Garrett Mitchell

Organization Prospect Rankings

• Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #8 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 for UCLA in 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic ended his junior season early in 2020. While Mitchell had some of the best tools and athleticism in that draft, the Brewers were able to get him with the 20th overall pick. In three seasons of pro ball, Mitchell has played 64, 96 and 27 games due to different injuries. While he made his MLB debut in August 2022, he remains prospect eligible with fewer than 131 major league at-bats, as a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery limited him to just 19 games in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: The injuries add more uncertainty to a player who was already challenging to project. Mitchell’s combination of size, athleticism and tools is rare to find, though it comes with offensive question marks. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, his physicality sticks out, as does his 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He combines that speed with plus raw power, with exit velocities up to 112 mph. That power is evident in batting practice, but to be able to get to that power in games will require adjustments. His attack angle and swing path aren’t geared to drive the ball in the air, and while he has shown solid patience, his elevated swing-and-miss rate against pitches in the strike zone led to a 38% strikeout rate in the majors. Mitchell’s speed makes him a rangy defender in center field, where he has a plus arm and should be a plus defender.
  
  The Future: Few players in the organization can match Mitchell’s upside if he can make enough contact and elevate the ball consistently, but he carries more risk than most players entering their age-25 season. The Milwaukee outfield is getting crowded, so Mitchell will have to show health and productivity.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 80 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #5 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The coronavirus pandemic cut short Mitchell's junior year in 2020 after he hit .349/.418/.566 the previous season for UCLA. The Brewers drafted him 20th overall in 2020, and while injuries have limited his playing time as a pro, he made his major league debut in 2022 at the end of August.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell has unusual size, athleticism and tools. He's a powerful, explosive 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and catches infielders off guard with elite speed. If everything clicks, Mitchell could be a power-speed threat, with raw power in batting practice that grades out at least plus and the ability to make some of the hardest contact in the organization. The question is whether Mitchell will be able to evolve his swing and approach to ever tap into that power. He uses a choppy, downhill swing geared to slap the ball and use his wheels rather than drive the ball in the air for damage. Mitchell has made some tweaks to his setup, but his swing path and attack angle prevent him from hitting for power. He has solid patience, but his strikeout rate--26% in the minors in 2022--is also on the higher end, especially without accompanying game power. Mitchell's speed translates to elite range in center field to go with his plus arm, giving him the attributes to be an at least plus defender. A leg injury limited Mitchell in 2021 and an oblique injury caused him to miss time in 2022, so he will have to prove his durability.
  
  The Future: If Mitchell is able to unlock his power in games, he has the upside to significantly outperform expectations. There's considerable risk that he's able to do so, but his defensive ability in center offers a safety net in the event he is able to hit enough to warrant everyday play at the bottom of a lineup.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA and got off to a strong start as a junior in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. The Brewers drafted Mitchell with the 20th overall pick and signed him for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his pro debut in 2021. He dominated at High-A Wisconsin despite missing three weeks with a leg injury, but his performance hit a wall after a promotion to Double-A Biloxi.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell immediately jumps out for his physicality and athleticism and has raw tools that grade out among the best in the minors. He’s an 80 runner underway, is a plus defender in center field with good range and has a plus arm. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but neither his swing nor approach allow his power to manifest in games. Mitchell has some choppiness to his stroke and struck out 27% of the time in 2021. Instead of an approach geared to drive the ball in the air, he often slaps the ball on the ground. Mitchell is a patient hitter—he walked in 17% of his plate appearances—but he will likely need a significant swing adjustment to be a more consistent offensive performer against upper-level pitching and better tap into his power.
  
