Nelson Maldonado Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Nelson Maldonado
Born 08/13/1996 in Chicago, IL
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Florida
Drafted in the 21st round (642nd overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2019 (signed for $5,000).

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Maldonado has been a reliable bat in Florida’s lineup for four years, and after going undrafted as a junior in 2018, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound outfielder had a career-best season this spring. With a great understanding of the strike zone and an aggressive approach, Maldonado sacrificed a few walks for more power this season, with a career-low 8.4 percent walk rate through 52 games, but a career-best 10 home runs and a .335/.397/.581 slash line. Maldonado doesn’t have any standout tools, and after being used as a designated hitter with Florida will be limited to left field in pro ball, but his performance this spring could make him a money-saving senior sign who can handle himself with the bat.

Top Rankings

Maldonado has been a reliable bat in Florida's lineup for four years, and after going undrafted as a junior in 2018, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound outfielder had a career-best season this spring. With a great understanding of the strike zone and an aggressive approach, Maldonado sacrificed a few walks for more power this season, with a career-low 8.4 percent walk rate through 52 games, but a career-best 10 home runs and a .335/.397/.581 slash line. Maldonado doesn't have any standout tools, and after being used as a designated hitter with Florida will be limited to left field in pro ball, but his performance this spring could make him a money-saving senior sign who can handle himself with the bat.
Maldonado was the leading hitter on the Gators' 2017 national championship team and he's put together another solid season in 2018. Maldonado has excellent plate discipline, understanding of the strike zone and barrel control. Those attributes have helped him walk more than he's struck out during his career and made him a consistent presence in the Gators' lineup. The righthanded hitter has average power and shows it most when he can turn on the ball. Maldonado has mostly served as Florida's designated hitter and profiles best in left field in pro ball. Without premium tools, there's a lot of pressure on Maldonado's hitability to carry him, but an analytically inclined team figures to value his skillset enough to call his name in the top 10 rounds.

Maldonado has been a reliable bat in Florida's lineup for four years, and after going undrafted as a junior in 2018, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound outfielder had a career-best season this spring. With a great understanding of the strike zone and an aggressive approach, Maldonado sacrificed a few walks for more power this season, with a career-low 8.4 percent walk rate through 52 games, but a career-best 10 home runs and a .335/.397/.581 slash line. Maldonado doesn't have any standout tools, and after being used as a designated hitter with Florida will be limited to left field in pro ball, but his performance this spring could make him a money-saving senior sign who can handle himself with the bat.