The Baseball Draft Report

Home » 2016 MLB Draft » 2016 MLB Draft – Final Board (College Catchers)

2016 MLB Draft – Final Board (College Catchers)

1 – Miami JR C/1B Zack Collins: plus to plus-plus raw power; rough glove, but improved as the year progressed; plus arm strength could be a weapon if the footwork allows it; professional approach in the batter’s box; slow afoot, so outfield is not a possibility; still has some trouble with offspeed stuff, but better at identifying it now and still murders even the hottest fastballs; as confident that he’ll hit than any of his draft peers; obvious Kyle Schwarber comp isn’t perfect, but it’s not nearly as bad as some experts want to claim; older BA comp: Mark Teixeira; when Stephen Vogt is the realistic floor and Teixeira is the ceiling, you’ve reached top ten pick risk/reward balance; I’d seriously think about him 1-1 in this class; even as a first baseman, he has star upside; LHH; 6-3, 220 pounds

2014: .298/.427/.556 – 42 BB/47 K – 0/0 SB – 205 AB
2015: .302/.445/.587 – 57 BB/64 K – 7/8 SB – 242 AB
2016: .358/.534/.631 – 69 BB/48 K – 1/4 SB – 176 AB

2 – Virginia JR C Matt Thaiss: average defender, though I think he’s shown flashes of above-average ability in my personal views; others like his glove way less, so defense figures to be something to monitor going forward; average or better arm, plays up; average to above-average power, some have it plus; really good approach with an exceptionally well-balanced swing; strong and slow; better athlete than he appears at first; old BA comp: Brian McCann; LHH; FAVORITE; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .265/.306/.338 – 2 BB/13 K – 0/0 SB – 68 AB
2015: .323/.413/.512 – 33 BB/26 K – 4/4 SB – 254 AB
2016: .375/.473/.578 – 39 BB/16 K – 0/1 SB – 232 AB

3 – Wright State JR C Sean Murphy: plus to plus-plus arm; very good glove; above-average athlete; average to above-average power upside; quick bat; strong; moves well behind plate; now uses whole field like a seasoned veteran; checks every box for him athletically and has improved as a hitter every season; ascending player; FAVORITE; 6-2, 205 pounds

2014: .254/.375/.316 – 16 BB/18 K – 4/6 SB – 114 AB
2015: .329/.423/.458 – 28 BB/30 K – 7/10 SB – 225 AB
2016: .270/.391/.505 – 19 BB/15 K – 5/5 SB – 111 AB

4 – Louisville JR C Will Smith: average hit tool with a swing geared towards contact; average to above-average arm; steady glove; average at best power; easy average or better speed; plus athleticism is what separates him from a long list of comparable bats below him; 6-0, 190 pounds

2014: .221/.333/.273 – 10 BB/9 K – 3/3 SB – 77 AB
2015: .242/.333/.331 – 19 BB/27 K – 2/4 SB – 178 AB
2016: .380/.476/.573 – 18 BB/12 K – 9/10 SB – 150 AB

5 – Oregon State JR C Logan Ice: really good defender; average power upside; average arm; nothing jumps off the page, but another prospect who does everything well with little to no glaring weaknesses; BHH; 5-11, 190 pounds

2014: .250/.393/.279 – 40 BB/26 K – 5/5 SB – 172 AB
2015: .276/.362/.431 – 17 BB/22 K – 0/0 SB – 123 AB
2016: .310/.432/.563 – 37 BB/25 K – 2/2 SB – 174 AB

6 – Clemson JR C Chris Okey: good athlete; average hit tool; average or better defender; average at best speed; average or better power upside, could be plus; average or better arm, flashes plus; quick bat; old Jason Kendall comp; arguably the highest upside among the catchers most likely to stick at the position; said upside comes with the most risk in the way of concerns how his body type has shifted and a high level of swing-and-miss in his swing; RHH; FAVORITE; 5-11, 200 pounds

2014: .248/.311/.350 – 22 BB/33 K – 3/5 SB – 226 AB
2015: .315/.389/.545 – 27 BB/49 K – 3/3 SB – 235 AB
2016: .339/.465/.611 – 51 BB/54 K – 4/7 SB – 239 AB

7 – USC JR C Jeremy Martinez: good hit tool; average raw power; above-average to plus arm; curiously undervalued defender over the years; RHH: 5-11, 200 pounds

2014: .297/.380/.368 – 20 BB/14 K – 2/5 SB – 185 AB
2015: .296/.395/.367 – 32 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 226 AB
2016: .376/.460/.563 – 19 BB/12 K – 1/3 SB – 213 AB

8 – Murray State JR C Tyler Lawrence: great approach; glove has improved to the point where I think steady is a fair adjective to describe it; doesn’t blow it out with tools, but track record with the bat is hard to ignore; 5-10, 200 pounds

