Cody Schrier had his junior baseball season at JSerra Catholic High School in California cut short due to COVID-19 this spring.
It was a disappointing occurrence for the prep star, but he’s had a chance to make up for the lost time this summer. With his local California travel team not allowed to play due to the pandemic this summer, Schrier has suited up for Evoshield Canes Baseball, an elite travel team that consistently prepares prep baseball players for college and the professional ranks.
Schrier is glad he joined the Canes this summer, as it has allowed him to face high-end prep pitching and refine his skills in all aspects of the game, he said.
“I have been pretty satisfied with my summer,” Schrier said. “I feel like I played really well defensively all summer. Hitting wise, I have faced some really good competition and put together some really good at-bats.
“I did really well at the PG 17U Elite tournament. I made Perfect Game All-American, which was one of my goals this summer, so that will be a really fun experience coming up. I am satisfied with the summer I’ve had.”
Schrier has gained exposure playing on the showcase circuit this summer in anticipation of the 2021 MLB draft. He will have a chance to showcase his skills in the Perfect Game All-American Classic on Sept. 4 in Oklahoma City.
Professional scouts project Schrier as an early-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Schrier is the latest JSerra shortstop that has high draft aspirations. Royce Lewis, who the Minnesota Twins selected with the No. 1 pick in 2017, and Chase Strumpf, who played three years at UCLA before the Chicago Cubs selected him in the second round in 2019, played high school baseball at JSerra.
“I’ve really enjoyed the draft attention,” said Schrier, a UCLA commit. “I think it’s really cool. I don’t try to take it too seriously. It’s always been my dream to play at UCLA. I will obviously be going to school right now, but if something else happens, it happens. I’m just going to go out there and have fun every game.”
Schrier is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound prep infielder who is known for his offensive ability. He has a quick, compact right-handed swing and consistently barrels up pitches. He also displays a professional approach and power to all parts of the field.
Throughout the summer, Schrier has displayed his exciting offensive tools on the showcase circuit.
“I think my ability to put together good at-bats is my biggest strength,” Schrier said. “I feel like any time I am up there that I am going to put together a good at-bat and am going to try to hit the ball hard. Anytime I come up, I want to make the other team think a little bit.”
Right now, scouts profile Schrier as an offensive-first player. Defensively, he has solid arm strength, athleticism and good hands that make him an adequate defensive player.
Over the next year, Schrier hopes to refine his defensive skills in preparation for the next step in his career.
“Something I’ve always wanted to improve on is my arm strength,” Schrier said. “I think I can make all the plays, but I think having a stronger arm and standing out a little more will help me. I think I can always get faster. It is something you always can work on.”
Schrier has experience playing a variety of positions, especially in the infield. Despite some questions on his future defensive position, Schrier believes he can remain at shortstop long-term.
“I think I can 100% can stick at shortstop,” he said. “I have played there my entire life. I am fine playing third base, second base and even the outfield. I feel like moving from left to right that I can make the plays in the hole and up the middle. My arm isn’t the greatest on the field, but I feel like I am great with my internal clock and knowing who the runner is and how much time I have.”
Besides being a top draft prospect, Schrier also is a UCLA commit. UCLA was Schrier’s dream school due to its status as an elite program, proven ability developing talent, and location to his home, he said.
Although he’s eager to go through the draft process throughout his senior year of high school, Schrier’s primary focus is UCLA.
“I remember going to camps at UCLA in middle school,” Schrier said. “My whole family has liked UCLA. I really wanted to stay close to home. I wanted to stay in Southern California. You can’t beat the weather out here. I’ve been out east this summer and the weather is just miserable out there. It’s a little hot out here right now, but it’s the best weather.
“I want my parents at every game too because they’re my biggest supporters. I don’t know where I’d be without them, so that was really big for me.”
Read more stories on top 2021 MLB draft prospects here.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for six years. He’s interviewed 253 of the top draft prospects in that period, including three No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he’s appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
