Nick Loftin Stats & Scouting Report

AB	148
AVG	.189
OBP	.282
SLG	.236
HR	1

Full name Nicholas James Loftin
Born 09/25/1998 in Corpus Christi, TX
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Baylor
Drafted in the CB-A round (32nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2020 (signed for $3,000,000).

View Draft Report

A steady player on both sides of the ball for Baylor since taking over at shortstop his freshman year, Loftin is solidly in the mix of the top shortstops in the college class. While there are others who might have louder tool sets or are half-grade better defenders, Loftin seems to do everything well. He’s hit above .300 in every season in the Big 12 with a clean, simple swing. He fields his position well, has good instincts and is an above-average defender at shortstop with the versatility to play almost every position. After hitting for more extra bases as a sophomore, Loftin may have been headed for a breakout offensive campaign in 2020, with two home runs, two triples and four doubles through just 13 games. The .264 isolated slugging mark he posted in that time was far and away the highest of his career, and he started moving up draft boards as a result. Some scouts have said he has just fringe-average power and noted that when he does impact the ball it’s typically only to the pull side, but a full season of the performance he started the year with may have been enough to change minds. Loftin’s speed is just average. While Loftin might not have any standout tools, teams have generally coveted the college shortstop performer with an all-around game, and that description fits the Baylor product well.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: One of the top college shortstops in the 2020 draft class, Loftin fell to the Royals at pick no. 32 and signed for $3 million. Since his first pro season in 2021, Loftin has played more third base, second base and center field than his natural position, preparing the Baylor product for being more of a super-utility player in the big leagues. At Triple-A Omaha in 2023, Loftin missed the month of June with a knee injury but returned in time to make his major league debut on Sept. 1. He got into 19 games and batted a respectable .323/.368/.436 while starting at second base, third base and first base.

Scouting Report: A good contact hitter who makes good decisions at the plate, Loftin improved his numbers by making swing modifications following a 2022 season in which he saw his strikeout rate spike to 24% at Triple-A. Loftin eliminated a toe tap and instead got into an easier operation with a leg kick and leg hang. He’s a gap-to-gap hitter with a cerebral approach at the plate. Loftin’s average hit tool is not necessarily a separator, but he has the ability to play above his tools. His athleticism and first-step quickness allow him to be at least an average defender at any position. He’ll consistently record double-digit stolen base totals because of above-average speed and instincts on the bases. Loftin has a reputation as a winning player who can contribute to his team in a variety of ways, making him suited for the utility role that the Royals are carving out for him.

The Future: Loftin’s versatility and makeup likely guarantee him a spot on the Opening Day roster, and he should spend all of 2024 in Kansas City.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Loftin was regarded as a solid all-around performer during his career at Baylor and was one of the top college shortstops in the 2020 draft class. The Royals selected him in the supplemental first round and signed him for $3 million. Since launching his pro career at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, Loftin has played all three infield positions and also center field and left field after playing primarily shortstop during his three-year college career. Loftin continued down the path to being a super-utility player by spending most of his time in center field in 2022 between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha.

Scouting Report: Loftin isn't regarded as a pure hitter, but rather as a quality ballplayer who provides good value. He's a gap-to-gap contact hitter with a cerebral approach at the plate. His potentially average hit tool is not a separator, but he's the type of player who will consistently find ways to get it done. His strikeout rates jumped from 13% in Double-A to 24% after moving to Triple-A, and his walk rates dropped from 10.6% to 6%, indicating there's improvement needed at the higher level. Loftin's athleticism will allow him to handle the super-utility role that the Royals envision. Now that he's proven to be an average outfielder in only one season, he will get back to playing the infield a little more regularly. Loftin is an above-average runner with an above-average arm, and in his time as a regular shortstop he showed good first-step quickness, good hands and solid range. The first-step quickness that helps him in the field also helped him steal 39 bases in 2022.

