MLB Top Prospects: Top 10 Catcher Prospects for 2018
4. Jorge Alfaro, Philadelphia Phillies
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/11/1993 (24)
2018 level: MLB Philadelphia Phillies
Info: A guy that many prospect insiders have been hearing about for nearly a decade (thanks, Jason Parks!), Alfaro has always been known for three things – an incredible arm, incredible raw power as part of surprising athleticism, and no idea how to take a walk. Sadly, nearly a decade later, he’s still displaying all three traits.
Alfaro has always been known for three things – an incredible arm, incredible raw power as part of surprising athleticism, and no idea how to take a walk
Alfaro’s swing is a bit long, and that has always led to strikeouts, though he’s been able to keep the rate around 25% at worst typically, which is not bad for a power hitter in the modern game, but his career walk rate of under 5% is what is significantly concerning. Even when he showed well at the end of 2017 at the major league level by hitting .318 with 5 home runs over 29 games, he only walked 3 times over those 29 games.
Over the offseason, Alfaro worked significantly with coaches on his approach, and it showed in spring. So far, he’s already matched those 3 big league walks in 29 games last year in his first 5 starts with the Phillies in 2018. If that change is permanent, this ranking will seem absurdly low within months.
Defensively, Alfaro is surprisingly raw in his framing and presentation behind the plate, though his athleticism allows him to move well behind the plate and he has an easy 80-grade arm that will keep runners honest.
3. Carson Kelly, St. Louis Cardinals
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/14/1994 (23)
2018 level: AAA Memphis Redbirds
Info: When the Cardinals signed Yadier Molina to an extension, many thought Kelly would be trade bait. As good a prospect as he may be, he’s going to be 26-27 when Molina is gone, which uses up some of his best years in AAA or as a backup. Instead, he remains in the Cardinals system and actually was sent back down to AAA this year rather than backing up Molina.
Kelly was originally a third baseman when drafted out of high school in 2012, and he took to catching well. While he was considered a power prospect out of high school, he’s developed into more of an all-fields gap power hitter, averaging roughly 30 doubles and 10 home runs per 150 games over his minor league career.
After some adjustments following a rough 2015 at high-A, Kelly is definitely a quality hitter for average and keeps his strikeouts in check as well, striking out less than 15% for his minor league career. He doesn’t have a high walk rate, but still keeps a 7.5% walk rate successfully.
Behind the plate, Kelly has all the raw tools to be an elite backstop, showing tremendous hands and movement behind the plate along with some of the best framing in the minor leagues. His fringe-plus arm plays well with his top-end footwork to allow him to control the running game.
One consideration is the Cardinals could get Kelly some time at other positions in AAA in 2018 early on to increase his flexibility off the bench the rest of 2018 and in 2019 and 2020 before Molina leaves. That could allow Kelly to get 300 at bats per season while serving as Molina’s apprentice.
Next: #1 and #2