AB | 460 |
---|---|
AVG | .243 |
OBP | .337 |
SLG | .359 |
HR | 12 |
- Full name Nolan Ryan Schanuel
- Born 02/14/2002 in Boca Raton, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Florida Atlantic
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Drafted in the 1st round (11th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 (signed for $5,253,000).
View Draft Report
School: Florida Atlantic Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade:50/High
Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 55. Run: 40. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Schanuel developed a reputation as a standout pure hitter in high school in Florida, but went undrafted and made it to campus at Florida Atlantic. He has only solidified his hitting chops after three tremendous seasons, where he has posted an OPS north of 1.000 each year. He was one of the best overall hitters in college baseball in 2023, with a .444/.612/.864 slash line and a 219 wRC+ mark that led Division I. Schanuel is a tall, 6-foot-3, 195-pound first baseman who hits with a unique setup in the lefthanded batter’s box. He has an extremely high handset, reminiscent of Craig Counsell, but has done a nice job getting his hands into the hitting zone with good timing, with long levers and an uphill path. While the swing itself is odd, Schanuel has shown some of the best pure contact skills in the class, with a career 7% strikeout rate and a 2023 overall contact rate of 89%. He rarely misses in-zone (94%), rarely misses a fastball (97%) and also makes life difficult on pitchers by mostly staying within the strike zone on his swing decisions. Schanuel has solid power, but he’s a pure hitter first, who will hit for average, get on base, minimize his strikeouts and let his home runs come naturally. Schanuel is limited to a corner profile, but he’s a deft defender at first base and a below-average runner. He’s the top first base prospect in the class and should go in the back of the first round or shortly thereafter.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 50/Medium
Track Record: Schanuel was a three-year starter for Florida Atlantic who regularly posted video game numbers. Following his sophomore year, he struggled in the Cape Cod League, which led to an eye doctor appointment where he was diagnosed with an astigmatism. He had a corrective lens placed in his right eye in January 2023. Schanuel went on to a huge junior season, slashing .447/.615/.868 with 71 walks to 14 strikeouts and a Division I-leading 1.483 OPS. The Angels loved his performance and mental aptitude for hitting and drafted him 11th overall in 2023. They signed him for the slot value of $5.253 million. Schanuel hit well at Double-A in his pro debut, and the Angels called him up after just 22 minor league games. Schanuel’s 40 days between draft day and MLB debut is the fifth-shortest timeline in history. He rewarded the Angels by reaching base in each of his 29 games. He drew 20 walks against 19 strikeouts on his way to a .402 on-base percentage. He drew the most MLB plate appearances in his draft year since the Braves’ Bob Horner in 1978.
Scouting Report: Schanuel is a lefthanded-hitting first baseman with substantial offensive upside. His operation starts with an unorthodox setup, with his hands held high over his head while incorporating a high leg kick as he loads. Despite an atypical setup, Schanuel keeps his body and swing in sync and remains balanced. He has an innate feel for hitting and understanding of the hitting process, aided by excellent barrel control and zone coverage. Schanuel’s power has yet to appear in pro ball--he hit two home runs in 51 games after signing--though he made the unorthodox setup to help tap into power by creating better separation. He shows above-average raw power in batting practice but used more of a downhill swing in pro ball. His swing lacks explosiveness, leaving him reliant on his contact skills and swing decisions to get to average power production. He has an inherent aptitude for hitting with an advanced approach which results in high walk rates and minimal swing-and-miss. Schanuel’s corrected vision enhanced his feel for the strike zone and he profiles as a high-average, on-base threat. He is an aggressive and high-energy runner making him an occasional basestealer, though his speed is just below-average. After playing first base exclusively in college and pro ball, he handles the position with ease and may be athletic enough to test in the corner outfield.
The Future: Schanuel is viewed as the Angels’ everyday first baseman starting in 2024. If he grows into more natural power, he could develop into a first-division starter. But without enhanced power, he faces a future as a hit-over-power first baseman. N
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
Draft Prospects
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School: Florida Atlantic Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade:50/High
Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 55. Run: 40. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Schanuel developed a reputation as a standout pure hitter in high school in Florida, but went undrafted and made it to campus at Florida Atlantic. He has only solidified his hitting chops after three tremendous seasons, where he has posted an OPS north of 1.000 each year. He was one of the best overall hitters in college baseball in 2023, with a .444/.612/.864 slash line and a 219 wRC+ mark that led Division I. Schanuel is a tall, 6-foot-3, 195-pound first baseman who hits with a unique setup in the lefthanded batter’s box. He has an extremely high handset, reminiscent of Craig Counsell, but has done a nice job getting his hands into the hitting zone with good timing, with long levers and an uphill path. While the swing itself is odd, Schanuel has shown some of the best pure contact skills in the class, with a career 7% strikeout rate and a 2023 overall contact rate of 89%. He rarely misses in-zone (94%), rarely misses a fastball (97%) and also makes life difficult on pitchers by mostly staying within the strike zone on his swing decisions. Schanuel has solid power, but he’s a pure hitter first, who will hit for average, get on base, minimize his strikeouts and let his home runs come naturally. Schanuel is limited to a corner profile, but he’s a deft defender at first base and a below-average runner. He’s the top first base prospect in the class and should go in the back of the first round or shortly thereafter. -
A lanky, 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder committed to Florida Atlantic, Schanuel impressed scouts with his natural hitting ability from the left side. With a projectable frame that should add a good amount of muscle in coming years, scouts believe he’ll grow into average power. Those who really like his bat think he has a chance to become an above-average hitter. A 55-grade hitter with average power is an everyday profile, so those are lofty expectations for Schanuel, but scouts who like him are in because of the bat. He’s a tough profile because he can’t play in the dirt and doesn’t have the speed for center field, so he’ll need to develop power to profile in left or right field. Typically, teams let high school corner profiles go to college and prove the bat, but a team high on Schanuel’s hit tool could take a shot to get him before he goes to college and raises his stock.