Name: Jordan Viars
Position: OF
Born: July 18, 2003
Country: United States
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 215lbs
How Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2021 Draft by the Phillies
Signed: July 17, 2021
Bonus: $747,500
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
MiLB Free Agency: 2027
Stats
Hitter Statcast
*Statcast data only available for FSL (2021-2023), AAA (2023), and isolated select games and locations.
| Year | Balls in Play | Average EV | 90th Percentile EV | Max EV | Median Launch Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 | 80.6 | 98.3 | 100.7 | 18.5 |
| 2022 | 16 | 86.1 | 106.2 | 107.4 | 11.5 |
| 2023 | 191 | 86.3 | 104.3 | 111.5 | 13 |
Prospect Rankings
Viars has struggled to put together sustained success after the Phillies took him in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft. Still only 20 years old, he has good raw power (111.5 max EV), but he has not fully tapped into it and struggled to drive the ball in the air. He is limited defensively, so the bat will need to come around quickly.
Role: Everyday Outfielder or First Baseman
Risk: Extreme – The tools are all there for Viars to be an impact bat, which is why the ceiling is unchanged. However, his chance of hitting that outcome took a hit last season, and while he is playing more outfield, it is not going to be a skill that adds value to his profile.
Summary: Viars looked slated to start with the Threshers in 2022, but an ankle injury in the spring delayed that start of his season, and he joined the FCL Phillies when their season began. After performing well at that level in 2021, 2022 was a struggle. Viars’ swing looked in between and his timing off. His bat is still quick and when he did make it to Clearwater, the batted ball data still suggests he can hit the ball harder than almost anyone in the system. However, the swing issues meant a lot of high fly balls, particularly on the infield as he got under the ball. Defensively, Viars looks to be settling into left field, with some time in right, but his stints at first base have come to an end. He won’t be a good defender in the outfield, but if he can at least stand out there, it does take a little pressure off of his bat. The underlying tools are still there for Viars, and despite a mature physique he does not turn 20 until July so he is still fairly young. The Phillies and him will need to find a swing that works for him. Given that 2022 was mostly a throwaway year, restarting with Clearwater seems like the path forward.
2023 Outlook: Viars barely played in Clearwater last year and is only 19, so spending the bulk of his season in Florida is probably in order. The Phillies have pushed their prospects at the end of seasons, so a late summer trip to Jersey Shore could be the reward for a bounce back season.
Role: Above Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Viars is a high school hitter with a limited track record against high level pitching. At best he ends up in an outfield corner, but he could end up at first base, and he is going to need to rake to make it work.
Summary: The pandemic created small sample sizes and information gaps. When the Phillies selected Viars in the third round, there was a collective “who?” from the public side of analysis and a “the Phillies got a steal” from some of the team based sources. Viars was only 17 at the time of the draft, but he is fairly physically mature already. He has a very quick short swing that generates at least plus power, and he should grow near to plus plus when he fully fills out. In his brief debut he showed a great feel for contact and good approach. If it all comes together, he could be a middle of the order impact hitter. He will need to at least approach that offensive ceiling, because he is going to either an outfield corner or first base long term. If he can stay in the outfield, it should help take a little pressure off of his bat, but he probably sees time at all three positions this year to maintain flexibility. Based on what he showed in his debut and his general physicality, Viars may be a faster mover through the system, because he won’t be waiting on his glove or muscle to catch up to his other tools.
2022 Outlook: Viars should join what should be a stacked team in Clearwater. He probably will see some time in the outfield and at first base.
Viars has struggled to put together sustained success after the Phillies took him in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft. Still only 20 years old, he has good raw power (111.5 max EV), but he has not fully tapped into it and struggled to drive the ball in the air. He is limited defensively, so the bat will need to come around quickly.
Role: Everyday Outfielder or First Baseman
Risk: Extreme – The tools are all there for Viars to be an impact bat, which is why the ceiling is unchanged. However, his chance of hitting that outcome took a hit last season, and while he is playing more outfield, it is not going to be a skill that adds value to his profile.
Summary: Viars looked slated to start with the Threshers in 2022, but an ankle injury in the spring delayed that start of his season, and he joined the FCL Phillies when their season began. After performing well at that level in 2021, 2022 was a struggle. Viars’ swing looked in between and his timing off. His bat is still quick and when he did make it to Clearwater, the batted ball data still suggests he can hit the ball harder than almost anyone in the system. However, the swing issues meant a lot of high fly balls, particularly on the infield as he got under the ball. Defensively, Viars looks to be settling into left field, with some time in right, but his stints at first base have come to an end. He won’t be a good defender in the outfield, but if he can at least stand out there, it does take a little pressure off of his bat. The underlying tools are still there for Viars, and despite a mature physique he does not turn 20 until July so he is still fairly young. The Phillies and him will need to find a swing that works for him. Given that 2022 was mostly a throwaway year, restarting with Clearwater seems like the path forward.
2023 Outlook: Viars barely played in Clearwater last year and is only 19, so spending the bulk of his season in Florida is probably in order. The Phillies have pushed their prospects at the end of seasons, so a late summer trip to Jersey Shore could be the reward for a bounce back season.
Role: Above Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Viars is a high school hitter with a limited track record against high level pitching. At best he ends up in an outfield corner, but he could end up at first base, and he is going to need to rake to make it work.
Summary: The pandemic created small sample sizes and information gaps. When the Phillies selected Viars in the third round, there was a collective “who?” from the public side of analysis and a “the Phillies got a steal” from some of the team based sources. Viars was only 17 at the time of the draft, but he is fairly physically mature already. He has a very quick short swing that generates at least plus power, and he should grow near to plus plus when he fully fills out. In his brief debut he showed a great feel for contact and good approach. If it all comes together, he could be a middle of the order impact hitter. He will need to at least approach that offensive ceiling, because he is going to either an outfield corner or first base long term. If he can stay in the outfield, it should help take a little pressure off of his bat, but he probably sees time at all three positions this year to maintain flexibility. Based on what he showed in his debut and his general physicality, Viars may be a faster mover through the system, because he won’t be waiting on his glove or muscle to catch up to his other tools.
2022 Outlook: Viars should join what should be a stacked team in Clearwater. He probably will see some time in the outfield and at first base.