2014: .313/.397/.389 – 28 BB/21 K – 1/2 SB – 208 AB
2015: .302/.391/.571 – 27 BB/38 K – 2/3 SB – 205 AB
2016: .355/.469/.589 – 44 BB/42 K – 1/2 SB – 214 AB

9 – Cal SO C/1B Brett Cumberland: good hit tool; average or better arm; good enough glove to at least start with the thought he’s a long-term catcher, but still raw in areas that will require significant time and attention in pro ball; undeniable power upside makes him particularly intriguing; BHH; 5-11, 200 pounds

2015: .254/.405/.429 – 33 BB/41 K – 0/0 SB – 177 AB
2016: .344/.480/.678 – 38 BB/40 K – 5/5 SB – 180 AB

10 – Tulane JR C Jake Rogers: average to above-average power upside, currently plays down; plus athlete; really intriguing glove, chance for plus to plus-plus overall defensive game; excels at pitch-framing; exceptionally strong arm (plus to plus-plus for me), others like it less; could be better version of Austin Hedges; reminds me some of Buster Posey defensively and athletically, though not at all as a hitter; RHH; 6-2, 185 pounds

2014: .202/.264/.245 – 12 BB/23 K – 1/3 SB – 163 AB
2015: .227/.330/.256 – 26 BB/28 K – 4/5 SB – 176 AB
2016: .260/.382/.395 – 33 BB/39 K – 13/13 SB – 200 AB

11 – Kansas JR C Michael Tinsley: great athlete; good speed; could be described as Will Smith with less helium; LHH; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .361/.426/.459 – 7 BB/7 K – 2/3 SB – 61 AB
2015: .337/.407/.459 – 24 BB/19 K – 4/5 SB – 196 AB
2016: .377/.460/.495 – 32 BB/18 K – 9/10 SB – 212 AB

12 – Arizona State JR C Brian Serven: really good defender; plus athleticism and mobility behind plate; really strong arm; average or better raw power; picking one of him, Will Smith, Jake Rogers, or Michael Tinsley comes down to personal prefence as all share many similar traits; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .249/.360/.355 – 20 BB/40 K – 1/2 SB – 169 AB
2015: .294/.351/.448 – 11 BB/31 K – 3/3 SB – 194 AB
2016: .293/.349/.418 – 16 BB/28 K – 1/2 SB – 208 AB

13 – UNC Wilmington rJR C Gavin Stupienski: good hit tool; steady glove; flashes power to gaps; good enough arm; high marks for all the intangibles across the board; LHH; FAVORITE; 6-2, 220 pounds

2014: .257/.364/.343 – 7 BB/10 K – 0/0 SB – 35 AB
2015: .344/.415/.516 – 22 BB/30 K – 2/2 SB – 186 AB
2016: .350/.448/.587 – 38 BB/27 K – 3/5 SB – 223 AB

14 – Mississippi State JR C Jack Kruger: good hit tool; average or better power; steady glove; good arm; Oregon transfer; 6-2, 200 pounds

2016: .350/.435/.562 – 28 BB/29 K – 6/7 SB – 203 AB

15 – Spartanburg Methodist CC C Tyler Lancaster: solid glove; power upside; 6-3, 210 pounds

2016: .376/.467/.608 – 36 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 194 AB

16 – Jackson State JR C Carlos Diaz: good defender; strong arm; intriguing offensive output; Miami transfer; 5-11, 200 pounds

2016: .409/.465/.620 – 15 BB/16 K – 10/12 SB – 171 AB

17 – UMBC JR C Hunter Dolshun: power upside; steady glove; 6-1, 225 pounds

2014: .304/.400/.422 – 20 BB/21 K – 2/2 SB – 135 AB
2015: .293/.391/.377 – 26 BB/38 K – 3/3 SB – 191 AB
2016: .345/.416/.603 – 21 BB/14 K – 1/3 SB – 174 AB

18 – UC Santa Barbara rSO C Dempsey Grover: power upside; strong arm; good defensive tools; 6-1, 200 pounds

2014: .238/.360/.286 – 3 BB/3 K – 21 AB
2016: .284/.393/.403 – 29 BB/29 K – 6/6 SB – 176 AB

19 – Mercer JR C Charlie Madden: power upside; good glove; should benefit from Kyle Lewis scouting spillover; 6-3, 200 pounds

2014: .269/.357/.425 – 16 BB/30 K – 2/3 SB – 134 AB
2015: .272/.359/.485 – 26 BB/49 K – 1/1 SB – 202 AB
2016: .287/.385/.492 – 28 BB/38 K – 1/4 SB – 195 AB

20 – San Jacinto JC C/OF Ryan January: plus bat speed; average hit tool; above-average raw power; average to above-average arm; average glove, still needs work; 6-3, 200 pounds

2016: .339/.450/.655 – 29 BB/59 K – 9/12 SB – 177 AB

21 – Bethune-Cookman JR C Michael Cruz: well-rounded hitter; solid defender; 5-11, 210 pounds

