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MLB Draft Names to Know: The Catchers

By Benjamin Chase

Sep 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Catchers mask and glove sits in dugout before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Catchers mask and glove sits in dugout before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

In this year’s MLB Draft, the catcher position has quite a bit of depth. Can any of these players become major league stars?

We’ll go straight into this list today as there are plenty in one of the deepest catching classes in many years. Catching is always a position of need at the major league level, and the position will be the theme of all three “Names To Know” segments this week, starting with the MLB draft.

Zack Collins, University of Miami

Who Is He?

Collins was drafted in the 27th round out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds. He chose instead to go to college, where he’s had a tremendous career. He was the Freshman of the Year in 2014 and has put up an OPS of over 1.100 throughout this season for the Hurricanes while playing behind the plate.

Collins has tremendous raw power and may be the best offensive prospect at the position since Buster Posey, but his defensive skills leave many to wonder if he’ll end up moving off the position. Collins does have a great arm and can control the run game, so if he could work on his lateral movement behind the plate further, he could be a long-term catcher.

Where May He Be Picked?

Collins is certainly a top 10 talent in this year’s MLB draft on raw skills alone, but there have been reports leaking about high contract demands. That could limit his prospective teams. I still could still see a team as early as #2 in the Cincinnati Reds falling in love with him during the process and having the money to make those demands work. Another team to consider is the San Diego Padres, who don’t make their first pick until #8, but due to multiple compensatory picks due to losing free agents, they have the 4th highest draft pool.

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