Jordan Akins Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Jordan Nikemian Akins
Born 04/19/1992 in Locust Grove, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 192 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Union Grove
Drafted in the 3rd round (103rd overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2010 (signed for $350,000).

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Some scouts compare Akins, who is a Central Florida signee, to Top 200 talent Niko Goodrum, and in most cases Goodrum comes out on the short end. Like Goodrum, Akins is tall and lean but packs 210 pounds onto his wide receiver's frame. Despite his size, he runs the 60-yard dash in 6.4 seconds and has fast-twitch muscle to spare. Some consider him the state's best athlete, which is quite a statement considering the depth of athletes in the Peach State this year. He has a plus arm, though not quite as strong as Goodrum's, and has shown the natural bat speed and hitting ability to catch up to good fastballs. Breaking balls still give him fits, so his aptitude once he becomes a full-time baseball player will be crucial to whether he reaches his considerable ceiling. Akins is raw but has enough natural instincts to thrive despite being a part-time baseball player. He also could go out in the first two rounds, particularly to a team with extra picks. The only other question is football. Akins turned down Georgia for Central Florida's two-sport offer. He was an explosive offensive player in high school, playing quarterback and wide receiver while also returning kicks and scoring close to 20 touchdowns.

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Akins spurned a football scholarship from Georgia for the chance to play two sports at Central Florida, but he turned that down to sign with the Rangers for $350,000 as a third-round pick in 2010. A premium fast-twitch athlete, he was an explosive quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner who didn't play much baseball. He struggled in his pro debut, then made strides last summer and was the star of instructional league in the fall. Though raw, Akins shows flashes of five plus tools that he's just starting to translate into baseball skills. He has light-tower raw power, drawing crowds during batting practice, but his swing can flatten out and he needs to be more consistent keeping the bat head in the zone. He has a quick path to the ball and a smooth stroke, though he needs to improve his pitch recognition. With plus-plus speed, Akins has good range in center field and takes proper routes to the ball. He also has an above-average arm. He should be able to stick in center field, where he spent most of last year, but he could end up in right field as he fills out. Though he's not as big, he reminds some scouts of Mike Stanton for his football background, elite athleticism and raw power. The Rangers hope Akins can handle a promotion to low Class A to open 2012.

A third-round pick in 2010, Akins was a much improved player in his second AZL season. He's a fast-twitch athlete who lacked baseball skills a year ago (he was a Division I football recruit), and while he's still a long way from fulfilling his five-tool potential, he made tremendous strides this summer. "He has the potential to be a star in the big leagues," Rangers manager Hector Ortiz said. Akins batted .283/.312/.428, a vast improvement over his .187/.241/.252 pro debut. In order for his promising power to emerge, he'll need to control the strike zone, improve his pitch recognition and add more loft to his swing. He's a well-above-average runner who stole 13 bases in 15 attempts. After playing right field last year, Akins spent most of his time in center field in 2011. He developed more confidence as a defender, improving his routes and continuing to display a plus arm.