2016: .330/.463/.623 – 35 BB/24 K – 0/2 SB – 191 AB

22 – North Florida SR C Keith Skinner: interesting power upside; love the plate discipline; 6-1, 210 pounds

2015: .325/.395/.429 – 19 BB/19 K – 0/1 SB – 154 AB
2016: .382/.466/.486 – 36 BB/14 K – 2/2 SB – 212 AB

23 – Austin Peay JR C/3B Ridge Smith: good athlete; above-average speed; has also played OF and 1B; 5-10, 190 pounds

2014: .310/.383/.481 – 24 BB/41 K – 11/15 SB – 216 AB
2015: .339/.424/.487 – 26 BB/28 K – 13/21 SB – 189 AB
2016: .273/.388/.536 – 32 BB/45 K – 7/8 SB – 183 AB

24 – LSU JR C Jordan Romero: legit plus arm; good glove; strong; 6-2, 225 pounds

2016: .307/.383/.562 – 16 BB/23 K – 0/1 SB – 137 AB

25 – Ball State JR C Jarett Rindfleisch: strong arm; good glove; 6-1, 215 pounds

2014: .352/.447/.520 – 11 BB/17 K – 0/0 SB – 125 AB
2015: .310/.417/.518 – 29 BB/43 K – 0/2 SB – 197 AB
2016: .307/.446/.503 – 32 BB/40 K – 1/1 SB – 179 AB

26 – North Carolina State JR C/3B Andrew Knizner: good defender, raw (struggles with balls in dirt) but getting there; above-average to plus raw arm strength, but inconsistent accuracy; average to above-average power, some have it plus; quick bat; defense has improved as offense has backed up; 6-1, 200 pounds

2014: .330/.373/.450 – 4 BB/21 K – 0/0 SB – 209 AB
2015: .317/.360/.426 – 12 BB/18 K – 0/0 SB – 230 AB
2016: .296/.360/.395 – 20 BB/35 K – 3/3 SB – 233 AB

27 – Minnesota JR C Austin Athmann: strong arm; steady glove; smart; average power; chance for average hit tool; 6-2, 210 pounds

2014: .277/.344/.337 – 6 BB/10 K – 1/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .286/.317/.337 – 3 BB/13 K – 1/2 SB – 98 AB
2016: .356/.427/.601 – 14 BB/33 K – 0/0 SB – 188 AB

28 – Rhode Island JR C/3B Martin Figueroa: strong hit tool; power upside; can also play OF: 5-11, 200 pounds

2014: .239/.330/.283 – 6 BB/17 K – 1/2 SB – 92 AB
2015: .293/.346/.454 – 11 BB/25 K – 6/7 SB – 174 AB
2016: .335/.390/.542 – 17 BB/21 K – 8/15 SB – 212 AB

29 – Mississippi JR C Henri Lartigue: quick bat; good approach; power upside; plus arm; good glove, but still signs of rawness; good athlete; 6-0, 200 pounds

2015: .225/.289/.348 – 6 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 89 AB
2016: .353/.414/.464 – 20 BB/40 K – 2/3 SB – 207 AB

30 – Northwest Florida State CC C Handsome Monica: big raw power; good approach; strong arm; raw glove; good athlete; Arizona transfer; 6-1, 220 pounds

2016: .348/.418/.684 – 18 BB/23 K – 5/6 SB – 158 AB

31 – Winthrop SR C Roger Gonzalez: plus defender; Miami transfer; 5-9, 190 pounds

2015: .335/.409/.425 – 21 BB/28 K – 1/1 SB – 167 AB
2016: .338/.426/.534 – 31 BB/28 K – 0/2 SB – 204 AB

32 – Furman JR C Cameron Whitehead: plus defender; good athlete; power upside; 5-11, 210 pounds

2014: .229/.360/.313 – 17 BB/18 K – 1/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .258/.314/.444 – 14 BB/40 K – 1/1 SB – 151 AB
2016: .340/.435/.509 – 14 BB/29 K – 0/0 SB – 106 AB

33 – Texas JR C/3B Tres Barrera: strong arm; good defensive tools; average to above-average raw power; slow; also played 2B this year; 6-0, 225 pounds

2014: .261/.337/.402 – 21 BB/41 K – 0/0 SB – 241 AB
2015: .288/.395/.481 – 33 BB/39 K – 0/0 SB – 212 AB
2016: .289/.379/.455 – 28 BB/54 K – 3/5 SB – 211 AB

34 – McLennan CC SO C Cory Voss: good glove; 5-10, 190 pounds

2016: .384/.513/.701 – 42 BB/45 K – 3/4 SB – 177 AB

35 – Lynn SO C John Silviano: plus approach; 6-1, 220 pounds

2016: .405/.528/.950 – 51 BB/40 K – 5/6 SB – 200 AB

36 – Central Arizona C Brent Gibbs: good defender; plus to plus-plus arm; 88-91 FB; Indiana transfer; 6-1, 215 pounds

2016: .396/.497/.590 – 15 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 144 AB

