• Full name Austin Alexander Charles
  • Born 11/13/2003 in Bakersfield, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Stockdale
  • Drafted in the 20th round (595th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2022 (signed for $429,500).
    View Draft Report
    The younger brother of former Phillies minor leaguer Art Charles, Austin established himself as one of the top two-way players in the draft with a standout showing playing both ways at the WWBA World Championships last fall. He primarily played shortstop this spring to prove he could be a position player at higher levels, but he projects better as a pitcher. Charles stands 6-foot-7 and is uniquely athletic and coordinated for his size. He has a fast, loose arm and generates excellent downhill plane on his fastball. Charles’ fastball velocity varies widely from 88-95 mph, in part because his delivery is raw and inconsistent, but he has a chance to reach triple-digits as he improves his delivery and gets stronger in his projectable frame. Charles complements his fastball with an above-average, 78-80 mph curveball with solid depth and has a good feel for throwing strikes. He needs to develop his below-average changeup. Charles requires a lot of projection, but his size, stuff and athleticism earn comparisons to Mets starter Taijuan Walker on the mound. As a position player, Charles lacks the quickness to stay at shortstop with his large frame and may have to move off the infield altogether. He has plus-plus raw power, but his long arms and funky swing mechanics make it unlikely he’ll make enough contact against better pitching. Charles rarely started games on the mound this spring because of his desire to play the field, giving teams only a brief look at what he does best. His lack of innings this spring may cause him to reach campus at UC Santa Barbara.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Draft Prospects

Scouting Reports

Career Transactions

  • 3B Austin Charles assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
  • Columbia Fireflies activated SS Austin Charles.
  • SS Austin Charles assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
  • SS Austin Charles assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.

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