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Physical Description: Athletic frame for
a catcher. Thick lower half. Has filled out considerably since signing. On
the shorter side; looks his listed height and weight.
Hit:
Starts square in a slight crouch. Quiet pre-pitch. Utilizes a leg lift
timing device. Uppercut swing. Quick wrists; has some bat speed. Doesn't
get cheated. Makes hard contact when he gets the bat on the ball. Can
drive a fastball, especially when it is elevated. Below-average plate
discipline; lacks patience and will swing at some bad pitches, especially
breaking balls in the dirt, which he seems to struggle to recognize.
Aggressive approach that could be exposed against more advanced pitching.
Potential below-average hit tool.
Power:
Above-average raw power. Heavy pull-side hitter. Swing has lift; can
really drive the ball with backspin when he squares it up. How power
actualizes will depend on hit tool development. Potential for
fringe-average game power.
Run: Decent speed for a
catcher, but will not be part of his game.
Defense:
Still a very rough receiver. Has the tendency to stab at the ball and end
up in poor position with his glove. Doesn’t manipulate his body well to
block balls in the dirt and keep them at his feet. Potential below-average
defensive profile.
Arm: Above-average arm
strength. Struggles with accuracy at times, but has gotten
quicker with his release. Pop times to second base are now
around 1.95 seconds, down almost a tenth of a second from prior
years.
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Career
Notes: Played more third base than catcher early in his career,
but moved to catcher full-time in 2017. Has struggled with injuries
throughout his career. Had three stints on the IL in 2016 and another four
in 2018, including one for a concussion. In 2019, suffered a shin/ankle
fracture in spring training, causing him to miss nearly the entire season
save for a rehab assignment in the low minors very late in the year.
Received a somewhat surprising non-roster invitation to major league
spring training in 2020, but was not added to the Club Player Pool after
the organization acquired other high-minors catchers in early 2020 trades.
Participated in the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020 Fall Instructional
Leagues. Re-signed with organization prior to becoming a minor league free
agent in 2020. Invited to major league spring training in 2021. Played for
the Dominican Republic in the final 2021 Olympic Qualifier and
2021 Olympics, winning a bronze medal.
Summation:
Projects as high minors organizational depth. Will struggle
against more advanced pitching and doesn't have the defensive ability to carry him if he does.
Once an intriguing sleeper prospect behind the plate, loss of development
time due to injuries has hampered his development significantly. Needs to
make significant strides on defense, improve his patience at the plate,
and show that he can make contact against advanced pitching in order to
succeed in the high minors. Could make a solid coach or manager in the
future.
Links
State of the System 2020: Catchers (4.15.2020)
Scouting Report Update (5,13.2020)
Scout Chatter (11.19.20) |
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