Slade Caldwell

School: Valley View HS, Jonesboro, Ark.
Commit/Drafted: Ole Miss
Age At Draft: 18.1
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Run: 70. Field: 60. Arm: 45.

Caldwell is a short but strong 5-foot-9, 182-pound outfielder and lefthanded hitter who is one of the smaller players in the class. He’s also been a consistent in-game performer with some of the most advanced pure baseball skills in the prep ranks. He has short levers and twitchy hands with a compact swing that leads to tons of contact and line drives. He uses a simple operation with solid rhythm, which he pairs with a keen eye that leaves him mostly swinging at pitches in the zone. His smaller zone also allows him to spit on balls and draw lots of walks. He doesn’t project for much raw power but should be a table-setting, top-of-the-lineup type who can get on base and create havoc with his speed—which is one of his best tools. Caldwell is a double-plus runner who accelerates out of the box quickly. He used that speed as a talented high school running back and should be a consistent threat to steal bases. He pairs his pure speed with high-level instincts on the basepaths and advanced route-running and reads in center field that should allow him to be a plus defender in the middle of the grass. His arm likely won’t be an asset or liability for him in the outfield. Caldwell is a Mississippi commit who’s also young for the class, but has been scouted enough to go in the first round with his well-rounded skill set. He has a chance to become the fourth Arkansas high schooler ever drafted in the first round, and the first since Tony McKnight in 1995.