WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. — JD Dix has been a standout prospect throughout his high school career at Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin. As an infielder committed to Wake Forest, he faces an exciting choice between pursuing college baseball or turning pro after July’s MLB draft following his senior season.
I’ve had the opportunity to scout Dix extensively during his high school tenure. In the team’s regular-season finale on Friday, he demonstrated his plate discipline by drawing two walks and getting hit by a pitch in the three at-bats I observed before it started raining. Normally positioned at shortstop, Dix played second base as he gradually returns to the field following offseason labrum surgery on his right shoulder.
Dix, a switch hitter, batted from the left side of the plate in his three at-bats. He uses a slightly crouched stance and smooth swing at the plate. The opposing team pitched around Dix in his first two at-bats. Dix showed strong plate discipline, laying off numerous breaking pitches. He also didn’t bite on the high, out-of-the-strike zone fastball.
After drawing a five-pitch walk in this first at-bat, Dix showed his athleticism and speed on the bases. He easily stole second and third base, displaying an initial good jump and strong base running instincts.
Overall, based on my extensive scouting of Dix, he is a quality hitter from both sides, but his left-handed swing looks slightly more advanced right now. He consistently displays quality plate discipline and a mature approach to make hard contact and drive the ball into the gaps. I believe he will continue to add more power to his game as he matures physically.
Defensively, Dix had limited in-game reps on Friday. When he is healthy, Dix is athletic, moves well laterally, has a strong arm and covers plenty of ground at shortstop. Besides shortstop, Dix has played first base, second base, third base and left field. Dix should have a chance to stick at shorstop in the future, but regardless, he will be a solid defensive player wherever he plays.
Dix has a well-rounded toolset, a strong work ethic and quality makeup. He has a bright future and figures to go in the early rounds of July’s draft.
Want to learn more about JD Dix? Read a detailed draft feature story on Dix and his skill set here.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
