Kyle
Karros

The Bruin third baseman was hit in the face during his first at-bat of the tourney against Southern Cal and did not return to the field in the tournament. This injury comes after an ankle injury caused him to miss three weeks earlier in the season. When healthy, Karros is a solid defender with plus arm strength. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds he shows plus raw power in batting practice, but has yet to consistently get to it during games with just five home runs in 199 plate appearances this season.

2020 3B (UCLA) Kyle Karros tall frame, athletic young body, with wiry strength and physical projection. Has a gap-to-gap hitting approach, uses the whole field and makes consistent contact. Operates from a slightly open set-up at the plate with a smaller leg lift.  Has a longer stride on the paths, doesn’t steal much. Has a strong arm at third base and makes accurate throws with consistent-mechanics. Karros is looking really comfortable at third carving himself out a solid niche at the position. Good reads off the bat. funnels the baseball and fields it smoothly with softer hands. His range is strong and covers ground as he can make the play going to his glove side and backhand. Karros had a very good day at the plate against Notre Dame. Karros was 2-for-3 with two singles against Notre Dame.

Karros has elevated his game defensively to the point where he now seems like a lock to stay at third base in the future. He’s always had good instincts at the hot corner and now that his frame is beginning to fill out, he appears to have the arm strength to stay there. He’s young for his class - just turned 16 in July - which bodes well for continued physical development. There’s a lot to like defensively with Karros who has plenty of present arm strength to stay at the position and shows some profile characteristics of a right fielder in the future. At the plate he shows quick hands that allow him to get the barrel in-and-through the zone in a hurry. When he connects the contact is loud generally on the barrel.

Karros continues to impress with his defense and continued physical development. Karros shows the footwork and arm strength necessary to stay at third base in the future where his defense is above average presently. Funnels the ball out front and has range. Charges balls under control and is ready to throw when he gets to it. Throws are online with some carry. Made a very good adjustment on a curveball that was left up which he drove to LCF for a base hit. Good mistake pitch hitter.

Karros has improved himself both physically and at the plate from when we saw him last season. Another year of physical maturity shows in with his bat that now flashes gap-to-gap present power. His quick hands showed the ability to drive the ball to the pull side, even on inside pitches. His pitch recognition and plate coverage are off-the-charts good as he battled through a nine pitch at-bat that resulted in base hit to the right center field gap. Body projects to add even more strength as he continues to mature. Defensively he shows good footwork around the bag at first, and takes charge on balls hit to his side. Presently an average runner.