Bryce Denton
| AB | 828 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .217 |
| OBP | .272 |
| SLG | .31 |
| HR | 13 |
- Full name Bryce Robert Denton
- Born 08/01/1997 in Brentwood, TN
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Ravenwood
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Drafted in the 2nd round (66th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 (signed for $1,200,000).
View Draft Report
Denton is the top high school position player in Tennessee and, like Donny Everett, the top prep pitcher, he is committed to Vanderbilt. Like Everett, Denton impressed scouts last summer on the showcase circuit. He has a chance to hit for both average and power. He has a quiet approach at the plate and makes consistent hard contact, particularly when he's pulling the ball. His combination of strength and above-average bat speed leads to impressive raw power from the righthanded hitter, but he hasn't tapped into it this spring as well as scouts would like to see. Denton has moved around the field defensively and opinions are split on where he fits best. He would likely get a chance to play third base in the professional ranks, though he may end up as a corner outfielder. He has above-average arm strength and below-average speed. No matter where he plays in the field, it will be up to his bat to carry him. Denton won't turn 18 until August, making him one of the youngest players in the draft class. He earns praise for his makeup and mature approach to the game.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Whatever frustrations Denton had offensively in his early games as a pro a coach said he never let on, never wore them on his sleeve. The success he had in his final games of 2016 means he can wear them on his finger. Denton slugged a three-run homer and had a career-best five RBIs in the clinching game as Rookie-level Johnson City swept its way to the Appalachian League title. Denton muscled the JC-Cards into the playoffs with a .287/.362/.404 August and 19 RBIs in 25 games. It was the punctuation on a learning-curve season. Denton landed a $1.2 million bonus from the team for his power potential, which some evaluators peg as average. The Cardinals believe there's more locked within a projectable frame and quick, belting swing. As he matures--he was only 17 when drafted--and sees more higher-level pitching, the belief is his power will perk. Denton has a liveliness on the field, especially in the field, where whatever rough edges he has at third base he smooths with high energy. He has the arm and range to remain at third base as he reaches a full-season club, but he could move to a corner outfield spot or first base, depending on how the bat plays at low Class A Peoria in 2017. -
The Cardinals thought they may have drafted their future outfield in the first 10 rounds of the 2015 draft, with first-rounder Nick Plummer, Denton in the second round and Kep Brown--who wound up not signing--in the 10th round. Denton grew up a Cardinals fan, and the $1.2 million bonus he received made him a bigger fan and kept him from going to Vanderbilt. Denton started out at third base in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he likely will wind up on an outfield corner. He has one of the higher upsides in St. Louis' draft class thanks to his power potential, which for now is pronounced to his pull side. He has a compact 6-foot, 190-pound frame with some present strength and above-average bat speed, and club officials are confident he just needs time to adjust to top-level pro pitching. He's got lateral movement and range at third base to go with an above-average arm, but some scouts have doubts that he has the footwork to stick there. Denton was just 17 when drafted and was one of the youngest players in his draft class, so he may move slower than his fellow 2015 draftees. He appears ticketed for extended spring training in 2016 before a move to either Rookie-level Johnson City or short-season State College.
Draft Prospects
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Denton is the top high school position player in Tennessee and, like Donny Everett, the top prep pitcher, he is committed to Vanderbilt. Like Everett, Denton impressed scouts last summer on the showcase circuit. He has a chance to hit for both average and power. He has a quiet approach at the plate and makes consistent hard contact, particularly when he's pulling the ball. His combination of strength and above-average bat speed leads to impressive raw power from the righthanded hitter, but he hasn't tapped into it this spring as well as scouts would like to see. Denton has moved around the field defensively and opinions are split on where he fits best. He would likely get a chance to play third base in the professional ranks, though he may end up as a corner outfielder. He has above-average arm strength and below-average speed. No matter where he plays in the field, it will be up to his bat to carry him. Denton won't turn 18 until August, making him one of the youngest players in the draft class. He earns praise for his makeup and mature approach to the game.
