A.J. Vukovich Stats & Scouting Report

AB	456
AVG	.27
OBP	.342
SLG	.458
HR	17

Full name Aaron Jeffrey Vukovich
Born 07/20/2001 in Mukwonago, WI
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School East Troy
Drafted in the 4th round (119th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2020 (signed for $1,250,000).

View Draft Report

Vukovich had a standout winter playing basketball for his East Troy (Wis.) High team. He topped 2,000 career points and was a finalist for Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball. His spring did not go nearly as planned. Vukovich’s Iowa travel-team league he played in was shut down almost as soon as it started. Vukovich had gotten a good chance to show what he can do during the previous summer, where he earned a spot on USA Baseball’s 18U National team. Vukovich is a big (6-foot-4, 210 pound) long-levered power hitter who gets to his power despite having almost no load to his swing. Vukovich could use a little more consistency to his swing—he was very up and down last summer. But with some modest mechanical cleanup, he has the potential to generate plus or better power. Vukovich most likely ends up as a corner outfielder or first baseman, but he’ll likely start his time in pro ball or at Louisville as a third baseman until he outgrows the position. His average arm works OK, although his arm stroke can get a little funky. As a big, athletic corner bat with present power, Vukovich has plenty of potential, but this abnormal spring may make it tougher for teams to have a full measure of whether to pay him now or wait a few years.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Vukovich was a multisport standout in high school and a finalist for Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball award. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round of the shortened 2020 draft and bought him out of a Louisville commitment for a $1.25 million bonus. A raw player entering the system, Vukovich made strides every year and had his best season in 2023. He set career highs with 24 home runs and an .818 OPS at Double-A Amarillo and finished the year in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Vukovich is a big, physical athlete who has taken time to find what works best for him. After years of starting with a closed batting stance and striding neutral, he started neutral before striding open last year and broke out. He has a relatively clean swing with average bat speed and is beginning to tap into his above-average raw power more often. Vukovich’s swing decisions are improving, but he still has too many weakly hit balls and swings and misses. He projects to be a below-average hitter whose power plays down in games. Drafted as a third baseman, Vukovich moved to the outfield in 2023 and showed the athleticism to play all three positions. He has above-average speed and average arm strength and is most natural in right field.

The Future: Vukovich is moving in the right direction and is still only 22 with lots of room for growth. He has a chance to be a part-time outfielder who hits for occasional power if he continues to make strides.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school and a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball honors. Intrigued by his athleticism, the D-backs drafted him and bought him out of a Louisville baseball scholarship with a $1.25 million bonus. In each of his two full seasons, he has started slow before finishing strong, showing reasons both to believe he is a future big league regular and to wonder if it will ever come together.

Scouting Report: Vukovich employs a closed stance, then strides open to get back to neutral, and while he has a clean swing, it can appear stiff and his bat speed is only average. Still, he has a knack for getting the bat to the ball and possesses plus raw power. He has an extremely aggressive approach, seemingly trying to cover all parts of the zone and often making contact on pitches he can't hit hard. He rarely walks, striking out more than five times as often. When he is locked in he can do damage to all fields. He does not always look smooth but is an excellent athlete. While he showed improvement at third base, his arm action created issues with throwing accuracy, making a move to the outfield increasingly likely. In fact, he began getting reps at all three outfield positions in July. He is an average runner who runs the bases extremely well, with good instincts and a feel for stealing bases.

The Future: Vukovich's supporters believe his history as a plus athlete from a cold-weather state means he has plenty of development to come. Not many players can thrive with such an aggressive approach, but that might matter less if he can learn to tap into his latent power more consistently. Still only 21, he will open 2023 at Double-A Amarillo.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
Track Record: A multisport athlete in high school, Vukovich signed with the D-backs for an above-slot $1.25 million as a fourth-round pick in 2020 rather than stick with his commitment to Louisville. After a strong showing at instructional league in 2020, he skipped over the complex levels and went straight to Low-A Visalia for his pro debut in 2021. Vukovich got off to a rough start on both sides of the ball but righted the ship, earning a promotion to High-A and finishing with a solid .272/.323/.446 line.

Scouting Report: Vukovich has a long-levered, athletic frame. He has a closed off stance at the plate, an unusual setup for a modern hitter, but he manages to hit balls hard to all fields and has one of the better better-batted ball profiles of anyone in the D-backs system. Vukovich’s pure contact skills are good and he has above-average power potential, but his plate discipline needs work. His chase rate spiked when he got to High-A, and he struggles with offspeed and breaking stuff in particular. Defensively, Vukovich showed below-average hands and throwing accuracy at third base during the opening weeks of the season but improved as the year progressed. He still widely projects to move to a corner outfield spot, where he should cover plenty of ground with his average speed.