  The Future: Mitchell’s defense at a premium position and offensive upside give him a chance to be an above-average, everyday player if he can modify his swing and approach, but the risk of whether that will materialize makes him a divisive player. He will likely head back to Double-A Biloxi to start 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #2 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA in 2019 and led the nation with 12 triples. He was off to a strong start in 2020 and had arguably the best pure tools in the draft class, but concerns about his Type 1 diabetes were among the reasons he fell on draft day. He fell to the Brewers at No. 20 overall and signed for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his organizational debut in instructional league, though a strained quad limited his time.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical, explosive athlete, Mitchell is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. He covers huge swaths of ground in center field, where he projects as a plus defender with a plus arm. Mitchell’s offensive approach was built around his speed at UCLA. There’s some choppiness to his swing, which is geared to hit low line drives and use his wheels to stretch out extra-base hits. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his approach limits his ability to apply it in games. Mitchell has worked on getting his lower half more engaged in his swing to try to do more damage, but it remains to be seen how much power he will be able to unlock.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mitchell can be a polarizing player, but if he can translate his power into games, he has all-star upside. He’ll make his pro debut in 2021.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #6 prospect in 2020 draft
  Scouts eyed Mitchell as a potential first-round pick at Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High, but a middling senior season and concerns about his Type 1 diabetes caused him to fall to the 14th round, where the A's picked him. He opted for UCLA and became a three-year starter for the Bruins. After struggling as a freshman, Mitchell led the nation in triples during a breakout sophomore season and continued to raise his stock as a junior. He was batting .355/.425/.484 this spring when the season shut down. Mitchell possesses arguably the best package of tools in the 2020 draft. He's an 80-grade runner who changes games with his speed, is a plus defensive center fielder who effortlessly glides to balls and has a rifle for an arm from the outfield. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his choppy swing produces mostly grounders and low line drives in games. Some evaluators are optimistic Mitchell can tap into his power with swing refinements in pro ball, but his in-game power production is concerning dating back to his high school career. Mitchell’s speed helps him to beat out infield singles and amass lots of doubles and triples, making him an offensive difference-maker even absent home run power. His natural feel for contact gives him a chance to be an above-average or better hitter. Mitchell has faced health and endurance concerns because of his diabetes throughout his career, but he missed only one game in three years at UCLA. With a high probability to hit for average, steal bases and stay in center field, and the possibility of adding power, Mitchell is a top-10 talent, though his question marks make him a bit more polarizing than the other players around him.
• Ranked #62 prospect in 2017 draft
  As far as pure tools go, few prospects can match what Mitchell brings to the table. He's an 80 runner, capable of reaching first base 3.9 seconds after the ball comes off his bat. He projects to stay in center field, where he has average arm strength. Mitchell has plus bat speed and shows plus raw power in batting practice. The development of Mitchell's pure hitting ability will dictate his ultimate ceiling. He has a deep load with a barred lead arm, and he shows a tendency to expand the strike zone and put himself in negative counts. Mitchell has tinkered with his mechanics throughout his draft year, transitioning from a spread out stance in the summer to a narrower setup with a leg kick and stride toward the pitcher's mound during the spring. While he has excellent raw power, Mitchell has struggled to get to it in games, often striking out or rolling over pitches. Mitchell is a Type 1 diabetic and has to wear an insulin pump at all times. He is also a bit older for the class and will turn 19 in September. He receives positive reviews for his character and work ethic, both of which will be necessary for him to overcome his weaknesses and develop into the star player that his tools could allow him to become. He is committed to UCLA and is not expected to come cheap, though it's possible that a team could accept his risk and pay him out of high school.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #91 prospect in 2021

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The coronavirus pandemic cut short Mitchell's junior year in 2020 after he hit .349/.418/.566 the previous season for UCLA. The Brewers drafted him 20th overall in 2020, and while injuries have limited his playing time as a pro, he made his major league debut in 2022 at the end of August.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell has unusual size, athleticism and tools. He's a powerful, explosive 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and catches infielders off guard with elite speed. If everything clicks, Mitchell could be a power-speed threat, with raw power in batting practice that grades out at least plus and the ability to make some of the hardest contact in the organization. The question is whether Mitchell will be able to evolve his swing and approach to ever tap into that power. He uses a choppy, downhill swing geared to slap the ball and use his wheels rather than drive the ball in the air for damage. Mitchell has made some tweaks to his setup, but his swing path and attack angle prevent him from hitting for power. He has solid patience, but his strikeout rate--26% in the minors in 2022--is also on the higher end, especially without accompanying game power. Mitchell's speed translates to elite range in center field to go with his plus arm, giving him the attributes to be an at least plus defender. A leg injury limited Mitchell in 2021 and an oblique injury caused him to miss time in 2022, so he will have to prove his durability.
  
