Scouting Report

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

Gatorade's Arkansas high school Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, Caldwell continued to play well on the showcase circuit before he broke a fibula during the USA Baseball 18-and-under trials in August. Though he lacks size, he's a dynamic player who's an outfield version of the Mets' Jett Williams. Williams played his way into the first round in 2022 and Caldwell may have done the same in 2024 after leading Valley View HS (Jonesboro) to the Arkansas 5-A championship and repeating as Gatorade's top player in the state.

Caldwell is an advanced hitter with a mature approach who makes consistent line-drive contact to all fields. His 5-foot-9 frame means he has shorter levers and a smaller strike zone than most prospects, and he parlays them into a quick left-handed stroke and on-base ability. While he won't be a slugger, he has impressive bat speed and enough strength to provide 15 or more homers per season.

An aggressive player who delivers constant energy, Caldwell has well-above-average speed and makes things happen on the bases. The Mississippi recruit is a quality defender who covers a lot of ground in center field and will have no problems remaining there in pro ball. His fringy arm strength is fine for center.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Caldwell won Gatorade’s Arkansas High School Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 and stuffed a productive summer showcase circuit in between, though a broken fibula at the USA Baseball 18-and-under trials clouded that time. He helped Jonesboro’s Valley View High School (Ark.) capture a 5-A championship in his home state, and two months later, he went 29th overall to the D-backs in the '24 Draft. Arizona signed the outfielder for $3,087,000 -- just a touch over slot for its first-round pick.

Checking in at 5-foot-9, Caldwell drew pre-Draft comparisons to Mets star prospect Jett Williams, and after he moved to the D-backs, many highlighted his likeness to Corbin Carroll. (Don’t say Arizona doesn’t have a type.) Neither is a perfect comp, of course, but they’re not bad places to start. Like Williams, Caldwell doesn’t have a big strike zone and uses that to his advantage with a mature approach that should lead to strong on-base percentages. Like Carroll, he’s lightning-quick and capable of being a plus defender from anywhere on the grass, despite below-average arm strength.

The separator will be Caldwell’s power output. He has impressive bat speed from the left side, but some evaluators questioned his impact. Arizona officials came away impressed from Caldwell’s good hard-hit numbers in the late summer and fall and believe he’s on the verge of changing that reputation. If he gets to 15+ homers with his OBP skills and speed, that’s a potential All-Star player. In his first full season, Caldwell has proven incredibly passive at the plate, leading to a ton of walks as he's worked his way from Single-A to High-A.

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

Gatorade's Arkansas High School Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, Caldwell continued to play well on the showcase circuit before he broke a fibula during the USA Baseball 18-and-under trials in August. Though he lacks size, he's a dynamic player who's an outfield version of the Mets' Jett Williams. Williams played his way into the first round in 2022, and Caldwell did the same in 2024 after leading Valley View HS (Jonesboro) to the Arkansas 5-A championship and repeating as Gatorade's top player in the state. The D-backs selected the outfielder with the 29th overall pick and signed him for $3,087,000.

Caldwell is an advanced hitter with a mature approach who makes consistent line-drive contact to all fields. His 5-foot-9 frame means he has shorter levers and a smaller strike zone than most prospects, and he parlays them into a quick left-handed stroke and on-base ability. While he won't be a slugger, he has impressive bat speed and enough strength to provide 15 or more homers per season.

An aggressive player who delivers constant energy, Caldwell has well-above-average speed and makes things happen on the bases. The Mississippi recruit is a quality defender who covers a lot of ground in center field and will have no problems remaining there in pro ball. His fringy arm strength is fine for center. Arizona had success developing another short center fielder in Corbin Carroll and will look to follow a similar blueprint with its latest first-rounder.

Awards

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/14/2025	Hillsboro Hops activated OF Slade Caldwell from the temporarily inactive list.
	07/11/2025	National League Futures activated OF Slade Caldwell.
	07/11/2025	Hillsboro Hops placed OF Slade Caldwell on the temporarily inactive list.
	06/10/2025	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to Hillsboro Hops from Visalia Rawhide.
	04/04/2025	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to Visalia Rawhide from ACL D-backs.
	03/06/2025	activated OF Slade Caldwell.
	03/06/2025	OF Slade Caldwell roster status changed by Arizona Diamondbacks.
	03/06/2025	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks.
	08/05/2024	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to ACL D-backs.
	07/27/2024	Arizona Diamondbacks signed OF Slade Caldwell.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Slade Caldwell.
	06/05/2024	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to College Workout.
	01/16/2024	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to College Workout.
	09/29/2023	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2023	OF Slade Caldwell assigned to High School Workout.
	07/06/2023	American activated OF Slade Caldwell.