The 2021 MLB Draft will begin on July 11, 2021. We take a look at UCLA commit Cody Schrier, a power-hitting prep shortstop who could be a second-round pick.
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Cody Schrier, Shortstop, JSerra Catholic (Calif.)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Right
<span”>Throws: Right
Scouting Grades
Hit: 45
Power: 55
Run: 45
Field: 55
Throw: 50
Schrier has impressive power and a simple approach at the plate. He also looks really solid in the field, ranging to both his right and left at shortstop. With that said, he has versatility, so teams interested in him should feel comfortable that he can play second or third base if shortstop doesn’t end up working out.
Strengths
Power is Schrier’s top strength. He is able to put a charge into the baseball, peppering it to all parts of the field. He’s a physical player, too, which plays a role in his impressive pop. Still, his approach at the plate is fairly compact and simple, which leads to good contact and a balanced approach all around. Ultimately, not only does he have power, but he also hits the ball hard and on a line.
In the field, Schrier has good glovework. He judges balls accurately, knowing when he should wait or charge a grounder. From there, he fields it cleanly and, with a combination of footwork and smooth hands, churns out a good throw to first base. He clearly has potential and could develop even more if he honors his commitment to UCLA, though it seems unlikely that he would do that if he’s drafted in the first two or three rounds.
Schrier is also very physical and athletic in nature. These are valuable traits to have and will positively impact his performance in the field, at the plate, and on the basepaths.
Weaknesses
Running is an area of Schrier’s game that is worth talking about. He’s not a terrible runner; in fact, he should be considered above-average in this realm. However, where his running hurts him most is in the field. He doesn’t have incredible range, which is a concern for any position but especially a shortstop. There has even been some speculation that he might be forced to move to second or third base given his range issues. That’s a stretch at this point, but if he can’t develop and build his range in the lower levels of the minors, eventually sending Schrier to the hot corner does make sense.
Pro Comparison: Dansby Swanson
No, I am not saying Schrier should be the No. 1 overall pick like Swanson was. However, the two have very similar makeups and a Swanson-like career trajectory would be the ceiling for Schrier. Swanson is the same height and weight as Schrier, and he also bats and throws righty. He’s also demonstrated impressive power from the right side, launching 21 homers over his last 131 games. He’s not a base-stealing threat but will stay at shortstop long-term, and he’s above-average (1.3 dWAR through 71 games in 2020) defensively.
Draft Projection: Early Third-Round Pick
Many projections see Schrier as a late second-round pick, but I’d be hesitant to draft him prior to the third. As good as Schrier is across the board, his running is somewhat concerning. Does he really have enough range to stick at shortstop in the majors? It’s challenging to project what Schrier’s trajectory could look like, too, which makes it tough to justify using a second-round pick on him. In a similar respect, signability may or may not be an issue; he’s committed to UCLA and could gain plenty of valuable and much-needed development at shortstop if he heads to college.
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Main Image Credit: Baseball Prospect Journal
