2011 Top 10 Catcher Prospects

Jesus Montero

Photo from a blog post by Mike McCann

The 2011 catching class isn't as talented as it was in 2010 with the prospect graduation of Buster Posey and Carlos Santana, but last year's MLB draft brought in some fresh meat. I limited this list to just 10 (down from 15 last year) in the hopes that I may actually finish ranking all positions this year. An unanticipated consequence of this decision is that I'm leaving off a lot of good players and possibly pissing off Blue Jays fans for dissing both J.P. Arencibia and Travis d'Arnaud. It's important to note that these rankings are a snapshot in time and are subject to change. They are however an accurate representation of how I feel right now, so that's something.

1. Jesus Montero - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'4" 225 - NYY - 11.28.89. The Venezuelan born Montero ranked second on this list a year ago behind only Carlos Santana and right in front of NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey. While I have my doubts that Montero will catch in the major leagues, his bat should play anywhere. And by anywhere, let's be honest when we say we're talking about 1B or DH. Montero saw his K% rise from 13% to 20% in 2010 but I'm not alarmed given the fact that he was one of the younger players in the International League and he still posted an .870 OPS. He should get an opportunity to battle for the DH spot in NY in 2011 but when defensively challenged Jorge Posada is your number 1, I'd want a better defender than Montero as my #2.

Year	LG	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	IL	AAA	123	453	66	131	34	3	21	75	0	46	91	.289	.353	.517

2. Wil Myers - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'3" 190 - KC - 12.10.90. In a leap of faith, I listed Myers as the #4 catcher heading into last season he didn't disappoint, but even I didn't anticipate a monster 2010 that would include a 15.6 BB%, 0.90 BB/K% and .935 OPS. Like Montero, the offensively minded Myers may be best suited for DH. The Royals have the best farm system in the league and Baseball America has ranked Myers as the #2 Royals prospect behind only Eric Hosmer. Myers was also named as the #4 prospect in the Carolina League and the #3 prospect in the Midwest League.

Year	LG	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	MW	A-	68	242	42	70	19	1	10	45	10	48	55	.289	.408	.500
2010	CAR	A+	58	205	28	71	18	2	4	38	2	37	39	.346	.453	.512
2010	TOT	2 Lgs	126	447	70	141	37	3	14	83	12	85	94	.315	.429	.506

3. Wilin Rosario - Bats: R Throws: R- 5'11" 190 - COL - 2.23.89. Rosario was the #4 prospect in the AA Texas League where the managers voted him the best defensive catcher. In compiling this list, it's become alarming to me that there are surprisingly few catchers with offensive firepower and defensive skills to match. Rosario might be the exception as his .894 OPS would suggest.

Year	League	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	TEX	AA	73	297	42	77	13	1	19	52	1	21	57	.285	.342	.552

4. Yasmani Grandal - Bats: B Throws: R - 6'2" 215 - CIN. 11.8.88. Grandal and Devin Mesoraco were two of the top rated prep catchers in the 2007 draft and now the Reds have spent 1st round picks on both of them. Grandal slid to Boston in the 27th round that year but honored his college commitment to Miami (FL). He started as a freshman on an Omaha bound 2008 team that included fellow first rounders Yonder Alonso and Jemile Weeks. He came to his own in a 2010 All-American season and the Reds used the 12th overall pick on him. As a professional Grandal should produce a high OBP with above average power while providing above average defense behind the plate.

Year	League	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	ARI	RK	8	28	4	8	1	0	0	1	0	4	4	.286	.394	.321

5. Gary Sanchez - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'2" 195 - NYY - 12.2.92. A $3 million bonus baby of the 2009 International signing period, Sanchez draws comparisons to fellow "Pinstriper" Jesus Montero. While Sanchez' arm strength should make him better defensively than Montero, its his offense that gets your attention with his power as his best tool. Baseball America ranked Sanchez as the #1 prospect in the Gulf Coast League, and he could move up to the Low A South Atlantic league in 2011.

