School: Louisiana State University; Class: Sophomore
Position: 3B/RF; B/T: B/R
Height: 6-0; Weight: 212
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Queen Creek High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55/60 | 55/65 | 30 | 55 | 45 | 60 |
Background: Falling in similar company as a lot of the other top prospects in the 2021 draft class, Berry’s father – Perry – has strong ties to professional baseball. The elder Berry, a former middle infielder, was a late round draft pick by the California Angels coming out of high school – though he would eventually attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Three years later the Astros called his name in the fourth round in 1990. His professional career would span four mostly disappointing seasons in the low minors.
The younger Berry figures to handle the transition to the pro game significantly better.
A powerfully built 6-foot, 212-pound third baseman / right fielder, Berry was a tremendous force in the middle of Arizona’s lineup during his true freshman season: in 63 games, he slugged .352/.439/.676 with 19 doubles, five triples, and 17 dingers. He spent the following summer starring for Team USA, putting together a jaw-dropping .387/.475/.871 triple-slash line as he tied for the team lead in doubles (three) and homeruns (four).
Prior to the 2022 season, Berry followed former Arizona head coach Jay Johnson to LSU where – of course – he would continue to rake.
In 53 games with the Tigers, the 21-year-old switch-hitting batted .370/.464/.630 with nine doubles and 15 homeruns.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only five players have batted at least .350/.425/.650 in a Pac-12 season (min. 250 PA): Spencer Torkelson, Andrew Vaughn, Adley Rutschman, Cameron Cannon, and – of course – Jacob Berry, who accomplished the feat as a freshman (though, to be fair, he was a 20-year-old freshman).
Let’s continue:
- Since 2011, here’s the list of SEC hitters to post a .360/.450/.600 slash line with more walks than strikeouts and a sub-12.0% K-rate in a season (min. 225 PA): Andrew Benintendi, Austin Martin, and Jacob Berry.
Regardless of either mini-study, Berry’s statistical comps are littered with early first round picks (sans Cannon, who was a second rounder). Cody Bellinger from the left side and a hulking middle-of-the-lineup thumper from the right side. Berry’s contact rates took huge strides between his freshman and sophomore season, chopping his K-rate down from 19% to 8%. Patient approach. Above-average power, but he hasn’t quite fully tapped into his 30- to 35-homer thump. He’s too lumbering to play third, so he’s likely headed towards the outfield or first base full time. Ryan Braun without the speed. If he provided defensive value, he’d be a lock as the #1 – though he’s still in conversation.
Ceiling: 5.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
