Scouting Report

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

How’s this for symmetry? Needing a reliable reliever in July 2025, the Rays traded the 37th overall pick in the Draft (a Competitive Balance Round A selection) to the Orioles for right-hander Bryan Baker. About five months later, the Orioles traded a haul of young talent -- including de Brun, who they took with that selection -- to get starter Shane Baz from … the Rays. Drawing comparisons to D-backs star Corbin Carroll, another undersized outfielder from the Pacific Northwest, the 5-foot-10 de Brun received an over-slot bonus of $4 million from Baltimore and didn’t play a professional game before he was dealt to Tampa Bay.

Don’t let de Brun’s height fool you: He’s still a physical player. He earned attention with his performance on the summer showcase circuit in 2024, then showed up ahead of the Draft with more strength and an improved ability to drive the ball with his left-handed swing. But power isn’t necessarily going to be the key for de Brun. He has a pretty simple approach and stays behind the ball well, allowing him to put the ball in play and get on base, then use his plus speed to wreak havoc on the bases. He’s built well for that, as he has above-average bat-to-ball skills and an advanced eye at the plate for his age.

de Brun’s speed also helps him in the outfield, where he has plus range and enough arm to let the rest of his skills carry him as a no-doubt center fielder. He has a big personality -- and a side gig as a musician/producer going by the name of “Lil Slayyy” -- and is highly regarded for his energetic attitude and work ethic. He’ll have to show what he can do on the field as he begins his pro career, but he has the makings of a table-setting offensive player and an impactful defender.

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

It’s looking like size no longer matters, at least not as much, in evaluating Draft talent. Last year, 5-foot-9 Slade Caldwell went at the end of the first round to the D-backs. And in 2019, Arizona also took the 5-foot-10 Corbin Carroll, who went on to win the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year Award. Like Carroll, de Brun is an undersized outfielder from the Pacific Northwest who parlayed a strong summer showcase circuit and senior year into a Competitive Balance Round A pick and signed with the Orioles for an over-slot bonus of $4 million. The O’s traded him five months later to the Rays as part of the Shane Baz blockbuster.

First jumping on the radar as an underclassman at the World Wood Bat Association in Jupiter in 2023, de Brun's profile took a step forward with his performances on the summer showcase circuit. He has very impressive bat-to-ball skills with an advanced eye at the plate, understanding that his job is to put the ball in play and get on base, then using his well-above-average speed on the basepaths. Power may never be a huge part of his game, but while some evaluators worried about impact, de Brun showed up this spring with added strength and more ability to drive the ball from the left side of the plate, displaying more physicality than Carroll at this stage.

de Brun's speed is also a huge asset in the outfield. He has plus range and is an excellent defender who could play center field for a long time. He brings high energy and effort to everything he does and could be an outstanding table-setter for the Rays in the future.

Video scouting report »

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

Does size no longer matter, at least not as much, in evaluating Draft talent? Last year, 5-foot-9 Slade Caldwell went at the end of the first round to the D-backs. And in 2019, Arizona also took the 5-foot-10 Corbin Carroll, who went on to win the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year Award. Like Carroll, de Brun is an undersized outfielder from the Pacific Northwest who has the chance to go early in the Draft after performing very well at Perfect Game National and World Series and was on USA Baseball's 18U team before breaking his thumb in World Cup Qualifying play.

First jumping on the radar as an underclassman at the WWBA in Jupiter in 2023, de Brun's profile took a step forward with his performances on the summer showcase circuit. He has very impressive bat-to-ball skills with an advanced eye at the plate, understanding that his job is to put the ball in play and get on base, then using his well-above-average speed on the basepaths. Power may never be a huge part of his game, but while some evaluators worried about impact, de Brun showed up this spring with added strength and more ability to drive the ball from the left side of the plate, displaying more physicality than Carroll at this stage.

De Brun's speed is also a huge asset in the outfield. He has plus range and is an excellent defender who can play center field for a long time. Teams will want to be convinced the Vanderbilt recruit can impact the ball enough in the spring, but those who believe in him as a future table-setter will consider de Brun in the same area as Caldwell and Carroll.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/31/2026	OF Slater de Brun assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from FCL Rays.
	03/26/2026	FCL Rays placed OF Slater de Brun on the 60-day injured list.
	03/05/2026	OF Slater de Brun assigned to Tampa Bay Rays Prospects.
	12/19/2025	Tampa Bay Rays traded RHP Shane Baz to Baltimore Orioles for C Caden Bodine, OF Slater de Brun, RHP Michael Forret, OF Austin Overn and Draft Pick. 2026 Competitive Balance Round A pick (No. 33).
	12/19/2025	OF Slater de Brun assigned to FCL Rays.
	08/04/2025	FCL Orioles activated OF Slater de Brun.
	07/24/2025	Baltimore Orioles signed OF Slater de Brun.
	07/24/2025	OF Slater de Brun assigned to FCL Orioles.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated OF Slater de Brun.
	08/16/2024	OF Slater de Brun assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated OF Slater de Brun.