Chase
Tatum

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. This player is a great example of how exciting it is to scout at LakePoint, as any game can bring you a completely unknown prospect with the talent to be a pro one day. This is exactly how I feel about Chase, as he has every trait a scout can ask for. He passes the eye test with ease, as the frame would fit right in at an MLB complex right now. The most insane part about all of it is the dude just turned 15 years old. Not often do you come across a player with his potential for power production. The best part? He walks a ton, and is glad to take them anytime they come. It’s extremely uncommon to see an underclassmen with this quality of plate discipline, as it’s typically the last skill to develop in a HS hitter. His ability to see spin early allows him to take calculated risks on FB’s anywhere in the zone. Tatum’s dynamic swing gives him power to all fields, another trait you rarely see in hitters this young. The ball jumps off his bat whether it’s a perfect barrel or not, and his bat speed+bat strength combo is already producing EV’s in the mid 90’s on a regular basis. Despite his large frame he moves very well, enabling him to play CF with relative ease and he has the arm to match. This is a dual sport athlete who started as a varsity WR this spring, which shows his advanced athleticism and ability to perform under pressure. This is a big time follow for the years to come.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. (69th ranked overall player in Georgia in his class.) Tatum is a big, strong athletic player. The ball jumps off his bat from gap to gap. He stands up tall in the box with a slightly opened stance. Smooth swing and attacks the inside part of the ball well. Tatum makes the routine plays in the field, and his tall frame helps with bang-bang plays at first. Tatum is a fun player to watch and will be a fun follow for the next few months and years.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. You wouldn’t expect a freshman in his first year of HS baseball to have advanced pitch recognition and plate discipline, even the top players in the country. But after a 3 game extended look, this is exactly what you’re getting with Tatum. His yes, yes, no thought process fits perfectly with his smooth leg kick that stays low to the ground so it’s easy to repeat. The hip hinge in his negative move allows him to both decelerate and accelerate the pace of his leg kick depending on the pitcher’s delivery or pitch type. It not only stacks his backside for the forward move, but allows him to create effortless lower half momentum in stride and lead with his front hip. This is the type of hitting style Justin Turner made famous, and you see many similarities in their swing mechanics (not a player comp). His coil is timed up in stride, and the linear connection is ideal. But what does he do? Well, he hits baseballs really hard and has huge potential for power production, not just raw power. High OBP and big power numbers? Count me in. He also has big arm strength for his age, impressive instincts in CF, and runs well for his size. 4 BB, 2 2B’s, 3 RBI at Battle for Bartow.