The 2025 MLB Draft will take place in July 2025. Andersen Pickard shares his analysis of Jalin Flores, a shortstop from the University of Texas.
Make sure to check out Andersen Pickard’s 2025 MLB Draft Board and his other MLB Draft Profiles.
Jalin Flores, Shortstop, Texas
| Player | Pos | School | Grade |
| Jalin Flores | SS | Texas | 50 |
| Age | Height | Weight | Bats | Throws |
| 21 | 6-2 | 210 | R | R |
Scouting Grades for Jalin Flores
Hit: 50
Power: 60
Field: 55
Arm: 55
Run: 40
Overall: 50
Scouting Report
Flores struggled through limited action as a freshman with the Longhorns, but he broke out in a big way during his sophomore campaign. Although he was eligible for the draft last year and had top-100 pick potential, Flores decided to return to Austin for his junior year. Now, he’ll look to build on the progress and production he demonstrated as the Longhorns’ primary shortstop last season.
At the plate, Flores has a smooth, quiet swing and is direct to the ball. He does have good pitch recognition and awareness, but he takes an aggressive approach to each pitch. This has allowed him to overcome scenarios where he’s behind in the count, even if it means fouling off a few tough pitches along the way. The right-hander can make solid contact on pitches in the zone, and he has a strong tendency to pull the baseball. As a sophomore, he slashed .340/.408/.656 with a 7.6 BB% and 20.1 K%.
Power wasn’t the focal point of Flores’ offensive makeup as a freshman, but by adding strength, becoming more aggressive, and being direct to the ball when swinging, he has emerged as a significant home run threat. He hit 18 home runs over 60 games at Texas last year, which was a major increase from his four homers through 45 games as a freshman. He also hit 22 doubles. Some of the changes Flores has made to his mechanics and approach — as well as his improved statistics in 2024 — suggest that last season’s 18 home runs weren’t a fluke, and he should continue to deliver a solid power output as he wraps up his career in Austin.
Flores’ added strength has given him a more physical frame, and some teams could view him as a third baseman in the draft. While his strong and accurate arm could certainly handle a theoretical shift to the hot corner, there is no reason to move him off shortstop. Even with a stronger, more physical frame in 2024, Flores continued to demonstrate smooth fielding actions and great defensive instincts. Additionally, Flores isn’t fast — he has two stolen bases through 105 collegiate games — but he certainly moves well enough to possess the range and athleticism required to stick at shortstop long-term.
Flores would have been a very interesting name to watch in the 2024 draft if he hadn’t committed to one more season with the Longhorns. Now, with his entry into the 2025 MLB Draft inevitable, Flores remains a player to monitor. His pure athleticism, significant improvements at the plate, and consistent defensive productivity at shortstop should allow him to move up draft boards this spring, and a big junior campaign could even vault him into the first round.
Main Image Credit: University of Texas Athletics
