Ryan Cermak Stats & Scouting Report

AB	155
AVG	.2
OBP	.314
SLG	.303
HR	3

Full name Ryan Austin Cermak
Born 06/02/2001 in Hinsdale, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Illinois State
Drafted in the CB-B round (71st overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022 (signed for $750,000).

View Draft Report

Paul DeJong, Owen Miller and now Ryan Cermak. The Redbirds of Illinois State have been known to produce a prospect or two, and Cermak has drawn plenty of scout love to Normal, Ill., this spring. The athletic, strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound righthanded hitter has soared up draft boards this spring and projects to be one of the first center fielders off the board in July. Offensively, Cermak swings a dangerous stick, with plus bat speed and aggression. When squared, he generates exit velocities up to 110 mph. None of his 19 home runs were cheap and after slashing .340/.441/.696 he established himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the country. If there are any holes in Cermak’s offensive approach, it lies in the fact that he’s a dead pull hitter. Pitchers would find success this spring with executed fastballs and sliders away, and sometimes off the plate. Driving the ball the other way more consistently will work in Cermak’s favor as opposing arms will quickly learn not to challenge him middle-in. Cermak’s play on the defensive side is equally impressive. With a highlight reel that’s loaded with Sports Center Top 10 type plays, there’s no question in the minds of evaluators he will continue to shine in center field at the professional level. How about arm strength? He’s been up to 95 off the mound, which gives him another asset in the grass. Cermak will turn in above-average run times down the first base line, giving him a complete package of above-average of better tools.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Illinois State has had a number of impressive future big leaguers in recent years, led by Paul DeJong and Owen Miller, but it's been quite a while since they had a slugger like Cermak. Cermak hit 19 home runs, which was the most by a Redbird hitter since 1999. A third baseman as a freshman, Cermak found a home in center field, where he had a knack for making highlight-caliber plays.

Scouting Report: Cermak fits a lot of the attributes the Rays look for in their outfield prospects. He's a center fielder with a plus arm that could capably fit in a corner as well. He's also an above-average runner. Cermak has plenty of bat speed and looks to do damage with plus power. He can get too aggressive, as he'll need to better lay off sliders off the plate in pro ball.

The Future: Cermak got a seven-game stint in the Florida Complex League to start to get acclimated to pro ball. He'll get a much heavier workload in 2023. He projects as a power-oriented well-rounded center fielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Run: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 60.

Draft Prospects

School: Illinois State Committed/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
BA Grade: 50/High
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
Paul DeJong, Owen Miller and now Ryan Cermak. The Redbirds of Illinois State have been known to produce a prospect or two, and Cermak has drawn plenty of scout love to Normal, Ill., this spring. The athletic, strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound righthanded hitter has soared up draft boards this spring and projects to be one of the first center fielders off the board in July. Offensively, Cermak swings a dangerous stick, with plus bat speed and aggression. When squared, he generates exit velocities up to 110 mph. None of his 19 home runs were cheap and after slashing .340/.441/.696 he established himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the country. If there are any holes in Cermak’s offensive approach, it lies in the fact that he’s a dead pull hitter. Pitchers would find success this spring with executed fastballs and sliders away, and sometimes off the plate. Driving the ball the other way more consistently will work in Cermak’s favor as opposing arms will quickly learn not to challenge him middle-in. Cermak’s play on the defensive side is equally impressive. With a highlight reel that’s loaded with Sports Center Top 10 type plays, there’s no question in the minds of evaluators he will continue to shine in center field at the professional level. How about arm strength? He’s been up to 95 off the mound, which gives him another asset in the grass. Cermak will turn in above-average run times down the first base line, giving him a complete package of above-average of better tools.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Illinois State has had a number of impressive future big leaguers in recent years, led by Paul DeJong and Owen Miller, but it's been quite a while since they had a slugger like Cermak. Cermak hit 19 home runs, which was the most by a Redbird hitter since 1999. A third baseman as a freshman, Cermak found a home in center field, where he had a knack for making highlight-caliber plays.

Scouting Report: Cermak fits a lot of the attributes the Rays look for in their outfield prospects. He's a center fielder with a plus arm that could capably fit in a corner as well. He's also an above-average runner. Cermak has plenty of bat speed and looks to do damage with plus power. He can get too aggressive, as he'll need to better lay off sliders off the plate in pro ball.

The Future: Cermak got a seven-game stint in the Florida Complex League to start to get acclimated to pro ball. He'll get a much heavier workload in 2023. He projects as a power-oriented well-rounded center fielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Run: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Illinois State has had a number of impressive future big leaguers in recent years, led by Paul DeJong and Owen Miller, but it's been quite a while since they had a slugger like Cermak. Cermak hit 19 home runs, which was the most by a Redbird hitter since 1999. A third baseman as a freshman, Cermak found a home in center field, where he had a knack for making highlight-caliber plays.

Scouting Report: Cermak fits a lot of the attributes the Rays look for in their outfield prospects. He's a center fielder with a plus arm that could capably fit in a corner as well. He's also an above-average runner. Cermak has plenty of bat speed and looks to do damage with plus power. He can get too aggressive, as he'll need to better lay off sliders off the plate in pro ball.

The Future: Cermak got a seven-game stint in the Florida Complex League to start to get acclimated to pro ball. He'll get a much heavier workload in 2023. He projects as a power-oriented well-rounded center fielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Run: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 60.