Aaron Schunk

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #12 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: A two-way star in college at Georgia, Schunk made third base his primary focus as a pro and turned in a solid debut season at short-season Boise in 2019 after the Rockies drafted him in the second round. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league and made his full-season debut in 2021 at High-A Spokane, where he split time between third base (44 starts) and second base (35) and struggled at the plate.
  
  Scouting Report: Schunk has just fringy power and doesn’t fit the profile of a typical slugging third baseman. At his best, he takes competitive at-bats with a contact-driven approach and drives doubles from gap to gap. Schunk swung and missed way too frequently at Spokane, however, ringing up a 31% strikeout rate. Optimistic evaluators still see the potential for him to be an average hitter with his approach and natural bat-to-ball skills. Schunk is a slightly above-average runner and a good athlete who is a potential plus defender at third base. He is also developing at second base and saw a couple starts at first, too, where he is raw. Schunk has solid instincts on the bases and in the field that help his tools play up.
  
  The Future: Schunk should start 2022 in Double-A and has the ability and work ethic to be a future everyday player for the Rockies. How his bat and power grow remain to be seen.
  
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #5 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and closer at Georgia, Schunk dropped pitching after being drafted in the second round in 2019. He began his pro career with a bang by hitting .306/.370/.503 with short-season Boise and ranking as the Northwest League’s No. 4 prospect despite dealing with knee inflammation that limited him at the end of the season. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site before finishing in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk doesn’t have the loudest tools in the system, but observers see him as the type of player who will get the most from his skills. He has the arm and athleticism to be an average third baseman and also took to second base when the Rockies played him there at the alternate site. Offensively, Schunk controls the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. His approach and bat speed give him a chance to hit for average with enough power to get frequent at-bats. Schunk made recent positive changes physically as well, slimming down over the course of the year while maintaining his strength during the coronavirus shutdown.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk’s maturity and work ethic could help him move quickly. His bat will be what pushes him forward, but his newfound versatility on the infield can only help.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and reliever at Georgia, Schunk was drafted by the Rockies in the second round in 2019 to swing the bat. He signed for $1,102,700 and did just that in his pro debut, leading short-season Boise with a .306 average, .503 slugging percentage and .873 OPS.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk is a well-rounded player who plays a mature game. Offensively, he knows the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. He has plenty of bat speed and makes contact out front, resulting in balls jumping off his bat when he gets it. He shows the overall foundation of a potential above-average hitter with average power, and most are confident he'll reach those benchmarks. Schunk still has growth ahead defensively third base, but he has the athleticism and arm strength to develop into at least an average defender. Just as important, he has the work ethic to get better. Schunk is a cerebral player always aware of the game situation and is a natural leader.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk will open 2020 at high Class A Lancaster and could come quickly. He is mature beyond his years and consistently focused on getting better, which will only help him get the most out of his natural ability.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #117 prospect in 2019 draft
  A two-way player for the Bulldogs, Schunk ended the 2018 season as the team's closer and has served in that capacity this spring in addition to being the team's starting third baseman. Most pro teams prefer him as a hitter, however, despite his lack of clear, standout tools. Schunk is solid across the board and is having a career offensive season in 2019. Through his first 47 games this spring, Schunk led Georgia in batting average (.339) and slugging percentage (.556). He's also hit a career-high nine home runs after hitting a combined four homers during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Schunk is a solid hitter and could project as an average bat with solid-average power, but he's never walked much throughout his college career and he didn't hit for much power in a 29-game stint in the Cape Cod League last summer. Defensively, Schunk is a safe bet to stick at third base, where he has good athleticism and a strong arm. On the mound, Schunk has a four-pitch mix with a fastball that has been up to 95 mph and solid strike-throwing ability, but his upside is higher with a bat. He could be a everyday third baseman at the next level if he can continue to increase his power potential moving forward.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #4 prospect in 2019
  Schunk was one of the best players available from the state of Georgia this spring, and he quickly proved himself an extremely talented player on both sides of the ball in the Northwest League. Though he was sidelined toward the end of the season by knee inflammation, when healthy he showed a bat capable of producing average and power, as well as the instincts and athleticism to play third base. As a former pitcher who touched 95 mph, Schunk also has more than enough arm to handle third base. His supporters see a player with a chance to have plus power because of his combination of raw strength, knowledge of the strike zone and solid bat-to-ball skills, though he’s never drawn as many walks as evaluators would like to see. Scouts who saw him as an amateur loved his makeup, too, and he was known with Boise for his willingness to stay engaged with the game even when he was injured.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: A two-way star in college at Georgia, Schunk made third base his primary focus as a pro and turned in a solid debut season at short-season Boise in 2019 after the Rockies drafted him in the second round. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league and made his full-season debut in 2021 at High-A Spokane, where he split time between third base (44 starts) and second base (35) and struggled at the plate.
  
