Landon
Stripling

Texas Tech Commit. 5-foot-11, 200 pounds. This one is going to hit. There are a select few of hitters in each class that just find barrels more than the rest, and Stripling is surely one of those. The worst thing you can do is sleep on guys who have near perfect swing mechanics and every intangible needed as a hitter. This type of pure hitter is rarely the most toolsy player, and there are many MLB bats who fit this mold. At the games highest level with the universal DH, hitting is now an actual position and the value on guys like Landon have now doubled. Stone cold mashers like him no longer have to worry about the classic line of, “where’s he going to play defensively?” But let me be clear, I’m not sleeping on his defense. Stripling is instinctive with sure hands at multiple infield spots, and his cannon of an arm (91 mph in 2021) would lend him many outfield assists in LF. Although he can really throw, hitting is what he is known for. This is a player who knows his swing inside and out, and it increases confidence knowing he doesn’t have to worry about any holes in his swing. It’s also a big reason why he’s so advanced in the categories of pitch recognition, approach, and plate discipline. Very few HS bats (including D1 commits) repeat their swing mechanics at the level of cleanliness and consistency he does. The future Red Raider hits big velo, LHP’s, junk ballers, submariners, anything you can think of. He will make you pay on any pitch, anywhere in the zone. So I say all that to say, it wasn’t a surprise to see him with 2 of the 3 hardest hit balls in the game. Real deal!

Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Strong, sturdy build, physical lower half.
Hit: L/R. Open setup, high hands, cocks hands as he drops them and loads weight onto back-side, leg kicking timing trigger, some explosiveness in lower half, smooth rhythm, good timing. Swing path is short and quick to the zone, uphill through the zone, ball jumps off bat pull-side when he gets to extension, easy pull-side power, good feel for barrel to drive gap-to-gap.
Power: 93.35 max exit velocity, averaged 83.88 mph. 310.00’ max distance.
Arm: L/R.  INF - 90.00 mph.  Short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, advanced arm strength, accurate with carry.
Defense: Fields position athletically, natural footwork, competent glove, clean on exchanges, good body control.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.