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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45One of the most impressive underclassmen on the showcase circuit and with the U.S. 18-and-under team in 2023, James looked like a slam-dunk first-rounder for 2025, but his stock slipped after he struggled last summer at the plate and lost some quickness. He put on one of the best batting practice displays at the East Coast Pro Showcase in August, then went 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in game action. The Nationals still took James in the fifth round this summer and signed him with a $2.5 million bonus, tied for the second-highest in Washington’s 2025 class.James gained some weight in the last year, adding strength but losing athleticism. His right-handed stroke doesn't look as smooth as it once did, and his swing decisions have regressed as well. Gatorade's North Carolina high school Player of the Year, he still shows 20-homer power, but he's selling out more to get to it.James now has fringy-to-average speed and isn't as dynamic on the bases or at shortstop. He still has good actions, reliable hands and a strong arm but he's covering less ground, making third or second a possibility in the pros. There’s still some upside on the dirt if he can get back to his earlier form with pro instruction from Nats coaches and coordinators.
Another Nats prospect it’s almost time to sound the breakout alarms for, James is up to an .884 OPS on the year and has a 93rd percentile walk rate and 62nd percentile strikeout rate, huge for a guy who’s primary issue on the summer circuit in HS was his hit tool
James signed for $2.5 million rather than head to Ole Miss and was assigned to Low-A Fredericksburg to start his pro career in 2026. Part of the crowded infield contingent there, he has played a mix of second base, third base and left field as of list publication. A terrific low-to-the-ground athlete, James can be slow to approach grounders and makes some plays unnecessarily close at first base. This is more an issue of polish and the speed of pro ball rather than talent, and he should still become a good infielder with time. While it was obvious that James had a power-over-hit skill set as a draft prospect, the degree to which that is true is coming into greater focus. He is pummeling pitches with power when he connects, but he’s struggling to make adjustments to pro sliders. James can really run, he’s strong, and he has power to both gaps. He’s a fun, toolsy dev project who is probably going to take a while to mature on both sides of the ball.
The National's Association of Stat Cherry Pickers (NASCP) notes that, since 5/14, Coy James's bat seems to have come alive: 86 PAs, .284 / .384 / .541, 11.6 BB%, 24.4 K%, 4 HR, 4 SB, 147 wRC+
#16. Needs to move up to A+