  Scouting Report: Schunk has just fringy power and doesn&#39t fit the profile of a typical slugging third baseman. At his best, he takes competitive at-bats with a contact-driven approach and drives doubles from gap to gap. Schunk swung and missed way too frequently at Spokane, however, ringing up a 31% strikeout rate. Optimistic evaluators still see the potential for him to be an average hitter with his approach and natural bat-to-ball skills. Schunk is a slightly above-average runner and a good athlete who is a potential plus defender at third base. He is also developing at second base and saw a couple starts at first, too, where he is raw. Schunk has solid instincts on the bases and in the field that help his tools play up.
  
  The Future: Schunk should start 2022 in Double-A and has the ability and work ethic to be a future everyday player for the Rockies. How his bat and power grow remain to be seen.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: A two-way star in college at Georgia, Schunk made third base his primary focus as a pro and turned in a solid debut season at short-season Boise in 2019 after the Rockies drafted him in the second round. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league and made his full-season debut in 2021 at High-A Spokane, where he split time between third base (44 starts) and second base (35) and struggled at the plate.
  
  Scouting Report: Schunk has just fringy power and doesn’t fit the profile of a typical slugging third baseman. At his best, he takes competitive at-bats with a contact-driven approach and drives doubles from gap to gap. Schunk swung and missed way too frequently at Spokane, however, ringing up a 31% strikeout rate. Optimistic evaluators still see the potential for him to be an average hitter with his approach and natural bat-to-ball skills. Schunk is a slightly above-average runner and a good athlete who is a potential plus defender at third base. He is also developing at second base and saw a couple starts at first, too, where he is raw. Schunk has solid instincts on the bases and in the field that help his tools play up.
  
