Mack - The Top 10 Catchers in the 2023 Draft - RIGHT NOW

Let me say this right up front. 

Baseball just doesn’t develop enough great catchers. Most draft have three at the most.  Really two. This one, Blake Mitchell. 

There is a chance more will develop. My money is on Zion Rose. We’ll see after this season. 

For now, here’s your top 10:

1. Blake Mitchell 

Mitchell is an intriguing two-way player who is currently playing for Team USA. Scouts tend to prefer him behind the plate, where he has the chance to be an offensive force at a premium position. The plus arm that fires 95 mph fastballs from the mound works back there, too.

 

2. Corey Collins 

There were rumors Collins and a big league organization had a deal during the 2020 draft, but those claims went unsubstantiated, and that's a good thing for Collins and the Georgia Bulldogs. After a big freshman year at the plate and some promising athleticism behind the dish, scouts see a power-hitting lefty stick with enough defensive value to either platoon at catcher or find his at-bats elsewhere on the field. 

This is at least above average raw power, maybe more, with some feel for the strike zone. Punch outs were a bit of an issue during his freshman campaign, but not so much so that scouts think it'll be a long-term crutch. Collins has a definitive up-arrow next to his name and is a must-watch power-bat in the SEC.

 

3. Kyle Teel 

The best college catcher, Teel is extremely athletic for the position, possesses well above-average arm strength and could develop into a plus receiver. Whether he goes in the first round depends on his offensive production after he batted .276/.402/.439 last spring and struggled at the plate in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA.

 

4. Michael Carico 

Carico is one of the more athletic catchers you will find in this class. He demonstrates the ability to make a lot of contact and drive the ball over the fence to all fields. Its a short compact stroke with plenty of bat speed which allows Carico to tap into his power frequency. He also demonstrates a strong understanding of the strike zone with a distinct eye at the plate. He is one of the more athletic catchers in the class, as his athleticism plays well from behind the plate.

 

5. Campbell Smithwick 

Smithwick, another young-for-the-class bat, is lauded for his approach at the plate and a swing that is balanced and stable beyond his years. He's shown a willingness to go to all-fields, hitting both velocity and spin with authority. Most of his power is to the pull-side, showcasing some organic loft and extension when he can get out in front. Smithwick has athleticism and above average tools at the plate with a prototype body that should lend well toward the Oxford product stick behind the plate.

 

6. Gavin Grahovic 

One of the better hitters on the West Coast, Grahovac has an all-fields approach and an willingness to take velocity the other way. He's got a strong frame with present power. The bat carries here as many evaluators think he has a fringy shot at sticking behind the plate, but the pure athlete and runner will fit completely fine in a corner outfield role.

 

7. Jack Bulger 

Bulger was a big time power hitting catcher as a prep and took that thump to Nashville where he immediately became an offensive force, cycling between catcher and designated hitter for the Commodores as a 19-year-old. Bulger is solid across the board. He stays in the zone, makes a ton of contact, hits the ball as hard as anyone and works patient at-bats. The only question remaining is where he fits on the field. 

He's a really thick, boxy build with a big arm behind the plate. It's fringy athleticism, but he's a heady player behind the plate who does a pretty good job holding the runners. If Bulger proves athletic enough to stick behind the plate, it's a potential first round talent. If he's forced to move to first base or permanent DH, there will be far more pressure on the bat.

 

 8. Cooper Ingle 

One of the most patient, polished hitters in the country, Ingle is a player development dream with a keen eye at the plate and budding exit velocities when he's ready to pull the trigger. Mostly a slasher, gap-to-gap type of hitter now, Ingle has flashed average raw power and could eventually run into double-digit homers as a professional. 

For now, he's going to provide teams an excellent plate appearance, peppering the field line to line. Ingle needs to continue to get stronger to improve his arm strength behind the plate, but he's a good athlete back there and projects at worst a fringe-average backstop as a pro.

 

9. Luke Shliger 

Shliger has been an absolute powerhouse for the Terps in his career showcasing hit, power, run, throw and field. He's a multi-dimensional player who can handle the outfield in a pinch, though evaluators do think there's a shot he can stick behind the plate as a pro. Shliger has fringe-average power though he's getting to all of it in game. 

He doesn't have a ton of projection left in his smaller frame, but he's already performing at a high level with an advanced approach at the plate and impact in his offensive game. There's some swing-and-miss here, but he stays inside the zone and is more than willing to take his walks. In fact, jogging to first base has been one of his offensive pillars.

 

10. Zion Rose 

Zion Rose, a star catcher at Br. Rice High School and one of the top national prospects in the Class of 2023, announced on his Twitter handle on Sept. 6 that he’s transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year. 

He’s coming off a huge junior season that saw him hit .496 with a .573 on-base percentage and 4 home runs, 39 RBI, 58 runs, 31 stolen bases, 20 walks, 12 doubles and 4 triples.