37 – Illinois SR C Jason Goldstein: really good defender; strong arm; good approach; quick bat; really smart catcher, calls own pitches; still like him as rock solid org guy and potential backup, but have cooled some since last year; FAVORITE; 6-0, 210 pounds

2013: .210/.266/.252 – 9 BB/21 K – 3/3 SB – 143 AB
2014: .316/.370/.435 – 16 BB/17 K – 2/3 SB – 193 AB
2015: .286/.369/.476 – 23 BB/22 K – 2/3 SB – 206 AB
2016: .312/.402/.412 – 16 BB/23 K – 2/2 SB – 170 AB

38 – Baylor rJR C Matt Menard: good athlete; power upside; good glove; 6-0, 210 pounds

2014: .219/.297/.295 – 16 BB/34 K – 1/4 SB – 146 AB
2015: .245/.346/.291 – 13 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 110 AB
2016: .309/.376/.500 – 16 BB/30 K – 0/0 SB – 152 AB

39 – Georgia State SR C Joey Roach: good glove; 5-11, 200 pounds

2013: .287/.366/.487 – 12 BB/20 K – 2/4 SB – 115 AB
2014: .301/.379/.432 – 13 BB/27 K – 1/1 SB – 146 AB
2015: .302/.381/.473 – 20 BB/25 K – 1/1 SB – 205 AB
2016: .325/.426/.598 – 21 BB/21 K – 3/4 SB – 169 AB

40 – Penn JR C Tim Graul: took over for Austin Bossart and hit from beginning of season to end; 6-0, 200 pounds

2015: .245/.328/.429 – 3 BB/13 K – 1/2 SB – 49 AB
2016: .364/.443/.642 – 20 BB/24 K – 2/4 SB – 162 AB

41 – Morehead State JR C Jimmy Wright: power upside; strong; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .229/.363/.373 – 13 BB/23 K – 0/1 SB – 83 AB
2015: .250/.396/.393 – 11 BB/35 K – 0/0 SB – 84 AB
2016: .254/.418/.522 – 15 BB/22 K – 1/2 SB – 67 AB

42 – Southeast Missouri State SR C/1B Garrett Gandolfo: consistently impressive with the bat in his hands; 6-1, 200 pounds

2015: .303/.427/.528 – 40 BB/41 K – 1/2 SB – 178 AB
2016: .359/.465/.589 – 41 BB/28 K – 4/5 SB – 209 AB

43 – Seattle JR C/1B Mike McCann: power upside; torn thumb ligament in April 2016; 6-2, 200 pounds

2014: .232/.346/.290 – 24 BB/33 K – 0/2 SB – 155 AB
2016: .319/.491/.445 – 37 BB/19 K – 1/2 SB – 119 AB

44 – Michigan JR C Harrison Wenson: power upside; strong arm; good athlete; improved glove; 6-3, 220 pounds

2014: .222/.308/.378 – 2 BB/15 K – 0/0 SB – 45 AB
2016: .289/.345/.491 – 19 BB/55 K – 3/3 SB – 218 AB

45 – Pepperdine JR C Aaron Barnett: good defender; average at best arm; good hit tool; FAVORITE; 6-0, 185 pounds

2014: .359/.381/.390 – 10 BB/12 K – 1/2 SB – 223 AB
2015: .303/.357/.360 – 17 BB/12 K – 0/1 SB – 228 AB
2016: .292/.345/.403 – 16 BB/15 K – 0/1 SB – 216 AB

46 – Santa Clara JR C Steve Berman: strong arm; 6-2, 225 pounds

2014: .322/.443/.459 – 30 BB/21 K – 4/7 SB – 183 AB
2015: .336/.417/.493 – 18 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 146 AB
2016: .297/.432/.466 – 26 BB/26 K – 0/2 SB – 148 AB

47 – Texas A&M SR C Michael Barash: really good glove; average at best arm; LSU transfer; 6-1, 200 pounds

2015: .238/.316/.292 – 16 BB/20 K – 1/3 SB – 168 AB
2016: .328/.397/.436 – 18 BB/20 K – 1/2 SB – 204 AB

48 – Chipola JC C Mike Hickman: strong; quick bat; LHH; 6-1, 200 pounds

2016: .345/.442/.610 – 17 BB/38 K – 1/2 SB – 177 AB

49 – Auburn JR C Blake Logan: really good defender; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .256/.343/.326 – 10 BB/15 K – 0/0 SB – 86 AB
2015: .261/.329/.378 – 15 BB/25 K – 3/6 SB – 180 AB
2016: .274/.357/.395 – 21 BB/32 K – 0/1 SB – 190 AB

50 – Tennessee SO C Benito Santiago: above-average arm; strong; bloodlines and upside; 5-11, 175 pounds

2015: .132/.205/.145 – 5 BB/29 K – 5/5 SB – 76 AB
2016: .309/.362/.420 – 14 BB/58 K – 5/8 SB – 181 AB

51 – Oklahoma JR C Renae Martinez: above-average arm; above-average glove; UC Irvine transfer; 6-1, 185 pounds

