School: Campbell University; Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Position: SS; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-0; Weight: 190
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Miami Coral Park Senior High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Miami Coral Park Senior High School has a surprisingly long list of famous alums, including baseball players like Jose Canseco, Ozzie Canseco, Orestes Destrade, Steve Foucault, Pete Gonzalez, Luis Montanez, Sean Rodriguez, and Eric Soderholm. And that’s not including other celebrities like Pedro Gomez, the beloved ESPN reporter who passed away in 2021; Elsa Murano, the 23rd President of Texas A&M; Alex Marvez, former President of the Pro Football Writers of America; Steven Reinemund, the former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pepsico; and – of course – Mr. World Wide, Pitbull.
Zach Neto, a 6-foot, 190-pound infielder, was a phenomenal two-way player during his time at Miami Coral Park Senior High School, earning: All-District Team nominations three times, Second Team All-American as a junior, HSBN Senior All-Star Game MVP, and 2019 Senior All-Star Public Team.
After a bit of a slow start to his collegiate career, Neto, who earned just six plate appearances and a brief start on the mound, had a massive breakout campaign for the Campbell Fighting Camels during his sophomore campaign. In 44 games, the young shortstop / right-handed reliever batted .405/.488/.746 with 17 doubles, three triples, 12 homeruns, and 12 stolen bases while posting a 3.43 ERA in 21.0 innings of work. Neto moved into the Cape Cod League that summer and continued to rake, slugging .304/.439/.587 against some of the best collegiate arms.
This season the redshirt sophomore continued to manhandle the competition to the tune of .407/.514/.769 with career bests in doubles (23), homeruns (15), and stolen bases (19). He also made four relief appearances for the Big South Conference squad, striking out eight and walking three in 4.2 innings of work.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, here’s the list of Division I hitters to bat at least .400/.500/.700 with a 2-to-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio in a season (min. 250 PA): Adley Rutschman, the first overall pick in 2019; Andrew Vaughn, the third overall pick the same year; and – of course – Zach Neto, the Campbell University star.
One of the largest knocks on Neto is his level of competition: the Big South Conference will never be confused with the likes of the SEC or Big-12 or ACC or Pac-12. So Neto’s statistical domination with the Fighting Camels (.403/.500/.751 career line) will always be viewed with some level of skepticism. Except that he performed well in the Cape Cod League by batting .304/.439/.587 with a one-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Neto’s leg kick / timing mechanism is a cross between late-career Darryl Strawberry and Sadaharu Oh. It’s a massive leg kick, almost like he’s going through a pitcher’s windup, not readying himself to hit. Neto has a chance for an above-average hit tool, 50-grade pop, speed, and the defensive chops to stick at shortstop. He’s a far better prospect than Trey Sweeney, whom the Yankees selected with the 20th overall pick in 2021.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
