Kyren Paris

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #4 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Angels drafted Paris 55th overall in 2019 as one of the youngest players in the class and signed him for an over-slot $1.4 million. After breaking his hamate three games into his pro career, Paris lost game reps to the pandemic and a broken tibia that held him to just 50 games from 2019 to 2021. In his first full healthy season in 2022, he struggled initially at High-A before hitting .299 in July and August to earn a promotion to Double-A Rocket City. In 2023, he struggled with strikeouts during the first half of the Southern League season, when the league experimented with a pre-tacked baseball, before posting an .840 OPS in the 40 games following. That earned Paris a September callup that saw him appear in 15 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris is an athletic, versatile infielder with roughly average tools. He has a strong, compact swing from the right side which helps him make hard contact on pitches in the zone. Swing-and-miss is a big part of his offensive package, though he has started to get into better counts and has always been able to draw walks. His surprising power helped pay off a 29% strikeout rate at Double-A in 2023. If he can continue making better swing decisions, he could have enough power and on-base prowess to be a regular. An aggressive baserunner with plus speed, Paris is a constant stolen base threat. He showed dramatic improvements in his footwork and throwing at shortstop in 2023. Experience at both middle infield positions and brief time in center field gives him defensive versatility.
  
  The Future: Paris’ ability to limit his swing-and-miss will dictate whether he becomes a regular or more of a utility player. He is part of the Angels’ MLB middle infield picture for 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #16 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Angels drafted Paris with the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft as one of the youngest players in the class and signed him for $1.4 million to pass up a California commitment. He played just 50 games in his first three seasons due to a broken hamate, broken tibia and the coronavirus pandemic but finally got on the field for a full season in 2022. He struggled early at High-A Tri-Cities but heated up in July and August and earned a late-season promotion to Double-A Rocket City as a 20-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris has a natural feel for hitting with a compact swing and quick hands from the right side. He sprays the ball to all fields and has added strength to begin hitting the ball harder, although he mostly hits liners to the gaps and still projects for below-average power. Paris' swing gets too big at times and he has a 30% career strikeout rate, but he reaches base at a high-clip (.373 career on-base percentage) and should sustain his high walk rates with regular reps and a more contact-driven approach. He is a plus runner who is aggressive on the base paths and a consistent threat to steal bases. Paris has quick actions and good hands at shortstop, but his average arm strength may limit him to second base. He has a strong work ethic that allows him to maximize his tools.
  
  The Future: Paris has the potential to be a contact and speed-driven, everyday second baseman, but he'll need to stay healthy and cut down his strikeouts. He'll open 2023 back at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #3 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Paris signed with the Angels for an over-slot $1.4 million as the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft, but he’s played just 50 games in three years. He was limited to three games by a broken hamate bone in 2019, missed the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and played only 47 games in 2021 after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his fibula. Even in that limited time, he stood out as a hitter at Low-A Inland Empire and earned a late promotion to High-A Tri-City as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris’ bat is well ahead of the glove. He has quick hands, good timing and a natural feel to hit, and his strength belies his small stature. He was more of an opposite-field, line-drive hitter when the Angels drafted him, an approach that pairs well with his plus speed, but he began to hit the ball harder to the gap and down the line in left field last season. He projects to be an above-average hitter and has enough power to project 12-16 home runs. Paris committed 12 errors in only 29 games in the field last season, mostly throwing. He has occasional lapses in footwork and a tendency to peek at runners, causing errant throws. He lacks the arm strength, range or quick release to be a shortstop, but he could be an average second baseman if he improves his reliability. In addition to his tools, Paris earns high praise for his makeup and work ethic.
  
