Drake Varnado Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Drake Kane Varnado
Born 11/29/2002 in Beaumont, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arizona State
Drafted in the 17th round (498th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021.

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A lean-framed infielder committed to Arkansas, Varnado played on a loaded IMG Academy team in Bradenton, Fla. this spring and was scouted heavily and often because of that. He showed solid athleticism, running ability and defensive potential last summer over the showcase circuit, but scouts were looking for him to add some strength and take a step forward with the bat this spring. Varnado did change his approach and setup at the plate this spring, hitting from an upright and open stance that didn’t ever get back to even and led to a heavy pull approach. While Varnado has turned in plus run times in the 60-yard dash and is a 60-grade runner underway, his swing prohibits him from getting out of the box quickly and scouts have gotten more fringe-average home-to-first times from him because of it. There’s a bit of a split-opinion on Varnado’s defensive ability and future home. Scouts who like him see good enough hands and defensive actions to play a solid shortstop, with good lateral mobility and solid body control coming in on slow rollers. Others think he is more fringy at shortstop and would be better to move to second base, while others think his speed would play best in center field. Varnado has room to add strength to his frame but doesn’t look like the sort of player who will ever be a big home run hitter, so his overall upside might be tied to his pure hitting ability and how much he can improve his offensive approach.

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Draft Prospects

A lean-framed infielder committed to Arkansas, Varnado played on a loaded IMG Academy team in Bradenton, Fla. this spring and was scouted heavily and often because of that. He showed solid athleticism, running ability and defensive potential last summer over the showcase circuit, but scouts were looking for him to add some strength and take a step forward with the bat this spring. Varnado did change his approach and setup at the plate this spring, hitting from an upright and open stance that didn’t ever get back to even and led to a heavy pull approach. While Varnado has turned in plus run times in the 60-yard dash and is a 60-grade runner underway, his swing prohibits him from getting out of the box quickly and scouts have gotten more fringe-average home-to-first times from him because of it. There’s a bit of a split-opinion on Varnado’s defensive ability and future home. Scouts who like him see good enough hands and defensive actions to play a solid shortstop, with good lateral mobility and solid body control coming in on slow rollers. Others think he is more fringy at shortstop and would be better to move to second base, while others think his speed would play best in center field. Varnado has room to add strength to his frame but doesn’t look like the sort of player who will ever be a big home run hitter, so his overall upside might be tied to his pure hitting ability and how much he can improve his offensive approach.