With the 2023 MLB Draft scheduled to take place next month in Seattle, the names of many prep school phenoms will likely be called.
But not many will come with as much upside and fanfare as shortstop Nazzan Zanetello from Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 6’3 elite prospect has all the tools you want in a player, making him one of the rare five-tool prospects (hitting for average, hitting for power, defensively sound, speed and throwing/arm strength). He already been impressive at the MLB Draft Combine this past week.
A handful of standouts from Day 1 of the MLB Draft Combine 📈
Dan O'Dowd, @jimcallisMLB and @SlangsOnSports share what impressed them from the performances of Nazzan Zanetello, Kevin Sim and Kemp Alderman. pic.twitter.com/WsjatBPdKk
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 21, 2023
That’s Zanetello in a nutshell, and because of those tools, the 18-year-old is ranked the No.52 draft eligible prospect via MLB Pipeline. That also means it’s highly unlikely the Arkansas Razorbacks commit ever steps foot in Fayetteville. Especially with MLB scouts constantly around the CBC campus to see the slick hitting and fielding shortstop for work.
Nazzan Zanetello (‘23, MO) displaying advanced bat speed w/ feel for the barrel present #PGAAC pic.twitter.com/pNqGKrpTh4
— Dick’s Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican) August 26, 2022
Zanetello’s HS Coach Knows What He’s Got
The hype is real and CBC head coach Mason Horn isn’t shy about expressing what he sees in his star pupil.
“In five years, I hope to see him on TV. As far as scouts go, every organization has been in his living room, at our practices, and or at our games,” Horn said in an interview with KDSK Sports,
Zanetello is still a kid, so things could get hectic because of the expectations being placed on him. But he’s built different, and he doesn’t let the pressure disrupt his daily approach.
“He’s got all the tools everybody is looking for,” Horn added touching on the teen’s athleticism.
Horn described Zanetello as a “humble, out-right great guy.”
2023 prospect Nazzan Zanetello announced his commitment to Arkansas today. He is Perfect Game’s No. 52 prospect and No. 3 third baseman in the 2023 class and he was named the MLB Develops MVP of the Breakthrough Series back in June. Zanetello was originally committed to Miami. pic.twitter.com/sshOrqhcL0
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) October 6, 2022
Zanetello Brokeout In 2022, Shined During 2023 Season
Zanetello had his breakout performance during last June’s Breakthrough Series in Florida where he won MVP honors. He used that as a springboard to other events like the World Wood Bat Association World Championship and Team USA 18-and-under World Cup qualifying tournament. That run of play moved Zanetello up draft boards and a very likely early-round selection in next month’s festivities.
That carried over into the 2023 season at CBC where he batted .413 with 26 hits in 82 plate appearances. He also drove in 16 runs, tallied five homers and 25 runs scored. Of the 26 hits, six were doubles and two were triples.
His .537 OBP, .809 SLG and 1.347 OPS were some of the best numbers in all of Missouri high school baseball, and they further proved why he’s probably never going to play in a Razorbacks uniform.
The kid is too talented, and oh so ready for the big boys.
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