LOU
Nick Loftin, IF
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Scouting report
Loftin is a contact-oriented middle infielder with fringe power but everything else is average to a hair above. He's a lock to stay at shortstop. His timing and actions around the bag as the pivot man on doubles plays are excellent and he has plenty of arm for the left side of the infield. Offensively, Loftin will hit the occasional pull-side tank that makes you think he has big power, but he really only has it to that dead pull side. He'll concede some power in order to poke and serve balls the other way but he's much less likely to do damage that way, and I think he'll be someone opposing teams can pitch to in pro ball and limit damage. Loftin went bonkers at a big college tournament in Houston just before the shutdown, and his name was mentioned as high as the middle of the first round, probably for an underslot deal. Late during the first night of the draft, rumors were circulating that a team in the comp round was trying to float Loftin back to them with an overslot deal (I'm not sure if it was KC) and that most teams toward the back of round one had to weigh taking him despite this and daring him not to take slot. He ended up with KC and played at 2020 instructs, then looked really good during 2021 minor league spring training despite playing with a wrap around his hand in several of my looks. He projects as a low-end everyday shortstop. (Fall Instructional League)