The Future: Vukovich draws mixed reviews from rival scouts, but the D-backs are more bullish. They expect his swing decisions will improve and believe he’ll become a middle-of-the-order power hitter with the ability to steal 10-15 bases. Even if he has to move positions, that is enough profile in an outfield corner.
TRACK RECORD: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school who was a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and signed him for $1.25 million, the equivalent of second-round money, to forgo a Louisville commitment. Vukovich made a loud first impression at instructional league in the fall, impressing the organization with consistent hard contact and a mature routine and work ethic.

SCOUTING REPORT: Vukovich is lean and lanky and has more athleticism than might be apparent at first glance. Despite his big frame and long levers, his swing is relatively short and direct with few moving parts. With his stance slightly closed, he wears out the right-center field gap. He shows a good approach, a feel for finding the barrel and plus power potential. Defense hasn't been a focus for Vuckovich, but he made strides in his fundamentals at third base during the fall. He still has a long way to go and might end up shifting to an outfield corner. He is a below-average runner.

THE FUTURE: Vukovich should hit enough for an outfield corner. Some observers believe he could develop into a Nick Castellanos type.

Draft Prospects

Vukovich had a standout winter playing basketball for his East Troy (Wis.) High team. He topped 2,000 career points and was a finalist for Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball. His spring did not go nearly as planned. Vukovich’s Iowa travel-team league he played in was shut down almost as soon as it started. Vukovich had gotten a good chance to show what he can do during the previous summer, where he earned a spot on USA Baseball’s 18U National team. Vukovich is a big (6-foot-4, 210 pound) long-levered power hitter who gets to his power despite having almost no load to his swing. Vukovich could use a little more consistency to his swing—he was very up and down last summer. But with some modest mechanical cleanup, he has the potential to generate plus or better power. Vukovich most likely ends up as a corner outfielder or first baseman, but he’ll likely start his time in pro ball or at Louisville as a third baseman until he outgrows the position. His average arm works OK, although his arm stroke can get a little funky. As a big, athletic corner bat with present power, Vukovich has plenty of potential, but this abnormal spring may make it tougher for teams to have a full measure of whether to pay him now or wait a few years.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school and a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball honors. Intrigued by his athleticism, the D-backs drafted him and bought him out of a Louisville baseball scholarship with a $1.25 million bonus. In each of his two full seasons, he has started slow before finishing strong, showing reasons both to believe he is a future big league regular and to wonder if it will ever come together.

Scouting Report: Vukovich employs a closed stance, then strides open to get back to neutral, and while he has a clean swing, it can appear stiff and his bat speed is only average. Still, he has a knack for getting the bat to the ball and possesses plus raw power. He has an extremely aggressive approach, seemingly trying to cover all parts of the zone and often making contact on pitches he can't hit hard. He rarely walks, striking out more than five times as often. When he is locked in he can do damage to all fields. He does not always look smooth but is an excellent athlete. While he showed improvement at third base, his arm action created issues with throwing accuracy, making a move to the outfield increasingly likely. In fact, he began getting reps at all three outfield positions in July. He is an average runner who runs the bases extremely well, with good instincts and a feel for stealing bases.

The Future: Vukovich's supporters believe his history as a plus athlete from a cold-weather state means he has plenty of development to come. Not many players can thrive with such an aggressive approach, but that might matter less if he can learn to tap into his latent power more consistently. Still only 21, he will open 2023 at Double-A Amarillo.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school and a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball honors. Intrigued by his athleticism, the D-backs drafted him and bought him out of a Louisville baseball scholarship with a $1.25 million bonus. In each of his two full seasons, he has started slow before finishing strong, showing reasons both to believe he is a future big league regular and to wonder if it will ever come together.

Scouting Report: Vukovich employs a closed stance, then strides open to get back to neutral, and while he has a clean swing, it can appear stiff and his bat speed is only average. Still, he has a knack for getting the bat to the ball and possesses plus raw power. He has an extremely aggressive approach, seemingly trying to cover all parts of the zone and often making contact on pitches he can't hit hard. He rarely walks, striking out more than five times as often. When he is locked in he can do damage to all fields. He does not always look smooth but is an excellent athlete. While he showed improvement at third base, his arm action created issues with throwing accuracy, making a move to the outfield increasingly likely. In fact, he began getting reps at all three outfield positions in July. He is an average runner who runs the bases extremely well, with good instincts and a feel for stealing bases.

The Future: Vukovich's supporters believe his history as a plus athlete from a cold-weather state means he has plenty of development to come. Not many players can thrive with such an aggressive approach, but that might matter less if he can learn to tap into his latent power more consistently. Still only 21, he will open 2023 at Double-A Amarillo.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: A multisport athlete in high school, Vukovich signed with the D-backs for an above-slot $1.25 million as a fourth-round pick in 2020 rather than stick with his commitment to Louisville. After a strong showing at instructional league in 2020, he skipped over the complex levels and went straight to Low-A Visalia for his pro debut in 2021. Vukovich got off to a rough start on both sides of the ball but righted the ship, earning a promotion to High-A and finishing with a solid .272/.323/.446 line.

