Scouting Report

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

One of the best high school hitters in the 2021 Draft, Stovall turned down first-round overtures from clubs to attend Arkansas. He didn't make the immediate impact expected, posting a .798 OPS on a College World Series club as a freshman and dipping to .718 last year trying to play through a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder that required season-ending surgery. After breaking his left foot in a preseason scrimmage and missing the first three weeks of this season, he has impressed scouts with his bat while playing improved defense at second base.

Stovall still has one of the prettier left-handed strokes around and is making more consistent hard contact to all fields than he did in his first two years with the Razorbacks. He manages the strike zone well and has been more patient at the plate in 2024, doing a better job of waiting for pitches to drive. He hasn't quite grown into the average power once projected for him and might not be more than a 15-homer threat, though his pop does play from left-center to the right-field line.

While Stovall isn't very physical or athletic, he's an intelligent player who squeezes the most out of his fringy speed and arm strength. He played first base in 2022 before shifting to second base last season, and he has eased concerns about his ability to remain at the keystone this spring. He has gotten a little quicker and his defense now earns average-to-solid grades from scouts.

Video scouting report »

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

Stovall had a strong summer on the showcase circuit, including drilling a homer at East Coast Pro despite a hand injury, and took his performance to the next level this spring. He homered 12 times in his first 21 games despite getting pitched around, and some evaluators say he's the best hitter in the Midwest -- college or high school. One veteran scout said Stovall has the best swing in his area since Todd Walker, who played 12 seasons in the Majors after going eighth overall in the 1994 Draft. 

Stovall excels at barreling balls with his sweet left-handed stroke and makes hard contact to all fields. He consistently puts together quality at-bats and doesn't try to do too much, displaying natural ability to lift balls to his pull side as well as some opposite-field pop. He has the bat speed and strength to produce 20 or more homers per season, and he's such a gifted hitter that his biggest proponents believe he may develop plus power. 

A high school shortstop, Stovall doesn't have the quickness or range to play there at the next level, whether that be collegiately at Arkansas or in pro ball. He's a fringy runner with a thick lower half who might slow a bit more as he continues to mature physically, and the hope is that he'll be able to handle second base. His speed and subpar arm limit his defensive options, with left field his fallback position. 

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

One of the best high school hitters in the 2021 Draft, Stovall turned down first-round overtures from clubs to attend Arkansas. He didn't make the immediate impact expected, posting a .798 OPS on a College World Series club as a freshman and dipping to .723 in 2023 trying to play through a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder that required season-ending surgery. After breaking his left foot in a preseason scrimmage and missing the first three weeks of this past season, he impressed scouts with his bat while playing improved defense at second base, helping him land with the Reds in the fourth round and receiving a slightly-above-slot $625,000 bonus.

Stovall still has one of the prettier left-handed strokes around and made more consistent hard contact to all fields than he did in his first two years with the Razorbacks. He manages the strike zone well and was more patient at the plate in 2024, doing a better job of waiting for pitches to drive. He hasn't quite grown into the average power once projected for him, and he might not be more than a 15-homer threat, though his pop does play from left-center to the right-field line.

While Stovall isn't very physical or athletic, he's an intelligent player who squeezes the most out of his fringy speed and arm strength. He played first base in 2022 before shifting to second base last season, and he has eased concerns about his ability to remain at the keystone this spring. He has gotten a little quicker and his defense now earns average-to-solid grades from scouts.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/20/2024	2B Peyton Stovall assigned to Daytona Tortugas from ACL Reds.
	08/05/2024	2B Peyton Stovall assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/22/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed 2B Peyton Stovall.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated 2B Peyton Stovall.
	02/12/2024	SS Peyton Stovall assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	02/05/2023	SS Peyton Stovall assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	03/15/2022	SS Peyton Stovall and assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.