Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIN | C | 8 | 50 |
Grades Update: Apr 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 40 | 50 | 30 |
Apr 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 1
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: Below average body and conditioning, above-average strength particularly in his upper body. Broad, squared shoulders, muscular arms, true dad bod. Better athlete than his frame portends.
Hit: Upright setup pre-pitch, square to pitcher, hands set by back shoulder, moderate leg kick, simple compact stroke, with powerful bat speed generated by his quick hands. Looks to elevate on pitches on the inner-half. Shows the strength to drive pitches off the plate the other way. Strong approach very rarely expands, if ever. Shows the ability to catch-up to high-90s velocity, is rarely fooled by breaking balls, and spits on junk on the fringes. The rare power bat with on base ability and a lack of strikeouts. Grade: 60
Power: Combination of raw strength and feel to hit allow Sabato to get the most out of his power tool. Shows the ability to drive the ball all over the field but has an uncanny ability to ambush fastballs on the inner-half and drive them a long ways to his pull-side. Plus raw that plays in games, and compliments his bat first profile. Could develop into a 30 home run bat at the major league level. Grade: 60
Field: Well below average first baseman with poor mobility, fair infield actions, and fringe average hands. The lack of mobility and poor physical tools likely limit Sabato to first base, even if he has the bat and arm for left field. A former shortstop in high school Sabato's hands and actions are clean enough that with some work he might be able to carve out a fringe average defensive profile at first. For now it's below average with the ability to go either way on the scale. Grade: 40
Arm: The strongest supporting tool in Sabato's profile, and it's the reason he was able to play on the left side of the infield in high school. Still shows zip and carry. Average arm strength that could play in an outfield corner, even if Sabato can't. Grade: 50
Run: Poor runner, will hustle but lacks quickness and twitch. Grade: 30
Overall: There are a few profiles coming out of the draft that always attract question marks, and certainly first base/DH-only, right-handed hitting college players is one. Sabato fits this description to a tee. A slugger that put up video game numbers at UNC, his combination of approach, discipline, contact, and raw power make him the rare hitter where below average supporting skills do not put his everyday role into question. Whether you value data, production, or the good ol' eye test, Sabato at the dish checks all the boxes. Even as a future DH, Sabato might be a true impact hitter.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate
