Possible 3rd Rd. Mets Pk - C - Steve Baron

Steve Baron, C, John A. Ferguson HS (FL) - Ferguson School (FL) – 6-0, 185… through April: .333 in 23 games.

Fr. www.pgcrosschecker.com - On Friday night (May 1st, 2009), I went to watch Ferguson High catcher Steve Baron (PGX #148) play at Christopher Columbus High School. He was facing a strong Columbus club that had a pitcher throwing low-90s with good movement (junior righty Javier Perez-Lobo). He also had the opportunity to block at least 15 balls in the dirt. The only thing I didn’t get was to see someone try to steal a base against him. Ferguson lost 9-0 in this district championship game. They’ll advance in the state playoffs, but Columbus will have the better seed. Baron is one of a host of strong high school catching prospects in Florida. At least five have a chance to go inside the first three rounds. Baron may not have been considered that high coming into the spring, but he’s since emerged on scout pref lists. His calling card is athleticism and defense. Baron is by a good margin the most athletic catcher I’ve seen in this draft. His hands are lightning quick, the quickest I’ve ever seen on a prep catcher. He has very good feet, both to launch throws and to block balls. On pure arm-strength, I’d grade Baron out at 60 (on the 20-80 scale). After factoring his feet and his short release, I’d give him a 70+.

Fr. www.prospectwire.com - Steve Baron is a 2009, 6-0-210-C, from Ferguson High School in Miami, FL. To say that Steve Baron was the best defensive catcher at the event is a heck of a tribute to this young man. The collection of catchers was solid, and a novel could be written on each one. But Baron is special because he is a guy that nobody ever talks about. He has a big pro body, and he is a tremendous catch and throw guy. Some guys have arm strength, but poor footwork. Some guys have poor arm strength and make up for it with quick feet. Baron has both. Baron is a pretty consistent 1.90 pop down to 2nd base, and he has great footwork. He was the only catcher at the event that was able to get his velocity on the quick snap throw down to 2nd up to 80mph. Baron’s size and strength serves him well at the plate. Steven makes solid contact and the baseball really jumps off his barrel. Baron is very short to the baseball, and at times over emphasizes staying on top of the baseball. We would like to see Baron get a little more lift in his swing, power potential is present. With some added lift, Steven may be able to hit the baseball 350+, on a more consistent basis. Very good follow.

Fr. www.baseballdraftreport.com - 13.Steve Baron (Florida) – absolutely love the defense, but feel just as strongly in the other direction about the bat; absurdly strong, accurate arm with soft hands and Savion Glover quick feet; Duke commit, who will be a questionable sign this summer