2016: .246/.380/.415 – 12 BB/12 K – 0/0 SB – 65 AB

52 – Texas Rio Grande Valley JR C/OF Jose Garcia: good athlete; average speed; 6-0, 200 pounds

2016: .369/.447/.477 – 18 BB/14 K – 16/19 SB – 176 AB

53 – Maryland JR C/1B Nick Cieri: great approach; plus power upside; average at best glove; below-average arm, but improving; below-average speed; strong; bat backing up + defensive question marks = major dip in draft stock; 6-3, 240 pounds

2014: .248/.329/.308 – 15 BB/16 K – 2/2 SB – 133 AB
2015: .299/.373/.401 – 11 BB/18 K – 2/3 SB – 137 AB
2016: .249/.375/.362 – 32 BB/25 K – 0/1 SB – 177 AB

54 – Northwestern State rJR C Daniel Garner: plus raw power; strong arm; Mississippi State transfer; 6-1, 235 pounds

2016: .308/.380/.481 – 23 BB/53 K – 0/1 SB – 208 AB

55 – Coastal Carolina JR C/1B GK Young: power upside; strong arm; way too aggressive; go back and forth on his defense, but if pressed I’d admit he’s probably not a pro catcher; 6-1, 230 pounds

2014: .237/.333/.382 – 18 BB/38 K – 0/1 SB – 173 AB
2015: .301/.368/.476 – 19 BB/50 K – 0/0 SB – 229 AB
2016: .339/.393/.569 – 19 BB/54 K – 1/2 SB – 239 AB

56 – Wake Forest JR C Ben Breazeale: good glove; good approach; strong; big draft year breakout didn’t exactly come, so still more there; 6-0, 210 pounds

2015: .274/.378/.400 – 14 BB/25 K – 1/1 SB – 95 AB
2016: .246/.388/.335 – 41 BB/39 K – 1/1 SB – 179 AB

57 – Belmont JR C/OF Clay Payne: strong arm; quick bat; strong; RHH; 6-3, 210 pounds

2016: .291/.364/.552 – 22 BB/51 K – 2/3 SB – 203 AB

58 – Kennesaw State SR C Brennan Morgan: interesting power/patience blend; 6-4, 235 pounds

2014: .281/.357/.386 – 20 BB/34 K – 2/3 SB – 210 AB
2015: .276/.383/.400 – 29 BB/31 K – 5/6 SB – 185 AB
2016: .319/.443/.514 – 33 BB/22 K – 0/2 SB – 144 AB

59 – Southern rSR C Jose DeLa Torre: all he’s done is hit; 6-1, 220 pounds

2014: .330/.383/.539 – 11 BB/20 K – 0/0 SB – 115 AB
2016: .339/.476/.522 – 26 BB/23 K – 10/11 SB – 115 AB

60 – Xavier SR C Dan Rizzie: quick bat; plus defender; high marks for intangibles; 6-2, 200 pounds

2014: .307/.395/.459 – 28 BB/37 K – 9/12 SB – 218 AB
2015: .275/.373/.275 – 6 BB/10 K – 2/2 SB – 51 AB
2016: .312/.373/.472 – 21 BB/25 K – 7/8 SB – 231 AB

61 – Ohio State JR C Jalen Washington: plus athlete; FAVORITE; 6-1, 200 pounds

2015: .280/.367/.280 – 4 BB/1 K – 4/5 SB – 25 AB
2016: .249/.352/.343 – 26 BB/49 K – 14/19 SB – 213 AB

62 – Navy JR C Adrian Chinnery: really good glove; 6-0, 180 pounds

2015: .314/.393/.401 – 22 BB/36 K – 0/0 SB – 172 AB
2016: .307/.412/.407 – 17 BB/7 K – 0/0 SB – 140 AB

63 – Florida A&M JR C Jacky Miles: strong arm; power upside; RHH; 6-0, 200 pounds

2016: .328/.420/.477 – 21 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 174 AB

64 – Bryant SR C/OF Buck McCarthy: steady glove; power upside; strong; 5-10, 200 pounds

2014: .340/.438/.525 – 20 BB/29 K – 2/2 SB – 141 AB
2015: .303/.406/.507 – 26 BB/34 K – 0/3 SB – 142 AB
2016: .281/.371/.495 – 27 BB/30 K – 1/3 SB – 196 AB

65 – North Carolina Central JR C Conrad Kovalcik: good athlete; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .324/.378/.353 – 3 BB/11 K – 0/0 SB – 34 AB
2015: .260/.381/.394 – 18 BB/25 K – 4/5 SB – 104 AB
2016: .243/.367/.486 – 32 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 177 AB

66 – St. Mary’s JR C Nate Nolan: plus raw power; strong arm; very concerned about his swing-and-miss; PG comp: Chris Iannetta; 6-1, 210 pounds

