Kale Fountain Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Kale Fountain
Born 08/14/2005 in Lincoln, NE
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Norris
Drafted in the 5th round (151st overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2024 (signed for $1,700,000).

View Draft Report

School: Norris HS, Firth, Neb.
Commit/Drafted: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.9
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.

Fountain is an extra-large, 6-foot-5, 230-pound corner infielder who has big raw power and showed it off in 2023 at the Area Code Games. He showed plus raw power in batting practice and also homered once to the pull-side in game—turning around an elevated 90-mph fastball that left his bat at 98 mph and traveled an estimated 376 feet. After seeing him hit the ball, it’s not shocking to learn that he became the Nebraska Class B high school career home run record holder after just his junior season of high school. Fountain doesn’t always get on plane and there’s enough swing-and-miss to wonder what sort of pure hitter he’ll be, but he generally makes solid swing decisions and walked as often as he struck out in 20 games logged by Synergy during the 2023 showcase circuit. He is a stiff mover who will need to improve his actions to stick at third base, though he does have above-average arm strength that would play nicely at the position. As a below-average runner he’ll be limited to a corner in some capacity if he has to move off of third base. Fountain is committed to LSU. He joins fellow Nebraskan Tyson Lewis as a potential top-five round selection in a strong year for the state.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.

Track Record: Fountain enjoyed a standout prep career at Norris High in Firth, Neb., in which he set state career records with 31 home runs, 154 RBIs and 84 stolen bases. He broke the Nebraska prep home run record while still a junior. In addition to his personal accolades, Fountain as a senior led his team to a Nebraska Class B state championship. The Padres drafted him in the fifth round in 2024 and inked him to an over-slot deal worth $1.7 million. Fountain did not play after the draft and had Tommy John surgery in October.

Scouting Report: Fountain has an extra-large, 6-foot-5 frame with impressive strength throughout. He sets up in the righthanded batter’s box with a closed-off front side and wide base, and while his load with his front leg is significant, his actual stride is small. He really sits on his back side, and there is a bit of a bat wrap in his load. Fountain has thunderous bat speed with comfortably plus raw power which he has shown he can get to in games. His swing decisions on the 2023 high school summer showcase circuit were solid, but there are questions about whether he will make enough contact to be an average hitter. Fountain has an above-average arm at third base, but he is a stiff mover and could eventually move off the position.

The Future: The Padres expect Fountain to be ready to hit by spring training. Given the fact he recently had surgery and has yet to make his pro debut, he could spend all of 2025 at the Padres’ Arizona complex. Much of Fountain’s upside is contingent on how much he is able to hit. His plus power is his calling card, but it doesn’t mean much if he is unable to get to it on a consistent basis. Fountain’s big league debut is unlikely to come before 2028.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 55

Draft Prospects

School: Norris HS, Firth, Neb. Commit/Drafted: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.9
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.

Fountain is an extra-large, 6-foot-5, 230-pound corner infielder who has big raw power and showed it off in 2023 at the Area Code Games. He showed plus raw power in batting practice and also homered once to the pull-side in game—turning around an elevated 90-mph fastball that left his bat at 98 mph and traveled an estimated 376 feet. After seeing him hit the ball, it’s not shocking to learn that he became the Nebraska Class B high school career home run record holder after just his junior season of high school. Fountain doesn’t always get on plane and there’s enough swing-and-miss to wonder what sort of pure hitter he’ll be, but he generally makes solid swing decisions and walked as often as he struck out in 20 games logged by Synergy during the 2023 showcase circuit. He is a stiff mover who will need to improve his actions to stick at third base, though he does have above-average arm strength that would play nicely at the position. As a below-average runner he’ll be limited to a corner in some capacity if he has to move off of third base. Fountain is committed to LSU. He joins fellow Nebraskan Tyson Lewis as a potential top-five round selection in a strong year for the state.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

School: Norris HS, Firth, Neb. Committed: LSU
Age At Draft: 18.9
Fountain is an extra-large, 6-foot-5, 230-pound corner infielder who has big time raw power and showed it off in 2023 at the Area Code Games. He showed plus raw power in batting practice and also homered once to the pull-side in game—turning around an elevated 90-mph fastball that left his bat at 98 mph and traveled an estimated 376 feet. After seeing him hit the ball it’s not shocking to learn that he’s already the Nebraska high school career home run record holder and still has a full senior season to add to that total. Fountain doesn’t always get on plane and there’s enough swing-and-miss to wonder what sort of pure hitter he’ll be, but he generally makes solid swing decisions and walked as often as he struck out in 20 games logged by Synergy this year. He is a stiff mover who will need to improve his actions to stick at third base, though he does have above-average arm strength that would play nicely at the position. Fountain is committed to LSU.