  The Future: Paris has the components of a big league hitter and projects to be an offensive second baseman. He may see Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #9 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Running: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Paris signed for an above-slot $1.4 million as a second-round pick in 2019 but was limited to three games after signing by a broken hamate bone. He spent the final month of 2020 at the alternate training site, where he was one of the youngest players in camp. Paris looked overmatched the first two weeks, but his at-bats grew more competitive over time. He continued to build on that progress in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. He’s known for his contact skills more than his power, but he opened eyes when he drove a home run off lefthander Patrick Sandoval over the 395-foot center field wall at Blair Field during alternate site camp. Paris played some second base and third base at the alternate site, but with his above- average speed and arm and his infield actions, he should be able to stick at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: Though he hit just two homers in 91 high school games, Paris could develop into a 15-homer threat with his bat speed and wiry strength. He will likely start 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #10 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Paris played his entire senior season at 17 and held his own to emerge as a top draft prospect. The Angels drafted him in the second round, No. 55 overall, and gave him an above-slot $1.4 million bonus to forgo a California commitment. Paris broke his hamate bone during batting practice just before the start of the Rookie-level Arizona League and was limited to three games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. Paris hit just two homers in 91 high school games, but his burgeoning power seems to show up whenever he plays with a wood bat. With his bat speed and wiry strength, he could develop 15-home run power as he matures. Paris has nice actions in the infield and carries himself with a lot of confidence at shortstop. He should stick at the position with his above-average speed and arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paris is a high-end athlete who could end up a starting middle infielder if he adds strength. He'll be 18 years old the entire 2020 season and has plenty of time to mature physically.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #70 prospect in 2019 draft
  One of the youngest players in the 2019 class, Paris will be just 17 years old on the day of the draft. A 6-foot, 167-pound shortstop, Paris will draw some comparisons to Marlins' 2018 second-round pick Osiris Johnson, who, like Paris, was also a young shortstop from Northern California. Paris edges Johnson in both speed and defense, while Johnson was the superior bat with more power coming out of high school. Paris is a plus runner and slick defender with quick-twitch actions up the middle. He glides around the infield and ranges to both his left and right with ease, putting himself in good throwing positions with active footwork and good angles to the ball. His arm is solid-average, and he has good hand-eye coordination, all of which should help him become a defensive asset at shortstop. Offensively, Paris has shown good feel for putting the bat on the ball. He has quick hands and good timing, with the discipline and bat speed to allow the ball to travel deep into the hitting zone. While Paris shows feel for hitting, he does not have much current raw power due to a level bat path that's more line-drive oriented. He has added some strength and gotten taller this spring, however, so his power potential should be headed in the right direction. A few minor injuries, such as a broken finger, and dealing with an illness--in addition to weather that postponed several games--have made it challenging to scout Paris this spring, but his youth and ability to play shortstop could get him drafted early this June. Committed to California, Paris is praised for his no-nonsense demeanor off the field and all-around plus makeup.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Angels drafted Paris with the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft as one of the youngest players in the class and signed him for $1.4 million to pass up a California commitment. He played just 50 games in his first three seasons due to a broken hamate, broken tibia and the coronavirus pandemic but finally got on the field for a full season in 2022. He struggled early at High-A Tri-Cities but heated up in July and August and earned a late-season promotion to Double-A Rocket City as a 20-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris has a natural feel for hitting with a compact swing and quick hands from the right side. He sprays the ball to all fields and has added strength to begin hitting the ball harder, although he mostly hits liners to the gaps and still projects for below-average power. Paris' swing gets too big at times and he has a 30% career strikeout rate, but he reaches base at a high-clip (.373 career on-base percentage) and should sustain his high walk rates with regular reps and a more contact-driven approach. He is a plus runner who is aggressive on the base paths and a consistent threat to steal bases. Paris has quick actions and good hands at shortstop, but his average arm strength may limit him to second base. He has a strong work ethic that allows him to maximize his tools.
  
