Scouting the 2020 Draft: Joey Wiemer

Joey Wiemer OF, College(Cincinnati).  B-R, T-R.  6'5", 215 lbs.

2018:  .266/.387/.411, 8 2B, 5 HR, 9 SB, 25 BB, 36 K, 158 AB.
2019:  .263/.360/.408, 13 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 21 SB, 32 BB, 59 K, 240 AB.
2020:  .264/.435/.396, 4 2B, HR, 5 SB, 14 BB, 9 K, 53 AB.
2019 CCL:  .271, 8 2B, HR, 8 SB, 16 BB, 27 K, 129 AB.

Joey Wiemer is a 5-tool college OF with tremendous athleticism for his size.  His PG scouting report coming out of HS had him at 90 MPH off the mound and 93 MPH from the OF and a 6.73 60 yd dash and 93 MPH exit velocity.  He is tall with long arms and legs and a brawny build that can carry more, although there is plenty of present strength.  Physically he reminds me a lot of Jayson Werth.  Plate discipline numbers look good, but the concern here is with his relatively low BA's in college which often translate to 40 points lower in the pros, although he was able to maintain his typical stat line in the Cape Cod League. He also still hasn't really tapped into his power.  I'm not sure what to make of the swing.  He starts out holding the bat high over his head then brings his hands into load position as the pitch is delivered.  The first part of the swing seems pretty direct to the ball, but then he just unleashes his whole body with a lot of pull action and head movement, at least to my eye.  One reaction I had from the video was it reminds me of a slow-pitch softball swing, but then so did Bryce Harper's swing when he was a draft prospect.

The ceiling here is sky high but with a ton of risk.  Swing probably needs to be completely re-worked, always a risky proposition.  Fangraphs has him ranked at #73 while. MLB Pipeline does not have him in their top 100.