional bat to ball skills, along with Brooks Lee. As a switch-hitter Berry is similar to Bobby Bonilla in that he’s a threat to hit for both average and power from both sides of the plate. On the bases Berry has below-average speed, but showed instincts and ran the bases well. Listed a 3B/1B, he will likely struggle to stay at the hot corner over the long term. With stiff feet he lacks the needed lateral quickness and he also showed below average arm strength. Spencer Torkelson went 1-1 as a righthanded-hitting first baseman in 2020 and with another big season at the plate, the switch-hitter and sophomore 2022 draft-eligible Berry could as well.

Bat first, corner infielder with chance to have bat carry profile. Medium, thick frame with wider shoulders; body has added weight and can firm up. Switch-hitter with barrel feel allows for bat and power to play up on corner infielder profile. Swing is very handsy looking more consistent from the left side showing upwards barrel from compact path; quick into the zone showing ability to work gap-to-gap with carry flashing average raw future power. RH swing looks longer and didn’t flash the same quickness as LH; could limit the switch-profile for future. Arm is fringy right now with limited projection; understands limits in arm and uses it accordingly getting rid of the ball with a quick release. Range is limited by stockier build showing small lateral range at 3rd; enough to make his plays.

Arizona commit 3B/1B Jacob Berry showed without question the most present strength of any prospect in attendance and has done an impressive job improving himself athletically in recent months, putting up a 7.39 60-yard dash. Berry likely ends up at first base in college/pro ball, but it's now not out of the question that he could stick at 3rd after showing increased mobility and putting up a very solid 86 mph velocity across the diamond. Berry is a true switch-hitter and will be able to drive the ball out of any park from both sides, posting an impressing 94 mph exit velocity left-handed and nearly matching it at 84 mph from the right side. He uses a very simple swing with virtually no stride, snapping the barrel vertically into the slot and shows about average present raw power generated mostly with physical strength. Despite the level of physical maturity I could easily see Berry adding another 20-plus pounds to his 6-foot, 190-pound frame and showing above average to plus raw down the line. There's no question he can be an impact bat in the PAC-12 and could even turn himself into a pro prospect in two years if the home run power really starts to show up in games.

Arizona commit. One of the premier hitters in the state regardless of class. Clearly the best player on the field on this day. Possesses superior present strength. Advanced approach and pitch selection. Only was able to see him hit from left side on this day but has shown to be a true switch hitter in the past. Swing shows natural loft and the ability to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. Played 3B and even a couple innings at SS. Showed improved defensive mobility. Bat will play plenty if move to 1B is necessary.