Kale Fountain
3B | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 5" 225LBS | Age: 19
Draft: 2024 | Rd: 5, #151, San Diego Padres | Norris HS
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Scouting Report

Draft

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Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45 

Fountain needed just three years to set the Nebraska prep career home run record, going deep 26 times to surpass Cole Stobbe (25) and Jakson Reetz (24). Both Stobbe and Reetz became third-round picks out of high school and Fountain could go in a similar range after driving Norris HS to the state Class B championship. He finished with 31 homers in four seasons and also set state career records for RBI (154) and stolen bases (84).

Fountain's 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame and massive right-handed power are reminiscent of Brady House, the 11th overall selection in the 2021 Draft. The ball jumps off his barrel thanks to his bat speed, strength and the loft and leverage in his swing. While he didn't perform well on the showcase circuit because his stroke can get uphill and he needs to refine his strike-zone management against better pitching, he didn't swing and miss excessively. 

There are divergent opinions about Fountain's hitting ability as well as his chances to remain at third base. His proponents believe he has underrated athleticism and solid-to-plus arm strength, while others think he lacks range and agility and will end up at first base. The Louisiana State recruit earns universal praise for his makeup and no one doubts that he has the work ethic to improve his defense.


2024

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Fountain needed just three years to set the Nebraska prep career home run record, surpassing Cole Stobbe (25) and Jakson Reetz (24). He finished with 31 homers in four seasons and also set state career records for RBIs (154) and stolen bases (84). Both Stobbe and Reetz became third-round picks out of high school, and after driving Norris HS to the state Class B championship, Fountain went in the fifth round to the Padres but signed for second-round money with a $1.7 million bonus.

Fountain's 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame and massive right-handed power are reminiscent of Brady House, the 11th overall selection in the 2021 Draft. The ball jumps off his barrel thanks to his bat speed, strength and the loft and leverage in his swing. While he didn't perform well on the showcase circuit because his stroke can get uphill and he needs to refine his strike-zone management against better pitching, he didn't swing and miss excessively.

There are divergent opinions about Fountain's hitting ability, as well as his chances to remain at third base. His proponents believe he has underrated athleticism and solid-to-plus arm strength, while others think he lacks range and agility and will end up at first base. The former Louisiana State recruit earns universal praise for his makeup, and no one doubts that he has the work ethic to improve his defense.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
08/05/2024 3B Kale Fountain assigned to ACL Padres.
07/24/2024 San Diego Padres signed 3B Kale Fountain.
06/16/2024 College Workout activated 3B Kale Fountain.
06/16/2024 College Workout activated 3B Kale Fountain.
05/10/2024 3B Kale Fountain assigned to High School Workout.
09/13/2023 3B Kale Fountain assigned to High School Workout.
08/09/2023 3B Kale Fountain assigned to High School Workout.
07/22/2023 MWSA Red activated 3B Kale Fountain.
07/22/2023 MWSA Red activated 3B Kale Fountain.
07/21/2023 3B Kale Fountain assigned to High School Workout.
07/27/2022 3B Kale Fountain and assigned to High School Workout.