Bren Spillane
| AB | 390 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .213 |
| OBP | .331 |
| SLG | .369 |
| HR | 12 |
- Full name Brenden Patrick Spillane
- Born 09/21/1996 in Hinsdale, IL
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 223 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Illinois
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Drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 (signed for $597,500).
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Spillane has had as good a season, statistically, as anyone in the country thanks to some hot streaks where he seemed impossible to retire. Spillane had five separate multi-home run games, including a three-home run, four-hit game against Southern Illinois. His .426/.524/.973 slash line ranks first in the nation in slugging percentage and top 10 in both on-base percentage and batting average. His 20 home runs is also among the best in the country. And while it's easy to project 25-plus home run power for Spillane, scouts are much more worried about his hitting ability. Even with his .426 batting average this year, scouts are hesitant to call Spillane a future average hitter. His swing has some length to it and there is a lot of swing and miss to his game, as he's striking out in 25 percent of his plate appearances. Still, Spillane has plus-plus raw power with the strength to hit the ball out to all fields. With a metal bat, even mishits by Spillane carry. He plays first base at Illinois because the Illini have a very good set of outfielders, but he projects better in the outfield than he does at first, where his footwork needs work and he's below-average defensively. He's an above-average runner with enough speed to handle a corner outfield spot and he has a plus arm. Spillane doesn't have much of a track record--he barely played as a freshman and missed time as a sophomore because of injuries--but his outstanding junior season cannot be ignored. Iowa's Jake Adams posted similar numbers in the Big 10 last year and lasted to the Astros in the sixth round because of his lack of athleticism. Spillane should go higher because he can run, and his prodigious power could push him into the third or fourth round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Spillane was the 2018 Big Ten Player of the Year with Illinois, where he slugged a .903 his final season. His 23 home runs were a career high, besting his previous career high of five. He was promptly selected by Cincinnati and signed an under-slot deal.
Scouting Report: Spillane has plus raw power and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields, but his swing is a bit unorthodox due to the setup of his hands and elbows. He starts with his hands well separated from his body, which makes it hard to get the bat on plane. Spillane He has an average arm and projects to be an average defender in right field and has a chance to be an above-average defender at first base.
The Future: Spillane will jump to low Class A Dayton. His power is rare and could put him among the Midwest League's home run leaders, but he's also likely to rank among the league's strikeout leaders.
Draft Prospects
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Spillane has had as good a season, statistically, as anyone in the country thanks to some hot streaks where he seemed impossible to retire. Spillane had five separate multi-home run games, including a three-home run, four-hit game against Southern Illinois. His .426/.524/.973 slash line ranks first in the nation in slugging percentage and top 10 in both on-base percentage and batting average. His 20 home runs is also among the best in the country. And while it's easy to project 25-plus home run power for Spillane, scouts are much more worried about his hitting ability. Even with his .426 batting average this year, scouts are hesitant to call Spillane a future average hitter. His swing has some length to it and there is a lot of swing and miss to his game, as he's striking out in 25 percent of his plate appearances. Still, Spillane has plus-plus raw power with the strength to hit the ball out to all fields. With a metal bat, even mishits by Spillane carry. He plays first base at Illinois because the Illini have a very good set of outfielders, but he projects better in the outfield than he does at first, where his footwork needs work and he's below-average defensively. He's an above-average runner with enough speed to handle a corner outfield spot and he has a plus arm. Spillane doesn't have much of a track record--he barely played as a freshman and missed time as a sophomore because of injuries--but his outstanding junior season cannot be ignored. Iowa's Jake Adams posted similar numbers in the Big 10 last year and lasted to the Astros in the sixth round because of his lack of athleticism. Spillane should go higher because he can run, and his prodigious power could push him into the third or fourth round.
