With the 11th overall pick, the New York Mets take Kevin Parada, a catcher out of Georgia Tech. This is the Mets pick as a result of not signing Kumar Rocker, who went third overall to the Rangers tonight, in last year’s MLB draft. Parada is definitely an offense first catcher with some questions about his defense. Regardless of that, Parada is a consensus Top-10 prospect in the draft. Parada was the recipient of the Johnny Bench Award.
Here is what MLB Pipeline wrote about Parada:
Parada doesn’t try to do too much at the plate, keeping his right-handed swing under control and lashing line drives all over the park. He has good feel for the barrel, makes repeated hard contact against all types of pitching and he’s showing increased power to all fields this year. He projects as a potential .280-.300 hitter with 20-25 homers per season who could fit into the middle of a big league batting order.
Keith Law of The Athletic wrote the following about him:
His plate discipline and pitch recognition are both advanced for an amateur and he’s shown some ability to make adjustments in-season already. Behind the plate, he’s adequate as a receiver with fringy arm strength, good enough to stay there because he hits so well.
Baseball America had this to say about Parada:
Between his contact ability, newfound power and production in a strong conference, Parada’s offensive package is as complete and proven as anyone’s in the 2022 class. Defensively, it’s less glowing, though Parada has made strides to improve as a receiver and thrower this spring. He’s a good athlete and runner for a catcher, but could improve his lateral mobility and blocking, as well as his arm strength, which is cited as fringe-average currently.
Kevin Parada mashing a home run to deep center field. #Mets pic.twitter.com/5jgipIhZkn
— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) July 18, 2022
Mets take Kevin Parada of @GTBaseball throwback to that time this season where he hit 5 bombs in a week
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) July 18, 2022
The Mets are picking again with the 14th overall selection in a few minutes so stay in your seats and keep refreshing twitter.
