2023 MLB Draft Profile: Garret Forrester
The Pirates keep it going by drafting Garret Forrester with the No. 73 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Was this a good pick for the Pirates or was it a reach even in the third round? Let’s take a look at his MLB Draft profile and find out.
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
As a corner infielder, it’s still not 100 percent clear where Forrester will end up. Most of his time at Oregon State was spent as a first baseman but he was listed at third base upon being drafted. While he has shown the ability to hold down both positions, I think he fits the build more at first as opposed to at third.
Ranked as MLB’s No. 116 prospect, you could be led to believe that this pick is a little bit of a reach. Truth be told, I can’t really say I blame you. The hit tool while still impressive isn’t at the level I would want for a modern-day first baseman.
The power doesn’t jump out at you like you want for the position. He does have a good approach and a quick swing which does allow him to make hard contact, but I don’t think it will translate to significant power at the MLB level.
That’s not to say he will be a bad hitter. He is very smart at the plate and uses that to work himself into favorable counts, allowing him to more often than not find and drive his pitch. The power can easily develop to an MLB level should he carry these traits with him through the minors.
I again expect him to end at first but should that happen he will have a plus glove for the position. I just don’t think he has the range to hold down third, especially with his bigger frame, although his arm is more than capable of getting the job done.
With Garret Forrester, I’m really just looking for the bat to develop–more specifically the power. He does make hard consistent contact which is a good sign, but that doesn’t always lead to home run power at the major league level.
But if that can come together with his plus glove then Forrester can prove why the Pirates drafted him where they did.
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