Scouting Report

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

There have been nine high school hitters to be drafted in the first round and signed out of the state of Washington in the history of the Draft, the best of which came in 2019 in the form of Corbin Carroll. Long known for his bat, Neyens' increase in power has helped him make the jump to a top-level prospect, one who was extremely busy on the summer showcase circuit, playing in events including MLB's High School All-American Game and the Area Code Games, though questions about his hit tool has dampened some enthusiasm.

Neyens has long been seen by area scouts as a potentially elite hitter from the left side of the plate with an outstanding approach. He made some adjustments to his setup and swing, adding leverage and starting to show off at least plus raw power and the ability to not only get to it, but to do so to all fields. There was some concern about the increase in his swing-and-miss rate as the summer progressed, though some scouts who know him well think he was gassed after playing what one evaluator estimated was well over 100 games during the summer. Those concerns resurfaced with some lackluster showings at the plate this spring at times. 

While he's not a runner, the 6-foot-4 Neyens is athletic with a solid chance to stick at third despite his size. The Oregon State recruit's arm certainly plays from the hot corner, showing the ability to fire fastballs up to 95 mph from the mound, leading to comparisons as a left-handed-hitting version of Austin Riley.

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

Neyens stood out in the 2025 high school class with a physical 6-foot-4 frame, power that was rivaled only by top-rated prospect Ethan Holiday and an extremely patient approach. He posted a .689 on-base percentage as a senior, buoyed by a single and four intentional walks in the Washington 3-A state title game, which he won for Mount Vernon HS by working the final four innings on the mound. After signing with the Astros for $4.12 million as the 21st overall pick, he'll make his pro debut in Single-A this year.

The strength and leverage in Neyens' big frame and the significant bat speed in his left-handed stroke give him at least plus-plus raw power. He already shows the aptitude for lofting balls in the air and focuses on hitting the ball hard from gap to gap. He does come with come concerns about his bat because there's a lot going on with his swing (including some arm bar and a big leg kick), so he can get overly passive at times, and he scuffled against quality pitching on the prep showcase circuit. Houston already has helped him make some mechanical adjustments to improve his bat path.

Though Neyens is more athletic than most players his size and will start his pro career at shortstop, he almost certainly will be a third baseman. His fringy speed and quickness fit better on the hot corner than in the middle infield, and his arm is plenty strong enough after delivering fastballs up to 95 mph in high school. He has the upside of a lefty-hitting Austin Riley with better defense and the work ethic to make the most of his physical gifts.

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

Few players in the 2025 Draft -- college or high school -- could match Neyens' combination of physicality and power. He led Mount Vernon HS to the Washington 3-A state championship, drawing four intentional walks in the finale while earning the victory by pitching the final four innings. The Astros drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $4.12 million.

Neyens is built to crush baseballs with the strength and leverage in his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and the considerable bat speed in his left-handed stroke. He already has at least plus-plus raw power and shows the feel to launch balls in the air consistently, though he does come with some questions about his hitting ability. There's some arm bar in his swing, his patience at the plate can lapse into passivity and he struggled against high-end pitching on the showcase circuit last summer.

While Neyens is athletic for his size and will begin his pro career at shortstop, his fringy speed and quickness likely will lead to a move to third base. He has the arm strength for the left side of the infield and has run his fastball up to 95 mph from the mound. His biggest backers believe he can develop into a lefty-hitting version of Austin Riley with better defense at the hot corner.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	SS Xavier Neyens assigned to Houston Astros Prospects.
	08/08/2025	SS Xavier Neyens assigned to FCL Astros.
	07/23/2025	Houston Astros signed SS Xavier Neyens.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated SS Xavier Neyens.
	09/10/2024	3B Xavier Neyens assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2024	3B Xavier Neyens assigned to High School Workout.
	08/12/2024	3B Xavier Neyens assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated 3B Xavier Neyens.
	09/19/2023	States Play - East activated 3B Xavier Neyens.
	09/19/2023	States Play - East activated 3B Xavier Neyens.
	09/19/2023	States Play - East activated 3B Xavier Neyens.
	08/16/2023	3B Xavier Neyens assigned to High School Workout.