By: Ryan Myers · 1mo
Photo: D1Baseball
OF - Texas A&M
B/T: L/L
Ht/Wt: 6’ 6” / 230 lbs
Jace LaViolette is one of the top prospects in this season’s draft class. If all goes to plan for him in his 2025 season with the Aggies, he should end up in contention for the first overall selection come July.
LaViolette attended Obra D. Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas. He batted .601 with 11 home runs and 51 runs batted in as a senior and was named the District 19-6A MVP and the Texas High School Baseball Hitter of the Year. He committed to Texas A&M.
As a freshman, LaViolette started 64 games for the Aggies, slashing .287/.632/.414 (batting avg, slugging, on base %) and tallied 64 hits with 21 home runs, 63 RBI, and 48 walks, striking out 75 times.
In his sophomore season in 2024, Jace improved tremendously, slashing .305/.726/.449 with 29 homers, 78 RBI, and 64 walks, while striking out 81 times in many more plate appearances than the year prior.
Over his college career, he has improved his bat-to-ball and pitch selection, though the strikeout numbers are still a bit high. He possesses the raw power and bat speed at the plate that scouts love these days, making him a threat regardless of the matchup.
LaViolette made a name for himself last season and surged in the postseason which gave him even more traction leading into his draft year as a junior.
Strengths
● Frame
● Power
● Arm Strength
● Athleticism
● Bat Speed
LaViolette is at the very top of this draft class with his blend of raw power and bat speed. His massive frame and strong core make him a threat to hit the ball out of any ballpark. He’s very athletic for his size and has an above-average arm from the outfield, which helps him fit into the mold of a Major League right fielder.
Weaknesses
● Strikeout Rate
● Bat-to-Ball
● Defensive Ability
If LaViolette has a weakness, it lies in his low contact rate, though he has improved in that department over his college career (as shown by an almost 20-point jump in his batting average from his freshman to sophomore seasons). He has also been a dependable right fielder for the Aggies during his college years, but some scouts wonder about his defensive ability transitioning over to pro ball. With his athleticism, he should still be able to play a serviceable right field as a pro.
Overall Analysis
Jace LaViolette is a top prospect in this draft due to his 70-grade power and 40-homer potential. His size and athleticism are a rare combination that will allow him to fit in as a right fielder in the pros. With all of these tools at his disposal coupled with slightly above-average speed, Laviolette is in contention for the first overall pick this summer.
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