- Full name Boston Bateman
- Born 09/20/2005 in
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: L
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Drafted in the 2nd round (52nd overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2024 (signed for $2,500,000).
View Draft Report
School: Camarillo (Calif.) HS
Commit/Drafted: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.8
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
Nicknamed “Sasquatch,” Bateman is an enormous 6-foot-8, 240-pound lefthander who is perhaps the most imposing presence on the mound in the 2024 class. He pitched in the 90-94 mph range and touched 95 during the 2023 summer showcase circuit, then had a tremendous spring with Camarillo High in which he was up to 96 and one of the most consistent pitching prospects in California. Bateman throws a trio of secondary pitches, including an upper-70s high-spin curveball, a harder slider variant in the low 80s and a mid-80s changeup. His curveball is his best pitch, with spin rates up in the 2,900 rpm range with snapping, two-plane bite and plenty of depth. Bateman fought his delivery at times last summer but has done a nice job syncing up and repeating a high three-quarters release point this spring with solid-average control. He will have to continue out-pitching reliever question marks that will come because of his size. He made impressive strides in that area this spring. Bateman has a two-way background in high school and is the rare lefthander who bats righthanded, and he could be a first baseman with solid raw power, but his upside is much greater on the bump. He’s committed to LSU but could earn a top-three rounds selection.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
Track Record: Nicknamed “Sasquatch” because of his extra-large, 6-foot-8 frame, Bateman had a strong showing on the 2023 summer showcase circuit followed by an outstanding spring in which he went 11-1, 0.54 with 130 strikeouts in 64.1 innings against SoCal high school competition. The Padres drafted him 52nd overall and went nearly $800,000 over slot to sign him for $2.5 million.
Scouting Report: Bateman is an imposing presence on the mound and has done an admirable job of cleaning up his delivery since 2023. The lefthander deploys a slight rocker step toward the third base side, gathers himself and then goes into an average tempo delivery. Bateman has an abbreviated arm action and attacks from a high three-quarters slot and pitches against a slightly closed-off front side. His fastball was up to 96 mph in 2024, but Bateman’s secondary offerings are his bread-and-butter. His high-70s, high-spin curveball flashes big-time depth with sharp, two-plane tilt. The pitch spins in the 2,900 rpm range and generates plenty of swings and misses. Bateman also features a low-80s slider with average potential and a fringy mid-80s changeup. There is some reliever risk with Bateman given his frame. The key for Bateman will be the continued refining of his delivery and the development of a third pitch, which right now appears to be his slider. His control right now is fringe-average.
The Future: Bateman did not pitch after being drafted, so it would make sense for him to make a few appearances in the Arizona Complex League in 2025 before being sent to Low-A Lake Elsinore. If he is unable to stick as a starter, his fastball/curveball combination is a deadly one-two punch that will play well in the bullpen. Long term, he projects as a potential No. 3 or 4 starter.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45
Draft Prospects
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School: Camarillo (Calif.) HS Commit/Drafted: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.8
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
Nicknamed “Sasquatch,” Bateman is an enormous 6-foot-8, 240-pound lefthander who is perhaps the most imposing presence on the mound in the 2024 class. He pitched in the 90-94 mph range and touched 95 during the 2023 summer showcase circuit, then had a tremendous spring with Camarillo High in which he was up to 96 and one of the most consistent pitching prospects in California. Bateman throws a trio of secondary pitches, including an upper-70s high-spin curveball, a harder slider variant in the low 80s and a mid-80s changeup. His curveball is his best pitch, with spin rates up in the 2,900 rpm range with snapping, two-plane bite and plenty of depth. Bateman fought his delivery at times last summer but has done a nice job syncing up and repeating a high three-quarters release point this spring with solid-average control. He will have to continue out-pitching reliever question marks that will come because of his size. He made impressive strides in that area this spring. Bateman has a two-way background in high school and is the rare lefthander who bats righthanded, and he could be a first baseman with solid raw power, but his upside is much greater on the bump. He’s committed to LSU but could earn a top-three rounds selection.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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School: Adolfo Camarillo (Calif.) HS Committed: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.8
Nicknamed “Sasquatch,” Bateman is an enormous 6-foot-8, 240 pounds and intimidating sight for hitters with a fastball that sits 88-92 mph and touches 94 mph. With his power frame and arm speed, he should be throwing even harder soon. Bateman throws a hard curveball with good rotation in the upper 70s. It’s a pitch he’s still learning to corral in the zone more consistently but flashes above-average potential when it’s on, allowing him to pile up swings and misses. Like a lot of extra-tall pitchers his age, Bateman is still learning to sync up his delivery to throw more strikes. A two-way player, Bateman is the rare lefthanded thrower who hits exclusively righthanded. Some scouts like his swing and offensive potential, with lots of strength, leverage and power in his stroke. He’s probably limited to first base in pro ball, so his upside looks higher on the mound. He is committed to LSU.
