Scouting Report

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

Michigan's top prep prospect in 2021, Mooney drew some top-two-rounds interest from clubs but ultimately went undrafted because of his commitment to Duke. After a so-so freshman season, he stood out as one of the best position players in the Cape Cod League last summer. He made a significant leap this spring and should factor in the top three or four rounds despite lacking an obvious plus tool.  

Mooney has a quick right-handed swing and has been more productive after settling down in his second season. He still will chase pitches out of the zone, but he's making more consistent and higher quality contact. He's doing a better job of launching balls in the air, though he'll probably max out at 12-15 homers per season with wood bats. 

A solid runner, Mooney has good instincts on the bases and in the field. He possesses solid arm strength and average range at shortstop, with some scouts projecting he'll wind up as a second baseman or utilityman at the big league level. He earns praise for his constant energy and his leadership skills. 

Video scouting report »

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

Michigan hasn't had a high school shortstop taken in the top three rounds since Derek Jeter went sixth overall in 1992, but had two who potentially could have factored that high in 2021. Mooney moved ahead of Luke Leto (Portage Central HS) by outperforming him on the showcase circuit, and he continued to star this spring by leading St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake) to a 43-1 record and the state Division 2 championship. The Duke recruit lacks a plus tool and will be 19 on Draft day but offers the upside of a shortstop who could be average or better across the board. 

Mooney is built to hit with a quick, compact right-handed swing and a mature approach at the plate. He has enough bat speed and strength in his hands to develop into a 15-20 homer threat once he develops physically, though he sometimes lapses into pulling and lifting pitches more than he should. He's a solid runner with an aggressive mindset on the bases. 

While his range might not be better than average at shortstop, Mooney makes plays thanks to his instincts and internal clock. If he doesn't stick at short, he's quick enough to play second base, where his solid arm would be an asset turning double plays. He also has enough arm to profile at third base if his power develops as hoped.

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

Michigan's top high school prospect in 2021, Mooney elicited top-two-rounds interest but ultimately went undrafted because of his commitment to Duke. He stood out as one of the best position players in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2022 and earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a sophomore last spring before signing for a well-over-slot $1 million in the seventh round. He batted just .152/.263/.212 in his 17-game pro debut in Single-A.

A right-handed hitter, Mooney initially struggled as a college freshman but found consistent success after settling down his approach. He's making more consistent and higher quality contact, though he'll still chase pitches and struggles with changeups. He has bat speed, some sneaky strength and feel for driving the ball in the air to his pull side, giving him 15-homer potential.

Like many of Cleveland's middle-infield prospects, Mooney distinguishes himself with his fine instincts, and he also earns praise for his nonstop energy and leadership ability. He has solid speed and is opportunistic on the bases. He has good hands and solid arm strength but just average range at shortstop, so he projects more as a second or third baseman in the long run.

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

Mooney ranked as Michigan's best high school prospect in 2021 and drew some top-two-rounds interest before going undrafted because of his commitment to Duke. After a so-so freshman season in 2022, he stood out as one of the best position players in the Cape Cod League last summer and batted .315/.434/.504 with 30 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 63 games this spring. He signed with Cleveland for a well-over-slot $1 million in the seventh round. 

Mooney has a quick right-handed swing and was more productive after settling down in his second college season. He still chased pitches out of the zone, but he made more consistent and higher quality contact. He did a better job of launching balls in the air, though he'll probably max out at 12-15 homers per season with wood bats.  

A solid runner, Mooney has good instincts on the bases and in the field. He possesses solid arm strength and average range at shortstop, with some scouts projecting he'll wind up as a second baseman or utilityman at the big league level. He earns praise for his constant energy and his leadership skills. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/02/2024	SS Alex Mooney assigned to Lake County Captains.
	03/12/2024	SS Alex Mooney assigned to Cleveland Guardians.
	03/07/2024	Cleveland Guardians Prospects activated SS Alex Mooney.
	08/08/2023	SS Alex Mooney assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats.
	07/22/2023	Cleveland Guardians signed SS Alex Mooney.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated SS Alex Mooney.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated SS Alex Mooney.
	04/02/2023	Duke Blue Devils activated SS Alex Mooney.
	04/02/2023	SS Alex Mooney assigned to Duke Blue Devils.
	05/04/2022	SS Alex Mooney and assigned to Duke Blue Devils.
	06/16/2020	SS Alex Mooney assigned to PG National 4 - Gray.
	06/16/2020	SS Alex Mooney assigned to PG National 4 - Gray.