Scouting Report: Vukovich has a long-levered, athletic frame. He has a closed off stance at the plate, an unusual setup for a modern hitter, but he manages to hit balls hard to all fields and has one of the better better-batted ball profiles of anyone in the D-backs system. Vuckovich&#39s pure contact skills are good and he has above-average power potential, but his plate discipline needs work. His chase rate spiked when he got to High-A, and he struggles with offspeed and breaking stuff in particular. Defensively, Vukovich showed below-average hands and throwing accuracy at third base during the opening weeks of the season but improved as the year progressed. He still widely projects to move to a corner outfield spot, where he should cover plenty of ground with his average speed.

The Future: Vukovich draws mixed reviews from rival scouts, but the D-backs are more bullish. They expect his swing decisions will improve and believe he&#39ll become a middle-of-the-order power hitter with the ability to steal 10-15 bases. Even if he has to move positions, that is enough profile in an outfield corner.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.
Track Record: A multisport athlete in high school, Vukovich signed with the D-backs for an above-slot $1.25 million as a fourth-round pick in 2020 rather than stick with his commitment to Louisville. After a strong showing at instructional league in 2020, he skipped over the complex levels and went straight to Low-A Visalia for his pro debut in 2021. Vukovich got off to a rough start on both sides of the ball but righted the ship, earning a promotion to High-A and finishing with a solid .272/.323/.446 line.

Scouting Report: Vukovich has a long-levered, athletic frame. He has a closed off stance at the plate, an unusual setup for a modern hitter, but he manages to hit balls hard to all fields and has one of the better better-batted ball profiles of anyone in the D-backs system. Vukovich’s pure contact skills are good and he has above-average power potential, but his plate discipline needs work. His chase rate spiked when he got to High-A, and he struggles with offspeed and breaking stuff in particular. Defensively, Vukovich showed below-average hands and throwing accuracy at third base during the opening weeks of the season but improved as the year progressed. He still widely projects to move to a corner outfield spot, where he should cover plenty of ground with his average speed.

The Future: Vukovich draws mixed reviews from rival scouts, but the D-backs are more bullish. They expect his swing decisions will improve and believe he’ll become a middle-of-the-order power hitter with the ability to steal 10-15 bases. Even if he has to move positions, that is enough profile in an outfield corner.
TRACK RECORD: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school who was a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and signed him for $1.25 million, the equivalent of second-round money, to forgo a Louisville commitment. Vukovich made a loud first impression at instructional league in the fall, impressing the organization with consistent hard contact and a mature routine and work ethic.

SCOUTING REPORT: Vukovich is lean and lanky and has more athleticism than might be apparent at first glance. Despite his big frame and long levers, his swing is relatively short and direct with few moving parts. With his stance slightly closed, he wears out the right-center field gap. He shows a good approach, a feel for finding the barrel and plus power potential. Defense hasn't been a focus for Vuckovich, but he made strides in his fundamentals at third base during the fall. He still has a long way to go and might end up shifting to an outfield corner. He is a below-average runner.

THE FUTURE: Vukovich should hit enough for an outfield corner. Some observers believe he could develop into a Nick Castellanos type.
TRACK RECORD: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school who was a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and signed him for $1.25 million, the equivalent of second-round money, to forgo a Louisville commitment. Vukovich made a loud first impression at instructional league in the fall, impressing the organization with consistent hard contact and a mature routine and work ethic.

SCOUTING REPORT: Vukovich is lean and lanky and has more athleticism than might be apparent at first glance. Despite his big frame and long levers, his swing is relatively short and direct with few moving parts. With his stance slightly closed, he wears out the right-center field gap. He shows a good approach, a feel for finding the barrel and plus power potential. Defense hasn't been a focus for Vuckovich, but he made strides in his fundamentals at third base during the fall. He still has a long way to go and might end up shifting to an outfield corner. He is a below-average runner.

THE FUTURE: Vukovich should hit enough for an outfield corner. Some observers believe he could develop into a Nick Castellanos type.
TRACK RECORD: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school who was a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and signed him for $1.25 million, the equivalent of second-round money, to forgo a Louisville commitment. Vukovich made a loud first impression at instructional league in the fall, impressing the organization with consistent hard contact and a mature routine and work ethic.

SCOUTING REPORT: Vukovich is lean and lanky and has more athleticism than might be apparent at first glance. Despite his big frame and long levers, his swing is relatively short and direct with few moving parts. With his stance slightly closed, he wears out the right-center field gap. He shows a good approach, a feel for finding the barrel and plus power potential. Defense hasn't been a focus for Vuckovich, but he made strides in his fundamentals at third base during the fall. He still has a long way to go and might end up shifting to an outfield corner. He is a below-average runner.

THE FUTURE: Vukovich should hit enough for an outfield corner. Some observers believe he could develop into a Nick Castellanos type.