AB | 7 |
---|---|
AVG | .571 |
OBP | .556 |
SLG | .714 |
HR | 0 |
- Full name Zachary Richard Veen
- Born 12/12/2001 in Port Orange, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Spruce Creek
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Drafted in the 1st round (9th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2020 (signed for $5,000,000).
View Draft Report
Veen started to raise eyebrows as a junior in high school, when he went on a bit of a home run binge in Florida, including homering against the top prep pitcher of the 2019 draft class, Matt Allan. While Veen didn’t attend USA Baseball’s PDP League, he was quick to impress evaluators with his exceptionally smooth and loose lefthanded swing and elite frame. After packing on around 20 pounds of muscle over the offseason, Veen stands at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds—still with room to add more strength. Veen has one of the best batting eyes of the prep class and brings a patient approach to the table. He frequently gets into deep counts and waits for a specific pitch to hit. His swing has natural leverage and good loft that should allow him to continue tapping into his ever-increasing raw power, which is at least plus now and could eventually reach double-plus. There are some swing-and-miss tendencies at the moment and critics wonder about his ability to handle velocity and adjust to offspeed stuff away, though most scouts believe he’ll be an above-average or better hitter thanks to his batting eye, the looseness of his operation and the way his hands work during his swing. Veen plays center field for his high school team, but he’ll be stretched there as a pro, especially as he adds weight. He’s a fine runner now but could eventually become fringe-average or below and will fit best in a corner, where he should have more than enough power to profile. He’s a solid defender with good arm strength. Veen has one of the more high-upside tools profiles in the class thanks to his power potential, swing and frame. After entering the season toward the back of the first round, the Florida commit is now one of the favorites to be the first high school player selected in a class that’s heavy on college players at the top.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 50/High
Track Record: The Rockies drafted Veen ninth overall in 2020 and signed him for an above-slot $5 million. He had an impressive pro debut in 2021, hitting .301/.399/.501 in 106 games with Low-A Fresno. He was assigned to High-A to begin 2022, once again impressing over 92 games. He struggled in a late-season promotion to Double-A Hartford and returned there to begin 2023. Veen’s season never got off the ground. He struggled for the first two months before a left wrist tendon injury required surgery, ending Veen’s season in mid June.
Scouting Report: Veen is a talented hitter with advanced plate approach and remaining power projection. It’s difficult to take his 2023 at face value when he likely played through injury for a portion of the season. Veen is an average contact hitter with some swing-and-miss due to his long levers and tendency to dump his barrel in an effort to elevate. At his best, he works deep into counts, rarely expanding the zone and looking for mistakes. In 2023, Veen’s swing path looked notably steeper. He also chased at the highest rate of his career. Veen’s underlying exit velocity showed early signs of progress in 2023, and he should continue to hit for more power as he ages. Historically, Veen has struggled to drive the ball to his pull side, which caps his power ceiling. He should produce average home run totals in the high teens at peak. Veen is an average runner who will show above-average run times. He is a very instinctual baserunner who should steal 20 or more bases annually. Veen can play center field but is best in a corner, where he profiles as an average defender with an average arm.
The Future: The 2023 season was one to forget for Veen, but he still projects as an average everyday regular capable of some above-average offensive seasons.
Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Track Record: Veen ranked as the top high school player in the 2020 draft, and the Rockies selected him with the ninth pick and signed him for an above-slot $5 million. He made his pro debut with Low-A Fresno in 2021 and hit .301/.399/.501 with 15 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 106 games. He was assigned to High-A Spokane out of camp in 2022 and once again produced a well above-average line, hitting .269/.368/.439 with 11 home runs and 50 stolen bases in 92 games. Veen was promoted to Double-A Hartford in early August but he struggled for 34 games before ending his campaign in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Veen is a lean 6-foot-4 with projectable strength and long levers. He has yet to add noticeable physical strength or mass early in his career. Veen's offensive profile is heavily based around his advanced plate discipline and average bat-to-ball skills. He prides himself on making pitchers work and consistently works deep into at-bats. There's some swing-and-miss in Veen's game due to the length of his levers and mechanisms of his swing, but he manages to keep his strikeouts in check by rarely expanding the zone. Veen's power numbers and underlying exit velocity data is fringe-average, but added strength in the coming years and some tweaks to his swing could translate to above-average power at peak. While Veen may slow down over time, his advanced instincts and explosiveness should allow him to be a basestealing threat. He's an average outfielder capable of handling center field in a pinch but is best in a corner. He has an average, accurate arm and a quick release that would fit best in left field.
