Then & Now: Bridger Schmidt, 1B/OF, Linn Mar
December 18, 2025
In our Then & Now series, we examine how Iowa athletes have progressed over time using trusted Prep Baseball showcase metrics. By comparing everything from speed and arm strength to Blast swing traits and TrackMan performance, we get a clear picture of each player's developmental arc. Today we look at Linn Mar's Bridger Schmidt, a first baseman/outfielder in the class of 2027.
Schmidt, the no. 25 ranked player in the class of 2027 but on a laser show at the Future Games in Atlanta, rifling one ball 109.1 MPH -- the highest mark in the national event.
Take a look at the progress in his key metrics below:
Exit Velo: 94.0 mph (Feb 2023) ➡️ 109.1 mph (Jul 2025)
Max Distance: 292 ft (Feb 2023) ➡️ 403 ft (Jul 2025)
60 Time: 7.94 (Feb 2023) ➡️ 7.42 (Jul 2025)
MORE IOWA THEN & NOW CONTENT
UPCOMING IOWA EVENTS
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION |
| Winter Hitting Update (S2) | 12/14/2025 | Chips Performance, Waukee, IA |
| Winter Hitting Update (S3) | 01/11/2026 | Chips Performance, Waukee, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Eastern Iowa | 02/08/2026 | Eastern Iowa Sports Facility, Monticello, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Eastern Iowa (2030s Only) | 02/08/2026 | Eastern Iowa Sports Facility, Monticello, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Central Iowa | 02/15/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Central Iowa S1 (2030s Only) | 02/15/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Southeast Iowa | 02/16/2026 | Musco Sports Center, Muscatine, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Southeast Iowa (2030s Only) | 02/16/2026 | Musco Sports Center, Muscatine, IA |
| IA Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | 03/08/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Central Iowa S2 (2030s Only) | 03/08/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
Scouting Report
Bridger Schmidt, Linn-Mar (IA), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-6, 236-pounds.
Hit: LHH. tall frame, slight closed stance, arm bar in load, some length with plus power potential, continuous hard line drive and fly ball contact with pull approach.
Power: 109 max exit velocity, averaged 103.3 mph. 403' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-86 mph. OF-88 mph.
Defense: OF: Upright prep hop, gathers feet at ball, crow hop, arm strength. INF: Double prep hop, fields out front, quick transfer, big frame can move laterally, arm strength.
ATH: 7.38 runner in the 60. 1.76 and 4.08 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 21.00 max vertical.
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-5, 210-pounds.
Defense: RH. INF - 78.00 mph. OF - 82.00 mph. IF- heavier feet with developing needed in footwork. OF- works through the ball well fielding in rhythm to transfer and throw.
Hit: LHH. Controlled body load, some length to hand load, long levers and present strength create well above avg. pop in bat to pull side of field.
Power: 101 mph max Trackman exit velocity in bp.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6_3, 172-pounds.
Defense: Works through the ball well to transfer to throws. Arm works.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph.
Hit: LHH. Tall presence in the box, strong to pull side with an out to in bat path.
Power: 89.6 mph max exit velocity during bp.
Run: 4.46 runner in the 30.
Delivery:
Arm Action: RH. Stays tall throughout the delivery, almost looks careful at times. Fastball shows cut action, with an 11/5 movement on the curve, and a firm changeup.
FB: T75.00, 73-75 mph.
CB: 58-60 mph.
CH: 66-67 mph.