The Future: Loftin will return to Triple-A looking to improve at the plate and get more experience around the field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
Track Record: Loftin was generally regarded as a solid all-around performer when the Royals made him the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 draft. So far, the Baylor product has come as advertised. He made his professional debut at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, helping them win a championship. He was one of three players to tie for the league lead in batting average (.289), including teammate Michael Massey.

Scouting Report: Loftin is a gap-to-gap contact hitter favoring his pull side with sneaky pop that should increase as he gets stronger. A minor wrist injury slowed his start to the season, but he finished strong down the stretch, posting a 1.014 OPS over the final two months of the season. He shows good strike zone awareness and walks nearly as often as he strikes out. Loftin is solid at shortstop with a good first step, a quick release, and good hands and range. He also saw time at second and third base, and with his athleticism he’d thrive in a utility role if that’s his future. Loftin is an average runner, but his instincts allow his speed to play up both in the field and on the bases. He draws raves for his leadership quality, and his work ethic and off-the-charts instincts allow his tools to play up.

The Future: Loftin’s development path has often been compared to Royals star Whit Merrifield. If he can live up to that, he’ll be around the game for a long time.
Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Loftin took over as Baylor’s shortstop midway through his freshman year and posted an OPS above .800 in each of his three seasons for the Bears. He showed increased power in 2020 to raise his draft stock before the season shut down, and the Royals drafted him 32nd overall and signed him for $3 million. Loftin spent the summer working out at home in Corpus Christi, Texas, before joining the Royals’ instructional league program in Kansas City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Loftin possesses mostly average tools that play up because of his high baseball IQ. He has prototypical leadoff skills as a hitter with a clean, simple swing geared for contact. He has some emerging pull-side power, but doubles and triples are more his game than home runs. Loftin is a solid, instinctual defender who can play both middle-infield positions. He has enough arm strength for shortstop and the athleticism to move around the field. Loftin has just average speed, but his instincts help put him in position to make every play.

THE FUTURE: Loftin is the type of player for whom the final product will be greater than the sum of his individual tools. The Royals dream of him developing into another Whit Merrifield, who starred at South Carolina but wasn’t viewed as an impact big league while a prospect.

Draft Prospects

A steady player on both sides of the ball for Baylor since taking over at shortstop his freshman year, Loftin is solidly in the mix of the top shortstops in the college class. While there are others who might have louder tool sets or are better defenders, Loftin seems to do everything well. He’s hit above .300 in every season in the Big 12 with a clean, simple swing. He fields his position well, has good instincts and is an above-average defender at shortstop with the versatility to play almost every position. After hitting for more extra bases as a sophomore, Loftin may have been headed for a breakout offensive campaign in 2020, with two home runs, two triples and four doubles through just 13 games. His .264 isolated slugging percentage was the highest of his career, and he started moving up draft boards as a result. Some scouts see just fringe-average power and note that when he does impact the ball it’s typically only to his pull side, but a full season of performance may have been enough to change some minds. Loftin’s speed is just average. While Loftin might not have any standout tools, teams generally covet college shortstops with an all-around game, and that description fits the Baylor product well.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Loftin was regarded as a solid all-around performer during his career at Baylor and was one of the top college shortstops in the 2020 draft class. The Royals selected him in the supplemental first round and signed him for $3 million. Since launching his pro career at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, Loftin has played all three infield positions and also center field and left field after playing primarily shortstop during his three-year college career. Loftin continued down the path to being a super-utility player by spending most of his time in center field in 2022 between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha.

Scouting Report: Loftin isn't regarded as a pure hitter, but rather as a quality ballplayer who provides good value. He's a gap-to-gap contact hitter with a cerebral approach at the plate. His potentially average hit tool is not a separator, but he's the type of player who will consistently find ways to get it done. His strikeout rates jumped from 13% in Double-A to 24% after moving to Triple-A, and his walk rates dropped from 10.6% to 6%, indicating there's improvement needed at the higher level. Loftin's athleticism will allow him to handle the super-utility role that the Royals envision. Now that he's proven to be an average outfielder in only one season, he will get back to playing the infield a little more regularly. Loftin is an above-average runner with an above-average arm, and in his time as a regular shortstop he showed good first-step quickness, good hands and solid range. The first-step quickness that helps him in the field also helped him steal 39 bases in 2022.