The Future: Veen should develop into an above-average offensive performer capable of hitting for average and producing some of the higher on-base percentages in baseball.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
Track Record: A talented high school player considered on the fringe of first-round consideration entering his senior year, Veen became the biggest riser during the shortened 2020 season after getting stronger and showing improved power at Spruce Creek (Fla.) High. The Rockies drafted him ninth overall and gave him a $5 million signing bonus to pass up a scholarship offer from Florida. Veen impressed in instructional league after signing and followed up with a sensational pro debut at Low-A Fresno in 2021. Despite a slow start that saw him go his first 120 at-bats without a homer, Veen batted .301 with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs, 36 stolen bases and a .900 OPS for the Grizzlies, becoming one of only four players in the minors to have at least 15 home runs and 35 stolen bases. He did that while impressing defensively both in left and right field and notching eight outfield assists in just 95 games.
Scouting Report: Veen is a true five-tool player and has the potential to be a longtime anchor in the Rockies outfield. He presently has an all-pull approach and can be a bit aggressive, but he consistently drives balls hard on a line, handles all types of pitches and rakes equally against both righties and lefties in a way that is rare for a young, lefthanded hitter. Veen still has some tinkering to do to shorten his swing and could stand to use the whole field better, but he’s already shown he can make adjustments and has a chance to be a plus hitter with the amount of hard contact he makes. Veen has plus raw power and is increasingly learning to add leverage to his swing to access it. He is a potential 30-home run threat once he fills out his athletic, projectable frame and has the hand-eye coordination and barrel awareness to add that power without sacrificing his ability to hit for average. In addition to his immense hitting potential, Veen is a dynamic, aggressive baserunner with long strides that create sneaky speed and make him a stolen base threat. Though he has just average pure foot speed, his aggressiveness makes him an above-average runner who covers a lot of ground in a short time with his long strides and long arms that allow him to reach for the bag on slides and get in just ahead of throws. Veen’s long strides also enable him to make rangy plays to both his right and left in the outfield. He gets good reads off the bat, takes clean routes and charges in on balls well to project as a potential plus defender in the corners. His arm is his weakest tool, but it’s still average and makes him playable in both right and left field. In addition to his physical skills, Veen plays extremely hard and has an above-average internal clock for his age.
The Future: Veen will likely get an invitation to major league spring training and should start the 2022 season at High-A Spokane. On the low end, Veen projects to be an everyday big leaguer who reliably puts up 15 home runs and 10 steals per year while hitting for a high average. On the high end, if he makes the necessary adjustments to his approach, he could be a 30-home run threat who hits for average, steals bases and is a perennial all-star. -
Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
TRACK RECORD: Veen used a big junior season at Spruce Creek High outside of Orlando to rocket up draft boards. A late push in 2020 took him from a back-of-the-first-round prospect to the ninth overall pick, where the Rockies drafted him and signed him for $5 million to forgo a Florida commitment. Veen participated in instructional league and held his own against high-velocity arms.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veen is a fantastic athlete with an exceptional batting eye and a natural feel to hit. He possesses leverage in his swing and plus power to the pull side, and there is confidence power to all fields will come. Veen is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, but the Rockies think the lefthanded hitter can add another 15-20 pounds to an already-sturdy frame. Opinions on Veen’s long-term hitting potential vary, but most see at least an average hitter with the potential for 30 home runs. Veen has the athleticism and average speed to play center field now, but as he grows he may be a better fit in right field, where his above-average arm would fit nicely.
THE FUTURE: Few doubt Veen’s offensive ceiling as a middle of the order slugger. The Rockies are eager to get him into the system and begin his development in earnest, most likely at low Class A in 2021.
