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Summary
Ryan Boldt is an interesting guy to watch on draft night. He came into the season with a really good chance to go top 20, but a knee injury has plagued him all season, eventually ending his season. Because of his knee injury, the team who selects him is going to have to take him based on projection and scouting reports from year's past.
The future centerfielder has a very solid-average toolset with the potential to have two above-average tools in his bat and glove. While he has no elite tools, he profiles as a guy who will give you above-average defense in center, hit .280+ with decent pop and double-digit stolen bases.
His swing is OK – like it, don't love it. He uses a wide stance and a line-drive swing. I would describe his bat speed as average.
Major League Floor
Fourth outfielder/defensive replacement.
Major League Ceiling
I think his Major League ceiling is something similar to Denard Span, which isn't bad at all. And yes, I just compared a white guy to a black guy.
Projected Draft Round
There's still a decent chance he goes late first round, but sandwich round or second round is most likely. If he's available for the Astros at 2-1, he presents a very intriguing option. If he goes in the second, he's going to sign for over-slot.
College Commitment: Nebraska, Will He Sign?
I think he signs, for over-slot. Whichever team selects him will be well-aware of the financial demands. He's a first-round talent who's likely to go in the second. That warrants extra money.
Bibliography
It can be difficult for a high schooler from a place like Minnesota to measure up to his contemporaries in places like California or Florida, but Boldt took some serious steps in that direction over the summer, playing for Team USA, where he had mixed results as the 18 and under squad's leadoff hitter, while also participating in the Area Code Games and Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Toolsy and athletic, he has the chance to be a complete player, though he's not as advanced as some of the prep outfielders who get to play more baseball.
While his USA Baseball experience, playing in South Korea in the Junior AAA/18U World Championships, was up-and-down, Boldt was the MVP of the Perfect Game All-American Classic, going 2-for-3 with a triple for the West team.