Preston Mattingly Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1708
AVG	.232
OBP	.276
SLG	.335
HR	25

Full name Preston Michael Mattingly
Born 08/28/1987 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cantral
Drafted in the C-A round (31st overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 (signed for $1,000,000).

View Draft Report

For the son of a former batting champion and MVP like Don Mattingly, not to mention a multisport athlete in his own right, shortstop Preston Mattingly didn't get much exposure for most of the spring. He was a well-kept secret among a few scouts, so a lot of clubs didn't get a chance to crosscheck him. An all-state wide receiver in football and a 20-point-a-game scorer in basketball, he has plus speed and is much quicker than his father ever was. He's a 6-foot-3, 200-pound righthanded hitter with bat speed, pop and an advanced approach. The one thing Mattingly lacks is a definite position. For all his athleticism, his footwork and actions aren't smooth, and his arm is slightly below-average. He could get a look at third base or center field, but it's possible that he could wind up as nothing more than a physically gifted left fielder--in which case his bat would really have to carry him. The Yankees, for whom Don starred and currently serves as batting coach, are known to have interest in Preston and signed his brother Taylor as a 42nd-round pick in 2003. Other teams in the hunt include the Dodgers, Marlins, Orioles, Red Sox and Twins, and there may be enough competition for Mattingly to drive him into the first five rounds. He'll attend Tennessee if he doesn't turn pro.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Despite his bloodlines, Mattingly wasn't a consensus baseball prospect entering his senior high school season in 2006. The son of new Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly, Preston was a three-sport star and leaned toward playing basketball in college before Los Angeles popped him with the 31st overall pick and signed him for $1 million. His athleticism hasn't translated on the baseball diamond through 590 professional at-bats, and he batted .157/.204/.196 after the all-star break in a forgettable first full season in 2007. Mattingly's approach at the plate is raw, as he swings and misses, expands the strike zone and fails to make consistent hard contact. He flashes plus bat speed and raw power in batting practice, and Los Angeles hopes his athleticism will help him make adjustments as he matures. Mattingly lacks the range and arm for the left side of the infield, and though he's a solid-average runner underway, his best position might be left field. He held his own at second base last season after playing shortstop as an amateur. He likely will repeat low Class A in 2008 and move up as soon as he shows improvement.
Despite being a three-sport star and the son of former American League MVP and batting champ Don Mattingly, Preston somehow stayed off the radar of most area scouts in 2006. The Dodgers liked him all along, and made him a surprise supplemental first-round pick. After signing for $1 million, he acquitted himself well in the Gulf Coast League. An all- Indiana wide receiver in football and a 20-point-a-game scorer in basketball, Mattingly stands out for his athleticism, bat speed and raw power. Balls jump off his bat and he has power to all fields. He has a good feel for hitting and a sound approach. He's an above-average runner. He has good makeup. Mattingly is very raw. He needs to improve his pitch recognition, use the whole field and avoid chasing breaking balls. He lacks the actions and footwork to remain in the middle of the diamond, and he ultimately could wind up in left field. His throwing mechanics are poor and he has below-average arm strength. The Dodgers believe Mattingly will develop into a middle-of-the-order run producer. There are no immediate plans to change his position this year, which he'll probably spend in extended spring training and Rookie-level Ogden.

Minor League Top Prospects

One of the draft's biggest early-round surprises, Mattingly was taken 31st overall and signed with the Dodgers for $1 million despite the fact that many teams didn't scout him thoroughly. An all-Indiana wide receiver in football and a 20-point-a-game scorer in basketball, he has an athletic frame and better speed than his father, former American League MVP Don, ever had. Mattingly slumped badly late in the summer, but he has a heady approach to hitting and plus power potential. He can drive balls to all fields. He needs to improve his pitch recognition and avoid chasing breaking balls. Mattingly's throwing mechanics are poor and, while his hands are fine, his actions lack fluidity at shortstop. He'll probably be forced to move to left field, where Los Angeles believes he'll develop into a middle-of-the-order run producer.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Athlete in the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007

Scouting Reports

Despite being a three-sport star and the son of former American League MVP and batting champ Don Mattingly, Preston somehow stayed off the radar of most area scouts in 2006. The Dodgers liked him all along, and made him a surprise supplemental first-round pick. After signing for $1 million, he acquitted himself well in the Gulf Coast League. An all- Indiana wide receiver in football and a 20-point-a-game scorer in basketball, Mattingly stands out for his athleticism, bat speed and raw power. Balls jump off his bat and he has power to all fields. He has a good feel for hitting and a sound approach. He's an above-average runner. He has good makeup. Mattingly is very raw. He needs to improve his pitch recognition, use the whole field and avoid chasing breaking balls. He lacks the actions and footwork to remain in the middle of the diamond, and he ultimately could wind up in left field. His throwing mechanics are poor and he has below-average arm strength. The Dodgers believe Mattingly will develop into a middle-of-the-order run producer. There are no immediate plans to change his position this year, which he'll probably spend in extended spring training and Rookie-level Ogden.