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Top 10 MLB Catcher Prospects for the 2017 season

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 10, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Francisco Mejia (73) gets ready for a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Francisco Mejia (73) gets ready for a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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8. Garrett Stubbs, Houston Astros

When his listed height of 5’10” makes you chuckle because you know it’s at least 2″ of exaggeration, it gives an idea of just the size Stubbs is behind the plate.

Yet, while small in stature, he’s certainly been no slack in his ability to offer significant defensive value and see his bat take steps forward at every level, finishing with a flurry in 2016 at AA, posting a .918 OPS in 137 plate appearances to close the season.

Stubbs gets excellent marks for his work ethic, handling of a pitching staff, and generally great demeanor in the clubhouse, but teams want more than just intangibles, so when he offered a .300+ bat and double digit home runs in 2016, that drew plenty of attention.

The position may be full at the major league level for now with Brian McCann and Evan Gattis, but Stubbs could push his way up once those guys are gone (McCann in 2018 if his 2019 option is not picked up, and Gattis currently in arbitration and eligible for free agency after 2018).

7. Tom Murphy, Colorado Rockies

Before a rough injury this spring, Murphy was in line to at least split the catching duties in Colorado this season if not have the lion’s share of the work behind the dish.

He should return in mid-April, but with the return coming from a fractured forearm, it’s no telling how quickly he’ll be at his best again and ready to play full strength.

When he’s healthy, Murphy offers legit power behind the plate, slugging .647 in AAA in 2016. Granted, that was in the PCL, but his power is legit.

Murphy is also not a zero with the glove, posting some of the best framing metrics in the upper minors in 2016.

He may not be the most sure receiver behind the plate, and you’d like to see him take a walk now and again, but Murphy has a very solid base that could be impacting Colorado by May for certain.

Next: #6, #5

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