Jace
LaViolette

USA CNT: A special athlete who stands 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with big-time strength and enough speed to play center field, LaViolette started slowly during the trials with six singles and five strikeouts in 16 at-bats. He flipped the switch in the batter’s box against the slower throwing Chinese Taipei pitching staff, going 6-for-19 with two home runs and five RBI. He would then struggle at the plate (2-for-13, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts) against Japan and their higher caliber pitching staff. Regardless of this small sample size, he’s a big body with sneaky good speed, above average arm strength and plus power potential. As a true freshman for the Aggies last season, LaViolette blasted 21 home runs while batting .286 and stealing 18 bases. Draft eligible for 2025, he’s on the short list of potential first-rounders.

Area Code Games: Went a modest 2-for-10 with a triple and seven strikeouts, but at 6-foot-4, 225-pounds, it is impossible to ignore his upside. LaViollette missed a lot of action this summer due to an injury, so the timing might have been a bit off, but in driving the triple to the back-side gap, he not only showcased the different sound of his barrel and power potential, but also the eye-opening athleticism that he brings to the yard with such a big frame. A plus defender at first base, LaViollette moves well in the outfield, and seeing him in center field this spring would not come as a surprise.