Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Made signed with the Cubs for $1.5 million in 2019, and even after he missed out on a potential first full season because of the pandemic, Chicago got aggressive with the shortstop with a move to Single-A at 18 years old in '21. He returned to the level a year later and had his best offensive showing anywhere with a .266/.354/.450 line and nine homers in only 57 games for Myrtle Beach. He hit only .162 over 37 games after a midseason promotion to High-A, returned to the Midwest League in 2023 and was still slashing just .240/.328/.355 in 70 games when Chicago moved him to the Nationals in a three-player deal for Jeimer Candelario at last year’s Trade Deadline. He slashed just .137/.232/.192 after the swap, though he was hurt by a .182 BABIP.

The Dominican Republic native has needed to be graded on a curve throughout his career because of the aggression of his assignments. On the optimistic side, he has developed a better approach at the plate and has produced solid contact rates. On the pessimistic side, it’s still gap power at best, and while the plurality of his batted balls are on the ground, even those he does elevate aren’t big threats to leave the park yet. The Nats are hopeful added strength will lead to better exit velocities and bat speed in his age-21 season and beyond.

Made has the first step, reactions and hands to remain at shortstop, and his plus arm would certainly play at third, where the Cubs gave him some run. He could also slide over to second without issue. Made could be a future utilityman with that glove, but offensive work remains to get him there.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45  

Made signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, but the pandemic delayed his debut until 2021. Chicago's logjam of young shortstops resulted in them aggressively assigning him to Single-A at age 18 for his introduction to pro ball and pushing him to High-A at age 19 in mid-2022. The Cubs sent Made back to High-A for 2023, and he was roughly a league-average bat before being moved to the Nationals in a Deadline deal for Jeimer Candelario. 

Made's quick right-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills have helped him survive against much older and experienced competition. He has shown the ability to make adjustments as he has gotten acclimated to a level and his walk rate soared from 2 percent in his debut to 11 percent last year, a very encouraging sign. He has projectable strength and shows the ability to turn on pitches, so he could provide 15-20 homers per season once he begins driving the ball in the air more regularly. 

A solid runner but not much of a base stealer, Made could be a big league regular with just modest offensive production because he's a gifted defender. He has smooth actions and quality instincts at shortstop, where he covers ground to both sides and has a well-above-average arm. He could play almost anywhere on the diamond if he winds up in a utility role. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45 

Chicago added to its collection of promising young shortstops when they signed Made for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. The pandemic shutdown delayed his pro debut until 2021, when their depth at his position led the Cubs to send him straight to Low-A at age 18. He held his own by batting .272 as the second-youngest regular in the Low-A East, but he played in just 58 games while dealing with forearm and hamstring strains. 

With his quick right-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills, Made was able to survive against much older and experienced competition last year. He has some projectable strength and already shows a propensity for turning on pitches, so he could hit 15 or more homers per season once he's fully developed. To reach his offensive ceiling, he'll need to develop some plate discipline and improve his quality of contact after posting a 2 percent walk rate and hitting a lot of grounders in his debut.

Because he played on the same club as 2020 first-rounder Ed Howard, Made also saw some action at third base last summer, but he's a no-doubt shortstop. He has the actions and instincts to make all the plays and throws at short with an arm that garners well-above-average grades from some scouts. He's presently a solid runner but could add some quickness as he matures physically. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

Chicago spent the bulk of its $5.1 million international bonus pool in 2019 on two players from MLB's Trainer Partnership Program in the Dominican Republic, giving $2.9 million to catcher Ronnier Quintero and $1.5 million to Made. Though the coronavirus pandemic put his pro debut on hold, Made began to add some muscle during the layoff and stood out with his increased ability to drive the ball during instructional league last fall. The Cubs have a wealth of young shortstop prospects and he rivals 2020 first-rounder Ed Howard as the best defender in that group. 

Made makes consistent line-drive contact to all fields with a quick right-handed swing. He has a more advanced approach and better feel for the barrel than most 18-year-olds. While he'll always be a hit-over-power guy, his hitting ability, bat speed and projectable strength should translate into 15 or more homers per season. 

Presently a solid runner, Made could have plus speed once he's fully developed physically. He has the actions and instincts to play a quality shortstop and his tools will enable him to play all over the diamond as needed. His arm earns well above-average grades from some evaluators and plays better than its pure strength because he gets rid of the ball quickly and with impressive accuracy.

2020 Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45 

The two best players in the Cubs' 2019 international crop came from MLB's Trainer Partnership Program in the Dominican Republic. Catcher Ronnier Quintero signed for $2.9 million and Made received $1.5 million, eating up the bulk of Chicago's $5.1 million bonus pool. If the latter fills out his 6-foot-1 frame as expected, he has the potential for at least average tools across the board.

Made possesses fine hand-eye coordination and a more advanced approach than most players his age. A right-handed hitter with a line-drive swing, he controls the barrel very well and uses the entire field. He has the bat speed and projectable strength to provide 15 or more homers per season.

Scouts believe that Made could go from present solid speed to a plus runner once he's physically mature. His most impressive tool is his arm, which earns some well above-average grades and plays up because of his quick release and throwing accuracy. With good actions and instincts at shortstop, he should be able to stay there.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2021

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/26/2024	Harrisburg Senators activated SS Kevin Made from the 7-day injured list.
	08/14/2024	Harrisburg Senators placed SS Kevin Made on the 7-day injured list.
	07/07/2024	SS Kevin Made assigned to Harrisburg Senators from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
	07/07/2024	Harrisburg Senators activated SS Kevin Made.
	07/07/2024	Harrisburg Senators activated SS Kevin Made.
	03/07/2024	Washington Nationals Prospects activated SS Kevin Made.
	03/01/2024	SS Kevin Made assigned to Washington Nationals.
	03/01/2024	SS Kevin Made roster status changed by Washington Nationals.
	07/31/2023	Washington Nationals traded 3B Jeimer Candelario and cash to Chicago Cubs for LHP DJ Herz and SS Kevin Made.
	07/31/2023	SS Kevin Made assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
	07/21/2022	SS Kevin Made assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	04/25/2022	Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed SS Kevin Made on the 7-day injured list.
	04/16/2022	SS Kevin Made assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	03/17/2022	SS Kevin Made assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	03/17/2022	SS Kevin Made roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
	07/01/2021	Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated SS Kevin Made from the 7-day injured list.
	06/04/2021	Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed SS Kevin Made on the 7-day injured list.
	05/27/2021	SS Kevin Made assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from DSL Cubs Blue.
	02/14/2020	SS Kevin Made assigned to DSL Cubs1.
	07/02/2019	Chicago Cubs signed free agent SS Kevin Made to a minor league contract.