Draft Prospects
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Veen started to raise eyebrows as a Florida high school junior when he went on a home run binge, including a homer off the top prep pitcher in the 2019 draft class, Matt Allan. While Veen didn’t attend USA Baseball’s PDP League, he was quick to impress evaluators with his exceptionally smooth and loose lefthanded swing and elite frame. Veen has one of the best batting eyes of the prep class and brings a patient approach to the table. He frequently gets into deep counts and waits for a specific pitch to hit. His swing has natural leverage and good loft that should allow him to continue tapping into his ever-increasing raw power, which is at least plus now and could eventually reach double-plus. Veen has some swing-and-miss tendencies and critics wonder about his ability to handle velocity or adjust to offspeed pitches away, but most scouts believe he’ll be an above-average or better hitter thanks to his batting eye, the looseness of his operation and the way his hands work during his swing. Veen plays center field for his high school team but he’ll be stretched there as a pro, especially as he adds weight. He’s a fine runner now who could eventually become fringe-average or below and will fit best in a corner, where he should have more than enough power to profile. He’s a solid defender with good arm strength. Veen has one of the more high-upside profiles in the class thanks to his power potential, swing and projectable 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame. After entering the season toward the back of the first round, the Florida commit is now one of the favorites to be the first high school player selected in a class that’s heavy on college players at the top.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Veen electrified the league with his combination of power, speed and athleticism. He laced balls hard to all fields, showed above-average power to his pull side and menaced pitchers with his aggressive leads and baserunning. He was one of four players in the minors with at least 15 homers and 35 stolen bases. Overall, Veen finished top 10 in the league in hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, batting average and OPS. In addition to Veen’s offensive exploits, he added eight outfield assists while playing above-average defense in both corners. Managers voted him the league’s most exciting player. “He just plays hard,” Lake Elsinore manager Mike McCoy said. “He’s athletic, he’s fast, power . . . He’s just kind of a live, toolsy guy. Even when he’s not hitting, he still impacts the game in other ways.” Veen is a bit of a free swinger at times and needs to improve his arm strength a tick. His well-rounded tool set and high effort level should make him an impact player regardless.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Track Record: Veen ranked as the top high school player in the 2020 draft, and the Rockies selected him with the ninth pick and signed him for an above-slot $5 million. He made his pro debut with Low-A Fresno in 2021 and hit .301/.399/.501 with 15 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 106 games. He was assigned to High-A Spokane out of camp in 2022 and once again produced a well above-average line, hitting .269/.368/.439 with 11 home runs and 50 stolen bases in 92 games. Veen was promoted to Double-A Hartford in early August but he struggled for 34 games before ending his campaign in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Veen is a lean 6-foot-4 with projectable strength and long levers. He has yet to add noticeable physical strength or mass early in his career. Veen's offensive profile is heavily based around his advanced plate discipline and average bat-to-ball skills. He prides himself on making pitchers work and consistently works deep into at-bats. There's some swing-and-miss in Veen's game due to the length of his levers and mechanisms of his swing, but he manages to keep his strikeouts in check by rarely expanding the zone. Veen's power numbers and underlying exit velocity data is fringe-average, but added strength in the coming years and some tweaks to his swing could translate to above-average power at peak. While Veen may slow down over time, his advanced instincts and explosiveness should allow him to be a basestealing threat. He's an average outfielder capable of handling center field in a pinch but is best in a corner. He has an average, accurate arm and a quick release that would fit best in left field.
The Future: Veen should develop into an above-average offensive performer capable of hitting for average and producing some of the higher on-base percentages in baseball.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High
Track Record: Veen ranked as the top high school player in the 2020 draft, and the Rockies selected him with the ninth pick and signed him for an above-slot $5 million. He made his pro debut with Low-A Fresno in 2021 and hit .301/.399/.501 with 15 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 106 games. He was assigned to High-A Spokane out of camp in 2022 and once again produced a well above-average line, hitting .269/.368/.439 with 11 home runs and 50 stolen bases in 92 games. Veen was promoted to Double-A Hartford in early August but he struggled for 34 games before ending his campaign in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Veen is a lean 6-foot-4 with projectable strength and long levers. He has yet to add noticeable physical strength or mass early in his career. Veen's offensive profile is heavily based around his advanced plate discipline and average bat-to-ball skills. He prides himself on making pitchers work and consistently works deep into at-bats. There's some swing-and-miss in Veen's game due to the length of his levers and mechanisms of his swing, but he manages to keep his strikeouts in check by rarely expanding the zone. Veen's power numbers and underlying exit velocity data is fringe-average, but added strength in the coming years and some tweaks to his swing could translate to above-average power at peak. While Veen may slow down over time, his advanced instincts and explosiveness should allow him to be a basestealing threat. He's an average outfielder capable of handling center field in a pinch but is best in a corner. He has an average, accurate arm and a quick release that would fit best in left field.
