With the 11th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the New York Mets selected catcher Kevin Parada out of Georgia Tech. The issue is no one knows if he will be there over the long term.
Yes, Parada has been rated a top three catching prospect in the game. However, that is largely because of the bat. There are still issues with respect to his defense.
For example, Keith Law of The Athletic noted Parada needs to improve just to become somewhat average behind the plate. Notably, Law cited Parada’s athleticism as well as the improvements he’s already made.
Parada wants to continue improving defensively, and according to a report from Tim Healey of Newsday, Parada sought the advice of Brian Schneider.
Schneider was a former Mets catcher noted for his defense. He also spent the past year as the Mets field coordinator and catching coach.
He referred Parada to Cressey Sports Performance. Recently, the Mets have hired people from there to improve their minor league coaching and development. Notably, current Syracuse Mets coaches Kyle Driscoll and Jordan Kraus were hired from Cressey.
Parada’s work with Cressey seems to have worked, and he’s left a good impression on Mets manager Buck Showalter. Showalter compared Parada to Matt Wieters, who he managed with the Baltimore Orioles.
Showalter said of Parada, “We were lucky to add him.” He also said, “He’s got everything on the resume that you think he should be a really good player.”
Part of being a really good player is putting in the work to improve. As noted by Healey, he worked with Cressey. Parada also reported early to spring training.
He’s been working with Syracuse bench coach J.P. Arencibia. During his career, Arencibia was noted for being a good pitch framer with sound mechanics behind the plate.
Overall, Parada has been putting in the work to improve defensively. If he continues and makes significant progress, he could find himself a fast riser through the Mets system.
