Akil Baddoo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #14 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Baddoo 74th overall in 2016 and signed him for $750,000, intrigued by his present strength and bat-to-ball skills. While Baddoo has been limited by injuries, including a Tommy John surgery in 2019, he has shown an exciting blend of power and speed when healthy. The Tigers took a shot on his upside potential by selecting him with the third pick in the major league phase of the 2020 Rule 5 draft. After an outstanding spring training, Baddoo made their Opening Day roster.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Twins believed Baddoo had a chance for average hitting ability and average power, though the elevated strikeout rates he had shown in Class A put that hitting ability projection out at risk. His swing got a bit too steep, which limited the time his barrel was in the zone. Baddoo struck out nearly 30% of the time in a 29-game stint in the high Class A Florida State League in 2019 after posting a 24% strikeout rate in the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 over 113 games. Baddoo is a plus athlete and runner who can handle all three outfield positions. Some scouts think he's solidly above-average in center field, while others believe he's better in the corners. A below-average arm makes left field a distinct possibility.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo's power, speed and outfield versatility make him a candidate to become a fourth outfielder. He'll have to improve his bat-to-ball skills and cut down the whiffs to project as a regular.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #20 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Baddoo was seen as a promising, athletic high school outfielder who may need a little extra development time as a supplemental second round pick. He spent two seasons in rookie ball, then produced a solid season at low Class A Cedar Rapids in 2018. Any chance to build on that in 2019 was wiped away by an elbow injury that required season-ending Tommy John surgery.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Baddoo has gotten significantly bigger and more physical since signing with the Twins. He has plus speed with the potential to eventually have above-average power. He has a knack to avoid chasing pitches off the strike zone and projects as a fringe-average hitter with above-average power potential. Defensively, his plus speed gives him a shot to stay in center field, but he needs to continue to improve his routes and reads. His arm was below-average before surgery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo's lost season turns 2020 into a pivotal year. If he has a strong return at high Class A Fort Myers he will likely play his way onto the 40-man roster before the 2021 season. He has the tools to be an MLB starting outfielder, although his bat has a ways to go to get to that upside.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #19 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A compensation pick after the Twins failed to sign Kentucky righthander Kyle Cody, Baddoo accepted a $750,000 bonus to spurn those same Wildcats.
  
  Scouting Report: After growing two inches and adding 25 pounds of muscle, Baddoo surged up the prospect charts in his first full season, when he walked more than he struck out. Last year started slowly, however, as he was bothered by hamstring issues during the first half, but the above-average runner (sub 4.1 seconds to first) still shows potential to be a high-end basestealer. His route-running improved in center, but his below-average arm and funky throwing motion eventually figure to push him to left. A high-energy spark plug who is popular with teammates, Baddoo showed more ability to drive the ball at Cedar Rapids but still has some swing-and-miss, though he pushed his walk rate to 14.3 percent.