The Future: Veen should develop into an above-average offensive performer capable of hitting for average and producing some of the higher on-base percentages in baseball.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
BA Grade: 60/High
Track Record: A talented high school player considered on the fringe of first-round consideration entering his senior year, Veen became the biggest riser during the shortened 2020 season after getting stronger and showing improved power at Spruce Creek (Fla.) High. The Rockies drafted him ninth overall and gave him a $5 million signing bonus to pass up a scholarship offer from Florida. Veen impressed in instructional league after signing and followed up with a sensational pro debut at Low-A Fresno in 2021. Despite a slow start that saw him go his first 120 at-bats without a homer, Veen batted .301 with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs, 36 stolen bases and a .900 OPS for the Grizzlies, becoming one of only four players in the minors to have at least 15 home runs and 35 stolen bases. He did that while impressing defensively both in left and right field and notching eight outfield assists in just 95 games.
Scouting Report: Veen is a true five-tool player and has the potential to be a longtime anchor in the Rockies outfield. He presently has an all-pull approach and can be a bit aggressive, but he consistently drives balls hard on a line, handles all types of pitches and rakes equally against both righties and lefties in a way that is rare for a young, lefthanded hitter. Veen still has some tinkering to do to shorten his swing and could stand to use the whole field better, but he's already shown he can make adjustments and has a chance to be a plus hitter with the amount of hard contact he makes. Veen has plus raw power and is increasingly learning to add leverage to his swing to access it. He is a potential 30-home run threat once he fills out his athletic, projectable frame and has the hand-eye coordination and barrel awareness to add that power without sacrificing his ability to hit for average. In addition to his immense hitting potential, Veen is a dynamic, aggressive baserunner with long strides that create sneaky speed and make him a stolen base threat. Though he has just average pure foot speed, his aggressiveness makes him an above-average runner who covers a lot of ground in a short time with his long strides and long arms that allow him to reach for the bag on slides and get in just ahead of throws. Veen's long strides also enable him to make rangy plays to both his right and left in the outfield. He gets good reads off the bat, takes clean routes and charges in on balls well to project as a potential plus defender in the corners. His arm is his weakest tool, but it's still average and makes him playable in both right and left field. In addition to his physical skills, Veen plays extremely hard and has an above-average internal clock for his age.
The Future: Veen will likely get an invitation to major league spring training and should start the 2022 season at High-A Spokane. On the low end, Veen projects to be an everyday big leaguer who reliably puts up 15 home runs and 10 steals per year while hitting for a high average. On the high end, if he makes the necessary adjustments to his approach, he could be a 30-home run threat who hits for average, steals bases and is a perennial all-star.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 60. Arm: 50. -
Track Record: A talented high school player considered on the fringe of first-round consideration entering his senior year, Veen became the biggest riser during the shortened 2020 season after getting stronger and showing improved power at Spruce Creek (Fla.) High. The Rockies drafted him ninth overall and gave him a $5 million signing bonus to pass up a scholarship offer from Florida. Veen impressed in instructional league after signing and followed up with a sensational pro debut at Low-A Fresno in 2021. Despite a slow start that saw him go his first 120 at-bats without a homer, Veen batted .301 with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs, 36 stolen bases and a .900 OPS for the Grizzlies, becoming one of only four players in the minors to have at least 15 home runs and 35 stolen bases. He did that while impressing defensively both in left and right field and notching eight outfield assists in just 95 games.