  The Future: Schunk should start 2022 in Double-A and has the ability and work ethic to be a future everyday player for the Rockies. How his bat and power grow remain to be seen.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and closer at Georgia, Schunk dropped pitching after being drafted in the second round in 2019. He began his pro career with a bang by hitting .306/.370/.503 with short-season Boise and ranking as the Northwest League's No. 4 prospect despite dealing with knee inflammation that limited him at the end of the season. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site before finishing in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk doesn't have the loudest tools in the system, but observers see him as the type of player who will get the most from his skills. He has the arm and athleticism to be an average third baseman and also took to second base when the Rockies played him there at the alternate site. Offensively, Schunk controls the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. His approach and bat speed give him a chance to hit for average with enough power to get frequent at-bats. Schunk made recent positive changes physically as well, slimming down over the course of the year while maintaining his strength during the coronavirus shutdown.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk's maturity and work ethic could help him move quickly. His bat will be what pushes him forward, but his newfound versatility on the infield can only help.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and closer at Georgia, Schunk dropped pitching after being drafted in the second round in 2019. He began his pro career with a bang by hitting .306/.370/.503 with short-season Boise and ranking as the Northwest League’s No. 4 prospect despite dealing with knee inflammation that limited him at the end of the season. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site before finishing in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk doesn’t have the loudest tools in the system, but observers see him as the type of player who will get the most from his skills. He has the arm and athleticism to be an average third baseman and also took to second base when the Rockies played him there at the alternate site. Offensively, Schunk controls the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. His approach and bat speed give him a chance to hit for average with enough power to get frequent at-bats. Schunk made recent positive changes physically as well, slimming down over the course of the year while maintaining his strength during the coronavirus shutdown.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk’s maturity and work ethic could help him move quickly. His bat will be what pushes him forward, but his newfound versatility on the infield can only help.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and closer at Georgia, Schunk dropped pitching after being drafted in the second round in 2019. He began his pro career with a bang by hitting .306/.370/.503 with short-season Boise and ranking as the Northwest League’s No. 4 prospect despite dealing with knee inflammation that limited him at the end of the season. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site before finishing in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk doesn’t have the loudest tools in the system, but observers see him as the type of player who will get the most from his skills. He has the arm and athleticism to be an average third baseman and also took to second base when the Rockies played him there at the alternate site. Offensively, Schunk controls the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. His approach and bat speed give him a chance to hit for average with enough power to get frequent at-bats. Schunk made recent positive changes physically as well, slimming down over the course of the year while maintaining his strength during the coronavirus shutdown.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk’s maturity and work ethic could help him move quickly. His bat will be what pushes him forward, but his newfound versatility on the infield can only help.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and reliever at Georgia, Schunk was drafted by the Rockies in the second round in 2019 to swing the bat. He signed for $1,102,700 and did just that in his pro debut, leading short-season Boise with a .306 average, .503 slugging percentage and .873 OPS. SCOUTING: Schunk is a well-rounded player who plays a mature game. Offensively, he knows the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. He has plenty of bat speed and makes contact out front, resulting in balls jumping off his bat when he gets it. He shows the overall foundation of a potential above-average hitter with average power, and most are confident he’ll reach those benchmarks. Schunk still has growth ahead defensively third base, but he has the athleticism and arm strength to develop into at least an average defender. Just as important, he has the work ethic to get better. Schunk is a cerebral player always aware of the game situation and is a natural leader.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk will open 2020 at high Class A Lancaster and could come quickly. He is mature beyond his years and consistently focused on getting better, which will only help him get the most out of his natural ability.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A third baseman and reliever at Georgia, Schunk was drafted by the Rockies in the second round in 2019 to swing the bat. He signed for $1,102,700 and did just that in his pro debut, leading short-season Boise with a .306 average, .503 slugging percentage and .873 OPS.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schunk is a well-rounded player who plays a mature game. Offensively, he knows the strike zone, stays inside the ball and drives it from gap to gap. He has plenty of bat speed and makes contact out front, resulting in balls jumping off his bat when he gets it. He shows the overall foundation of a potential above-average hitter with average power, and most are confident he'll reach those benchmarks. Schunk still has growth ahead defensively third base, but he has the athleticism and arm strength to develop into at least an average defender. Just as important, he has the work ethic to get better. Schunk is a cerebral player always aware of the game situation and is a natural leader.
  
  THE FUTURE: Schunk will open 2020 at high Class A Lancaster and could come quickly. He is mature beyond his years and consistently focused on getting better, which will only help him get the most out of his natural ability.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A two-way player for the Bulldogs, Schunk ended the 2018 season as the team's closer and has served in that capacity this spring in addition to being the team's starting third baseman. Most pro teams prefer him as a hitter, however, despite his lack of clear, standout tools. Schunk is solid across the board and is having a career offensive season in 2019. Through his first 47 games this spring, Schunk led Georgia in batting average (.339) and slugging percentage (.556). He's also hit a career-high nine home runs after hitting a combined four homers during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Schunk is a solid hitter and could project as an average bat with solid-average power, but he's never walked much throughout his college career and he didn't hit for much power in a 29-game stint in the Cape Cod League last summer. Defensively, Schunk is a safe bet to stick at third base, where he has good athleticism and a strong arm. On the mound, Schunk has a four-pitch mix with a fastball that has been up to 95 mph and solid strike-throwing ability, but his upside is higher with a bat. He could be a everyday third baseman at the next level if he can continue to increase his power potential moving forward.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Schunk was one of the best players available from the state of Georgia this spring, and he quickly proved himself an extremely talented player on both sides of the ball in the Northwest League. Though he was sidelined toward the end of the season by knee inflammation, when healthy he showed a bat capable of producing average and power, as well as the instincts and athleticism to play third base. As a former pitcher who touched 95 mph, Schunk also has more than enough arm to handle third base. His supporters see a player with a chance to have plus power because of his combination of raw strength, knowledge of the strike zone and solid bat-to-ball skills, though he’s never drawn as many walks as evaluators would like to see. Scouts who saw him as an amateur loved his makeup, too, and he was known with Boise for his willingness to stay engaged with the game even when he was injured.