2014: .238/.300/.436 – 9 BB/37 K – 1/3 SB – 101 AB
2015: .291/.367/.430 – 10 BB/39 K – 0/0 SB – 86 AB
2016: .264/.364/.481 – 28 BB/81 K – 1/1 SB – 212 AB

67 – Arizona State SR C RJ Ybarra: plus arm strength; above-average to plus power; slow; good approach; raw defensively; 6-0, 230 pounds

2013: .304/.361/.491 – 5 BB/27 K – 0/0 SB – 112 AB
2014: .273/.342/.394 – 19 BB/45 K – 1/1 SB – 198 AB
2015: .289/.382/.493 – 23 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 142 AB
2016: .245/.362/.306 – 8 BB/11 K – 0/0 SB – 49 AB

68 – Vanderbilt JR C Jason Delay: good defender; average arm; better player than he’s shown, but lack of development with the bat keeps me away; 6-0, 190 pounds

2014: .246/.374/.325 – 17 BB/32 K – 1/1 SB – 114 AB
2015: .283/.373/.394 – 10 BB/20 K – 0/0 SB – 99 AB
2016: .248/.296/.336 – 7 BB/35 K – 1/5 SB – 149 AB

69 – South Alabama rSO C/OF Jared Barnes: plus arm; power upside; 5-11, 200 pounds

2015: .240/.313/.292 – 16 BB/19 K – 4/5 SB – 171 AB
2016: .299/.394/.478 – 27 BB/37 K – 1/2 SB – 184 AB

70 – East Carolina rJR C Travis Watkins: good glove; power upside; 6-0, 200 pounds

2015: .292/.343/.358 – 18 BB/31 K – 6/8 SB – 212 AB
2016: .322/.402/.430 – 25 BB/38 K – 3/5 SB – 214 AB

71 – Southern Mississippi JR C Chuckie Robinson: power upside; strong; can be too aggressive at plate; solid glove; above-average arm; 6-0, 230 pounds

2015: .203/.273/.354 – 8 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 79 AB
2016: .299/.360/.448 – 18 BB/31 K – 0/1 SB – 201 AB

72 – Southeastern Louisiana rSR C Sam Roberson: missed 2015 due to injury; solid skill set across the board5-11, 190 pounds

2013: .209/.283/.264 – 20 BB/30 K – 7/11 SB – 201 AB
2014: .296/.380/.423 – 20 BB/28 K – 8/11 SB – 189 AB
2016: .303/.435/.455 – 15 BB/23 K – 0/4 SB – 99 AB

73 – Cypress CC C Nate Rodriguez: plus glove; above-average arm; 5-11, 210 pounds

2016: .311/.395/.402 – 24 BB/11 K – 5/5 SB – 164 AB

74 – College of Charleston rJR C/1B Jake Maziar: power upside; Wake Forest transfer; 6-2, 220 pounds

2016: .297/.426/.405 – 19 BB/23 K – 1/1 SB – 111 AB

75 – Bethune-Cookman rJR C Clay Middleton: good glove; good approach; 6-0, 200 pounds

2016: .361/.471/.445 – 29 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 155 AB

76 – St. John’s JR C Troy Dixon: good glove; strong arm; one of the better pop times I’ve ever personally recorded; long way to go, but could throw his way to the big leagues as a backup; 6-2, 200 pounds

2014: .284/.409/.330 – 14 BB/14 K – 0/1 SB – 109 AB
2015: .254/.324/.344 – 7 BB/12 K – 0/0 SB – 122 AB
2016: .253/.338/.339 – 18 BB/17 K – 3/3 SB – 174 AB

77 – Georgia Tech JR C Arden Pabst: power upside; has yet to put it all together; 6-1, 210 pounds

2014: .217/.321/.283 – 13 BB/26 K – 1/1 SB – 120 AB
2015: .235/.355/.339 – 21 BB/32 K – 2/2 SB – 115 AB
2016: .248/.305/.372 – 10 BB/33 K – 1/3 SB – 137 AB

78 – Duke JR C Cristian Perez: good defensive tools; power upside; strong; good athlete; quick bat; too aggressive for his own good; 6-3, 215 pounds

2014: .189/.295/.378 – 6 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 37 AB
2015: .241/.325/.365 – 19 BB/48 K – 0/0 SB – 170 AB
2016: .234/.305/.400 – 16 BB/44 K – 1/1 SB – 175 AB

79 – Texas Tech rJR C Kholton Sanchez (2015): plus to plus-plus speed; above-average arm; no power; raw defender; could be tried at 2B or CF; tools intrigue the heck out of me, but can’t get on the field to show them off; 6-2, 180 pounds

80 – Boston College JR C Nick Sciortino: good glove; average or better arm; experience (and exposure) that comes with catching big-time arms should help; 5-9, 200 pounds

