Zach Neto -- Prospect Evaluation

Zach Neto is a 23-year-old shortstop selected 13th overall in the 2022 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels and signed for $3.5 million. As a prospect at Campbell University, Neto earned 2021 Big South Conference Player of the Year honors after hitting .405/.488/.746 with 12 home runs while also pitching (3.43 ERA). He subsequently performed well in the Cape Cod League, slashing .304/.439/.587 with balanced offensive metrics (eight walks, eight strikeouts).

Neto demonstrates notable athleticism and defensive capability. Listed at 6'0", 185 pounds, he possesses above-average arm strength (reaching 93 mph as a pitcher) and has played multiple infield positions, including his primary shortstop role. As a baserunner, he was aggressive and successful, converting 28 of 33 stolen base attempts (85%) throughout his collegiate career. He is classified as an above-average runner with solid athleticism.

At the plate, Neto features an unconventional setup with significant pre-pitch movement and a pronounced leg kick, though scouts believe he maintains sufficient bat control and barrel manipulation to succeed despite the moving parts. His college statistics show more walks (53) than strikeouts (49), suggesting disciplined plate approach. While showing only average raw power in batting practice, analysts project he will develop above-average game power with consistent backspin and solid bat speed. In 2023, Neto was ranked as the Los Angeles Angels' #2 prospect and #53 overall prospect by Baseball America.

Zach Neto, a shortstop from Campbell University, is a prospect near the top of the Seattle Mariners' draft board who addresses their significant need for quality up-the-middle talent. Neto posted elite offensive numbers at Campbell (.407/.514/.769, 15 HRs, 39 walks vs. 19 strikeouts) and demonstrated athleticism with 19 stolen bases. He also performed well in the Cape Cod League, a wooden bat summer league the Mariners value, hitting .304/.439/.587 against elite competition.

Scouts highlight Neto's exceptional batted ball data and swing mechanics, with consistent 100+ mph exit velocities between 25-40 degree launch angles indicating elite bat speed and optimal attack angles. His plate discipline and barrel control produce quality contact despite an unconventional swing approach. ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel projects Neto as a first-round pick, mocking him to Seattle at No. 21, though other analysts see him ranging from No. 7 to No. 23.

The primary concern is Neto's unorthodox swing mechanics, featuring a high leg kick and excessive pre-pitch motion, which raises questions about translation to professional pitching. Additionally, his below-elite arm strength suggests he may not stick at shortstop long-term, though he projects to remain functional up the middle at either shortstop or second base as he develops professionally.

Zach Neto, the Los Angeles Angels' 13th overall pick in the 2022 draft signed for $3.5 million, has underperformed in his MLB debut. Through 147 at-bats, Neto posted a .218 average with a .327 on-base percentage and .395 slugging percentage, accumulating 6 home runs. Despite the early struggles, he was ranked as the Angels' #2 prospect in 2023 and #53 overall by Baseball America.

Neto comes from Campbell University where he earned 2021 Big South Conference Player of the Year honors after hitting .405/.488/.746 with 12 home runs while also pitching, posting a 3.43 ERA. In the Cape Cod League, he slashed .304/.439/.587 with 8 walks and 8 strikeouts, establishing himself as a versatile two-way talent.

As an infielder, Neto possesses solid defensive skills with easy plus arm strength allowing him to make challenging throws from the hole. Standing 6'0" and weighing 185 pounds, he shows above-average athleticism and has demonstrated elite baserunning success with an 85% stolen base conversion rate (28-for-33) during his college career. His swing involves significant pre-pitch movement including bat-waggle and a big leg kick, though scouts question whether simplification may be needed against major league competition. Scouts project solid to above-average game power despite only average raw power in batting practice, attributing this to his consistent backspinning and barrel manipulation skills.

This page is part of myMLBdraft, a comprehensive database dedicated to MLB draft history and player evaluation. The specific page focuses on Zach Neto with a profile and scouting report. The site functions as a centralized resource for draft-related information, including mock drafts, actual draft results, and detailed player profiles. The database maintains extensive historical records spanning from 1980 to 2026, allowing users to track draft trends, bonus structures, and prospect evaluations across multiple decades. The navigation structure provides access to both current and archival draft information, including mock draft predictions and finalized results for each year, as well as detailed compensation pick information and bonus pool allocations for different teams.

Zach Neto, a shortstop from Campbell University, is a top prospect in the 2022 MLB Draft with significant upside. In 2021, he posted a .405 batting average with 12 home runs across 173 at-bats with only 30 strikeouts, demonstrating elite plate discipline. His performance improved against stronger competition during the Cape Cod League summer circuit, where he slashed .304/.439/.587 with three home runs, validating his ability to succeed against elite talent.

Scouts consistently praise Neto's comprehensive skill set. He displays advanced hitting mechanics with excellent extension and the ability to tap into substantial raw power while catching the ball out front. His plate approach reflects maturity and confidence. Defensively, Neto is regarded as a capable shortstop with good footwork, soft hands, body control, and baserunning ability. One evaluator ranked him #30 overall among 2022 prospects, noting his high ceiling and athleticism.

The primary concern among evaluators centers on his arm strength, which scouts assess as potentially average rather than above-average. This has led some scouts to project potential positional flexibility, with suggestions he could move to second base depending on organizational needs. Despite this consideration, Neto currently tracks as a first-round prospect with one of the highest ceilings available, appealing to teams seeking a complete offensive and defensive package.

The Los Angeles Angels selected Zach Neto with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Despite some skepticism about his size and unconventional swing mechanics, both the Angels' scouting department and analytics team aligned on viewing him as a potential impact player. Angels scout Nick Gorneault championed Neto from the beginning, and his junior-year performance validated that conviction.

Neto's college résumé was exceptional. He batted .403/.500/.751 across his career at Campbell University, culminating in a .407/.514/.769 season. During the prior summer in the Cape Cod League, he posted an OPS exceeding 1.000 using a wood bat, demonstrating his advanced hitting ability. A key strength is his pitch recognition and contact ability—he struck out at just a 10.3 percent rate in college, actually walking more frequently than striking out.

In professional baseball, Neto has maintained his trajectory. During his summer debut in 2022, he reached Double-A and batted .320/.382/.492 over 30 games. In 2023 minor league play, he elevated his performance to .444/.559/.815 over seven games with Rocket City. His strikeout rate has ticked up to 20.4 percent in limited minor league action but remains notably disciplined. The Angels' two-year track record of having the previous year's draft's first call-up continues with Neto, following Chase Silseth's 2022 debut.

Zach Neto is a shortstop prospect from Campbell University being evaluated for the 2022 MLB Draft. He compiled a remarkable .403 career batting average across three seasons (2020-2022), including back-to-back seasons above .400 in 2021 (.405) and 2022 (.407). Standing 6'0" and weighing 185 lbs, Neto is characterized as a 5-tool player with solid skills across all facets rather than exceptional talent in any single area.

Offensively, Neto demonstrates disciplined plate approach, walking more than he strikes out, with 39 walks versus 19 strikeouts in 2022. His career slash line of .403/.500/.751 indicates strong power potential, with scouts projecting 20 home runs annually at the professional level. However, scouts note his mechanics employ an unusually large leg kick that may require adjustment as a professional.

Defensively, there is debate about his optimal position. While he plays shortstop, his solid but unspectacular range suggests he may be better suited for second base, though his arm plays adequately at either infield position. The Cincinnati Reds, holding the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, included Neto among prospects ranked 11-30 in their pre-draft evaluation series.