  
  The Future: Baddoo figures to open 2019 at high Class A Fort Myers, where he’ll look to hit more.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #11 prospect in 2018
  Baddoo received a $750,000 signing bonus to walk away from a commitment to the Wildcats. Former Kentucky assistant coach Rick Eckstein, now Twins minor league hitting coordinator, recruited Baddoo out of high school. After struggling mightily in his first pro summer, Baddoo grew two inches and added nearly 25 pounds of muscle to his frame. He came back in his first full season and wowed evaluators with his overall improvement. Drawing comparisons to ex-Twins outfielders such as Matt Lawton and Ben Revere, Baddoo projects to show more gap power than Revere and runs better than Lawton did at the same stage. Despite adding muscle, Baddoo still gets down the line in sub 4.1 seconds. Baddoo has an average arm at best but has worked hard to improve his routes in center. His basestealing instincts are still being honed. His best tool is his hitting ability, augmented by advanced plate discipline that saw him walk more than he struck out in 2017. He had no trouble handling lefthanders, although his power production suffered against them. Promoted to Rookie-level Elizabethton in mid-July, he took his game to another level (1.057 OPS that was third in the league) in leading a talent-laden club to the Appalachian League title. If he continues to fill out, Baddoo could easily slide over to left field and be a three-hole hitter down the road. His makeup and aptitude suggest nothing should be deemed out of his reach. He figures to open 2018 at low Class A Cedar Rapids.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #16 prospect in 2017
  The Twins drafted Baddoo with the 74th overall pick in 2016 and signed him for $750,000 away from a Kentucky commitment, expecting the Georgia prep to flourish as a plus runner and potential top-of-the-order type. But since last summer, Baddoo expanded his 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame and was listed at 6-foot-1, 209 in instructional league. Though Baddoo had a poor debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League--tallying twice as many strikeouts (36) as hits (19)--the Twins are intrigued by his physical growth. He could hit for more power than expected and project to an outfield corner in lieu of center field, though his below-average arm might push him to left. He also needs to improve his route-running and reads in the outfield. A lefthanded hitter, Baddoo can get pull-happy at times and has a raw, aggressive approach, but if he channels his above-average bat speed, he has the chance to develop into a plus hitter to go along with his speed and burgeoning power. Whether he hits at the top of the order or middle will likely hinge on his physical development. He should head to Rookie-level Elizabethton in 2017.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #54 prospect in 2016 draft
  Baddoo combines plus speed with an intriguing feel for the barrel. He endeared himself to scouts on the national scene with a strong showing at the 2015 East Coast Pro event, where he showed off his quick hands and even quicker feet. This spring, while his team went just 9-16, Baddoo showed scouts strong bat-to-ball skills, leading some evaluators to believe he could develop a plus hit tool and hit at the top of the lineup. He's a lefthanded hitter (and thrower) with above-average bat speed and a short stroke, but he was pull-happy against quality pitching at East Coast Pro and at the WWBA Championships in the fall and will have to continue to prove himself against quality pitching. Baddoo's arm strength is below-average and his reads and routes lack polish, leading some to envision him as a left fielder long term, though scouts expect him to play center field to start his career. He is committed to Kentucky.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Midwest League #18 prospect in 2018
  Most toolsy young hitters with power and speed have to figure out the strike zone later on. Their hand-eye coordination and power leads to over-aggressiveness that they have to tamp down as they mature. Baddoo has power and plus speed, but his best attribute is an advanced understanding of the strike zone that allows him to draw walks and work himself into favorable counts. Baddoo ranked fourth in the league with 74 walks and he also led the league with 11 triples. Baddoo missed some time early with a hamstring injury, but showed no ill effects upon returning to action. He's a work in progress in center field, but he's shown significant improvement in the consistency of his routes. His swing is also more consistent.
• 
  Ranked American League #7 prospect in 2017
  Baddoo was one of the toolsier players available in the 2016 draft, and when the Twins selected him in the supplemental second round, they believed they had a long developmental road ahead. He progressed by leaps and bounds in 2017, when he hit .357 with more walks than strikeouts in a half-season in the Appy League. Baddoo possesses advanced plate discipline, a surefire feel for the barrel and above-average bat speed. Those elements lead many evaluators to believe he might grow into a plus hit tool. The lefthanded hitter has added muscle since signing and now has a chance for above-average power as well. In terms of speed, he has been clocked from fringe-average to plus on times to first base. A below average-arm precludes Baddoo from playing right field, and he would need to hang on to plus speed to stick in center. His offense should be enough to bolster his value in left field.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Baddoo 74th overall in 2016 and signed him for $750,000, intrigued by his present strength and bat-to-ball skills. While Baddoo has been limited by injuries, including a Tommy John surgery in 2019, he has shown an exciting blend of power and speed when healthy. The Tigers took a shot on his upside potential by selecting him with the third pick in the major league phase of the 2020 Rule 5 draft.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Twins believed Baddoo had a chance for average hitting ability and average power, though the elevated strikeout rates he had shown in Class A put that hitting ability projection out at risk. His swing got a bit too steep, which limited the time his barrel was in the zone. Baddoo struck out nearly 30% of the time in a 29-game stint in the high Class A Florida State League in 2019 after posting a 24% strikeout rate in the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 over 113 games. Baddoo is a plus athlete and runner who can handle all three outfield positions. Some scouts think he's solidly above-average in center field, while others believe he's better in the corners. A below-average arm makes left field a distinct possibility.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo's power, speed and outfield versatility make him a candidate to become a fourth outfielder. He'll have to improve his bat-to-ball skills and cut down the whiffs to project as a regular.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins drafted Baddoo 74th overall in 2016 and signed him for $750,000, intrigued by his present strength and bat-to-ball skills. While Baddoo has been limited by injuries, including a Tommy John surgery in 2019, he has shown an exciting blend of power and speed when healthy. The Tigers took a shot on his upside potential by selecting him with the third pick in the major league phase of the 2020 Rule 5 draft. After an outstanding spring training, Baddoo made their Opening Day roster.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The Twins believed Baddoo had a chance for average hitting ability and average power, though the elevated strikeout rates he had shown in Class A put that hitting ability projection out at risk. His swing got a bit too steep, which limited the time his barrel was in the zone. Baddoo struck out nearly 30% of the time in a 29-game stint in the high Class A Florida State League in 2019 after posting a 24% strikeout rate in the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 over 113 games. Baddoo is a plus athlete and runner who can handle all three outfield positions. Some scouts think he's solidly above-average in center field, while others believe he's better in the corners. A below-average arm makes left field a distinct possibility.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo's power, speed and outfield versatility make him a candidate to become a fourth outfielder. He'll have to improve his bat-to-ball skills and cut down the whiffs to project as a regular.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Baddoo was seen as a promising, athletic high school outfielder who may need a little extra development time as a supplemental second round pick. He spent two seasons in rookie ball, then produced a solid season at low Class A Cedar Rapids in 2018. Any chance to build on that in 2019 was wiped away by an elbow injury that required season-ending Tommy John surgery.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Baddoo has gotten significantly bigger and more physical since signing with the Twins. He has plus speed with the potential to eventually have above-average power. He has a knack to avoid chasing pitches off the strike zone and projects as a fringe-average hitter with above-average power potential. Defensively, his plus speed gives him a shot to stay in center field, but he needs to continue to improve his routes and reads. His arm was below-average before surgery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo’s lost season turns 2020 into a pivotal year. If he has a strong return at high Class A Fort Myers he will likely play his way onto the 40-man roster before the 2021 season. He has the tools to be an MLB starting outfielder, although his bat has a ways to go to get to that upside.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Baddoo was seen as a promising, athletic high school outfielder who may need a little extra development time as a supplemental second round pick. He spent two seasons in rookie ball, then produced a solid season at low Class A Cedar Rapids in 2018. Any chance to build on that in 2019 was wiped away by an elbow injury that required season-ending Tommy John surgery.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Baddoo has gotten significantly bigger and more physical since signing with the Twins. He has plus speed with the potential to eventually have above-average power. He has a knack to avoid chasing pitches off the strike zone and projects as a fringe-average hitter with above-average power potential. Defensively, his plus speed gives him a shot to stay in center field, but he needs to continue to improve his routes and reads. His arm was below-average before surgery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Baddoo's lost season turns 2020 into a pivotal year. If he has a strong return at high Class A Fort Myers he will likely play his way onto the 40-man roster before the 2021 season. He has the tools to be an MLB starting outfielder, although his bat has a ways to go to get to that upside.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Like many hitters not used to hitting with frost on their bat, Baddoo was overwhelmed by April baseball in the Midwest League. But since May 1, Baddoo has been one of the tougher outs in the league. He’s hitting .324/.381/.529 since the all-star break. Baddoo has a very good idea of the strike zone and is happy to take the walk if a pitcher nibbles too much. And if a pitcher challenges him, Baddoo has enough strength to make them pay.  He’s still got work to do to remain in center field long term, but his defense is improving.