Akil Baddoo made a big splash in his 2021 rookie year of Major League Baseball, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike with his impressive performance on the field. Understandably so, many are curious about his background and whether he played baseball in college.

Baddoo did not play college baseball - instead, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 directly from Salem High School in Georgia. Despite being only 17 years old at the time, Baddoo impressed scouts with his combination of power and speed, earning comparisons to a young Carl Crawford.

In his first year with the Twins organization, Baddoo played in the Gulf Coast League, where he hit .178 with one home run and 11 RBIs in 41 games. However, he quickly rebounded in the following years, and by 2019, he was considered one of the top prospects in the Twins organization.

Baddoo's rookie season with the Detroit Tigers in 2021 was a promising one, as he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his clutch hitting and impressive play in the outfield. He hit .267 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .769 OPS in 108 games, earning him a spot on the American League All-Rookie team.

However, Baddoo's numbers declined in 2022, as he struggled at the plate and battled injuries throughout the season. Despite his setbacks, he remains a part of the Tigers' future plans, and is currently battling for a spot in the outfield for the 2023 season.