School: West Allegheny (PA) HS
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’1” 192 lbs
B/T: L/L
D.O.B.: 6/15/2001
Previously Drafted/Commitment: Committed to Mississippi State
Scouting Report
Austin Hendrick is an outfield prospect out of West Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Hendrick played in the PDP (Prospect Development Pipeline) League, participated in the National Team Development Program, played in the inaugural High School All-Star Game at Progressive Field, and was selected to Team USA’s 18U National Team. Additionally, the Mississippi State commit was also a 2020 High School Preseason First Team All-American and was ranked as the number one high school position player in Pennsylvania and the number four player in his class by Perfect Game (as of 4/7).
In 52 at-bats for West Allegheny in 2019, Hendrick batted .327 with two HR, 12 RBI, 17 H, and 23 BB. The 18 year old set the West Allegheny school record for walks with 58 in only three seasons. Unfortunately for Hendrick, the fact that the 2020 high school baseball season in Pennsylvania was cancelled before it began, the senior was unable to add onto his record setting total.
After some early success in the PDP League, Hendrick struggled to the close of the league despite being the only player to hit multiple home runs. International play also wasn’t kind to the outfielder. In a limited sample of eight games, the lefty only had one hit, scored one run, had two RBI, and finished with a .056/.320/.056 slash line. On a brighter note, Hendrick was tied for third on the team with five walks.
Going into the draft, Baseball America has the lefty slugger as the number nine rated prospect. MLB Pipeline has rated him as the number 13 prospect overall and Fangraphs places him at 18.
Scouting Grades
*Scouting grades are according to MLB Pipeline, grades may vary between different publications*
HIT: 50
POWER: 60
RUN: 55
ARM: 55
FIELD: 50
OVERALL: 55
Prospect Overview and Future Outlook
Hendrick’s loudest tools are with the bat. According to Baseball America, the lefty has the quickest pure bat speed in the class, complimented by his immense raw power, arguably giving him the best hit/power combo of any high school prospect in the class. Baseball America also compared the Pennsylvanian’s power to be a 70 grade, and Fangraphs has stated he has the most explosive rotation and among the best raw power projection in the class.
MLB Pipeline echoes similar sentiments, notating his quick hands and bat speed. Hendrick also has some of the top exit velocity rankings in his class, with measurements at 105+ MPH. After some contact issues on the showcase circuit, Hendrick tinkered with his swing, ditching his toe-tap for a leg kick (the swing differences can be seen from the first video and the next two videos).
In addition to the tools above, Hendrick has an above average throwing arm from the outfield. At the Perfect Game National Showcase at Chase Field, the Mississippi State commit had a throw register at 93 MPH. Although he runs well enough to be able to handle center field, he profiles best in right field where his power and top of the class arm strength play well.
In the end, there are some concerns regarding Hendrick. Swing and miss issues in addition to an age concern (he’s an older high school prospect) may scare teams off. However, in spite of those concerns, Hendrick’s upside is immense and he could become a middle of the lineup run producer oozing with power.
Mock Draft Outcomes
Version 4.0 of Baseball America’s mock draft series featured Hendrick staying in-state, being selected by the Phillies at pick 15. CBS Sports’ updated mock draft pegged Hendrick to the Reds at pick 12. Prospects Live has Hendrick staying in Pennsylvania, but being drafted by the Pirates at pick seven.
Our James Fox‘s second iteration of his mock draft series had Hendrick being selected by the Giants at pick 13. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline have the outfielder being selected by the Reds and the Cubs (at pick 16), respectively.
All things considered, a selection within the top 15 picks certainly seems plausible. Rumors persist that teams near the top of the draft may lean towards college players, but Hendrick should be in the first handful of high school bats selected in June.
Potential Fit with the White Sox
The outfield can still be considered a position of strength in the White Sox system, but the landscape is changing. Luis Robert is slated to be manning center field for the White Sox moving forward. Micker Adolfo, Luis Basabe, Blake Rutherford, and Luis Gonzalez are all in the high minors and coming off of injury plagued and/or down years.
Hendrick would be a boost for the system in the low minors, giving the White Sox some much needed depth that’s been lacking. The West Allegheny product would potentially give the White Sox a left-handed bat with top of the line bat speed, superior power potential, and a fantastic throwing arm.
The White Sox are predominately right handed, as currently constructed, so Hendrick could be beneficial for future lineup balance as well. The Pennsylvanian could also lead the next wave of White Sox prospects, as most of the prospects from the rebuild are in Chicago.
The White Sox haven’t chosen a high school player in the first round since 2012, so that trend would need to be broken for this selection to be made. Hendrick could be a worthy selection at pick 11 in what many hope to be the last high pick for the foreseeable future for the Pale Hose.
Photo Credit: Steph Chambers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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