Ripken
Birdwell

Ripken Birdwell, Hooks (TX), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B Tools present with opportunities for adjustments. Upside present. Interesting to watch develop with changes.
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Solid build with room to add strength. Lower shows some present strength now.
Hit: LHH. Open stance with weight shift into back leg to initiate stride. Lands online with mound in solid position to hit. Rotational back foot, does a fair job of using lower 1/2. Upper torso lays back in swing, costing power. Would like to see body stay vertical during swing hitting off firm front side. Barrel/hands in good position to launch. Length to swing with uphill path, slight scoop swing. Needs to work on getting on plane, working for line drive contact. Fair bat/hand speed will be helped by shortening swing. 63.8 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 332' max distance. Nice bat/power combo with adjustments to approach and swing. See developing pull side raw with added strength.
Arm: RH. INF-80 mph. Arm works, fair arm speed. Front shoulder opens early, doesn't utilize legs to throw as much as he can. Would benefit from long toss program.
Defense: Solid 1st step, feet work well moving to baseball, body in position to field. Hands are fine, can improve fielding baseball out front, playing thru baseball with feet.
ATH: 7.36 runner in the 60. 1.70 and 4.00 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. Runs hard. 26.20 max vertical.