  The Future: Paris has the potential to be a contact and speed-driven, everyday second baseman, but he'll need to stay healthy and cut down his strikeouts. He'll open 2023 back at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Angels drafted Paris with the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft as one of the youngest players in the class and signed him for $1.4 million to pass up a California commitment. He played just 50 games in his first three seasons due to a broken hamate, broken tibia and the coronavirus pandemic but finally got on the field for a full season in 2022. He struggled early at High-A Tri-Cities but heated up in July and August and earned a late-season promotion to Double-A Rocket City as a 20-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris has a natural feel for hitting with a compact swing and quick hands from the right side. He sprays the ball to all fields and has added strength to begin hitting the ball harder, although he mostly hits liners to the gaps and still projects for below-average power. Paris' swing gets too big at times and he has a 30% career strikeout rate, but he reaches base at a high-clip (.373 career on-base percentage) and should sustain his high walk rates with regular reps and a more contact-driven approach. He is a plus runner who is aggressive on the base paths and a consistent threat to steal bases. Paris has quick actions and good hands at shortstop, but his average arm strength may limit him to second base. He has a strong work ethic that allows him to maximize his tools.
  
  The Future: Paris has the potential to be a contact and speed-driven, everyday second baseman, but he'll need to stay healthy and cut down his strikeouts. He'll open 2023 back at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High.
  
  Track Record: Paris signed with the Angels for an over-slot $1.4 million as the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft, but he&#39s played just 50 games in three years. He was limited to three games by a broken hamate bone in 2019, missed the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and played only 47 games in 2021 after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his fibula. Even in that limited time, he stood out as a hitter at Low-A Inland Empire and earned a late promotion to High-A Tri-City as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris&#39 bat is well ahead of the glove. He has quick hands, good timing and a natural feel to hit, and his strength belies his small stature. He was more of an opposite-field, line-drive hitter when the Angels drafted him, an approach that pairs well with his plus speed, but he began to hit the ball harder to the gap and down the line in left field last season. He projects to be an above-average hitter and has enough power to project 12-16 home runs. Paris committed 12 errors in only 29 games in the field last season, mostly throwing. He has occasional lapses in footwork and a tendency to peek at runners, causing errant throws. He lacks the arm strength, range or quick release to be a shortstop, but he could be an average second baseman if he improves his reliability. In addition to his tools, Paris earns high praise for his makeup and work ethic.
  
  The Future: Paris has the components of a big league hitter and projects to be an offensive second baseman. He may see Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Paris signed with the Angels for an over-slot $1.4 million as the 55th overall pick in the 2019 draft, but he’s played just 50 games in three years. He was limited to three games by a broken hamate bone in 2019, missed the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and played only 47 games in 2021 after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his fibula. Even in that limited time, he stood out as a hitter at Low-A Inland Empire and earned a late promotion to High-A Tri-City as a 19-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Paris’ bat is well ahead of the glove. He has quick hands, good timing and a natural feel to hit, and his strength belies his small stature. He was more of an opposite-field, line-drive hitter when the Angels drafted him, an approach that pairs well with his plus speed, but he began to hit the ball harder to the gap and down the line in left field last season. He projects to be an above-average hitter and has enough power to project 12-16 home runs. Paris committed 12 errors in only 29 games in the field last season, mostly throwing. He has occasional lapses in footwork and a tendency to peek at runners, causing errant throws. He lacks the arm strength, range or quick release to be a shortstop, but he could be an average second baseman if he improves his reliability. In addition to his tools, Paris earns high praise for his makeup and work ethic.
  
