Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

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

Ledbetter spent his first two college seasons at Samford, leading the Bulldogs in most offensive categories before winning MVP and top prospect honors in the summer New England Collegiate League. He has continued to perform after transferring to Mississippi State, establishing himself as one of the better hitters in the Southeastern Conference. He also has looked better in center field than anticipated and could land in the top two rounds.

Ledbetter has a calm approach at the plate, keeping his left-handed swing relatively compact while working counts and using the entire field. He makes consistent hard contact against all types of pitches and walked more than he struck out in each of the last two seasons. He hasn't driven the ball in the air as consistently in the SEC as he has in the past, but he has the bat speed and strength for at least average power, which predominantly plays to his pull side.

Ledbetter has surprised scouts with his athleticism, as he's an average runner with a knack for stealing bases and a chance to remain in center field. He's more of an average defender than a true asset up the middle, so he'll probably wind up on a corner. His fringy arm is playable in center and likely will land him in left.

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

Ledbetter transferred from Samford to Mississippi State before his junior season and immediately became one of the Southeastern Conference’s top hitters, logging a .320/.452/.574 slash line with 12 home runs in 53 games. The way he lived up to the challenge of tougher competition in the SEC caught the Rays’ attention, as they drafted him in the second round and signed him for an under-slot $1.3 million bonus.

Ledbetter has shown patience and discipline at the plate, with the ability to calmly work counts and draw walks. He has a relatively compact left-handed swing and uses the whole field, typically making consistent hard contact against all types of pitches. He didn’t drive the ball in the air as much in the SEC as he did at previous stops, but he has the bat speed and physical strength to generate at least average pullside power. An average runner, he should be able to add some value on the bases.

The question will be whether he hits enough to hold down a corner-outfield spot, as he’s likely bound for left field in the long-term due to his fringy arm strength. He’s certainly athletic enough to be playable in center field -- especially after reshaping his body a bit during his first offseason -- and could do so if he returns to Single-A Charleston to start the season. But the Rays have a high bar for who they’ll play in center every day, even in the Minors, which will put more pressure on his bat to make him a regular.

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

Ledbetter spent his first two college seasons at Samford, leading the Bulldogs in most offensive categories before winning MVP and top prospect honors in the summer New England Collegiate League. He continued to perform after transferring to Mississippi State, establishing himself as one of the better hitters in the Southeastern Conference. He also looked better in center field than anticipated and landed in the second round to the Rays, who signed him for $1.3 million.

Ledbetter has a calm approach at the plate, keeping his left-handed swing relatively compact while working counts and using the entire field. He makes consistent hard contact against all types of pitches and walked more than he struck out in each of the last two seasons. He hasn't driven the ball in the air as consistently in the SEC as he has in the past, but he has the bat speed and strength for at least average power, which predominantly plays to his pull side.

Ledbetter has surprised scouts with his athleticism, as he's an average runner with a knack for stealing bases and a chance to remain in center field. He's more of an average defender than a true asset up the middle, so he'll probably wind up on a corner. His fringy arm is playable in center and likely will land him in left.

Awards

SAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/02/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods activated OF Colton Ledbetter.
	04/02/2024	OF Colton Ledbetter assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods.
	03/17/2024	OF Colton Ledbetter assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
	03/07/2024	Tampa Bay Rays Prospects activated OF Colton Ledbetter.
	03/07/2024	Tampa Bay Rays Prospects activated OF Colton Ledbetter.
	08/31/2023	Charleston RiverDogs activated OF Colton Ledbetter from the 7-day injured list.
	08/24/2023	Charleston RiverDogs placed OF Colton Ledbetter on the 7-day injured list.
	08/08/2023	OF Colton Ledbetter assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from FCL Rays.
	08/08/2023	Charleston RiverDogs activated OF Colton Ledbetter.
	08/03/2023	FCL Rays activated OF Colton Ledbetter.
	08/03/2023	OF Colton Ledbetter assigned to FCL Rays.
	07/21/2023	Tampa Bay Rays signed OF Colton Ledbetter.
	05/22/2023	OF Colton Ledbetter assigned to College Workout.
	05/22/2023	College Workout activated OF Colton Ledbetter.