Gavin Kilen Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Gavin Christopher Kilen
Born 03/28/2004 in Janesville, WI
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Louisville
Drafted in the 13th round (399th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2022.

View Draft Report

The Wisconsin product continues the trend in this year’s draft of high-level prospects spawned from the Badger state. Scouts rave about the 5-foot-11 175-pound shortstop the same way they have of other Wisconsin prep bats like Gavin Lux, Jerred Kelenic and Noah Miller. With a sound offensive approach, Kilen possesses a compact lefthanded swing with good balance in his lower half. His exceptional bat-to-ball skills allow him to lace line drives to all fields and drive balls to the gaps. It may take some time for the 18-year-old to grow into added power, but the ingredients are there to mold into a solid, consistent bat. Kilen has impressed on the dirt as well. A fundamentally sound defender with very good footwork, Kilen has an arm that can sling it across the diamond at 92 mph. His throws are accurate, and his baseball IQ assists in his defensive capabilities. He is projected to stay on the dirt long term, primarily at shortstop, with the ability to move around the infield and contribute elsewhere if needed. Kilen is a solid-average runner and possesses the intangibles scouts identify outside of the main components of the game. It will be interesting to see if Kilen honors his commitment to Louisville in July. If so, expect to see an immediate contributor for the Cardinals next spring.

Top Rankings

Draft Prospects

School: Tennessee
Following a modest freshman season, Kilen broke out this spring and hit .330/.361/.591 with 35 extra-base hits and 41 RBIs. He has a short, compact stroke with some quickness in his hands. Kilen’s bat-to-ball skills are comfortably plus, and last year he had an impressive in-zone contact rate of 93%, including 95% against fastballs. With a loaded infield in Knoxville, expect Kilen to man second base next spring for the Volunteers.
School: Milton (Wisc.) HS Committed/Drafted: Louisville
Age At Draft: 18.3
BA Grade: 45/Extreme
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
The Wisconsin product continues the trend in this year’s draft of high-level prospects spawned from the Badger state. Scouts rave about the 5-foot-11 175-pound shortstop the same way they have of other Wisconsin prep bats like Gavin Lux, Jerred Kelenic and Noah Miller. With a sound offensive approach, Kilen possesses a compact lefthanded swing with good balance in his lower half. His exceptional bat-to-ball skills allow him to lace line drives to all fields and drive balls to the gaps. It may take some time for the 18-year-old to grow into added power, but the ingredients are there to mold into a solid, consistent bat. Kilen has impressed on the dirt as well. A fundamentally sound defender with very good footwork, Kilen has an arm that can sling it across the diamond at 92 mph. His throws are accurate, and his baseball IQ assists in his defensive capabilities. He is projected to stay on the dirt long term, primarily at shortstop, with the ability to move around the infield and contribute elsewhere if needed. Kilen is a solid-average runner and possesses the intangibles scouts identify outside of the main components of the game. It will be interesting to see if Kilen honors his commitment to Louisville in July. If so, expect to see an immediate contributor for the Cardinals next spring.