Mack - Mock Draft v.3.0 - Pick 1.6 - C Kevin Parada

 

Kevin Parada 

C     6-0      200    Georgia Tech 

2021 GT stat line - 52-G, 220-AB, team leading .318, 9-HR, 42-RBI, 41-K

 

2-26-22 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB 

If you eliminate the absurdity that is Tommy Tanks, Georgia Tech C Kevin Parada would be tied for the most homers in the country after this 1st inning blast. His fourth bomb in 7 games. 

Slashing .400/.500/1.560/2.060 

Kid can really, really hit. 

https://t.co/sWdIToYrhc  

                                        Doug @FTLO_Baseball 

if he's not a catcher, are we talking likely first base or does he have the athleticism/speed to project solid average somewhere else, even a corner OF? 

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB 

Certainly athletic enough to handle the outfield. Some scouts have said they'd like to see him take reps at third base.

2-11-22 - https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-draft-prospects-2022-ranking-top-50-players-in-the-class-with-termarr-johnson-at-no-1/?s=03 -

23. Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has produced a number of high-quality catchers in its history, including Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters, and Joey Bart. Parada, who led the Yellow Jackets in batting average last season en route to hitting .318/.379/.550 with nine home runs and 22 additional extra-base hits, has a chance to join those three as a first-round pick. Although he didn't fare well during a nine-game stint in the Cape Cod League, an analyst noted his OPS was higher in in-conference games (.966) than outside of it (.842), suggesting he didn't just torment less-talented pitchers. The determining factor on where, precisely, Parada goes in the draft may boil down to how teams feel about his defense. A true believer who feels good about his chances of sticking behind the plate, even as an offensive-slanted backstop, could make him the first catcher selected on draft day; other clubs may view him as more of a late first-round pick.

 

2-10-22 - https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-mlb-mock-draft-version-10/?s=03 - 

13. Angels — Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech 

Scout’s take: My board is all over the place. I had Parada at 10 to the Rockies and picked Porter at 11 with the Mets. You had Cole Young at 12 and I had Carter Young possibly there. The Angels have outfield depth in their system with Jordyn Adams and Jo Adell. They also have infield depth with Jeremiah Jackson and Kyren Paris. Maybe pitching here at 13? Kevin Parada and Daniel Susac are available. Parada, a future plus hitter with above-average power for me, definitely upgrades the Angels’ system immediately. Susac has the plus arm and has shown power numbers to this point, but Parada has a longer, more consistent track record for hitting. Carson Whisenhunt did cross my mind at 13 as a college pitcher with a high floor that projects as a starter. 

Carlos’ take: Part of me feels like a failure for not having selected Parada with one of my selections. I have been high on him since his time in high school when he barreled pretty much everything I saw thrown at him. I am a big believer in his bat, whether or not he’s going to stick at the position at the next level. If this is the pick, Parada will have quite a few pitchers to get to know given what the Angels did in 2021. 

 

1-15-22 - https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2022-mlb-draft-top-100-prospects/ - 

15

Kevin Parada

Georgia Tech C

Notes:

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 197 | B-T: R-R

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.0 

Parada was viewed as one of the best pure hitters in the 2020 prep class and ranked No. 48 on the BA 500 but made it to campus at Georgia Tech after going undrafted. After a strong freshman campaign with the Yellow Jackets in 2021 (.318/.379/.550 with nine home runs and 20 doubles), Parada will have a chance to be the first catcher selected in 2022 as a draft-eligible sophomore. Over the summer, Parada looked worn down at times and struggled in a nine-game stint in the Cape Cod League (.665 OPS) but played well with USA Baseball’s collegiate national team. Parada has impressive bat-to-ball skills and scouts believe he has a chance to hit for a high average thanks to a clean bat path that stays in the zone for a long time. There are some questions about what sort of impact he’ll make over a full season. He has the strength to drive the ball when he gets extended—and he did homer against 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jack Leiter last spring—but most of his power comes to the pull-side and some scouts think he’ll be more of a doubles hitter than power bat. There are defensive questions as well, which date back to his time as a prep player, though the scouting industry seems mixed currently. Those who like him buy into his work ethic, athleticism and arm strength and cite improved actions last fall, while others worry about what his profile will be like if he can’t stick behind the plate. Parada enters the season solidly in the middle of the first round and can play himself higher with a strong year. He is the next in a strong line of Georgia Tech catchers that includes first-rounders Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart. 

