Mack's Mock Pick - # 35 - C - Hunter Goodman

 

Hunter Goodman

 

C          Memphis

 

 Mack's spin - 

Boy, do I like drafting catchers early in a draft.

I wouldn't have him this high if he played another position, but the draft is running out of top catchers and that alone warrants an early pick for Goodman.

He checks all the boxes both defensively and offensively; however, he needs to work on his K/9 numbers.

 

2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -

 

48. Hunter Goodman, C/OF, Memphis

 

The Yankees used the 28th pick last year on catcher-slash Austin Wells based on his offensive potential. Goodman is similar to Wells in some ways. He too is a "catcher-slash," an elegant way of nodding at the likelihood that he won't stick behind the plate. He also has the chance to develop into an above-average hitter; it's just not as cut-and-dried as it was with Wells. Goodman has more pop than Wells does, but it comes with less feel for hit and for the zone. Goodman's career strikeout rate is over 23 percent, and his 6.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio is significantly worse than Wells' 1.2. Of course Goodman doesn't have to match or exceed Wells to have a meaningful big-league career; there is a lot of crater risk with his profile though.

 

 1-20-21 - D1 Baseball's top 100 College Prospects -

 

43 Hunter Goodman C H Memphis American

 

 1-14-21 - BA -

 

Hunter Goodman

 

Memphis C/OF

 

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

 

A 6-foot-1, 210-pound catcher and outfielder, Goodman was a freshman All-American in 2019 after hitting .326/.367/.573 in 55 games with Memphis, with 13 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Goodman led the team in most offensive categories and also brings value with his defensive versatility. He primarily played the outfield corners as a freshman, but also caught 11 games before transitioning to a mostly catcher role in his sophomore season. Goodman was off to another strong year with the bat, hitting eight home runs through the first 17 games and is a career .333/.378/.612 hitter with Memphis. His raw power and arm strength are his loudest tools, and it’s easy plus raw power that might be a tick better to the pull side, with an arm behind the plate that some scouts have put a 70 grade on. Goodman’s power comes with some strikeout issues (21.3% strikeout rate) and he doesn’t walk much (4.2% walk rate), so he’ll need to improve his plate discipline in 2021 and also prove he can stick behind the dish long term, where his power could profile exceptionally. He has the arm strength, but scouts would like to see improvement in his blocking, receiving and game management. If he does prove he can stick at catcher, it’ll be hard for him to not fly off the board considering his collegiate track record of power hitting.

 

 12-30-20 - BA: Top 25 Offensive Performances of 2020 -

 

3. Memphis’ Hunter Goodman vs. Western Illinois - March 1

 

4-6, 2 2B, HR, 11 RBI, 2 R

 

Like Gonzales, Goodman was the clear focal point of the Memphis offense, and yet, he managed to rake. Of his 31 RBI on the season, 11 came in this game and a total of 22 came in this three-game series against Western Illinois.

 

 12-10-20  -  PG -

 

Hunter Goodman, C, Memphis

 

Goodman had a monster 2020 campaign that saw him launch eight home runs in only 70 at-bats, giving a glimpse into the massive raw power he possesses. Albeit in a short sample, Goodman also doubled his walk rate from his freshman campaign last spring, though he’ll have to show evaluators he’s improved his defensive ability to really rise on boards.

 

 12-3-20  -  Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft  -

 

26. Minnesota Twins | Levi Usher, OF, University of Louisville | (2/55) Hunter Goodman, C, University of Memphis

 

Minnesota takes Levi Usher with their first pick, hoping to see his college success transfer to the pros. Usher projects as a solid corner outfielder with a big arm and loud hit and power tools. The Twins were excited to see Hunter Goodman still on the board when it came time for their second-round pick. Goodman has really impressed scouts during his time at Memphis and in the Cape Cod League. He has spent time at LF, RF, C, and 1B over the past two years, and shows a physical frame with obvious strength and plenty of juice in the bat. -Cade Schares

 

Cervino’s Take: Levi Usher offers a unique profile for a college bat given his lack of track record and enormity of the tools but his upside is immense. Hunter Goodman is more of a traditional Twins pick given the bat-first profile and massive power as he’s one of the best small school prospects on the board this year. Both hitters have potential for very big springs and could boost their stock as the spring plays out.

 

 

11-16-21  -  PBJ -

 

Hunter Goodman was an under-the-radar prospect as a senior at Arlington High School in Tennessee in 2018.

 

He was lightly recruited and met with “two or three MLB teams” in preparation for the 2018 MLB draft. Goodman knew his best option after high school was to attend the University of Memphis due to its proximity to his hometown and the opportunity to contribute immediately as a freshman.

 

Goodman has excelled in his first two years at Memphis, developing into one of college baseball’s top players. He earned freshman All-American honors after posting eye-popping numbers in 2019. He was off to a scorching start as a sophomore last spring until the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown the college baseball season prematurely.

 

His impressive offensive numbers have caused professional scouts to take notice. Pro scouts project the Memphis catcher as a potential first-round pick in July’s draft. Shortstop Dave Anderson, who the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted in 1981, is the only Memphis first-round pick in program history.

 

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