Draft Profile: 5th Round Selection Auston Bousfield

Padres’ Fifth Round Selection Auston Bousfield: Mandatory Credit goes to collegebaseballcentral.com

The San Diego Padres continue to use the early rounds of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft to focus on growing depth at the plate. With the selection of outfielder Auston Bousfield from the Ole Miss in the fifth round, the Padres’ are looking to add a combination of speed and power to the organization.

The 5’11, 186 lb. Bousfield is the C Spire Ferriss Trophy winner, who is currently batting .349 with six home runs, 48 RBI, and 17 stolen bases heading to the Super Regional this weekend.

Padres’ scout Andrew Salvo believes he can play all three outfield positions, but is better suited in center. Salvo was quoted, “Solid defense at all three outfield spots, but definitely stick in center field. He has a feel to hit with surprising power for his size. He does all the little things right. He’s instinctual.”

Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco praised Bousfield’s game, “There’s really not a weak spot in his game. When you look at the whole package, that’s the reason he won the award. He’s not just a home run hitter, and he’s not just a fast guy with a good batting average. He’s a guy who does it all.”

This pick is a solid for the Padres’  in the fifth round. However, the one thing they are not lacking is outfield depth, so it is uncertain where Bousfield will end up in the upcoming years, but there is plenty of upside. Some experts see Bousfield as an extra outfielder with speed, but others see potential if he is able to consistently use his speed and power.

The one thing Padres’ management tends to do with specific players is stick with them. Outside of outfielder Kyle Blanks, who was traded to Oakland A’s earlier this year, the organization continues to put players such as Will Venable who has an outstanding glove, along flashes of power and speed, on the field.

With a Padres’ organization that tends to develop its players and not spend money, there is a potential to for Bousfield if he is able to make the transition from college to the pros.