The Atlanta Braves selected Mahki Backstrom even though most expected him to attend Fresno State. With just 5 days left in the signing period, Backstrom decided to go for it and inked a deal with the Braves.
A high school player, Backstrom’s play at first base requires refinement. Behind their paywall, Baseball America ranked him #76 on their list of California prospects. They opined that “his instincts and game awareness have a ways to go” and called him “a below-average runner.”
That’s not surprising for a 6-5, 220-pound first baseman. Other reports suggest he’s not actually slow and, in the video, he looks capable of playing an outfield corner if first base doesn’t work out for him.