TJ Friedl Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Track Record: Friedl came to fame when he went undrafted as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2016. He then stood out for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, which helped him land a $735,000 bonus, which is the largest ever for a nondrafted free agent. Friedl’s 2019 season was delayed because of a shoulder injury and ended in early July because of an ankle injury, which meant his return to action in 2021 marked the end of a 21-month layoff. He made the most of it and made his MLB debut in September.

Scouting Report: Friedl didn’t get a chance to play a full game until his sixth MLB appearance. That sums up Friedl’s likely role. He does a lot of things well, but probably not well enough to ever be a regular. He’s a lefthanded hitter who works counts, knows how to draw a walk and has gotten stronger to the point where he has below-average power. He can play all three outfield spots, pinch-hit or serve as a defensive replacement. His above-average speed, average arm and above-average defense in the outfield are all useful.

The Future: Freidl went unpicked in two straight Rule 5 drafts before he made it to the majors. Even now, he’ll be a player who lives on the edge of the MLB roster, as backup outfielders are luxuries when the bullpen or rotation needs help. He’ll compete for a spot on Cincinnati’s bench.