Skye Bolt

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #23 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Bolt made his major league debut in 2019, hitting a double in 10 at-bats. He wasn't a September callup initially and only got the nod after an injury to Mark Canha. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter more effective from the left side, Bolt teases with his athletic skill set but has yet to fully capitalize on it. He has a keen eye at the plate and bettered his strikeout rates as he moved through minor leagues, helping to mitigate his fringe-average hit tool. Defensively, Bolt can comfortably play any outfield position, aided by his above-average speed and arm strength. He has struggled with injuries since the A's drafted him in 2015 out of North Carolina.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bolt faces stiff competition in pursuit of a bench role in Oakland's outfield. His legs and glove give him a shot.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #13 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Since his selection as the Athletics' fourth-round pick in 2015, Bolt's has played mostly full seasons at each level before making his big league debut in May. Bolt was not initially recalled in September but was a late add following an injury to Mark Canha.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bolt possesses a solid combination of tools, skills and athleticism, though he lacks a true carrying tool. A switch-hitter, Bolt has made most of impact against righthanders and profiles as a platoon-type player. Bolt has solid-average speed that helps him on the bases and in the outfield. After playing mostly in center field, Bolt has divided time between right and center of late. His above-average arm gives him a chance at both positions.
  
  THE FUTURE: After making his major league debut, Bolt will compete for a bench role in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #19 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Projection more than production got Bolt drafted in the fourth round in 2015 after a spotty career at North Carolina. Three years in pro ball had produced much the same result until Bolt began turning tools into skills in 2018 at high Class A Stockton and then Double-A Midland. He hit 19 home runs and stole 19 bases before showing continued power and speed in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Bolt built his reputation as an amateur in part because of his prototypical frame and hints of five-tool ability, even as scouts questioned his instincts for the game. A switch-hitter with a line-drive swing, Bolt reduced his strikeout rate in 2018 and hit with more authority, particularly batting lefthanded. The increased power is crucial for a player with a fringe-average hit tool, albeit with strong plate discipline. Bolt is the best athlete in the system and also its best defensive outfielder. He is a plus center fielder with a strong, accurate arm. He is an above-average runner but not a prolific basestealer.
  
  The Future: If Bolt can build on his 2018 success as he returns to the Texas League in 2019, then he could become a useful outfield piece in the big leagues.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #23 prospect in 2016
  After passing on signing with the Nationals as a 26th-round pick out of high school, Bolt looked like a star in the making in his first season at North Carolina, earning Freshman All-America honors after hitting .321/.418/.491. He never got back to that level over his final two seasons in Chapel Hill, hitting .257 as a sophomore and .259 as a junior, but his considerable tools nevertheless landed him a $650,000 bonus. Bolt has the makings of a plus defender in center field because he gets good reads and has the pure speed to run down balls in the gaps. He can make highlight-reel catches and has a strong arm as well. Whether his offense comes along is the question. He has solid plate discipline--he walked more than he struck out during his three years in college--and some pull-side power from both sides of the plate. He's a more comfortable hitter from the left side though, and his overall pitch recognition has to get better. The A's will most likely let him work on things against low Class A competition in 2016, though they do like his aptitude enough that reaching high Class A Stockton is a possibility.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #106 prospect in 2015 draft
  Armed with a plus name and explosive tools, Bolt has been famous for a few years. Coming out of high school, Bolt was the no. 214 prospect in the BA 500, and the Nationals took a shot at him in the 26th round, but he opted to take his talents to Chapel Hill, where he's patrolled center field for the Tar Heels and developed into a solid pro prospect. Bolt is excellent defender in center field, showing mature reads and routes, and has the plus speed to stay at the position long term. He has a knack for making highlight-reel-worthy catches, with his speed bailing him out when he needs it. Offensively, Bolt is a switch-hitter with pull power from both sides of the plate, a potential above-average tool for him. The big question on Bolt is whether he will ever develop the pitch recognition and timing requisite of Major League hitters. If Bolt can develop even a below-average bat, he could profile as a defense-first center fielder with power to make up for some of his hitting deficiencies, but it appears more likely that he develops into a backup outfielder with intriguing power off the bench.
• Ranked #214 prospect in 2012 draft
  A North Carolina recruit, Bolt has some rawness and projection in his 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. Some scouts consider Bolt too flashy for his own good and see him as more of a workout star than a polished player. He'll turn in 6.6-second times in workouts but his plus speed doesn't always translate to the basepaths. His defense in center field might be his best present tool. He's a switch-hitter who needs to add strength and consistency to his swing from both sides of the plate. Area scouts indicated Bolt was going to be a tough sign.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Bolt made his major league debut in 2019, hitting a double in 10 at-bats. He wasn't a September callup initially and only got the nod after an injury to Mark Canha. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter more effective from the left side, Bolt teases with his athletic skill set but has yet to fully capitalize on it. He has a keen eye at the plate and bettered his strikeout rates as he moved through minor leagues, helping to mitigate his fringe-average hit tool. Defensively, Bolt can comfortably play any outfield position, aided by his above-average speed and arm strength. He has struggled with injuries since the A's drafted him in 2015 out of North Carolina.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bolt faces stiff competition in pursuit of a bench role in Oakland's outfield. His legs and glove give him a shot.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Bolt made his major league debut in 2019, hitting a double in 10 at-bats. He wasn't a September callup initially and only got the nod after an injury to Mark Canha. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site in San Jose.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter more effective from the left side, Bolt teases with his athletic skill set but has yet to fully capitalize on it. He has a keen eye at the plate and bettered his strikeout rates as he moved through minor leagues, helping to mitigate his fringe-average hit tool. Defensively, Bolt can comfortably play any outfield position, aided by his above-average speed and arm strength. He has struggled with injuries since the A's drafted him in 2015 out of North Carolina.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bolt faces stiff competition in pursuit of a bench role in Oakland's outfield. His legs and glove give him a shot.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Since his selection as the Athletics’ fourth-round pick in 2015, Bolt’s has played mostly full seasons at each level before making his big league debut in May. Bolt was not initially recalled in September but was a late add following an injury to Mark Canha.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bolt possesses a solid combination of tools, skills and athleticism, though he lacks a true carrying tool. A switch-hitter, Bolt has made most of impact against righthanders and profiles as a platoon-type player. Bolt has solid-average speed that helps him on the bases and in the outfield. After playing mostly in center field, Bolt has divided time between right and center of late. His above-average arm gives him a chance at both positions.
  
  THE FUTURE: After making his major league debut, Bolt will compete for a bench role in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Since his selection as the Athletics' fourth-round pick in 2015, Bolt's has played mostly full seasons at each level before making his big league debut in May. Bolt was not initially recalled in September but was a late add following an injury to Mark Canha.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bolt possesses a solid combination of tools, skills and athleticism, though he lacks a true carrying tool. A switch-hitter, Bolt has made most of impact against righthanders and profiles as a platoon-type player. Bolt has solid-average speed that helps him on the bases and in the outfield. After playing mostly in center field, Bolt has divided time between right and center of late. His above-average arm gives him a chance at both positions.
  
  THE FUTURE: After making his major league debut, Bolt will compete for a bench role in 2020.