The Future: Loftin will return to Triple-A looking to improve at the plate and get more experience around the field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Loftin was regarded as a solid all-around performer during his career at Baylor and was one of the top college shortstops in the 2020 draft class. The Royals selected him in the supplemental first round and signed him for $3 million. Since launching his pro career at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, Loftin has played all three infield positions and also center field and left field after playing primarily shortstop during his three-year college career. Loftin continued down the path to being a super-utility player by spending most of his time in center field in 2022 between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha.

Scouting Report: Loftin isn't regarded as a pure hitter, but rather as a quality ballplayer who provides good value. He's a gap-to-gap contact hitter with a cerebral approach at the plate. His potentially average hit tool is not a separator, but he's the type of player who will consistently find ways to get it done. His strikeout rates jumped from 13% in Double-A to 24% after moving to Triple-A, and his walk rates dropped from 10.6% to 6%, indicating there's improvement needed at the higher level. Loftin's athleticism will allow him to handle the super-utility role that the Royals envision. Now that he's proven to be an average outfielder in only one season, he will get back to playing the infield a little more regularly. Loftin is an above-average runner with an above-average arm, and in his time as a regular shortstop he showed good first-step quickness, good hands and solid range. The first-step quickness that helps him in the field also helped him steal 39 bases in 2022.

The Future: Loftin will return to Triple-A looking to improve at the plate and get more experience around the field.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record:: Loftin was generally regarded as a solid all-around performer when the Royals made him the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 draft. So far, the Baylor product has come as advertised. He made his professional debut at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, helping them win a championship. He was one of three players to tie for the league lead in batting average (.289), including teammate Michael Massey.

Scouting Report: Loftin is a gap-to-gap contact hitter favoring his pull side with sneaky pop that should increase as he gets stronger. A minor wrist injury slowed his start to the season, but he finished strong down the stretch, posting a 1.014 OPS over the final two months of the season. He shows good strike zone awareness and walks nearly as often as he strikes out. Loftin is solid at shortstop with a good first step, a quick release, and good hands and range. He also saw time at second and third base, and with his athleticism he&#39d thrive in a utility role if that&#39s his future. Loftin is an average runner, but his instincts allow his speed to play up both in the field and on the bases. He draws raves for his leadership quality, and his work ethic and off-the-charts instincts allow his tools to play up.

The Future: Loftin&#39s development path has often been compared to Royals star Whit Merrifield. If he can live up to that, he&#39ll be around the game for a long time.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
Track Record: Loftin was generally regarded as a solid all-around performer when the Royals made him the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 draft. So far, the Baylor product has come as advertised. He made his professional debut at High-A Quad Cities in 2021, helping them win a championship. He was one of three players to tie for the league lead in batting average (.289), including teammate Michael Massey.

Scouting Report: Loftin is a gap-to-gap contact hitter favoring his pull side with sneaky pop that should increase as he gets stronger. A minor wrist injury slowed his start to the season, but he finished strong down the stretch, posting a 1.014 OPS over the final two months of the season. He shows good strike zone awareness and walks nearly as often as he strikes out. Loftin is solid at shortstop with a good first step, a quick release, and good hands and range. He also saw time at second and third base, and with his athleticism he’d thrive in a utility role if that’s his future. Loftin is an average runner, but his instincts allow his speed to play up both in the field and on the bases. He draws raves for his leadership quality, and his work ethic and off-the-charts instincts allow his tools to play up.

