(previos position} thru: 12-31
A bunch of new stuff has come in… interviews, mock drafts, scouting reports, film, etc. Major changes will begin with this post for this position.
1. Kevin Parada (1)
C 6-0 200 Georgia Tech
2021 GT stat line -
52-G, 220-AB, team leading .318, 9-HR, 42- RBI, 41-K
Above average raw power.
++ Defense.
+ arm with better athleticism than you’ll find in most guys his size.
May call his own game in 2022.
Needs work on framing.
Mental game best in baseball.
Extremely athletic.
Also could play 1B and corner outfield
Currently projects as a top 5 pick
2. Daniel Susac (2)
C 6-4 205 Arizona
2021 Arizona stat line - 61-G, 242- AB, .335/.392/.591, 12-HR, 65-RBI, 47-K
He will make his money with the bat.
Potential plus hitter with plus power.
A big, tall, switch-hitting catcher.
Advanced in all aspects of game.
Above average power to all sides of the field.
Excellent defensive game.
Above average arm.
Easily projects as a top 10 pick.
3. Logan Tanner (3)
C 6-2 195 Mississippi State
2021 HallState stat line:
67-G, 244-AB, .287, 15-HR, 53-RBI
Above average bat - 111 mph exit speed.
20% of at-bats found barrels.
Flashing power last season.
Well-rounded defensive tools.
A talented two-way backstop.
Big arm - projected to stick behind the plate.
Very few weaknesses.
4. Hayden Dunhurst (4)
5-11 208 Ole Miss
2021 Ole Miss stat line -
65-G, 232-AB, 44-K, 32-BB, .280, 7-HR
Elite arm strength - 80 grade - may have the best throwing arm of any draft- eligible catcher in recent memory.
Clocked at 90mph by area scouts.
Significant raw power.
Average hitting skills.
Projects at least a fringe-average hitter with average power, maybe more.
Should stick behind the plate in the pros.
5. Malcolm Moore (10)
5-1 200 McClatchy HS (CA)
.412-2-7, 1.441 OPS
Significant riser in 2021.
Some untapped power.
Plenty of power, with a smooth and condensed load.
Named 'Most Outstanding Player' at Area Codes this August.
Some consider him a top 5 prep catcher in draft.
No glaring weaknesses behind the plate.
Could be tough sign (Stanford commit).
6. Brady Neal (5)
5-10 180 IMG Academy (FL)
Solid average run times.
Well balanced swing.
Compact, strong catcher with burgeoning pop coming.
A hit over power profile.
Best attribute might be the hit tool.
Projected to stick at catcher.
Can play the rest of the infield, so he may end up at third base or second base.
Can play center field and infield.
@JoeDoyleMiLB -
“Industry far too low on Brady Neal”
7. Ike Irish (new)
6-2 200 Orchard Lake St. Marys
Key Stats:
84 games, .358-3-46, 1.055 OPS
Big, athletic, imposing catcher with serious tools.
Arm is among the best in the class.
Can stick behind the plate long-term.
Has a quick, compact stroke with a bat.
Projected juice.
8. Ross Highfill (9)
6-0 205 Madison Central
Powerful righthanded bat.
Above average raw power.
Projects to be a plus power bat.
Really explosive with lightning quick hands.
Good defender behind the plate.
Strong arm.
Athletic enough to play in the outfield.
9. Adonys Guzman (new)
5-11 190 Brunswick HS (NY)
Travel Team: MLB Breakthrough Series 2022 -
6-for-15 (.400), HR, double.
One of the better catch and throw catchers in a class.
Plus arm, natural instincts behind the plate.
WWBA 2021 World Championships star in 2021.
Needs to cut down on his swing and misses.
Boston College commit.
10. Jimmy Crooks (new)
6-1 190 Oklahoma
2021 Oklahoma stat line:
53-G, 223-AB, .287/.385/.502, 10-HR
Summer at Wareham -
115-PA, .260/.330/.346, 2-HR
Played for McLennan College before transferring.
Can hit, and limits strikeouts.
Walked 13% of his at-bats.
Puts the ball in play with authority.
113 mph peak exit velocity in 2021.
Average defender.
Above average throwing arm (1.95-2.00 pop times).
11. Nate Larue (new)
6-3 200 Auburn
2021 Auburn stats -
16-G, 32-AB, .219, 2-HR
Only 39-PA in 2021- needs work.
Advanced, explosive actions behind the plate.
Monster arm behind the plate
Impressive pop times.
Good hit tool with burgeoning power at the plate.
Work is needed on contact and strikeout rates 22%).
12. Jared Jones (7)
6-4 230 Buford HS (GA)
183 games, .416-15-176, 1.238 OPS
Immense raw power.
Hits in the low-.400s every year, hits for power, and takes his walks.
Huge arm behind the plate.
Big body and some stiffness likely forces him to 1B or a corner as a pro.
Bat has enough power to play anywhere.
13. Luke Heyman (new)
6-3 210 Lake Brantley
Key Stats:
110 games, .361-2-78, 1.004 OPS
One of the better catchers in the 2022 class.
One of the best arms of any catcher in the class
Big significant power potential.
Also throws a 93 fastball.
I like the top four, after that I see later round picks except for Jones at #12. I would put him further up based on his ability to hit which always has a place in baseball, plus I don’t like to sell anyone short. I would draft that young man at Round 2 or 3 and let him prove everyone wrong. If we miss, it’s worth the effort for a shot at a premier catching prospect and it’s better than missing at an infielder or outfielder anyway. But, if we hit…. PIAZZA!
ReplyDeleteGus
ReplyDeleteParada and Susac will go in the first 10 picks.
I know we don't want to pick away from the "best player available" plan... but with the lack of depth both in the outfield and on the mound, and with the anticipation that Alvarez will become our starting catcher latest 2024, do we really want to draft a catcher in the first round?
Ike Irish? There's a Hollywood script name for ya! Go Irish!
ReplyDeleteMack, I understand your point but I see things differently. Unless an outfielder is Drew Jones or a special talent, I can’t pass up another special talent. To me Parada sounds like a special talent and hard to pass on just to draft “an outfielder”. Otherwise, I’m not a best player on the board guy but rather a “grades” guy that will establish a drafting order of talent, including groups of similarly graded players of whom I will go by need first. However, if a highly graded player is available at a certain pick but not necessarily on my need list, I will forego the need to take the grade.
ReplyDeleteToo, I don’t agree that we are truly so empty in the outfield. I see Mauricio as an outfielder. I see Palmer as an outfielder. Baty may be or may stick at third, but Lee and Ramirez are outfielders. Plus, I think Mangum may really jump into the picture if he continues his growth from 2021. That’s six names in our top 20. I won’t count Plummer yet and I’m waiting on Rincon. That’s now seven or eight in just the top 20. I think we don’t need to focus on drafting an outfielder unless a specific one falls to us, or in an opportunity too good to pass up.