Terrell Tatum

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #23 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: An unheralded prospect who wasn’t a regular until his senior season at North Carolina State, Tatum had tools and athleticism that intrigued the White Sox. Chicago drafted the lefthanded-hitting outfielder in the 16th round in 2021. After a hot start at High-A Winston-Salem in 2023, Tatum cooled off after moving up to Double-A Birmingham.
  
  Scouting Report: Tatum’s speed and defense stand out most. He projects as a fringe-average hitter with fringe-average raw power. Using a short stroke with above-average bat speed, Tatum does a nice job hitting the ball back up the middle, but he gets in trouble when he tries to sell out for power. A late bloomer who turned 24 one month after being promoted to Double-A, Tatum has added strength and shows good doubles power from a flatter hitting plane. He’s a selective hitter--he drew 100 walks in 2023 to rank eighth among all minor league hitters--but he struck out too often at 27%. A plus runner, Tatum stole a combined 47 bases in 2023, and his on-base skills will continue to give him opportunities to swipe bags. In addition to using his wheels on the basepaths, Tatum is an above-average defender in center field with a fringe-average arm.
  
  The Future: It’s tempting to slap a fourth outfielder label on Tatum, but he could turn into more than that as a late bloomer with some exciting tools and somewhat limited baseball experience for his age. If he can make more consistent contact, he could be a starter on a second-division team.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: An unheralded prospect who wasn't a regular until his senior season at North Carolina State, the White Sox saw potential in Tatum's tools and athleticism, grabbing the lefthanded-hitting outfielder in the 16th round in 2021. He split his first full season assignment between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem and was in the midst of a strong breakout season when he was suspended for 50 games for a positive test for amphetamines. He was assigned to the Arizona Fall League but got into only six games before an ankle injury put him on the sidelines.
  
  Scouting Report: Tatum flashes five-tool potential, with his speed and defense standing out the most. He projects as an average hitter with average raw power. He uses a short stroke with above-average bat speed and does a nice job hitting the ball back up the middle. With good awareness of the strike zone, Tatum walked at an 18.5% clip but a 29% strikeout rate shows he needs to put more balls in play to take advantage of his plus speed. In addition to using his wheels on the bases, Tatum is an above-average outfielder with a fringe-average arm. He plays hard and has feel to play the game.
  
  The Future: Already 23, Tatum should be ready for Double-A in 2023. It's tempting to slap a fourth outfielder label on him, but he could turn into more as a late bloomer with some exciting tools and somewhat limited baseball experience for his age.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: An unheralded prospect who wasn't a regular until his senior season at North Carolina State, the White Sox saw potential in Tatum's tools and athleticism, grabbing the lefthanded-hitting outfielder in the 16th round in 2021. He split his first full season assignment between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem and was in the midst of a strong breakout season when he was suspended for 50 games for a positive test for amphetamines. He was assigned to the Arizona Fall League but got into only six games before an ankle injury put him on the sidelines.
  
  Scouting Report: Tatum flashes five-tool potential, with his speed and defense standing out the most. He projects as an average hitter with average raw power. He uses a short stroke with above-average bat speed and does a nice job hitting the ball back up the middle. With good awareness of the strike zone, Tatum walked at an 18.5% clip but a 29% strikeout rate shows he needs to put more balls in play to take advantage of his plus speed. In addition to using his wheels on the bases, Tatum is an above-average outfielder with a fringe-average arm. He plays hard and has feel to play the game.
  
  The Future: Already 23, Tatum should be ready for Double-A in 2023. It's tempting to slap a fourth outfielder label on him, but he could turn into more as a late bloomer with some exciting tools and somewhat limited baseball experience for his age.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: An unheralded prospect who wasn't a regular until his senior season at North Carolina State, the White Sox saw potential in Tatum's tools and athleticism, grabbing the lefthanded-hitting outfielder in the 16th round in 2021. He split his first full season assignment between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem and was in the midst of a strong breakout season when he was suspended for 50 games for a positive test for amphetamines. He was assigned to the Arizona Fall League but got into only six games before an ankle injury put him on the sidelines.
  
  Scouting Report: Tatum flashes five-tool potential, with his speed and defense standing out the most. He projects as an average hitter with average raw power. He uses a short stroke with above-average bat speed and does a nice job hitting the ball back up the middle. With good awareness of the strike zone, Tatum walked at an 18.5% clip but a 29% strikeout rate shows he needs to put more balls in play to take advantage of his plus speed. In addition to using his wheels on the bases, Tatum is an above-average outfielder with a fringe-average arm. He plays hard and has feel to play the game.
  
  The Future: Already 23, Tatum should be ready for Double-A in 2023. It's tempting to slap a fourth outfielder label on him, but he could turn into more as a late bloomer with some exciting tools and somewhat limited baseball experience for his age.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.