Ryan Waldschmidt Stats & Scouting Report

AB	44
AVG	.273
OBP	.485
SLG	.318
HR	0

Full name Ryan Waldschmidt
Born 10/07/2022 in
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Kentucky
Drafted in the PPI round (31st overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024 (signed for $2,904,000).

View Draft Report

School: Kentucky
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Run: 55. Field: 45. Arm: 40.

Waldschmidt started his college career at Charleston Southern, where he led the team with a 1.044 OPS as a freshman in 2022 before transferring to Kentucky to try his hand against Southeastern Conference competition. After playing third base, center field, second base and left field at Charleston Southern, Waldschmidt has played primarily left field with Kentucky. He used a tremendous offensive season in 2024 to rocket up draft boards and into first-round consideration. Waldschmidt slashed .359/.482/.657 with 14 home runs, 24 stolen bases, a 15.5% strikeout rate and 13.5% walk rate in 54 games. He has a powerfully built, fullback-like frame at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds with tons of strength in his chest and forearms that has led to lots of pull-side power. His batted ball data is excellent, and on the surface Waldschmidt’s offensive profile is well-rounded with tons of contact, strong swing decisions and loud top-end exit velocities. He employs a steep, uphill swing that causes some scouts to wonder if he’ll be able to cover the top third of the zone consistently against pro pitching. If he does strike out a bit more frequently at the next level, he should still have the batting eye to maintain quality on-base skills. Waldschmidt fits best in left field, where he’s an above-average runner but a fringy or below-average defender who will need to improve his routes—particularly going back on fly balls—and below-average arm strength.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50 Risk: High.

Track Record: Lightly recruited out of high school in Florida, Waldschmidt spent a year raking at Charleston Southern before transferring to Kentucky. He headed to the Cape Cod League after his sophomore season but blew out his left knee and needed anterior cruciate ligament surgery. He made it back by the following spring, and not only did he show no ill effects from the injury, he turned in a monster season, impressing with both pure production and under-the-hood data. He ranked sixth in the Southeastern Conference with a .469 on-base percentage. Waldschmidt’s performance pushed him into first-round consideration, and the Diamondbacks took him at No. 31—the Prospect Promotion Incentive draft pick they earned from Corbin Carroll’s Rookie of the Year win—and signed him for $2.9 million.

Scouting Report: Waldschmidt has a controlled yet aggressive righthanded swing that seems to be on time more often than not, leading to strong contact rates without sacrifices in exit velocity. He does not have much pre-swing movement, staying on his legs well to generate natural lift. He makes good swing decisions, both in terms of limiting chase and attacking the pitches he hits best. He is working to find an optimal bat path to get the most out of his hard contact. Waldschmidt is an average defender who goes all-out to make plays and has an average arm. He played primarily left field in his pro debut, with some time in right. He gets high marks for his makeup, work ethic and coachability. He is an above-average runner with good instincts on the bases.

The Future: Since his future is likely on an outfield corner, Waldschmidt’s bat will take him as far as he goes. He could develop into a Randal Grichuk-type player.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

Draft Prospects

School: Kentucky Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Run: 55. Field: 45. Arm: 40.

Waldschmidt started his college career at Charleston Southern, where he led the team with a 1.044 OPS as a freshman in 2022 before transferring to Kentucky to try his hand against Southeastern Conference competition. After playing third base, center field, second base and left field at Charleston Southern, Waldschmidt has played primarily left field with Kentucky. He used a tremendous offensive season in 2024 to rocket up draft boards and into first-round consideration. Waldschmidt slashed .359/.482/.657 with 14 home runs, 24 stolen bases, a 15.5% strikeout rate and 13.5% walk rate in 54 games. He has a powerfully built, fullback-like frame at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds with tons of strength in his chest and forearms that has led to lots of pull-side power. His batted ball data is excellent, and on the surface Waldschmidt’s offensive profile is well-rounded with tons of contact, strong swing decisions and loud top-end exit velocities. He employs a steep, uphill swing that causes some scouts to wonder if he’ll be able to cover the top third of the zone consistently against pro pitching. If he does strike out a bit more frequently at the next level, he should still have the batting eye to maintain quality on-base skills. Waldschmidt fits best in left field, where he’s an above-average runner but a fringy or below-average defender who will need to improve his routes—particularly going back on fly balls—and below-average arm strength.