​Karson Kerce, SS, Georgia Tech
Age: 21
Bats/Trows: R/R
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 200 lbs
Scouting grades:
Hit: 55 | Power: 35 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Across a series of draft write-ups, a recurring theme has been that the third tier of prospects was large enough to span multiple rounds. In that spirit, here is Carson Kerce. On most boards, Kerce sits in the top 100–150, yet he isn’t markedly different from many peers ranked 40–50 spots higher.
Baseball America lists him at #121 overall. Kerce has been a three-year starter at Georgia Tech and made notable improvements offensively in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He entered the 2026 campaign somewhat overlooked within a potent Yellow Jackets lineup, but his steady performance at the plate eventually pushed him into a leadoff role by April. He concluded the 2026 season with a .384/.473/.679 batting line, a career-best 11 home runs, and 29 doubles—second-most among Division I hitters. Kerce stands 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, a right-handed hitter who blends elite contact skills with a polished, all-fields approach. His swing is level and direct, producing plenty of hard line drives to both gaps, and he has reduced his strikeout rate consistently throughout his college career. In 2026, he posted a 13.3% strikeout rate and a standout 90% in-zone contact rate. While his power has improved year over year, Kerce does not possess exceptional over-the-fence pop; his swing and approach are more aligned with fringe-average game power when evaluated with wood bats. He is an above-average runner who accelerates out of the box quickly, though he has not been a major base-stealing threat in college, and he has experience all across the infield.
Fangraphs lists him at #138 overall. Kerce is a hard-swinging, energetic shortstop who plays with relentless effort. His compact build and exceptional twitch allow him to let the ball travel deeper before deciding to swing, then unloads at the last moment to drive a lot of hard, low-line contact to the opposite field. While his peak raw power isn’t above the big-league average, he posted a 60% hard-hit rate in 2026, underscoring how consistently he makes solid contact. He may struggle a bit with elevated fastballs and isn’t likely to slug a ton, since much of his contact tends to stay on the ground and to the opposite field. Kerce has the arm and range for shortstop, but his hands aren’t exceptional, and he finished 2026 about 10 runs below average at the position. His speed and hustle, however, project him well as a multi-positional player, potentially including center field, which could translate to a valuable utility profile at the professional level.
MLB Pipeline slots him at #114 overall. For SEO, the key takeaway is that Kerce is a multi-faceted, versatile infield option whose best-fit path may be as a utility player who can handle multiple infield spots and perhaps surface speed in the outfield. His offensive profile emphasizes contact, high contact quality, and the capacity to drive the ball to both gaps, paired with a solid in-game approach. Combined with his defensive flexibility and speed, Kerce presents a compelling ceiling as a next-level contributor who can fill gaps and provide value in a variety of lineups and defensive alignments.
In sum, Kerce’s combination of contact ability, approach, and multi-positional defensive potential makes him a solid third-tier target who could slide into multiple rounds of the draft, offering teams a versatile piece with a relatively high floor and a chance to contribute in several ways at the professional level.