The Future: Loftin’s development path has often been compared to Royals star Whit Merrifield. If he can live up to that, he’ll be around the game for a long time.
Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Loftin took over as Baylor's shortstop midway through his freshman year and posted an OPS above .800 in each of his three seasons for the Bears. He showed increased power in 2020 to raise his draft stock before the season shut down, and the Royals drafted him 32nd overall and signed him for $3 million. Loftin spent the summer working out at home in Corpus Christi, Texas, before joining the Royals' instructional league program in Kansas City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Loftin possesses mostly average tools that play up because of his high baseball IQ. He has prototypical leadoff skills as a hitter with a clean, simple swing geared for contact. He has some emerging pull-side power, but doubles and triples are more his game than home runs. Loftin is a solid, instinctual defender who can play both middle-infield positions. He has enough arm strength for shortstop and the athleticism to move around the field. Loftin has just average speed, but his instincts help put him in position to make every play.

THE FUTURE: Loftin is the type of player for whom the final product will be greater than the sum of his individual tools. The Royals dream of him developing into another Whit Merrifield, who starred at South Carolina but wasn't viewed as an impact big league while a prospect.
Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Loftin took over as Baylor’s shortstop midway through his freshman year and posted an OPS above .800 in each of his three seasons for the Bears. He showed increased power in 2020 to raise his draft stock before the season shut down, and the Royals drafted him 32nd overall and signed him for $3 million. Loftin spent the summer working out at home in Corpus Christi, Texas, before joining the Royals’ instructional league program in Kansas City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Loftin possesses mostly average tools that play up because of his high baseball IQ. He has prototypical leadoff skills as a hitter with a clean, simple swing geared for contact. He has some emerging pull-side power, but doubles and triples are more his game than home runs. Loftin is a solid, instinctual defender who can play both middle-infield positions. He has enough arm strength for shortstop and the athleticism to move around the field. Loftin has just average speed, but his instincts help put him in position to make every play.

THE FUTURE: Loftin is the type of player for whom the final product will be greater than the sum of his individual tools. The Royals dream of him developing into another Whit Merrifield, who starred at South Carolina but wasn’t viewed as an impact big league while a prospect.
Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Loftin took over as Baylor’s shortstop midway through his freshman year and posted an OPS above .800 in each of his three seasons for the Bears. He showed increased power in 2020 to raise his draft stock before the season shut down, and the Royals drafted him 32nd overall and signed him for $3 million. Loftin spent the summer working out at home in Corpus Christi, Texas, before joining the Royals’ instructional league program in Kansas City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Loftin possesses mostly average tools that play up because of his high baseball IQ. He has prototypical leadoff skills as a hitter with a clean, simple swing geared for contact. He has some emerging pull-side power, but doubles and triples are more his game than home runs. Loftin is a solid, instinctual defender who can play both middle-infield positions. He has enough arm strength for shortstop and the athleticism to move around the field. Loftin has just average speed, but his instincts help put him in position to make every play.

THE FUTURE: Loftin is the type of player for whom the final product will be greater than the sum of his individual tools. The Royals dream of him developing into another Whit Merrifield, who starred at South Carolina but wasn’t viewed as an impact big league while a prospect.
A steady player on both sides of the ball for Baylor since taking over at shortstop his freshman year, Loftin is solidly in the mix of the top shortstops in the college class. While there are others who might have louder tool sets or are better defenders, Loftin seems to do everything well. He’s hit above .300 in every season in the Big 12 with a clean, simple swing. He fields his position well, has good instincts and is an above-average defender at shortstop with the versatility to play almost every position. After hitting for more extra bases as a sophomore, Loftin may have been headed for a breakout offensive campaign in 2020, with two home runs, two triples and four doubles through just 13 games. His .264 isolated slugging percentage was the highest of his career, and he started moving up draft boards as a result. Some scouts see just fringe-average power and note that when he does impact the ball it’s typically only to his pull side, but a full season of performance may have been enough to change some minds. Loftin’s speed is just average. While Loftin might not have any standout tools, teams generally covet college shortstops with an all-around game, and that description fits the Baylor product well.