Scouting Report

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

Because he was undersized and almost 20 years old at Draft time in 2024, some teams were a little reluctant to consider Nori in the early rounds. The Phillies weren’t afraid, taking the Michigan high school product at the end of the first round and signing him for a below-slot $2.5 million bonus. The son of Micah Nori, a longtime NBA assistant coach, and the grandson of Fred Nori, who recruited Kyle Schwarber to Indiana for college ball, Nori spent most of his first full season in Single-A Clearwater, but he touched High-A and Double-A before the end of the year, then added some time in the Arizona Fall League. 

A 5-foot-9 sparkplug of a left-handed hitter, Nori knows his job is to put the ball in play and get on base and he did both of those things in his first full season, drawing walks and limiting strikeouts. There have been concerns about his contact-oriented quick swing and a lack of impact, and while he hit the ball hard for the first half of 2025, he didn’t answer those questions, with a .677 OPS and 92 wRC+ through the end of June. But he made adjustments and posted an .802 OPS with 129 wRC+ from July 1 through the end of the season. He’s never going to sell out for power, but he could get to 15 homers annually.

That should be plenty given the rest of his tools. He has at least plus speed that led to 52 stolen bases a year ago and has the chance to be an elite defender in center field. He’s a hard-nosed player, one who didn't want to call it a year when a minor leg injury shelved him in the AFL. There’s not a ton of projection with him body-wise, but if he can get to just a little more impact, he could be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues.

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

Nori’s father, Micah, is a longtime NBA assistant coach and his grandfather, Fred, recruited Kyle Schwarber to Indiana back in the day, so he’s grown up around high-level sports and coaching. Despite having impressive all-around tools and very good baseball instincts, some teams weren’t in on the Michigander because he was old for a high schooler (almost 20 at Draft time). The Phillies weren’t afraid, taking him in the first round and signing him for below slot with a $2.5 million bonus. He made his pro debut with full-season Clearwater after signing.

Nori entered pro ball with a reputation of having a very advanced approach from the left side of the plate and he’s done nothing to dampen that evaluation so far. The Phillies thought he could handle a push to the Florida State League and while it was a small sample, he had competitive at-bats right out of the chute and walked in better than 24 percent of his plate appearances. He has a quick swing geared toward contact and is a solid two-strike hitter; the next step will be for him to tap into his power. He has the ability to hit the ball harder than he has, registering 100 mph exit velocities off of flips in batting practice, and he can start showing he can impact the ball more without sacrificing his hit tool.

With easily plus speed, a desire to run and those good instincts, Nori will be a basestealing threat at the next level. He also uses his wheels to cover a ton of ground in the outfield with excellent reads and routes, pointing to a long future in center field. He gets plus marks for his makeup, which should help him maximize his tools.

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

Because he would be turning 20 three months after the 2024 Draft, there were many teams that weigh age heavily that didn't consider Nori. The grandson of Fred Nori, who recruited Kyle Schwarber to Indiana as an assistant coach, and the son of Micah, a longtime NBA assistant coach currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nori’s all-around tools were compared favorably with Alek Thomas at the same age. It was that skill set the Phillies bought in the first round, signing him for a below-slot $2.5 million.

Part of a state Division I championship team this past spring, Nori has a mature approach at the plate, controlling the strike zone and looking to make consistent contact to all fields. He has a quick, direct left-handed swing and will shorten his stroke with two strikes. While he's strong and shows average power during batting practice, he focuses on producing line drives rather than launching balls during games.

Nori posts top-of-the-scale 60-yard dash times and is a well-above-average runner who's aggressive on the bases. Formerly a Mississippi State commit, he chases down balls from gap to gap as a no-doubt center fielder and his solid arm strength is another asset. He's physically maxed out and offers no projection, but he has plenty of talent and scouts love his makeup as well.

Video scouting report »

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

Teams that weigh age heavily won't be interested in Nori, who'll turn 20 three months after the 2024 Draft and is easily the oldest high school player in MLB Pipeline's rankings. There also are evaluators who believe his all-around tools are comparable to Alek Thomas' at the same stage and think he's a better bet to hit than fellow Michigan prepster Caleb Bonemer. His grandfather, Fred Nori, recruited Kyle Schwarber to Indiana as an assistant coach, and his father, Micah, is a longtime NBA assistant coach currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Part of a state Division 1 championship team this spring, Nori has a mature approach at the plate, controlling the strike zone and looking to make consistent contact to all fields. He has a quick, direct left-handed swing and will shorten his stroke with two strikes. While he's strong and shows average power during batting practice, he focuses on producing line drives rather than launching balls during games. 

Nori posts top-of-the-scale 60-yard dash times and is a well above-average runner who's aggressive on the bases. A Mississippi State commit, he chases down balls from gap to gap as a no-doubt center fielder and his solid arm strength is another asset. He's physically maxed out and offers no projection, but he has plenty of talent and scouts love his makeup as well.

Awards

WBC All-Tournament Team

Year	Team
2026

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	OF Dante Nori assigned to Philadelphia Phillies Prospects.
	02/05/2026	Italy activated OF Dante Nori.
	01/23/2026	Philadelphia Phillies invited non-roster OF Dante Nori to spring training.
	09/10/2025	OF Dante Nori assigned to Surprise Saguaros.
	09/08/2025	OF Dante Nori assigned to Reading Fightin Phils from Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
	08/26/2025	OF Dante Nori assigned to Jersey Shore BlueClaws from Clearwater Threshers.
	03/06/2025	activated OF Dante Nori.
	03/01/2025	OF Dante Nori assigned to Philadelphia Phillies.
	03/01/2025	OF Dante Nori roster status changed by Philadelphia Phillies.
	08/13/2024	OF Dante Nori assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	08/05/2024	OF Dante Nori assigned to FCL Phillies.
	07/23/2024	Philadelphia Phillies signed OF Dante Nori.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Dante Nori.
	06/16/2024	OF Dante Nori assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2023	OF Dante Nori assigned to High School Workout.
	07/06/2023	National activated OF Dante Nori.
	09/21/2022	CF Dante Nori and assigned to High School Workout.