Cade
Doughty

2022 MLB Draft: Doughty looked out of sync at the plate for all but a couple weeks this season, yet still managed to produce a .298/.393/.567 line with 19 doubles and 15 home runs. From a super wide stance he shows a three-part swing; two parts load and one part swing. It's not the easiest setup, smoothest timing or the most natural swing, but Doughty can hit. He always has. Defensively, he lacks the fluid infield actions that you'd like to see and committed 14 errors this season for a .935 FLD%. His awkwardness at times is similar to what Chase Utley would also show on occasion, but with fringe average arm strength, average range and unreliable defense, Doughty will most likely make a transition to center field in pro ball where he can take advantage of his speed and instincts. We are likely more bullish on Doughty than the industry, but for us he's a second round talent and would be a perfect third pick for a team with multiple early ones like Pittsburg at 44, Arizona at 45, Kansas City at 49, Colorado at 50 or the New York Mets at 52.

Doughty has been out of sync at the plate for a couple weeks and looked to be the same during his first couple of at-bats during Thursday's opening game until he jolted one deep to left field for a Big Fly. He showed a three-part swing; two parts load and one part swing. It's not the easiest setup, smoothest timing or the most natural swing, but Doughty can hit. He always has. With four hits, two home runs and five RBI during the series, the right handed hitter raised his season average to .286. Defensively, he lacked the fluid infield actions that you'd like to see and has committed 14 errors this season for a .931 FLD%. His awkwardness at times is similar to what Chase Utley would also show on occasion. It's not a death wish, obviously Utley played a successful second base for 15-plus years in the Major Leagues, but with fringe average arm strength, average range and unreliable defense, Doughty will most likely make a transition to center field in pro ball where he can take advantage of his speed and instincts. At this point I'm more bullish on Doughty than the industry, but for me he's a 2nd rounder and would be a perfect third pick for a team with multiple early ones like Pittsburg at 44, Arizona at 45, Kansas City at 49, Colorado at 50 or the New York Mets at 52.

The SEC Player of the Week for Opening Weekend after batting .571 against Maine, Doughty cooled a bit in Week Two with a 3-for-13 showing in the four game weekend series against Towson and Southern. With an excellent plan at the plate, a keen eye and high level discipline, the right handed hitter controls the bat head, shows very good extension which enables him to produce above average raw power to all fields. Above all else he has high level plate coverage as he can drive pitches that are thrown to numerous locations. This ability sets him apart from others and allows for realistic projection to become a plus hitter at the Major League level. Doughty is also an advanced base runner with speed and instincts. After playing the majority of the time at the hot corner last season, he has shifted to the keystone in 2022. He showed better than average range at second base, but could use some polish on the DP turn. He was late to the bag on a couple of occasions, but this was mostly due to his positioning farther away from second base than what is normally typical for a DP situation. He also showed an average pro grade arm, but the lack of consistent accuracy, especially on the DP pivot, caused it to play down on this look. As a prospect with solid tools in every phase of the game Doughty is easy to project as a future Big Leaguer. He's one that should really hit and be able to play multiple positions. Long term the industry is mixed on his best future defensive landing spot, but ultimately could end up in center field. Currently, he's looked upon as a likely late first round selection. However, he is more tooled up and athletic than former SEC infielder Justin Foscue who was an overdraft at 14th overall in 2020 for a $750K below slot bonus.

Louisiana State recruit, currently ranked No. 1 in Louisiana’s 2019 class, No. 24 Overall. Athletic 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame, wiry strength, room to add strength and size. Extremely advanced bat with barrel awareness, strength and bat speed. Hits to all fields and showing power to his pull side, posting an exit velocity of 89 mph as well. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride and explosive lower half.  Gap to gap, line-drive type hitter with fluid rhythm and a level path that creates natural leverage. Quality athlete that posted a 6.75 60-yard dash.

A 6-foot-1, 180-pound infielder with a strong, athletic frame that projects well. Extremely advanced bat with barrel awareness, strength and bat speed that put on impressive round of batting practice. Hit to all fields and showed power to his pull side, posting an exit velocity of 93 mph as well. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride and explosive lower half.  Gap to gap, line-drive type hitter with fluid rhythm and a level path that creates natural leverage. Solid defender with average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, and plays through balls well. Long arm action into high-3/4 release with accuracy and carry on throws that produced a positional velocity of 85 mph. Quality athlete that posted a 6.75 60 yard dash.

2017 First Team All-State
2017 Preseason First Team All-State

Louisiana State recruit, currently ranked No. 1 in Louisiana’s 2019 class, No. 10 Overall. Athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, wiry strength, room to add strength and size. Extremely advanced bat with barrel awareness, strength and bat speed. Hits to all fields and showing power to his pull side, posting an exit velocity of 95 mph as well. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride and explosive lower half.  Gap to gap, line-drive type hitter with fluid rhythm and a level path that creates natural leverage. Solid defender with average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, and plays through balls well. Long arm action into high-3/4 release with accuracy and carry on throws that produced a positional velocity of 86 mph. Quality athlete that posted a 6.75 60 yard dash.