Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | LAA | SS | 30 | 35 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Mike Kinsela
Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round 4
RuleV: 2024
Physical Description: Long, lean, projectable build with wiry muscle and tons of room for growth. High-waisted with athletic look. Plus-plus body.
Hit: Blakely has above-average bat speed and over time has done an excellent job refining his swing path from a pure uppercut stroke to more of an on-plane, smooth path. He's unrefined in terms of identifying offspeed stuff as well as his overall control of the strike zone, and swing-and-miss is currently abundant in his game. Long, long ways to go in terms of developing the hit tool but has components. Grade: 30
Power: The bat speed and physical projection allow for substantial power projection. Blakely is already capable of driving the ball pull-side out of the yard and has shown some feel for using the backside gap. The raw power projection here is easily plus, though projecting game power given the limited hit tool projection is more difficult. Grade: 45
Field: Hit-and-miss currently, as Blakely has the actions and athleticism to be a standout defender but isn't there in terms of consistency yet. Flashes plus hands and feet, moves extremely well and has plus range, still working on the pitch-to-pitch consistency that the position requires, but has big upside as a defender. Grade: 50
Arm: Plus raw arm strength, when he lets it rip it's impressive with zip and carry, inconsistencies plague this tool as well, internal clock is unrefined yet, accuracy and consistency also unrefined, still the makings of a plus tool here potentially. Grade: 50
Run: Plus runner, moves extremely well, quick out of the box and down the line, second gear is impressive, can tell athleticism in the infield as well. Grade: 60
Overall: Blakely is potentially as high-risk/high-reward a player as there was in the 2020 draft. As a prep bat with wild swings between good and bad throughout his toolset, any outcome is possible. He could repeat rookie ball repeatedly and never see levels above that, or he could be an above-average big leaguer with loud power/defense/athleticism tools.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Extreme
