12. Miami Marlins: Chris Betts, C/1B, Wilson High School, California - It’s safe to say that the Kyle Skipworth experiment was a colossal failure, and while JT Realmuto may be the future of the position, the jury is still out after an 11 game sample in which he struck out 8 times in 29 at-bats. There may be a stigma around high school catchers, that is, you don’t see many of them playing Major League Baseball as catchers, see the recent position changes for 2012 picks Stryker Trahan and Clint Coulter. Betts, whose high school does have a reputation for producing top talent (Hall of Famer Bob Lemon, former first overall pick Jeff Burroughs and his son Sean, as well as 2008 Twins first rounder Aaron Hicks come to mind,) while still a bit of a project, does have the projectability to remain behind the plate, with the option to move to first base if it gets crowded. Betts can hit, however, a plus for any catching prospect, and that will help him advance through the system. http://minorleaguemadhouse.com/2014/10/18/early-2015-mlb-mock-draft-part-1/
9-30-14 - 9-30-14 – Through The Fence - 20. Cleveland Indians — Chris Betts, C, Long Beach Wilson HS (CA) - Betts showed off his big power potential at Wrigley Field in the Under Armour AA Game, belting out home runs with ease in the derby while also ripping a laser double to dead center in the game. The left-handed hitting catcher has excellent bat speed and shows an advanced feel at the plate. His offense is ahead of his defense right now, but he does have a plus arm and has the athleticism to stay behind the plate. His showed all summer that he is one of the better bats in the 2015 MLB draft and he is a first round talent on his offensive potential alone. Committed to Tennessee.
9-11-14 – Fangraphs Top 50 Players in Draft - 15. Chris Betts, C, Wilson HS (CA), Tennessee commit: The 6’2/220 Betts drew Brian McCann comparisons this summer for above average raw power and hitting tools to go with a huge plus arm and enough defensive ability for a chance to stick behind the plate. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-top-51/
8-22-14 -
CBA Marucci C Chris Betts continues to hit balls hard at every event. Dropped bat head on CB for 2B to RF that was 1 of hardest hits today
8-12-14 - TTF Baseball
Chris Betts, C, Long Beach Wilson HS (CA)
A left-handed hitting catcher, Betts uses his excellent bat speed and advanced approach at the plate to spray the ball to all fields. At 6’-1’ and 200 pounds, more power should come as he matures and his offensive potential is ahead of his defense right now. He does have a strong enough arm and the athleticism to stick behind the plate, however, and that would only increase his draft stock. He has stood out for his hitting abilities at many of the top summer events/tournaments. Over 30 games, he hit .333/.426/.556 with three doubles, four home runs and 12 walks to 10 strikeouts. Committed to Tennessee.
http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-armour-aa-game-preview-part-1/43804#O6zgsDyBeLLBfCWU.99
6-4-14 - Right now, the top catcher projected for the 2015 draft is Wilson (CA) High School's Chris Betts.
6-1 lefty, 200 pounds. Excellent bat speed and considered a gap hitter.
Through 30 games as a senior: - .333/.426/.556
Needs work defensively
6-5 - Maxi Prep ranked Betts as the 9th best 2015 high school sophomore
Guy looks promising. Wonder if we slotted 12th and not 15th if we'd have given up our prospect to sign Cuddyer. I'm a "what if" guy.
ReplyDeleteI committed the site early on to target 25 guys that could be the Mets first pick.
ReplyDeleteProbably now it's all a waste of time, but I'll continue the process.
Sure, Mack, I think it is still interesting to readers to see who would I pick if I were a GM. Fun to assume the GM's seat, so to speak.
ReplyDelete