  The Future: If Mitchell is able to unlock his power in games, he has the upside to significantly outperform expectations. There's considerable risk that he's able to do so, but his defensive ability in center offers a safety net in the event he is able to hit enough to warrant everyday play at the bottom of a lineup.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The coronavirus pandemic cut short Mitchell's junior year in 2020 after he hit .349/.418/.566 the previous season for UCLA. The Brewers drafted him 20th overall in 2020, and while injuries have limited his playing time as a pro, he made his major league debut in 2022 at the end of August.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell has unusual size, athleticism and tools. He's a powerful, explosive 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and catches infielders off guard with elite speed. If everything clicks, Mitchell could be a power-speed threat, with raw power in batting practice that grades out at least plus and the ability to make some of the hardest contact in the organization. The question is whether Mitchell will be able to evolve his swing and approach to ever tap into that power. He uses a choppy, downhill swing geared to slap the ball and use his wheels rather than drive the ball in the air for damage. Mitchell has made some tweaks to his setup, but his swing path and attack angle prevent him from hitting for power. He has solid patience, but his strikeout rate--26% in the minors in 2022--is also on the higher end, especially without accompanying game power. Mitchell's speed translates to elite range in center field to go with his plus arm, giving him the attributes to be an at least plus defender. A leg injury limited Mitchell in 2021 and an oblique injury caused him to miss time in 2022, so he will have to prove his durability.
  
  The Future: If Mitchell is able to unlock his power in games, he has the upside to significantly outperform expectations. There's considerable risk that he's able to do so, but his defensive ability in center offers a safety net in the event he is able to hit enough to warrant everyday play at the bottom of a lineup.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Midseason Update: Mitchell&#39s tools and athleticism stack up with the best in the organization, with his defense still drawing plenty of praise, but he also is a player who likely needs to make a swing adjustment and hasn&#39t had much time on the field to do so. He&#39s just coming back now from an oblique injury that kept him off the field since May 13. Given that Mitchell played just 64 games last year and missed another big chunk of the 2022 season, he&#39s a strong candidate to play winter ball somewhere after the season to get more reps.
  
  Track Record: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA and got off to a strong start as a junior in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. The Brewers drafted Mitchell with the 20th overall pick and signed him for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his pro debut in 2021. He dominated at High-A Wisconsin despite missing three weeks with a leg injury, but his performance hit a wall after a promotion to Double-A Biloxi.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell immediately jumps out for his physicality and athleticism and has raw tools that grade out among the best in the minors. He&#39s an 80 runner underway, is a plus defender in center field with good range and has a plus arm. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but neither his swing nor approach allow his power to manifest in games. Mitchell has some choppiness to his stroke and struck out 27% of the time in 2021. Instead of an approach geared to drive the ball in the air, he often slaps the ball on the ground. Mitchell is a patient hitter—he walked in 17% of his plate appearances—but he will likely need a significant swing adjustment to be a more consistent offensive performer against upper-level pitching and better tap into his power.
  
  The Future: Mitchell&#39s defense at a premium position and offensive upside give him a chance to be an above-average, everyday player if he can modify his swing and approach, but the risk of whether that will materialize makes him a divisive player. He will likely head back to Double-A Biloxi to start 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA and got off to a strong start as a junior in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. The Brewers drafted Mitchell with the 20th overall pick and signed him for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his pro debut in 2021. He dominated at High-A Wisconsin despite missing three weeks with a leg injury, but his performance hit a wall after a promotion to Double-A Biloxi.
  
  Scouting Report: Mitchell immediately jumps out for his physicality and athleticism and has raw tools that grade out among the best in the minors. He’s an 80 runner underway, is a plus defender in center field with good range and has a plus arm. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but neither his swing nor approach allow his power to manifest in games. Mitchell has some choppiness to his stroke and struck out 27% of the time in 2021. Instead of an approach geared to drive the ball in the air, he often slaps the ball on the ground. Mitchell is a patient hitter—he walked in 17% of his plate appearances—but he will likely need a significant swing adjustment to be a more consistent offensive performer against upper-level pitching and better tap into his power.
  
