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Baltimore Orioles scouting report on OF Ryan McKenna

By Benjamin Chase

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Baltimore Orioles baseball cap rests in the visitors' dugout during the MLB game between the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros on April 2, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Baltimore Orioles baseball cap rests in the visitors' dugout during the MLB game between the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros on April 2, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Scouting Report

Size/Build

Ryan McKenna is a small guy, listed at 5’11” and 185 pounds. That looks about 1-2 inches and about 15-20 pounds exaggerated when you see him against guys listed at 6′ and 190!

He’s a right-handed hitter with a slim, lean build. He sets up with the bat on his shoulder and straight-on with the pitcher with his feet. He has a very slight leg lift and a short forward stride from his initial base leading into his swing.

Hitting

Contact (55) – McKenna’s swing is compact and quick. He has a very impressive ability to get the heart of the bat to the ball to maximize the effectiveness of his contact, leading to an array of line drives sprayed around.

Power (40) – While he gets the barrel to the ball, McKenna simply works with a line drive swing in all counts, so he does not maximize loft at this point. He could alter that a touch and perhaps range up to 45-50 power, but at the cost of contact, it may not be worth it for him.

Eye (55) – I had a chance to see multiple top prospects pitch to McKenna, and he is not overwhelmed by big velocity or big break, able to foul off multiple areas of the zone without an issue and spit on balls just off the zone.

Base Running/Fielding

Speed (65) – McKenna has definite plus speed and he plays it up with impressive instincts as a base runner. McKenna’s stolen base instincts, on the other hand, could use some polishing, as he takes an extra base well on balls that get away, but straight steals were exposed this year.

Defense (65) – McKenna has no trouble getting to balls with his good speed, but more than anything, he has very good instincts in the outfield off the ball. While he’s not the most instinctual for his route, he is on the move the correct way on the crack of the bat.

Arm (45) – McKenna’s arm is accurate, but it’s below-average in strength, which will likely lead to his best position being center or left. The accuracy will allow his arm to play up from it’s pure strength, though.

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