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Draft  | Prospect Scouting Reports | 12/2/2024

PG Draft Spotlight: JD Stein

Tyler Kotila
Photo: JD Stein (Perfect Game)
JD Stein 
Position: SS 
Height: 5-10 
Weight: 170 
Bats/Throws: R-R 
Birthdate: December 31, 2006 
High School: Carmel 
City, State: Carmel, Ind. 
Travel Team: Canes Midwest 18U National 
Commitment: Wake Forest 

Frame/Setup 

Stein has an athletic 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame. It’s compact but sturdy throughout, with a healthy blend of strength and athleticism. He’s athletic and shows well-proportioned strength in his frame. There’s definite muscle mass in the lower half, which he uses to his advantage in the box. He’s a quality mover, turning in good run times, including a 6.61 60-yard dash on the circuit in the past. At the dish, Stein is a right-handed hitter who sets up with even/squared feet, bent knees, and higher-set hands in a wider-set base. The back elbow is up, and the hands are around the ear with a minimal bat waggle. He loads up over the back-side, shifting the weight back and driving forward through contact. The hands sink into the load and allow him to get into a hitting position. The front foot lifts as he shifts over this backside and toe-taps forward into contact. As he reaches heel strike, the weight working through it and stays in sync, turning the back-hip well, keeping the hands on time through contact. He keeps the barrel on a good path often and can really do damage when he connects. He has some speed in his hands that shows as well, making for a well-rounded operation in the box.  



Tools 


Stein’s an exceptional hitter, and he’s proven that on the circuit in the past. He’s someone who finds the barrel often and reaps the benefits. He’s shown hitterish actions in the box, and with the simple and fluid stroke, it’s easy to see why. There’s plenty to like with the swing, and he’s able to show feel to leverage. He doesn’t do too much, with good feel to take what’s given. He’ll use all fields and take the barrel to the ball, not trying to force something to pull-side. He’ll punch it backside or find a way to get the job done offensively. Stein’s hit-tool carries things on the offensive side of things, paired with his athleticism and upside there, making him a really intriguing prospect. The power upside is minimal, with the ability to create leverage to drive the ball hard all over the yard, but there’s not a ton of home run juice. It’s something that could come with continued additions to strength. In the field, there’s also upside; Stein’s got the arm strength across, throwing 92 mph across the diamond at PG National this summer. The ball carries across the diamond to the chest at first, and he has a feel for the angles to play shortstop. While some may be concerned about a move to second base, Stein has shown the coordination and athleticism to handle shortstop, with the ability to make the plays and keep throws accurate and strong working across the diamond. Regardless, Stein’s got the athleticism and hit tool that will garner interest this draft cycle, as it already has.  

“The Buzz” 

Stein had a loud year on the circuit and found himself moving up the PG Rankings and early draft boards. He ran a 6.62 60-yard dash at PG National, threw 92 mph across the infield, and took a good round of BP, showing the compact stroke and driving the ball to all fields. He then capped things off in the fall with a loud showing as well, hitting .545 with a double and 5 RBI to his credit during the 18u Fall World Series at East Cobb. In October, he made some real noise at Jupiter, solidifying the loud year on the circuit. He hit .588 with a .720 OBP, adding 2 doubles, 2 triples, and walking 8 times, with just 2 punchouts on the weekend. He tallied 10 hits on 17 at-bats during the 2024 WWBA World Championship. Every ball he hit felt like a barrel, and he was able to grab some EVs in the mid-90s as well. It was quite the performance for Stein, and it only helped build some buzz around him heading into the winter. 

Summation 

Stein is a well-rounded athlete with plenty to like on both sides of the ball. He’s got a great mix of athleticism and strength that projects well. On top of that, the hit-tool shines with plus bat-to-ball skills that have gotten it done on the circuit in big spots. There’s upside in the field and strength across the diamond. Altogether,  there’s plenty to like with the Wake Forest commit. Continued strength may help with the power that he lacks in comparison to his other tools, but that should not be an understatement of the ability to leverage, as mentioned above. Stein’s put himself in a good spot early on in the cycle, and has the chance to keep moving up boards with a loud performance on the Indiana prep circuit next spring.  
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Draft | Mock Draft | 7/6/2026

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