Scouting grades 20–80
60Hit
55Power
50Run
50Field
45Arm
Few in the country put the college baseball world on notice like Landon Hairston did in 2026. He would finish his golden spikes campaign slashing .400/.507/.860 with 28 home runs to his name. The son of former big leaguer Scott Hairston, Landon has an argument as one of the more complete collegiate bats in the 2027 class. The ultimate hit/power package here could end up special.
Hairston has a really hitterish look from the left side of the plate. He sets up from a slightly crouched, open stance, utilizing a slight leg kick to time up. The swing is quick and efficient with impressive barrel length through the zone, and present adjustability. Hairston doesn't whiff much. It's plus bat-to-ball skills with an approach that may be even more impressive. Hairston is excellent at shortening up with two strikes, he's maintained strikeout rates of under 10% throughout his first two years at Arizona State. The polished hit tool is complemented by power that has only continued to blossom throughout his time on campus. His swing feels perfectly grooved for squaring up the baseball in the air and to his pull-side. Combined with his feel for the barrel and legitimate bat speed, the power could end up being plus too. It's a tantalizing offensive package, a bat that may be able to hit in the middle of an order at the next level.
Hairston has gotten some run with Arizona State in center field, though it's likely he's destined for a corner spot as a professional. Defense will likely never be a big part of his game, but the bat more than makes up for it even if Hairston ends up in a corner.
