NAME: Dylan Beavers
SCHOOL: California
POSITION: OF
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’4″, 206 lbs
B/T: L/R
D.O.B.: August 11, 2001
PREVIOUSLY DRAFTED: Undrafted
SCOUTING REPORT
After coming to California and having his freshman season shortened due to the pandemic, Dylan Beavers has become the catalyst for the Golden Bears offense. Through 55 games as a sophomore in 2021, Beavers slashed .303/.401/.630 for a 1.031 OPS, slugging 11 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 49 RBI, and 32 walks to 53 strikeouts. The outfielder saw those numbers tick up in 2022, slashing .291/.426/.634 for a 1.060 OPS across 56 games, slugging 16 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 50 RBI, and 51 walks to 54 strikeouts.
Throughout his collegiate career, he’s taken home some notable honors, all of which can be found here. To touch on some highlights; two All PAC-12 First Team honors, two ABCA West All-Region First Team honors, and was also named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2021. Additionally, heading into the 2022 season Beavers was named to Baseball America’s 2022 College Preseason All-American Second Team.
As the 2021 summer showcases concluded, the Californian was rated as the 32nd prospect in Baseball America’s college prospect list ahead of the 2022 draft. More recently, the former Mission College Prep product was rated as the 14th prospect by ESPN, 34th by Prospects Live, 26th by Baseball America, 63rd by The Athletic, and 21st by MLB Pipeline.
Checking in at 6’4″ 206 lbs, Beavers has a strong and athletic build. Despite his size, he’s considered to be an above-average runner and has seen time in both center and right field for the Golden Bears over the last two seasons.
Cal RF Dylan Beavers was a fun eval Fri/Sat at FSU.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 8, 2022
First 3 clips you see the stiffer/upright lower 1/2 and big hand move, occ. arm bar causing problems w/timing & up/in
After that, he adjusted and hit well, including a HR off of Hubbart on a FB up/in: https://t.co/I7zrniKXak pic.twitter.com/saOLqAckDq
At the plate, power is the lefty’s loudest tool. He possesses the ability to hit the ball to all fields with authority using his good bat speed and plus power. The main concern for Beavers is the hit tool, as an unusual swing path has led to some timing issues and difficulties (at times) in his swing.
In the outfield, Beavers is considered to be a potential plus defender in right. He may be able to man center field at the next level with the help of his above-average speed, but his above-average to plus arm would play in right field if center doesn’t work out.
WHY WOULD THE WHITE SOX DRAFT DYLAN BEAVERS?
Dylan Beavers would make sense for the White Sox for a few different reasons. In what’s probably the most obvious, he’s a left handed batter with plus power. With Colson Montgomery, Wes Kath, and Oscar Colas recently in the fold, Beavers would help add to the collection of big lefty bats in a system pining for them and (future) lineup balance.
Beavers’ ability to play center could give him a case to be classified as a potential impact up-the-middle player, a demographic that the White Sox system doesn’t have a lot depth in. However, if he is destined for right field, he does have the ability to provide above average defense there, which is another skillset the White Sox could sorely use.
While Beavers is a collegiate player, he is considered young for the class, as he doesn’t turn 21 until August. Beavers would help add some advanced youth to the system. The Cal product has the tools of a premium athlete as he ventures to the next level.
MOCK DRAFTS
At this moment in time, the sweet spot for Beavers seems to be the back half of the first round.
In the most recent MLB Pipeline mock, Jonathan Mayo has Beavers being selected by the Athletics with the 19th pick. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN has the Cal product being selected by the Red Sox at pick No. 24. Baseball America also has the lefty outfielder being selected by the Red Sox with the 24th selection.
Prospects Live has him being selected by the Brewers with the 27th pick, but also mentions him as a possibility for the Phillies at 17. As of this writing, Keith Law of The Athletic didn’t have Beavers being selected in the first round.
Judging strictly off of the mocks, while the late teens seem to be the ceiling for the Golden Bears outfielder, Beavers appears like he’ll be selected in the range of where the White Sox make their first selection. The tools he possesses makes it unlikely that he’ll last until pick 26. However, if he was available when the White Sox select and they were confident in their ability to shore up his swing, Beavers would be a solid addition with a valuable skillset that would help replenish a weakened farm system.
Photo credit: Robert Edwards/KLC fotos