MLB.com named Travis d’Arnaud of the New York Mets their Number One ranked catching prospect on Thursday, edging out Austin Hedges of the San Diego Padres.
Travis d’Arnaud, Mets: If it hadn’t been for injuries, d’Arnaud would be off this list. Despite missing time with a knee injury in 2012 and a broken foot in ’13, he made his Major League debut in August. Traded twice for Cy Young Award winners, he is ready for a full-time gig in the big leagues. The 24-year-old has the chance to be an outstanding offensive player with the ability to hit for average and power. He’s not a slouch behind the plate, either, with more than enough catch-and-throw skills to be an everyday player. All d’Arnaud needs is health, because he has the skill set to be one of the best all-around catchers in the National League.
D’Arnaud received high marks from the scouts who graded him a 60 Overall on the Scouting Scale.
Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools — 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.
The Mets’ starting catcher in 2014, also got a 60 in Power as well as 55 in Hitting, Throwing and Fielding.
D’Arnaud wasn’t the only Mets catcher to get recognized by MLB Pipeline as Kevin Plawecki just missed the Top 10 and got a well deserved honorable mention.
“Plawecki earned a promotion during his first full season in the Mets organization, showing a knack for hitting for average and getting on base at both stops.”
“If he displays a little more power and continues to prove to people that he can stay behind the plate despite his big frame, he could be a big league regular someday.”
It’s great to see both of our top catching prospects reap such recognition, something which has been very rare to see for Mets position players. Maybe this is a sign that things are moving in the right direction for the organization.
(Hat tip to kw_all for the link)
(Photo: Chris Trotman/Getty Images & The Star Ledger)
