Gorman separated himself from his 2018 Draft Class peers with prodigious displays of power during home run derbies on the summer showcase circuit, including the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby in Miami, as well as during games. The Cardinals took the Arizona prepster with the No. 19 overall pick that June, signed him for just over $3.2 million and watched him belt 17 homers while reaching full-season ball in his pro debut. Returning to the Midwest League in 2019, Gorman picked up right where he'd left off by homering nine times in his first 34 games. And though he would hit just six more homers with an elevated strikeout rate over his final 91 contests, he still received a promotion to the Class A Advanced Florida State League at age 19 -- an accomplishment for any prep pick in his first full season.
Gorman generates massive raw power with his left-handed swing using a combination of physical strength, bat speed and a barrel path that's conducive to driving the ball in the air. That uphill bat path does create some holes in Gorman's swing, however, and he can be exposed by elevated velocity and well-sequenced secondary pitches. Gorman's swing-and-miss issues are compounded by his pull-heavy approach, though he has shown the ability to hit to all fields in the past, with his power playing from line to line. His solid approach and knack for making hard contact gives him a solid foundation for improvement, and scouts like his chances of becoming at least an average hitter with plus game power.
Defensively, Gorman has the tools to be average at the hot corner, where his strong arm is an asset. He's not particularly rangy but makes all the required plays. Gorman's average athleticism and mature frame have already prompted questions about his long-term future as a third baseman, but the Cardinals are intent on developing him there and believe he'll make the necessary improvements needed to stick at the position. If it all clicks for him, Gorman could develop into a slugging, middle-of-the-order run producer.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
As an Arizona high schooler, Gorman established himself as one of the top sluggers in the 2018 Draft class with booming power displays at home run derbies on the summer showcase circuit, including the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby in Miami, as well as during games. The Cardinals were thrilled to find him still available with the 19th overall pick and signed Gorman for full pick value, just over $3.2 million. He showcased his prodigious power by swatting 17 home runs in 63 games during an impressive pro debut that included a promotion to the Class A Midwest League.
Gorman has light-tower power from the left side of the plate, with some scouts giving his raw power a 70-grade on the 20-to-80 scale. That power does come with some holes in his swing and leads to some swing-and-miss tendencies, but there's no denying that Gorman has ultra-quick hands and bat speed. He proved that he could make hard contact against good competition over the summer (when pitchers weren't avoiding him) and continued to do so during his pro debut, all while demonstrating a quality approach.
Some evaluators wonder whether Gorman will remain a third baseman on account of his rigid actions and the likelihood of decreased mobility as he matures physically. He does have the arm strength for the position, however, and is praised for his instincts. If Gorman can continue to refine his approach enough to tap into that power consistently, he has the chance to perfectly fit the profile of a run-producing third baseman in the middle of a big league lineup.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
There may not be another player, prep or college, from the 2018 Draft class with more raw power than Gorman, the high school infielder from Arizona. He showed it off at various home run derbies on last summer's showcase circuit, including the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby in Miami, but it also shows up in games. While that has been inconsistent at times, the Cardinals saw enough of it to take Gorman with the 19th overall pick for full pick value, just over $3.2 million.
Some scouts give Gorman's raw power from the left side a 70-grade on the 20-to-80 scale. There are some holes in his swing, which will lead to some swing and miss, but those who have seen him when he's locked in have seen his ultra-quick hands and bat speed. Gorman did show that he can make hard contact against good competition at times over the summer, though he'd been a bit up and down this spring, partially because he was rarely pitched to. One concern was whether he could stick at third, and while he showed well at the hot corner at a variety of summer events, some of those worries did resurface this spring.
The Cards sent Gorman out to play the hot corner, sending him to the Appalachian League to begin his pro career, and he got off to a very good start. If he can continue to refine his approach enough to tap into that power consistently, he has the chance to perfectly fit the profile of a run-producing third baseman in the middle of a big league lineup.