  The Future: Paris has the components of a big league hitter and projects to be an offensive second baseman. He may see Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Running: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Paris signed for an above-slot $1.4 million as a second-round pick in 2019 but was limited to three games after signing by a broken hamate bone. He spent the final month of 2020 at the alternate training site, where he was one of the youngest players in camp. Paris looked overmatched the first two weeks, but his at-bats grew more competitive over time. He continued to build on that progress in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. He's known for his contact skills more than his power, but he opened eyes when he drove a home run off lefthander Patrick Sandoval over the 395-foot center field wall at Blair Field during alternate site camp. Paris played some second base and third base at the alternate site, but with his above- average speed and arm and his infield actions, he should be able to stick at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: Though he hit just two homers in 91 high school games, Paris could develop into a 15-homer threat with his bat speed and wiry strength. He will likely start 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Running: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Paris signed for an above-slot $1.4 million as a second-round pick in 2019 but was limited to three games after signing by a broken hamate bone. He spent the final month of 2020 at the alternate training site, where he was one of the youngest players in camp. Paris looked overmatched the first two weeks, but his at-bats grew more competitive over time. He continued to build on that progress in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. He’s known for his contact skills more than his power, but he opened eyes when he drove a home run off lefthander Patrick Sandoval over the 395-foot center field wall at Blair Field during alternate site camp. Paris played some second base and third base at the alternate site, but with his above- average speed and arm and his infield actions, he should be able to stick at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: Though he hit just two homers in 91 high school games, Paris could develop into a 15-homer threat with his bat speed and wiry strength. He will likely start 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Running: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Paris signed for an above-slot $1.4 million as a second-round pick in 2019 but was limited to three games after signing by a broken hamate bone. He spent the final month of 2020 at the alternate training site, where he was one of the youngest players in camp. Paris looked overmatched the first two weeks, but his at-bats grew more competitive over time. He continued to build on that progress in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. He’s known for his contact skills more than his power, but he opened eyes when he drove a home run off lefthander Patrick Sandoval over the 395-foot center field wall at Blair Field during alternate site camp. Paris played some second base and third base at the alternate site, but with his above- average speed and arm and his infield actions, he should be able to stick at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: Though he hit just two homers in 91 high school games, Paris could develop into a 15-homer threat with his bat speed and wiry strength. He will likely start 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Paris played his entire senior season at 17 and held his own to emerge as a top draft prospect. The Angels drafted him in the second round, No. 55 overall, and gave him an above-slot $1.4 million bonus to forgo a California commitment. Paris broke his hamate bone during batting practice just before the start of the Rookie-level Arizona League and was limited to three games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. Paris hit just two homers in 91 high school games, but his burgeoning power seems to show up whenever he plays with a wood bat. With his bat speed and wiry strength, he could develop 15-home run power as he matures. Paris has nice actions in the infield and carries himself with a lot of confidence at shortstop. He should stick at the position with his above-average speed and arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paris is a high-end athlete who could end up a starting middle infielder if he adds strength. He’ll be 18 years old the entire 2020 season and has plenty of time to mature physically.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Paris played his entire senior season at 17 and held his own to emerge as a top draft prospect. The Angels drafted him in the second round, No. 55 overall, and gave him an above-slot $1.4 million bonus to forgo a California commitment. Paris broke his hamate bone during batting practice just before the start of the Rookie-level Arizona League and was limited to three games in his pro debut.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands and good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. Paris hit just two homers in 91 high school games, but his burgeoning power seems to show up whenever he plays with a wood bat. With his bat speed and wiry strength, he could develop 15-home run power as he matures. Paris has nice actions in the infield and carries himself with a lot of confidence at shortstop. He should stick at the position with his above-average speed and arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Paris is a high-end athlete who could end up a starting middle infielder if he adds strength. He'll be 18 years old the entire 2020 season and has plenty of time to mature physically.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  One of the youngest players in the 2019 class, Paris will be just 17 years old on the day of the draft. A 6-foot, 167-pound shortstop, Paris will draw some comparisons to Marlins' 2018 second-round pick Osiris Johnson, who, like Paris, was also a young shortstop from Northern California. Paris edges Johnson in both speed and defense, while Johnson was the superior bat with more power coming out of high school. Paris is a plus runner and slick defender with quick-twitch actions up the middle. He glides around the infield and ranges to both his left and right with ease, putting himself in good throwing positions with active footwork and good angles to the ball. His arm is solid-average, and he has good hand-eye coordination, all of which should help him become a defensive asset at shortstop. Offensively, Paris has shown good feel for putting the bat on the ball. He has quick hands and good timing, with the discipline and bat speed to allow the ball to travel deep into the hitting zone. While Paris shows feel for hitting, he does not have much current raw power due to a level bat path that's more line-drive oriented. He has added some strength and gotten taller this spring, however, so his power potential should be headed in the right direction. A few minor injuries, such as a broken finger, and dealing with an illness--in addition to weather that postponed several games--have made it challenging to scout Paris this spring, but his youth and ability to play shortstop could get him drafted early this June. Committed to California, Paris is praised for his no-nonsense demeanor off the field and all-around plus makeup.