Luke Bonfield

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #476 prospect in 2017 draft
  Despite a swing that required near perfect timing, Bonfield was considered one of the more consistent hitters in the high school class in 2014 and was picked by the Mets in the 21st round that year. He went undrafted as a draft-eligible sophomore last year and isn't likely to go high in this year's draft as his defensive limitations and lack of speed have become more apparent in college while his bat has yet to live up to expectations. After a very uneven freshman year, Bonfield did hit .304/.402/.509 as a sophomore. But he failed to match those numbers this year--he ranked fifth on the Razorbacks squad in batting average, fourth in home runs (9) and seventh in slugging percentage in a .294/.366/.459 junior campaign. Bonfield has to hit as he's a near bottom-of-the-scale runner who is below-average defensively in the outfield. Evaluators believe he'll end up at first base in pro ball. Evaluators have a long history with Bonfield, but his modest production makes it hard to pay him when he's a bat-first prospect.
• Ranked #187 prospect in 2014 draft
  Bonfield, the son of two former college athletes, moved from New Jersey to play at IMG Academy as a senior. As a righthanded-hitting corner outfielder without plus power or speed, his long-term profile could be an issue, but some scouts think he'll hit enough to overcome that. He was one of the top hitters on the showcase circuit last summer and consistently made hard contact up the middle and to the gaps, especially during a strong showing at East Coast Pro. Bonfield is not a conventional hitter, with a high leg kick and a deep load, and if his timing is off he can tie himself up, but he has tremendous strength through his forearms and wrists. His line-drive swing limits his over-the-fence power, but he drives the ball well to the gaps. He is an average runner, and his arm approaches average after having elbow trouble last year, making left field his most likely destination. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Bonfield has a toned, athletic build with room to get stronger. Some teams believe enough in his bat to value him in the top five rounds, while others believe he'll be better off heading to Arkansas.