Scouting Report

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

After attending Charlotte’s Ardrey Kell High School, Cunningham remained local by attending UNC Charlotte for three years, particularly popping off with a 1.005 OPS as a sophomore in 2022. A dislocated right ankle (suffered while lifting weights) limited him for part of ’23, but he still went to the Orioles in the fifth round that July. The outfielder never cracked higher than High-A Aberdeen in the Baltimore system and was released in January 2026. The Padres signed him days later, and he finally reached the upper levels with a late June promotion to Double-A San Antonio this season.

Cunningham has made clear adjustments from the O’s system to the Friars’, going from more of a closed-off toe tap from the right side to a slightly more open leg kick, and after running a groundball rate as high as 52.8 percent in 2024, he’s trading many of the wormburners for line drives in ’26. The changes in power have been obvious; he entered this season with a career best of four homers in a single campaign and entered early August with 19 across High-A and Double-A this year alone. The natural strength in his 6-foot-3 frame is certainly playing better, but the swing-and-miss concerns across all pitch types remain significant.

Known as a burner in college, Cunningham settles in closer to average home-to-first times now when he opens his gait down the line. He still cycles through center field, but he’s more likely to be an average fielder in a corner, specifically left with his average arm strength. It might be too big an ask for him to improve the contact rate, but his adjustments have at least helped him jump the line in San Diego’s outfield depth chart.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 65 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45 

A product of Ardrey Kell HS in Charlotte, N.C., which has sent three players to the big leagues (most notably Alex Wood), Cunningham stayed home to play in college. He has some of the best all-around tools in the college class, though questions persist about his bat. He dislocated his right ankle while lifting weights, costing him the first two weeks of the 2023 season and keeping him at DH for another month afterward. 

A well-above-average runner, Cunningham came back before he was 100 percent and didn't show that kind of speed early in the season. When fully healthy, he's a basestealing threat who provides plus defense and average arm strength in center. His combination of strength, bat speed, loft in his right-handed swing and leverage in his 6-foot-4 frame produces well-above-average raw power. 

Cunningham's stroke gets long and uphill as he looks to launch balls to his pull side, so there are concerns about his ability to handle quality pitching. He hasn't chased pitches or struck out at an excessively alarming rate in college, but he's a career .279 hitter at that level. He also struggled with wood bats in two brief stints in the Cape Cod League. 

Awards

SAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/18/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/19/2026	San Antonio Missions activated OF Jake Cunningham from the 7-day injured list.
	08/14/2026	San Antonio Missions placed OF Jake Cunningham on the 7-day injured list.
	06/23/2026	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to San Antonio Missions from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	02/05/2026	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	02/05/2026	San Diego Padres signed free agent OF Jake Cunningham to a minor league contract.
	01/28/2026	Frederick Keys released OF Jake Cunningham.
	12/15/2025	Frederick Keys activated OF Jake Cunningham.
	09/17/2025	Aberdeen IronBirds activated OF Jake Cunningham from the 7-day injured list.
	08/12/2025	Aberdeen IronBirds placed OF Jake Cunningham on the 7-day injured list.
	09/25/2024	LF Jake Cunningham assigned to Surprise Saguaros.
	08/13/2024	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to Aberdeen IronBirds from Delmarva Shorebirds.
	05/05/2024	Delmarva Shorebirds activated OF Jake Cunningham from the 7-day injured list.
	05/03/2024	Delmarva Shorebirds sent OF Jake Cunningham on a rehab assignment to FCL Orioles.
	05/03/2024	Delmarva Shorebirds sent OF Jake Cunningham on a rehab assignment to FCL Orioles.
	04/09/2024	Delmarva Shorebirds placed OF Jake Cunningham on the 7-day injured list.
	03/15/2024	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to Baltimore Orioles.
	08/24/2023	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to Delmarva Shorebirds from FCL Orioles.
	08/21/2023	FCL Orioles activated OF Jake Cunningham.
	08/21/2023	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to FCL Orioles.
	07/19/2023	Baltimore Orioles signed OF Jake Cunningham.
	06/08/2023	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to College Workout.
	04/18/2023	OF Jake Cunningham assigned to Charlotte 49ers.
	03/09/2022	OF Jake Cunningham and assigned to Charlotte 49ers.