Scouting Report: Veen is a true five-tool player and has the potential to be a longtime anchor in the Rockies outfield. He presently has an all-pull approach and can be a bit aggressive, but he consistently drives balls hard on a line, handles all types of pitches and rakes equally against both righties and lefties in a way that is rare for a young, lefthanded hitter. Veen still has some tinkering to do to shorten his swing and could stand to use the whole field better, but he’s already shown he can make adjustments and has a chance to be a plus hitter with the amount of hard contact he makes. Veen has plus raw power and is increasingly learning to add leverage to his swing to access it. He is a potential 30-home run threat once he fills out his athletic, projectable frame and has the hand-eye coordination and barrel awareness to add that power without sacrificing his ability to hit for average. In addition to his immense hitting potential, Veen is a dynamic, aggressive baserunner with long strides that create sneaky speed and make him a stolen base threat. Though he has just average pure foot speed, his aggressiveness makes him an above-average runner who covers a lot of ground in a short time with his long strides and long arms that allow him to reach for the bag on slides and get in just ahead of throws. Veen’s long strides also enable him to make rangy plays to both his right and left in the outfield. He gets good reads off the bat, takes clean routes and charges in on balls well to project as a potential plus defender in the corners. His arm is his weakest tool, but it’s still average and makes him playable in both right and left field. In addition to his physical skills, Veen plays extremely hard and has an above-average internal clock for his age.
The Future: Veen will likely get an invitation to major league spring training and should start the 2022 season at High-A Spokane. On the low end, Veen projects to be an everyday big leaguer who reliably puts up 15 home runs and 10 steals per year while hitting for a high average. On the high end, if he makes the necessary adjustments to his approach, he could be a 30-home run threat who hits for average, steals bases and is a perennial all-star. -
Veen electrified the league with his combination of power, speed and athleticism. He laced balls hard to all fields, showed above-average power to his pull side and menaced pitchers with his aggressive leads and baserunning. He was one of four players in the minors with at least 15 homers and 35 stolen bases. Overall, Veen finished top 10 in the league in hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, batting average and OPS. In addition to Veen’s offensive exploits, he added eight outfield assists while playing above-average defense in both corners. Managers voted him the league’s most exciting player. “He just plays hard,” Lake Elsinore manager Mike McCoy said. “He’s athletic, he’s fast, power . . . He’s just kind of a live, toolsy guy. Even when he’s not hitting, he still impacts the game in other ways.” Veen is a bit of a free swinger at times and needs to improve his arm strength a tick. His well-rounded tool set and high effort level should make him an impact player regardless. -
Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
TRACK RECORD: Veen used a big junior season at Spruce Creek High outside of Orlando to rocket up draft boards. A late push in 2020 took him from a back-of-the-first-round prospect to the ninth overall pick, where the Rockies drafted him and signed him for $5 million to forgo a Florida commitment. Veen participated in instructional league and held his own against high-velocity arms.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veen is a fantastic athlete with an exceptional batting eye and a natural feel to hit. He possesses leverage in his swing and plus power to the pull side, and there is confidence power to all fields will come. Veen is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, but the Rockies think the lefthanded hitter can add another 15-20 pounds to an already-sturdy frame. Opinions on Veen's long-term hitting potential vary, but most see at least an average hitter with the potential for 30 home runs. Veen has the athleticism and average speed to play center field now, but as he grows he may be a better fit in right field, where his above-average arm would fit nicely.
THE FUTURE: Few doubt Veen's offensive ceiling as a middle of the order slugger. The Rockies are eager to get him into the system and begin his development in earnest, most likely at low Class A in 2021. -
Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
TRACK RECORD: Veen used a big junior season at Spruce Creek High outside of Orlando to rocket up draft boards. A late push in 2020 took him from a back-of-the-first-round prospect to the ninth overall pick, where the Rockies drafted him and signed him for $5 million to forgo a Florida commitment. Veen participated in instructional league and held his own against high-velocity arms.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veen is a fantastic athlete with an exceptional batting eye and a natural feel to hit. He possesses leverage in his swing and plus power to the pull side, and there is confidence power to all fields will come. Veen is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, but the Rockies think the lefthanded hitter can add another 15-20 pounds to an already-sturdy frame. Opinions on Veen’s long-term hitting potential vary, but most see at least an average hitter with the potential for 30 home runs. Veen has the athleticism and average speed to play center field now, but as he grows he may be a better fit in right field, where his above-average arm would fit nicely.
