Nazzan Zanetello Salem Red Sox Shortstop - Center Field

       
 
Age: 19
Born: May 25, 2005
Birthplace: Bridgeton, MO
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
   
Drafted: 2nd round, 2023 by BOS
How Acquired: Draft
College: (Arkansas commit)
High School: Christian Bros. (MO)

Photo © Kelly O'Connor
Nazzan Zanetello photos by Kelly O'Connor
Pronunciation: ---
First Pro Contract: July 22, 2023 (BOS)
Signing Scout: Alonzo Wright
Signing Bonus: $3,000,000
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: December 2027
MLFA Eligible: November 2029
   
Pro Debut: August 3, 2023 (FCL)
Added to 40-man: ---
MLB Debut: ---
Service Time (1/25): 0 days
Options Remaining: 3 (0 used)
Contract (2024): MiLB contract
   
Twitter: @24nazzan
Instagram: @kna2zan

 
 
 
 
 
     
  Scouting Report & Links      
         
  Physical Description: Tall, athletic frame with substantial remaining projection. Has plenty of room to add muscle as he physically matures without sacrificing any athleticism. Considered one of the top athletes in the 2023 draft class. Those who saw him as an amateur noted in 2024 that he looked less athletic and explosive.

Hit: Starts upright and slightly open with his hands high. Toe-tap timing device. Quick hands and solid bat speed. Has strong wrists and really whips the bat through the zone. Swing is unorthodox, leading to some inconsistencies at the plate, but has also had stretches of making a lot of hard contact. Performance at the plate in 2024 was very concerning, showing an extreme amount of swing-and-miss in the zone en route to posting a nearly 44 percent strikeout rate. Solid knowledge of the strike zone for his age and does not chase out of the zone much. Could take some time to adjust to professional pitching, but has the raw tools you look for. Potential below-average hit tool.

Power: Will show at least above-average raw power. Has shown the ability to produce high exit velocities and drive the ball over the fence. How power actualizes in-game will depend almost entirely on his ability to significantly improve on his ability to make contact in the zone

Run: Average speed. Was timed at 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash in high school, but has gotten slower in pro ball and likely will continue trending down as he physically matures.

Field: Potential average defensive profile. Premium athlete who looked good at whatever position he has played as an amateur. Has played only shortstop as a professional despite the team saying he would also be exposed to center field when he was drafted. Fluid actions and good range, but might get too big for shortstop depending on how he physically matures.
  Arm: Above-average arm strength. Plenty for the left side of the infield or the outfield.

Career Notes: Was named MVP at the 2022 MLB Breakthrough Series. Originally committed to Miami but reopened his recruitment in February 2022 and committed to Arkansas that October before eventually signing. Played for Team USA's 18U team in 2022. Impressed at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine. Signed for a significantly over-slot bonus. Participated in the 2023 Fall Performance Program. 2023 season ended roughly three weeks early due to a hamstring strain. Reinjured his hamstring in spring training 2024, missing most of April, then the injury recurred in his sixth game back, costing him another two-plus weeks. Struggled mightily in 2024 when he was on the field, putting up very concerning strikeout numbers in particular.

Summation: Seen as a premium athlete with five-tool potential when drafted, but has a long way to go developmentally and his performance in 2024 raised significant questions about his future potential. Despite once showing tools that made him an extremely intriguing talent, there is now a question of whether he will hit enough to get out of the low minors. Struggled in his debut, but has the potential to become a very exciting two-way talent. Strong work ethic and great makeup. How much he hits will go a long way to determining his future upside and it is unclear where he will settle on defense. At either shortstop or the outfield, has the type of athleticism and upside teams are always searching for.

Links
Red Sox select Zanetello with No. 50 overall pick (7.9.23)
 
   
     
    Hitting Stats                                          
  year team lg level org age g ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb bb so sb cs avg obp slg ops
2023 Christian Bros. HS HS --- 18 22 63 25 26 6 2 5 16 51 15 12 11 0 0.413 0.537 0.809 1.347
2023 FCL Red Sox FCL Rk Bos 18 12 36 6 5 3 0 0 1 8 9 15 5 1 0.139 0.311 0.222 0.533
2023 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 18 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0.500 0.500 0.500 1.000
2024 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 19 78 294 38 46 11 2 7 21 82 42 151 4 1 0.156 0.279 0.279 0.558
2025 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 20     stats                            
   
     
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  2023 Breakthrough Series MVP   -  
   

   
     
 
 
 
     
 
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