Dalton Guthrie

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #168 prospect in 2017 draft
  The son of 15-year big league lefthander Mark Guthrie, Dalton Guthrie grew up around the game and is a savvy college middle infielder. He played with catcher Mike Rivera both at Venice (Fla.) High and at Florida, and both players had suffered through injury-plagued springs. Guthrie had played 52 of Florida's first 57 games, but a right shoulder injury had hampered him all season, particularly sapping his arm strength at short. It's below-average this spring and needs to bounce back for him to have a chance to play shortstop as a pro. The shoulder also affected him at the plate, where he's contact-oriented and has well below-average power (he's slugged less than .370 in each of his three seasons as a Gator). He has a chance to be an average hitter because of his bat control and the ability to maximize his average speed with his premium instincts. Those play on the defensive side of the ball as well. A late ankle injury kept Guthrie out of the SEC tournament, and the 6-foot, 185-pounder needs strength to handle the rigors of a pro schedule.
• Ranked #186 prospect in 2014 draft
  Guthrie is the son of 15-year major league veteran Mark, who now serves as assistant coach at Venice High. Dalton was as a four-year starter at shortstop and is vying to lead the Indians to their third consecutive state championship, and scouts love him because he is a high-energy player with plus instincts and makeup that help all of his tools play up. Some think he's better suited to head to college, where the Florida commit could contribute immediately, while others like him in the top half-dozen rounds. Guthrie is a fluid, natural defender with aptitude and soft hands. He has an average arm that plays up because of a quick release. While he should be fine at shortstop if he goes to college, his expected long-term position is second base. Guthrie has a quick stroke as a contact-oriented hitter with feel to hit. His power will likely be below-average, though his lean, athletic 5-foot-11, 165-pound build is expected to gain strength. He is an average runner whose quickness helps his speed play better than that out of the box. Guthrie is expected to reach campus, but several teams might try to make that a tough decision.