Get to know Marlins top pick Jacob Berry
Brian Murphy
@Spokes_MurphyJacob Berry was considered one of the best hitters available in the 2022 MLB Draft, and he was selected sixth overall by the Marlins. Here is what you need to know about the No. 7 Draft prospect.
FAST FACTS
Primary position:?3B/OF
Height/weight:?6-foot, 212 lbs.
Bats/throws:?Switch/right
Birthdate:?May 5, 2001 (Age 21 in 2022)
College:?Louisiana State
High school: Queen Creek High School (Queen Creek, Ariz.)
Born:?Queen Creek. Ariz.
Nobody does it better
Berry was one of the best players in the country as a true freshman while at the University of Arizona in 2021. He put up a .342/.439/.676 slash line, paced the Pac-12 in extra-base hits (41), RBIs (70), and total bases (167), set numerous program records and was a consensus All-American.
He then transferred to Louisiana State in July -- shortly after manager Jay Johnson left Arizona to take over at LSU -- and built upon his success. Berry posted a .370/.464/.630 slash line for the Tigers. After hitting 17 homers in 247 at-bats out west, Berry bashed 15 homers in just 180 at-bats before missing some time due to a broken finger. Berry kept his walk rate in double digits while reducing his strikeout rate by more than half, down to 8.9 percent this year. He finished this season with more walks (27) than K's (22).
Those numbers provide a glimpse into why the switch-hitter may be the best all-around offensive talent in college baseball.
Player comps
While Berry profiles as a top-notch offensive player, his defense does not receive the same plaudits. He played just nine games in the field at Arizona, making three errors at third base. He spent most of this season at the hot corner but mixed in a handful of starts in right field and a couple more in left. Ultimately, he may wind up at first base.
Berry's special bat and suspicious defense have led to comparisons to Kyle Schwarber and Andrew Vaughn.
Go for Goldy
Berry grew up in a town about 40 minutes south of Arizona's Chase Field and often attended D-backs games with his father, a former MLB Draft pick. Berry said in January that one player on the diamond back in those days drew his attention more than any other:
¡°I remember watching Paul Goldschmidt growing up. Just the way he played the game was unbelievable. A great character guy, plays the game and just did everything the right way. That¡¯s how I approach my game and how I want to play as a player.¡±
USA! USA!
Berry will share the stage with some of the best amateur players in the world when the MLB Draft begins July 17. He's already shared a dugout with many of them as a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Berry was on the 2021 roster, which included other top 2022 Draft prospects such as Brooks Lee, Kevin Parada, Jace Jung and Gavin Cross.
In 11 intrasquad scrimmages, Berry clobbered a team-high four homers. He went 12-for-31 with seven extra-base hits, 12 RBIs and a 1.346 OPS.