  The Future: Mitchell’s defense at a premium position and offensive upside give him a chance to be an above-average, everyday player if he can modify his swing and approach, but the risk of whether that will materialize makes him a divisive player. He will likely head back to Double-A Biloxi to start 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA in 2019 and led the nation with 12 triples. He was off to a strong start in 2020 and had arguably the best pure tools in the draft class, but concerns about his Type 1 diabetes were among the reasons he fell on draft day. He fell to the Brewers at No. 20 overall and signed for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his organizational debut in instructional league, though a strained quad limited his time.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical, explosive athlete, Mitchell is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. He covers huge swaths of ground in center field, where he projects as a plus defender with a plus arm. Mitchell's offensive approach was built around his speed at UCLA. There's some choppiness to his swing, which is geared to hit low line drives and use his wheels to stretch out extra-base hits. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his approach limits his ability to apply it in games. Mitchell has worked on getting his lower half more engaged in his swing to try to do more damage, but it remains to be seen how much power he will be able to unlock.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mitchell can be a polarizing player, but if he can translate his power into games, he has all-star upside. He'll make his pro debut in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA in 2019 and led the nation with 12 triples. He was off to a strong start in 2020 and had arguably the best pure tools in the draft class, but concerns about his Type 1 diabetes were among the reasons he fell on draft day. He fell to the Brewers at No. 20 overall and signed for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his organizational debut in instructional league, though a strained quad limited his time.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical, explosive athlete, Mitchell is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. He covers huge swaths of ground in center field, where he projects as a plus defender with a plus arm. Mitchell’s offensive approach was built around his speed at UCLA. There’s some choppiness to his swing, which is geared to hit low line drives and use his wheels to stretch out extra-base hits. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his approach limits his ability to apply it in games. Mitchell has worked on getting his lower half more engaged in his swing to try to do more damage, but it remains to be seen how much power he will be able to unlock.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mitchell can be a polarizing player, but if he can translate his power into games, he has all-star upside. He’ll make his pro debut in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mitchell hit .349/.418/.566 as a sophomore at UCLA in 2019 and led the nation with 12 triples. He was off to a strong start in 2020 and had arguably the best pure tools in the draft class, but concerns about his Type 1 diabetes were among the reasons he fell on draft day. He fell to the Brewers at No. 20 overall and signed for $3,242,900. Mitchell made his organizational debut in instructional league, though a strained quad limited his time.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical, explosive athlete, Mitchell is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. He covers huge swaths of ground in center field, where he projects as a plus defender with a plus arm. Mitchell’s offensive approach was built around his speed at UCLA. There’s some choppiness to his swing, which is geared to hit low line drives and use his wheels to stretch out extra-base hits. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his approach limits his ability to apply it in games. Mitchell has worked on getting his lower half more engaged in his swing to try to do more damage, but it remains to be seen how much power he will be able to unlock.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mitchell can be a polarizing player, but if he can translate his power into games, he has all-star upside. He’ll make his pro debut in 2021.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  Scouts eyed Mitchell as a potential first-round pick at Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High, but a middling senior season and concerns about his Type 1 diabetes caused him to fall to the 14th round, where the A's picked him. He opted for UCLA and became a three-year starter for the Bruins. After struggling as a freshman, Mitchell led the nation in triples during a breakout sophomore season and continued to raise his stock as a junior. He was batting .355/.425/.484 this spring when the season shut down. Mitchell possesses arguably the best package of tools in the 2020 draft. He's an 80-grade runner who changes games with his speed, is a plus defensive center fielder who effortlessly glides to balls and has a rifle for an arm from the outfield. Mitchell shows plus raw power in batting practice, but his choppy swing produces mostly grounders and low line drives in games. Some evaluators are optimistic Mitchell can tap into his power with swing refinements in pro ball, but his in-game power production is concerning dating back to his high school career. Mitchell’s speed helps him to beat out infield singles and amass lots of doubles and triples, making him an offensive difference-maker even absent home run power. His natural feel for contact gives him a chance to be an above-average or better hitter. Mitchell has faced health and endurance concerns because of his diabetes throughout his career, but he missed only one game in three years at UCLA. With a high probability to hit for average, steal bases and stay in center field, and the possibility of adding power, Mitchell is a top-10 talent, though his question marks make him a bit more polarizing than the other players around him.