Brady Ballinger is a 6'2" 220-pound first baseman from the University of Kansas poised to become the first Jayhawks position player drafted in the first three rounds. In 2025 he slashed .353/.495/.670 with 16 home runs and a Big 12-leading 56 walks. The left-handed hitter's underlying data is exceptional, with few college players matching his elite combination of swing decisions (20.4% chase rate, 19.4% walk rate), contact ability, and exit velocity (106.1 mph 90th percentile, 32.9% barrel rate). Ballinger is a highly selective hitter with plus raw power who demonstrates advanced plate discipline by waiting for pitches he can drive. However, all of Ballinger's value derives from his bat, as he's a bottom-of-the-scale runner strictly limited to first base or designated hitter despite being more athletic than his frame suggests. It would be interesting to see what happens to Ballinger’s projection if the defensive ability takes a step forward. Ballinger's exceptional hitting profile makes him one of the most productive pure bats in college baseball that could push himself into day one consideration despite his limited defensive value and lack of positional versatility