2015: .235/.304/.301 – 14 BB/36 K – 4/5 SB – 153 AB
2016: .277/.377/.361 – 19 BB/33 K – 1/3 SB – 155 AB

81 – Virginia SR C Robbie Coman: good glove; missed majority of season due to injury, but might have done enough previously to get a late look; 6-1, 200 pounds

2014: .283/.377/.368 – 13 BB/9 K – 106 AB
2015: .289/.360/.333 – 21 BB/21 K – 2/7 SB – 201 AB
2016: .200/.333/.200 – 2 BB/4 K – 0/0 SB – 15 AB)

82 – Florida State JR C/OF Gage West: as yet untapped power upside; good approach; typical Florida State catching prospect; 6-1, 200 pounds

2014: .161/.216/.452 – 3 BB/9 K – 0/0 SB – 31 AB
2015: .231/.351/.354 – 5 BB/16 K – 0/0 SB – 65 AB
2016: .293/.404/.387 – 14 BB/19 K – 1/2 SB – 75 AB

83 – North Carolina State SR C Chance Shepard: power upside; way too aggressive; 6-1, 230 pounds

2014: .234/.379/.394 – 22 BB/34 K – 1/3 SB – 94 AB
2015: .214/.342/.449 – 20 BB/36 K – 1/1 SB – 98 AB
2016: .276/.377/.557 – 34 BB/82 K – 3/3 SB – 210 AB

84 – Alabama JR C Will Haynie: plus raw power; plus arm; good defender; has the size/arm/power trio to get drafted much higher than this, but the approach scares me off; old Ben Davis comp; 6-5, 230 pounds

2014: .177/.231/.274 – 7 BB/51 K – 0/0 SB – 113 AB
2015: .195/.299/.391 – 21 BB/80 K – 1/2 SB – 169 AB
2016: .225/.291/.423 – 12 BB/55 K – 0/0 SB – 182 AB

85 – BYU JR C Bronson Larsen: some power upside worth exploring; 5-11, 200 pounds

2015: .288/.367/.432 – 12 BB/30 K – 2/2 SB – 132 AB
2016: .301/.405/.514 – 30 BB/32 K – 0/1 SB – 173 AB

86 – Pittsburgh SR C Alex Kowalczyk: strong arm; 6-2, 220 pounds

2015: .263/.335/.369 – 16 BB/28 K – 2/3 SB – 179 AB
2016: .315/.409/.569 – 20 BB/30 K – 3/4 SB – 181 AB

87 – Evansville SR C/2B Brett Synek: smart hitter; versatile defender; 5-9, 185 pounds

2015: .288/.418/.423 – 10 BB/3 K – 0/0 SB – 52 AB
2016: .341/.439/.514 – 31 BB/22 K – 3/4 SB – 214 AB

88 – Loyola Marymount JR C Cassidy Brown: power upside; plus arm; 6-3, 215 pounds

2014: .200/.261/.237 – 7 BB/15 K – 1/2 SB – 80 AB
2015: .138/.250/.138 – 11 BB/29 K – 4/5 SB – 130 AB
2016: .325/.394/.502 – 18 BB/44 K – 4/6 SB – 209 AB

89 – Francis Marion C JD Crowe: quick bat; really good approach; power upside; steady glove; strong arm; good athlete; could play OF; Auburn transfer; 5-11, 210 pounds

2016: .347/.439/.539 – 33 BB/27 K – 11/11 SB – 193 AB

90 – UCLA rJR C Darrell Miller: missed the 2016 season with a bum labrum; strong arm; raw defender, but has gotten pretty good; Bruins missed him in a major way this past year; 6-2, 220 pounds

2015: .257/.324/.351 – 16 BB/26 K – 0/0 SB – 191 AB

91 – Tampa C/1B Adrian Chacon: above-average arm; quick bat; power upside; 6-0, 200 pounds

2014: .233/.313/.337 – 7 BB/20 K – 0/2 SB – 86 AB
2015: .295/.389/.328 – 9 BB/16 K – 2/2 SB – 61 AB
2016: .301/.419/.442 – 28 BB/31 K – 1/2 SB – 163 AB

92 – Vanderbilt JR C Karl Ellison: really good defender; 6-0, 190 pounds

2014: .192/.352/.219 – 13 BB/18 K – 0/2 SB – 73 AB
2015: .215/.291/.282 – 14 BB/39 K – 1/1 SB – 149 AB
2016: .213/.270/.388 – 6 BB/14 K – 0/0 SB – 80 AB

93 – Arkansas SR C Tucker Pennell: good glove; 6-2, 200 pounds

2015: .200/.271/.232 – 7 BB/22 K – 0/0 SB – 95 AB
2016: .265/.338/.382 – 12 BB/28 K – 2/3 SB – 136 AB

94 – Portland JR C Cooper Hummel: solid approach; decent wheels; 5-10, 180 pounds

