Nolan Fontana

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #29 prospect in 2016
  A three-year starter at shortstop at Florida, Fontana's pro career has followed an expected progression as he's transitioned from everyday shortstop to versatile utility infielder with some strengths and some very clear weaknesses. His best attribute at the plate, his ability to draw walks, is diminishing as he climbs the ladder because pitchers with better control are willing to challenge him. He lacks the power to punish them for pitches in the zone. But Fontana's excellent feel for the strike zone ensures he'll always draw his walks. He likes to work deep counts and is comfortable hitting with two strikes--he just strikes out more now. Fontana has near bottom-of-the-scale power. He isn't an everyday shortstop because of limited range and an average arm but he has a shot to be a utility infielder because he's a reliable defender at second and playable on the left side of the infield. Protected on the 40-man roster, he's set to go back to Fresno.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #20 prospect in 2014
  The minors are filled with heady college shortstops who make up for their less-than-ideal range with excellent positioning, reliable hands and a grinder's intensity. Fontana, grandson of former Braves star Lew Burdette, filled that role for three years at Florida, helping the Gators to three straight appearances in the College World Series. He's done the same with the Astros, showing less-than-ideal tools but a heady approach that leads scouts to think he can be a big league contributor. Scouts doubt that Fontana will ever be a regular big league shortstop with his fringy range and tick-below-average arm, but he's sure-handed enough to play shortstop on occasion. With average speed, he doesn't run as well as one would ideally like for a utility infielder, but he does have manifest on-base skills thanks to a patient approach that approaches passivity at times. The Astros are looking to spot Fontana at second base in 2014 to add to his versatility as he moves up to Double-A Corpus Christi.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #10 prospect in 2013
  Fontana's grandfather Lew Burdette won 203 games in the majors and beat the Yankees three times in the Braves' 1957 World Series triumph. Fontana made three College World Series trips as Florida's starting shortstop, making just 23 errors in three seasons. The 61st pick in the 2012 draft, he signed for $844,100 and went straight to low Class A. Fontana evokes compliments such as "ballplayer" and "grinder." He has excellent defensive instincts, soft hands and solid arm strength. He doesn't have ideal range for a shortstop, but it would shock few scouts if he willed himself to be an average big league defender there. He would thrive at second base and provides enough offense to profile there. Fontana knows the strike zone, works counts and handles the bat well. He walked 65 times in 49 pro games, though he struck out 44 times and may need to get a little more aggressive. He has doubles power to the gaps, above-average speed and good baserunning instincts. He wore down at the end of the season and will have to get stronger to hold up over a 162-game schedule. While Fontana may not be a star, scouts are certain he'll be a big leaguer, likely in the mold of another former Gator, David Eckstein. Fontana will push toolsier shortstops Jonathan Villar and Jio Mier in 2013 and could start his first full pro season in Double-A.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #46 prospect in 2012 draft
  Fontana came to Gainesville in the summer of 2009 as part of a top-ranked recruiting class that included Mike Zunino, Brian Johnson and Hudson Randall, among others. Fontana became the everyday shortstop as a freshman and has helped take the Gators to back-to-back College World Series trips. Scouts see him as one of the draft's safest bets for his defensive and hitting skills, despite his lack of impact tools. One opposing coach likened Fontana to Novocain: "Give it time, it works." Fontana grinds through at-bats, seeing plenty of pitches and drawing walks. He has learned to punish mistakes and had nine home runs through April, after hitting eight in his first two seasons combined. Some scouts say Fontana has above-average speed, and all note his heady, smart baserunning. He's an efficient, surehanded defender at short who has made just three errors this season. He should play there as a professional, at least as a utility player, but profiles better as a second baseman due to his range and average arm. Fontana has no impact tool but should be a big leaguer for a long time, and should be the second college middle infielder drafted after Arizona State's Deven Marrero.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Fontana's grandfather Lew Burdette won 203 games in the majors and beat the Yankees three times in the Braves' 1957 World Series triumph. Fontana made three College World Series trips as Florida's starting shortstop, making just 23 errors in three seasons. The 61st pick in the 2012 draft, he signed for $844,100 and went straight to low Class A. Scouting Report: Fontana evokes compliments such as "ballplayer"and "grinder."He has excellent defensive instincts, soft hands and solid arm strength. He doesn't have ideal range for a shortstop, but it would shock few scouts if he willed himself to be an average big league defender there. He would thrive at second base and provides enough offense to profile there. Fontana knows the strike zone, works counts and handles the bat well. He walked 65 times in 49 pro games, though he struck out 44 times and may need to get a little more aggressive. He has doubles power to the gaps, above-average speed and good baserunning instincts. He wore down at the end of the season and will have to get stronger to hold up over a 162-game schedule. The Future: While Fontana may not be a star, scouts are certain he'll be a big leaguer, likely in the mold of another former Gator, David Eckstein. Fontana will push toolsier shortstops Jonathan Villar and Jio Mier in 2013 and could start his first full pro season in Double-A.