THE FUTURE: Few doubt Veen’s offensive ceiling as a middle of the order slugger. The Rockies are eager to get him into the system and begin his development in earnest, most likely at low Class A in 2021. -
Hitting: 55. Power: 60. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
TRACK RECORD: Veen used a big junior season at Spruce Creek High outside of Orlando to rocket up draft boards. A late push in 2020 took him from a back-of-the-first-round prospect to the ninth overall pick, where the Rockies drafted him and signed him for $5 million to forgo a Florida commitment. Veen participated in instructional league and held his own against high-velocity arms.
SCOUTING REPORT: Veen is a fantastic athlete with an exceptional batting eye and a natural feel to hit. He possesses leverage in his swing and plus power to the pull side, and there is confidence power to all fields will come. Veen is 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, but the Rockies think the lefthanded hitter can add another 15-20 pounds to an already-sturdy frame. Opinions on Veen’s long-term hitting potential vary, but most see at least an average hitter with the potential for 30 home runs. Veen has the athleticism and average speed to play center field now, but as he grows he may be a better fit in right field, where his above-average arm would fit nicely.
THE FUTURE: Few doubt Veen’s offensive ceiling as a middle of the order slugger. The Rockies are eager to get him into the system and begin his development in earnest, most likely at low Class A in 2021. -
Veen started to raise eyebrows as a Florida high school junior when he went on a home run binge, including a homer off the top prep pitcher in the 2019 draft class, Matt Allan. While Veen didn’t attend USA Baseball’s PDP League, he was quick to impress evaluators with his exceptionally smooth and loose lefthanded swing and elite frame. Veen has one of the best batting eyes of the prep class and brings a patient approach to the table. He frequently gets into deep counts and waits for a specific pitch to hit. His swing has natural leverage and good loft that should allow him to continue tapping into his ever-increasing raw power, which is at least plus now and could eventually reach double-plus. Veen has some swing-and-miss tendencies and critics wonder about his ability to handle velocity or adjust to offspeed pitches away, but most scouts believe he’ll be an above-average or better hitter thanks to his batting eye, the looseness of his operation and the way his hands work during his swing. Veen plays center field for his high school team but he’ll be stretched there as a pro, especially as he adds weight. He’s a fine runner now who could eventually become fringe-average or below and will fit best in a corner, where he should have more than enough power to profile. He’s a solid defender with good arm strength. Veen has one of the more high-upside profiles in the class thanks to his power potential, swing and projectable 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame. After entering the season toward the back of the first round, the Florida commit is now one of the favorites to be the first high school player selected in a class that’s heavy on college players at the top. -
Veen started to raise eyebrows as a Florida high school junior when he went on a home run binge, including a homer off the top prep pitcher in the 2019 draft class, Matt Allan. While Veen didn’t attend USA Baseball’s PDP League, he was quick to impress evaluators with his exceptionally smooth and loose lefthanded swing and elite frame. Veen has one of the best batting eyes of the prep class and brings a patient approach to the table. He frequently gets into deep counts and waits for a specific pitch to hit. His swing has natural leverage and good loft that should allow him to continue tapping into his ever-increasing raw power, which is at least plus now and could eventually reach double-plus. Veen has some swing-and-miss tendencies and critics wonder about his ability to handle velocity or adjust to offspeed pitches away, but most scouts believe he’ll be an above-average or better hitter thanks to his batting eye, the looseness of his operation and the way his hands work during his swing. Veen plays center field for his high school team but he’ll be stretched there as a pro, especially as he adds weight. He’s a fine runner now who could eventually become fringe-average or below and will fit best in a corner, where he should have more than enough power to profile. He’s a solid defender with good arm strength. Veen has one of the more high-upside profiles in the class thanks to his power potential, swing and projectable 6-foot-5, 200 pound frame. After entering the season toward the back of the first round, the Florida commit is now one of the favorites to be the first high school player selected in a class that’s heavy on college players at the top.