Jalen Battles Stats & Scouting Report

AB	258
AVG	.229
OBP	.295
SLG	.302
HR	1

Full name Jalen Cruz Battles
Born 12/20/1999 in San Antonio, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arkansas
Drafted in the 5th round (164th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022 (signed for $247,500).

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Battles teamed with third baseman Cayden Wallace this year to give Arkansas one of the best left sides of the infield in college baseball. It was extremely hard to sneak a ground ball past the duo. Battles has given scouts plenty of chances to see him handle all the demands of shortstop. He plays the position under control, with a solid internal clock, but he also has the quick hands and actions to get rid of the ball quickly when needed. He has an above-average arm and above-average range. His glove should make him an excellent senior sign, although his bat will limit how high he will go. He can turn on a fastball with his fringe-average power, but he’s generally been an easy mark for pitchers who induce him to chase sliders, and especially changeups, away. He pulls off those pitches too often, although his average hand-eye coordination keeps him from being a massive liability as a bottom-of-the-order bat.

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Draft Prospects

School: Arkansas Committed/Drafted: Phillies ’19 (34)
Age At Draft: 22.6
BA Grade: 40/High
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
Battles teamed with third baseman Cayden Wallace this year to give Arkansas one of the best left sides of the infield in college baseball. It was extremely hard to sneak a ground ball past the duo. Battles has given scouts plenty of chances to see him handle all the demands of shortstop. He plays the position under control, with a solid internal clock, but he also has the quick hands and actions to get rid of the ball quickly when needed. He has an above-average arm and above-average range. His glove should make him an excellent senior sign, although his bat will limit how high he will go. He can turn on a fastball with his fringe-average power, but he’s generally been an easy mark for pitchers who induce him to chase sliders, and especially changeups, away. He pulls off those pitches too often, although his average hand-eye coordination keeps him from being a massive liability as a bottom-of-the-order bat.
Southeastern Conference shortstops with the range and arm to stick at the position in pro ball get drafted, and Battles demonstrated that he’s got the range, body control and arm to handle shortstop. Battles made an immediate impact in his first year at Arkansas after transferring in from McLennan (Texas) JC. He was Arkansas’ everyday shortstop and like most of his teammates, he didn’t hit for a high average, but showed an ability to get on base. Battles’ glove is ahead of his bat, but he’s athletic and has some strength, so there’s hope that he could exceed his projections of a below-average hit tool and below-average power.