Year	LG	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	GLF	RK	31	119	25	42	11	0	6	36	1	11	28	.353	.419	.597
2010	NYP	SS	16	54	8	15	2	0	2	7	1	3	16	.278	.333	.426
2010	TOT	2 Lgs	47	173	33	57	13	0	8	43	2	14	44	.329	.393	.543

6. Devin Mesoraco - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'1" 220 - CIN - 6.19.88. The 15th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Mesoraco has been a disappointment year after year. From 2007 to 2009 he didn't post an OPS over .710 but 2010 was his coming out party as he produced a mammoth .964 OPS through three levels. The #6 prospect in the Southern League and #5 prospect in the High A Carolina League will likely spend 2010 in AAA Louisville. He still strikes out at a near 20% clip so while I can't ignore his monster 2010, I'm still a little skeptical.

Year	LG	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	CAR	A+	43	158	24	53	11	2	10	31	2	19	29	.335	.414	.620
2010	SOU	AA	56	187	42	55	11	3	13	31	1	18	37	.294	.363	.594
2010	IL	AAA	14	52	5	12	3	0	3	13	0	6	14	.231	.310	.462
2010	TOT	3 Lgs	113	397	71	120	25	5	26	75	3	43	80	.302	.377	.587

7. Derek Norris - Bats: R Throws: R - 6'0" 210 - WAS - 2.14.89. The #2 Nationals prospect behind only uber phenom Bryce Harper, Norris battled a broken hamate bone and a fastball to the noggin on his way to a disappointing 2010. Despite his struggles, his 22% BB% still led to an impressive .419 OBP. He's always had a problem with K's but last year's 31.5 K% was a career high.

Year	League	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	CAR	A+	94	298	67	125	19	0	12	49	6	89	94	.235	.419	.419

8. Tony Sanchez - Bats: R Throws R - 6'0" 215 - PIT - 5.20.88. Sanchez was limited to just 59 games last season thanks to a Brad Holt fastball to the head. The best defender on this list, Sanchez is a great bet to make the major leagues and have a productive career but his ceiling is limited. Despite his defensive prowess and above average arm strength, Sanchez only threw out 15% of base runners last season indicating that adjustments need to be made.

Year	League	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	FSL	A+	59	207	31	65	17	9	4	35	2	28	41	.314	.416	.454

9. Hank Conger - Bats: B Throws: R. 6'1" 220 - LAA. 1.29.88. I feel like Hank Conger has been one of the top Angles prospect since Wally Joyner broke into the league. That's probably not accurate though. In the past I've been both too low and too high on him, so I'm confident I have him just right this time. He gets on base, has power and has a shot to win AL rookie of the year in 2011.

Year	LG	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	PCL	AAA	108	387	56	116	26	2	11	49	0	55	58	.300	.385	.463
2010	AL	MLB	13	29	2	5	1	1	0	5	0	5	9	.172	.294	.276
2010	TOT	2 Lgs	121	416	58	121	27	3	11	54	0	60	67	.291	.372

10. Justin O'Conner - Bats: R Throws: R- 6'0" 190 - TB - 3.31.92. Drafted by the Rays in the 1st round out of an Indiana HS (31st overall) last year, O'Conner was able to sign quickly enough to qualify as the #3 prospect in the Gulf Coast League according to Baseball America. I'm taking a Wil Myers like leap of faith that O'Connor will produce in 2011. While Myers he's not, O'Conner does have similar plus raw power. O'Conner is raw behind the plate having not caught full time until his senior year but the former pitcher/infielder has the arm strength and athleticism to become a plus defender.

Year	League	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K	AVE	OBP	SLG
2010	GCL	RK	48	161	18	34	13	0	3	29	1	18	46	.211	.301	.348

Tags: catcher prospects, mlb prospects, top 100 baseball prospects, baseball prospects, jesus montero, wil myers, wilin rosario, yasmani grandal, gary sanchez, devin mesoraco, derek norris, tony sanchez, hank conger, justin o'conner