 

1-5-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft - 

Prospect Live Mock Draft 1.0 

24. Boston Red Sox

Kevin Parada, Catcher Georgia Tech 

The Red Sox have absolutely loved the West Coast in recent years and we believe that continues, to a degree, in 2022. Parada is a native of Pasadena, California, though his skills have only amplified at Georgia Tech. It’s a really good bat with the potential for a solid average tool and above average power from a premium position. He’s come a long ways with his ability to block balls in the dirt, and most evaluators believe it’s at least an average arm behind the plate that should hold runners effectively. Even if Parada can’t stay behind the plate, it’s a first round bat and he’s more than athletic enough to handle third base or certainly first base in a pinch. Keep an eye on Mikey Romero here. 

 

12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects - 

14. Kevin Parada Catcher, Georgia Tech 

Parada was one of the heralded catchers in the 2020 draft class. His bonus demands ultimately pushed him to Georgia Tech. It's above average raw power that he's shown he can get to in-game. He’s got extremely strong hands that help him manipulate the barrel and punish balls deep in the zone with authority. Parada has a picturesque swing that uses all fields and doesn’t sell out for power. It’s organic strength and loft that comes naturally. Behind the plate, it’s a plus arm with better athleticism than you’ll find in most guys his size. Playing at Georgia Tech, Parada may get the opportunity to call his own games in 2022, a luxury not afforded to most college catchers these days. That advanced skill set, both mentally and physically, should help his draft stock. Parada’s profile is carried by the plus bat, but he’s an improving defensive catcher who figures to stay behind the plate as he transitions into professional baseball. He may be the next great backstop to come out of Georgia Tech following Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart. 

 

12-17-21 - Perfect Game Mock Draft - 

21. Seattle Mariners | Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech 

Parada was one of the top talents to make it to a college campus back in 2020 and he certainly showed it early on hitting in the heart of the Georgia Tech order and putting together a more-than-respectable freshman campaign with plenty to build on going into the spring. His hit tool tracks back to his prep days where he showed he could hit against the best of the circuit’s arms and he’s got enough power to make him intriguing at any position, but he’s extremely athletic behind the dish and has the tools to make an impact back there at the highest of levels. -TR 

 

12-7-21 - SF Draft Talk - Top 25 - 

9. Kevin Parada 

Position: Catcher 

School: Georgia Tech 

I remain confident that the bat is going to play regardless of where Parada profiles on the defensive spectrum. He isn't necessarily limited to first base as a fallback option which gives Parada a better plan B than most other amateur catchers. He'll be an early first rounder with further clarity on defense but is unlikely to drop past the 1-2 round range regardless. 

 

11-12-21 - Through The Fence Mock 2.0 - 

8. Minnesota Twins: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech 

This year’s draft is stacked with catchers. Parada, Arizona’s Susac and Mississippi’s Hayden Dunhurst, right now, are the very best this class has to offer. From the get, his plus raw power stands out. His swing is electric and should be the model for any young ball player trying to improve their hitting. Behind the plate, he calls a solid game and his mental mindset is the best we’ve seen in the past two drafts. 

 

11-4-21 - Prospect Live - Catchers - 

KEVIN PARADA, C, GEORGIA TECH 

Parada is an aggressive, bat-first backstop who uses the whole, though his punch is primarily to the pull-side. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Parada has the ideal pro catcher body and does a nice job behind the plate, especially throwing. It was a massive true freshman campaign for the Pasadena, Calif. product, slashing .318/.379/.550 with 9 homers and 20 doubles in 52 games. Parada has the athleticism to handle third base or an outfield position at the next level should a team buy exclusively for the bat. Scouts will want to see him cut down his strikeout percentage a tick or two in 2022 should he hope to get selected at the very top of the draft. If Parada hits like he did in 2021 again next season, and continues to improve his framing and blocking, he’s a good bet to go in the first round.