At the September 2015 Under Armour Futures West Showcase, I was in the outfield at the end of the measured track timing and recording 60 yard dashes. We had an excellent group of runners that day, with sixteen of the twenty-one position players in attendance posting sub-seven times. As is habit for me, I look down after the first few strides of the runner in my lane, just to make sure time is elapsing on my stopwatch. Most of the time, I’m not startled when my eyes return to the runner in my lane. That was not the case however with 6-foot-2 and 195 pound Garrett Mitchell.

It was just a quick look down, but by the time my eyes got back on Garrett it seemed as if he had covered an unnatural amount of territory with his long and easy run stride. It was clear a special time was soon to appear on my watch, so the resulting 6.40 came as no surprise.

As of the writing of this post, his 6.40 stands as the best we’ve seen from the class of 2017, and is among the reasons we pushed him up our board for the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game.

He collected two hits in five at bats at the Futures West event, including a sharp lineout on a changeup along with a single to right field and a triple to deep left-center against a quality LHP. His stroke is short with strength to impact the ball. It’s a flat move, built for low-flying backspin line drives that are mostly served to the pull-side in BP.

His throws come out from a slot nearly over-the-top, such that he carries the ball on a strong line to the target. It’s hard — if not impossible — to get a great feel an outfield defender in a workout setting, but he reacted well to the ball off the bat and accelerated quickly on what looked like natural angles to get in position to play the ball. He certainly runs enough for center-field, and he throws enough for right-field, leaving room to dream on him as either the speedy left-handed hitting CF or the offensive-minded corner guy.

Mitchell was announced as a selection to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game live on stage during Friday evening’s ceremony at the 2016 UA Pre-Season event, and worked out the next morning as part of his team. He ran 6.45 in the 60 yard dash in the cold, and later showed a flat, strong left-handed stroke capable carrying line drives on a strong angle through the pull gap.

Garrett Mitchell

POS: OF
HT: 6’2″
WT: 195
B/T: L/R
YOG: 2017
HOMETOWN: Anaheim, CA
COLLEGE VERBAL: UCLA

ROAD TO WRIGLEY:
1) 2015 Under Armour Baseball Factory Futures West Showcase (La Verne, CA)
2) 2016 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament (Mesa, AZ)

VIDEO CLIPS:
2015 Under Armour Baseball Factory Futures West Showcase

2017 OF Garrett Mitchell top runner at #UABFFutures West w/ 6.40. Short & strong LH stroke vs velo @GarretMitchell5 pic.twitter.com/YIe7gCUU59

— BF Scouting (@BFScout) September 28, 2015

2016 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament

2017 OF @GarretMitchell5 hi-waisted w/ broad shldrs & 6.45 60-yds. Among first 10 picked for '16 #UAALLAMERICA Game pic.twitter.com/LixNtfCeEa

— BF Scouting (@BFScout) January 19, 2016