2016: .320/.422/.490 – 34 BB/41 K – 7/10 SB – 194 AB

95 – Nevada rSR C Justin Hazard: UCLA transfer; 6-2, 190 pounds

2016: .339/.378/.476 – 13 BB/25 K – 2/3 SB – 189 AB

96 – UC Davis SR C Cameron Olson: plus raw power; plus arm; defense improving; 6-1, 200 pounds

2013: .286/.365/.381 – 5 BB/24 K – 0/0 SB – 84 AB
2015: .208/.323/.453 – 6 BB/18 K – 1/1 SB – 53 AB
2016: .273/.365/.503 – 15 BB/38 K – 6/8 SB – 143 AB

97 – Western Illinois JR C Adam McGinnis: good approach; power upside; quick bat; good arm; defense still developing; could also be tried at 3B or OF; average speed; 5-11, 220 pounds

2014: .281/.338/.348 – 7 BB/10 K – 4/7 SB – 135 AB
2015: .243/.332/.341 – 12 BB/21 K – 11/12 SB – 173 AB
2016: .262/.353/.362 – 17 BB/21 K – 1/4 SB – 149 AB

98 – Western Carolina SR C Danny Bermudez: good glove; 5-11, 215 pounds

2014: .305/.443/.381 – 16 BB/28 K – 3/5 SB – 105 AB
2015: .317/.417/.516 – 19 BB/50 K – 3/3 SB – 186 AB
2016: .295/.410/.429 – 33 BB/43 K – 5/7 SB – 217 AB

99 – Oral Roberts rJR C/1B Brent Williams: intriguing bat; average glove; accurate arm; slow; good approach; RHH; FAVORITE; 6-3, 180 pounds

2016: .310/.344/.478 – 13 BB/33 K – 0/0 SB – 203 AB

100 – South Florida SR C/3B Levi Borders: all about those bloodlines; 6-2, 200 pounds

2013: .232/.301/.312 – 10 BB/41 K – 1/3 SB – 138 AB
2014: .243/.341/.317 – 17 BB/41 K – 1/1 SB – 189 AB
2015: .291/.376/.487 – 18 BB/66 K – 4/4 SB – 230 AB
2016: .241/.357/.448 – 6 BB/21 K – 0/0 SB – 58 AB

 

Advertisement

6 Comments

  1. Justin says:

    Thank you for all the in-depth analysis you do to help fans have such a comprehensive idea of if and when certain players will be selected in the draft. I noticed Rutgers C RJ Devish wasn’t on this list. In 52 starts this season, Devish hit .375/.524/.435 this season and was 24-27 stealing bases. He also threw out 10-of-29 base-stealers. I know his build (6’0″, 175) and skill set (high on-base percentage and very good speed) doesn’t exactly scream prototypical catcher, but do these numbers put him on any draft boards?

    • Rob Ozga says:

      Excellent question. The few I’ve spoken to about Devish — him being semi-local to me at Rutgers helped in the way of getting some information — all seemed to think his skill set was plenty intriguing, but his body made it unlikely he’d hold up to the rigors of catching everyday as a professional. I’m on the fence on that as I love athletic catchers like Devish, but can obviously see their point as well…I’m not sure how many, if any, catchers could play at that weight regularly. Obviously he’d put on some good weight as a pro, but it seems that 200 pounds is at/near the barrier of entry for pro catchers that I’ve seen. I’m not ruling it out, but instead I’ll defer to what I’ve been told about Devish being a potential draftable player…at third base. That intrigues me. Between his athleticism, arm strength, and middle infield background, he could be really good there. It’s only two sources, but that’s where both had him listed on their cards.

      So, long story short, I have Devish ranked and ready to roll with the third base prospects this year. Of course, now that I think about this a little bit more, I’m realizing that I liked Nick Dini — all 5-8, 180 pounds of him — in last year’s draft. So, really, I don’t know what to think! I’ll have him with the 3B, but with a note that the door is far from closed on him continuing to catch as a pro.

      Really good question. Anytime I can kill a few minutes on a Wednesday afternoon talking Rutgers baseball is cool by me.

      • Justin says:

        I see you have Devish at #29 on your third base rankings. Do you think that pretty much makes him a lock to get drafted?

        Knowing that you’re semi-local, do you think there are any other RU players with a shot at the draft? I know lefty Howie Brey had a tremendous career, but I’ve always heard his fastball sat in the mid-80s. Regardless, would a hard-nosed lefty with his pitch-ability be on anybody’s radar despite lacking that big-time fastball?

        Thanks again; it really is amazing how comprehensive and well put together the draft coverage is.

  2. Are those catchers ranked in order of how you expect them to be drafted?

    • Rob Ozga says:

      Good question and something I should have clarified in the actual post. These rankings are only a reflection on what I think about the players as future pros. In other words, if the clock was winding down on a pick and I was asked which catcher I’d recommend to be selected, this is the order I’d use. No projections here. I’m nowhere near plugged in enough to try to do that.

  3. Victor Francis says:

    Do you have any additional comments about Danny Bermudez? Thanks

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

%d bloggers like this: