Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 20 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 65 | Overall: 40

Bateman played with Cubs manager Craig Counsell's son Brady at Minnesota, where he developed into one of the best contact hitters, fastest runners and top defenders in the 2023 college crop. But his utter lack of power affected his Draft stock, even after he batted .500 during a two-week stint in the Cape Cod League, and he dropped to Chicago in the eighth round. He overcame surgery on his right hamate last February to hit .261/.376/.307 at Double-A, ranking third in walk rate (15 percent) and sixth in on-base percentage.

A left-handed hitter, Bateman rarely strays from the strike zone, rarely hits balls with authority and rarely lifts them in the air. He lacks strength and understands his limitations, so he focuses on reaching base by drilling grounders through holes in the defense and working walks. His approach comes at the expense of any power, and he's a career .315 slugger with three homers in 233 pro games.

Bateman's game is built around his plus-plus speed, which he uses to beat out hits, steal bases and chase down balls from gap to gap in center field. A two-way player until he had elbow surgery following his freshman year with the Gophers, he has solid arm strength and has notched 22 assists in 223 starts in center. He has drawn comparisons to Orioles 2023 first-rounder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Myles Straw.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 20 | Run: 70 | Arm: 55 | Field: 70 | Overall: 40

One of the best contact hitters and fastest runners in the 2023 college class, Bateman batted .355 with a nine percent strikeout rate that spring at Minnesota, where he played with now-Cubs manager Craig Counsell's son Brady. A lack of power depressed Bateman's Draft stock, even after he hit .500 during a two-week stint in the Cape Cod League, and he fell to Chicago in the eighth round. He ranked second in on-base percentage (.401) and fourth in batting (.283) in the High-A Midwest League before scuffling in Double-A during his first full pro season, becoming the subject of repeated trade inquiries because of his outstanding defensive metrics.

Bateman is a study in extremes from the left side of the plate. He almost never chases pitches or swings and misses, especially in the zone, but he also rarely hits balls hard or in the air. Just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, he builds his offensive game around shooting grounders into gaps in the defense and getting on base at the expense of any power. He slugged just .324 last year, with one homer and 16 extra-base hits in 107 games.

An intelligent player who understands his strengths and weaknesses, Bateman translates his plus-plus speed into beating out hits, stealing bases and covering wide swaths of ground in center field. A two-way player before elbow surgery following his freshman season with the Gophers, he has regained solid arm strength and recorded 14 assists in his first 136 pro starts in center. His biggest backers think he's a lesser version of Orioles 2023 first-rounder Enrique Bradfield Jr., while more skeptical evaluators think his ceiling is Myles Straw.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 20 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 70 | Overall: 40

Bateman was one of the best contact hitters and fastest runners in the 2023 class, though a lack of power hurt his Draft stock. After batting .355 with a 9 percent strikeout rate as a Minnesota junior, he helped his cause by going to the Cape Cod League and hitting .500 in 13 games. He has continued to put the bat on the ball since joining the Cubs as an eighth-rounder.

Bateman has an extremely disciplined approach, rarely chasing pitches out of the strike zone or swinging and missing. His makes repeated contact with his compact left-handed stroke and has a knack for shooting grounders and line drives into gaps in the defense. He carries just 170 pounds on his 5-foot-10 frame and rarely turns on or drives balls in the air, which resulted in just one homer in 199 games during three years of college and summer league action.

Understanding his strengths and weaknesses, Bateman focuses on getting on base so he can use his plus-plus speed. His instincts help him steal bases and cover ground in center field, where he's a potential Gold Glover. A two-way player before having elbow surgery following his freshman season with the Gophers, he has fringy arm strength but recorded six assists in his 32-game pro debut.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/26/2026	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Iowa Cubs from Knoxville Smokies.
	03/26/2026	Iowa Cubs activated OF Brett Bateman.
	03/05/2026	Chicago Cubs Prospects activated CF Brett Bateman.
	03/05/2026	CF Brett Bateman assigned to Chicago Cubs Prospects.
	02/09/2026	Chicago Cubs invited non-roster CF Brett Bateman to spring training.
	07/11/2025	Knoxville Smokies activated OF Brett Bateman from the 7-day injured list.
	06/30/2025	Knoxville Smokies placed OF Brett Bateman on the 7-day injured list.
	04/09/2025	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Knoxville Smokies.
	02/07/2025	Chicago Cubs invited non-roster CF Brett Bateman to spring training.
	08/06/2024	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Tennessee Smokies from South Bend Cubs.
	08/06/2024	Knoxville Smokies activated OF Brett Bateman.
	08/06/2024	Tennessee Smokies activated OF Brett Bateman.
	06/11/2024	South Bend Cubs activated OF Brett Bateman from the 7-day injured list.
	06/04/2024	South Bend Cubs placed OF Brett Bateman on the 7-day injured list.
	04/04/2024	OF Brett Bateman assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	02/24/2024	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	02/24/2024	OF Brett Bateman roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
	07/31/2023	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
	07/27/2023	OF Brett Bateman assigned to ACL Cubs.
	07/16/2023	Chicago Cubs signed OF Brett Bateman.
	02/25/2023	College Workout activated OF Brett Bateman.
	02/25/2023	College Workout activated OF Brett Bateman. Minnesota Golden Gophers.
	02/24/2023	OF Brett Bateman assigned to Minnesota Golden Gophers.
	02/24/2023	Minnesota Golden Gophers activated OF Brett Bateman.
	09/15/2021	Minnesota Golden Gophers activated OF Brett Bateman.