Ryan Boldt Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1419
AVG	.264
OBP	.332
SLG	.404
HR	31

Full name Ryan Andrew Boldt
Born 11/22/1994 in Red Wing, MN
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Nebraska
Drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 (signed for $997,500).

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When he was in little league, Ryan Boldt was a lefthanded-hitting, lefthanded-throwing outfielder/pitcher. A growth-plate issue with his left elbow forced him to switch to throwing righthanded--his Little League coach moved him to shortstop to help speed the transition--but he kept hitting lefthanded at the plate. Boldt then missed his senior season of high school with torn meniscus in one of his knees which helped ensure he made it to Nebraska. He's been healthy since, as he's played in almost every game he can as a Cornhusker (he was drafted by the Red Sox in the 22nd round). After earning second-team freshman all-America honors with a .311/.382/.437, Boldt has disappointed scouts by not getting significantly better in the next two years. Boldt has the size of a middle-of-the-order power hitter and will demonstrate average raw power in batting practice but he's yet to show that kind of power in games. He runs better than his size would indicate--he posts above-average run times and plays a solid center field even if he's a little heavy legged as a runner. Boldt does work counts and likes to hit to the opposite field, but he's proven surprisingly pitchable for someone with impressive tools. Boldt's combination of size and speed still intrigues, but the 21-year-old could end up a tweener if he slows down as he ages.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Selected in the 22nd round by the Red Sox out of a Minnesota high school in 2013, Boldt instead spent three seasons at Nebraska and became the highest-drafted Cornhusker position player since Alex Gordon in 2005. He was drafted in the second round and skipped over low Class A in his first full season. Boldt more than held his own, hitting .295 with 33 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases despite missing 20 games. Boldt spent most of his time in right field in 2017, but has seen activity in all three outfield spots since signing with the Rays. He has a solid-average arm with good carry and above-average accuracy. Amazingly, he threw lefthanded prior to fracturing his left elbow on a throw at age 11 and now throws righthanded. Boldt has above-average speed that plays well in the field and on the basepaths. Some scouts suggest that he should hit for more power than he has due to his athletic and physical frame, but the Rays feel that his production will increase with experience. He employs a level swing and uses the entire field. Given his solid all-around ability, Boldt could develop into a starter in the big leagues. He'll make the jump to Double-A Montgomery in 2018.
Boldt was a decorated high school player who starred at many top showcases and for Team USA's 18-and-under national team. He was considered a candidate to be taken in the first round, but an was injured the spring of his senior year and enrolled at Nebraska instead of signing with the Red Sox as a 22nd-round pick out of high school. Boldt was a solid performer in college but never quite proved himself worthy of first-round status, and the Rays took him 53rd overall in 2016 and signed him for $997,500. He added strength to his frame as his junior year approached, and hit for more power as a junior than he did as an underclassman. That did not translate to his first taste of pro ball, as he hit just .218 with one home run at short-season Hudson Valley after signing. Boldt is a mature defender in the outfield, with excellent first-step reactions and route efficiency, though his speed is more above-average than plus. He has a playable outfield arm. Boldt will need to prove he can stay healthy and hit in pro ball, neither of which are given, and will look to do just that at low Class A in 2017.

Draft Prospects

When he was in little league, Ryan Boldt was a lefthanded-hitting, lefthanded-throwing outfielder/pitcher. A growth-plate issue with his left elbow forced him to switch to throwing righthanded--his Little League coach moved him to shortstop to help speed the transition--but he kept hitting lefthanded at the plate. Boldt then missed his senior season of high school with torn meniscus in one of his knees which helped ensure he made it to Nebraska. He's been healthy since, as he's played in almost every game he can as a Cornhusker (he was drafted by the Red Sox in the 22nd round). After earning second-team freshman all-America honors with a .311/.382/.437, Boldt has disappointed scouts by not getting significantly better in the next two years. Boldt has the size of a middle-of-the-order power hitter and will demonstrate average raw power in batting practice but he's yet to show that kind of power in games. He runs better than his size would indicate--he posts above-average run times and plays a solid center field even if he's a little heavy legged as a runner. Boldt does work counts and likes to hit to the opposite field, but he's proven surprisingly pitchable for someone with impressive tools. Boldt's combination of size and speed still intrigues, but the 21-year-old could end up a tweener if he slows down as he ages.
The weather in the upper Midwest has been terrible this spring, making it difficult to see players. Boldt didn't play his first game outside until a doubleheader on April 26. He appeared to injure his right knee on a slide into third base in the opener, then collapsed while chasing a flyball during the nightcap. He needed arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which shouldn't have a long-term effect but means he won't take the field again before the draft. A potential first-round pick before he got hurt, Boldt will have to stand on his impressive body of work form last summer, when he performed well at showcases, won MVP honors at the AFLAC All-American Classic and set a Team USA 18-and-under record with five steals in one game. Boldt's best tool is his speed, which is plus out of the batter's box and plus-plus once he gets going. He has the bat speed, hand-eye coordination and patient approach to hit for average and get on base, and the instincts to steal bases once he does. His speed also plays well in center field. Boldt has a chance to have average tools across the board. He has present gap power but might develop into a 15-homer threat. He grew up throwing lefthanded, but an elbow injury at age 9 led to four surgeries. He switched to throwing righthanded and has worked to build up his arm strength to close to average. Boldt draws comparisons to former No. 1 overall pick Darin Erstad, for whom he's committed to play at Nebraska. If Boldt makes it to the Cornhuskers, he'll be reunited with his cousin Pat Kelly, the Cornhuskers' starting second baseman.

Minor League Top Prospects

For some scouts, Boldt was a disappointment because of his modest home run production (five homers) at his impressively physical frame. But in the big picture, he had an impressive season, jumping to the FSL in his first full season from short-season ball and the 2016 draft, then finishing third in the league in batting (.295) and fourth in hits. Boldt's flatter swing plane is geared more for the gaps than home runs at present, but he has the frame to to add loft power and room for strength gains. Boldt split his time between center field and the corners, and his improved, solid-average arm--his throws added carry and accuracy this season--boost his overall defensive profile. His above-average speed also played on the bases by helping him stay out of double plays and leading the Stone Crabs in steals. He's a well-rounded player with a chance to be average or above-average in all five tools, with a high floor.