MLB Top Prospects: Top 10 Catcher Prospects for 2018
2. Keibert Ruiz, Los Angeles Dodgers
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/20/1998 (19)
2018 level: AA Tulsa Drillers
Info: My pick for the player who was “on the rise” at the position last year, Ruiz exploded on the scene nationally in 2017. Many were keying on Ruiz’s unique talent before the season, but none could have imagined he’d fill into that talent so much and so quickly as he did, reaching AA for their playoff push at the end of the season after breezing through both A-ball levels.
Doing all of this at 18 for most of the season, Ruiz hit .316/.361/.452 with 23 doubles and 8 home runs. He’s got an easy swing from both sides of the plate that makes consistent hard contact that shoots the ball around the field with line drive power now and the chance to add more power over the fence as he showed the ability to angle his swing pull-side from either side of the plate.
Ruiz is very athletic behind the plate, but his advanced bat has left his catching skills a bit raw, as he suffers from poor footwork at time, especially in the run game as he does have an above-average raw arm, but he often ends up in poor throwing position. He does have good hands.
Ruiz will get to see AA this season at 19, and that will be a good marker for his defense to see how that translates going forward.
1. Francisco Mejia, Cleveland Indians
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/27/1995 (22)
2018 level: AAA Columbus Clippers
Info: Extremely gifted with the bat from both sides of the plate, Mejia worked well last year to get him to tap into his raw power, resulting in excellent power numbers across the board. The Indians moved Mejia around a bit to try to get his bat onto the field more often.
Mejia’s advanced bat skills allowed him to move quickly through the minors
Mejia’s advanced bat skills allowed him to move quickly through the minors, getting plenty of notice in 2016 as he compiled a 50 game hitting streak between low-A and high-A. His quick ascent up the system has left some refining of his defense behind.
Those defensive skills are raw, but he is definitely skilled behind the plate with a plus to double-plus arm, excellent athleticism, and good hands, though he is still building his skills at working with pitchers and calling a game.
The Indians tried Mejia at third in 2017 due to the presence of strong catchers in the majors, but if he can show skills enough at third, he could get 5 starts per week split between catcher and third.
Next: Newcomer to watch