2025 MLB Draft Preview: Nolan Schubart scouting report
The 2025 MLB Draft is less than a month away — the first round kicks off on July 13, 2025 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #12, their second round pick is at #52, and their third round pick is at #84.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at Oklahoma State right fielder Nolan Schubart.
Nolan Schubart is a 6’5”, 223 lb. rightfielder for Oklahoma State University. Schubart played high school ball for St. Mary’s Prep in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and was teammates with Brock Porter, the first round talent who the Rangers signed for first round money after taking him in the fourth round in 2022, and Alex Mooney, who got $1 million to sign with Cleveland as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2023. Schubart was the #380 ranked prospect in the 2022 draft and was not drafted. He turned 21 in May.
Schubart is a guy with one big carrying tool — his power. Schubart is described as having plus-plus raw power, with strength that BA describes as “elite” and MLB Pipeline describes as “massive.” His top end exit velocity is excellent, and he can hit the ball out to all fields. His hit tool is not nearly as strong, and he has a lot of swing-and-miss in the zone. He does earn praise for his plate discipline, as he draws a lot of walks and doesn’t chase much.
Schubart is not going to provide any value outside of the batter’s box. He played left field his first two seasons in Stillwater before moving to right field this year, but he’s slow and not a good defender. While he could possibly stick in a corner outfield spot, he’s most considered to most likely be a first baseman or DH long-term.
Schubart was a three year starter for Oklahoma State, slashing .338/.451/.667 with 17 homers and 75 Ks against 43 walks in 264 plate appearances as a freshman, followed by a .370/.513/.838 line with 23 homers in 226 plate appearances as a sophomore, with 62 Ks against 49 walks. He was a Three True Outcome machine in 9 games in the Cape Cod League last summer — in 42 plate appearances, he struck out 16 times, walked 11 times and homered 3 times. His numbers slipped as a junior — in 250 plate appearances this past spring, he slashed .300/.436/.630 with 19 homers, 61 Ks and 48 walks.
Baseball America has Schubart at #63 on their top 500 list. MLB Pipeline’s draft rankings have Schubart at #126. Keith Law’s top 100 list ranks Schubart at #83. Kiley McDaniel’s top 150 list doesn’t include Schubart. Fangraphs has Schubart #43 on their board.
Schubart presents big upside, big bust potential for teams to consider. The power is real and Schubart has produced for three seasons in a good college conference. The combination of walks and power means that Schubart doesn’t have to hit much above .200 to have value. Whether he can do that, or whether professional pitchers, particularly in the upper minors, will be able to overwhelm him is the question.
The Rangers have prioritized hit tool over power in the draft of late, and a college bat with questions about the hit tool would be a change of pace for the organization. Taking him in the second or third round would be a bet on being able to make adjustments with Schubart that will allow him to make better contact while not costing him much in the way of power.
Previously: