top catching prospects

[Pogotheostrich]

I'm interested to see how many AB Clement gets this year. He had an good OBP in the minors so you are right it depends how the lineup shakes out.

Wieters 15 HR season came in 68 games and 259 AB. Plus it is kind of hard to improve when you have an OPS over 1.000 every year.

Not looking for a huge debate, but 15 HR against college pitching swinging an aluminum bat is not impressive.

It just isn't about the HR. You're talking about a catcher that finished in the ACC's top ten of SLG% and OBP for 3 straight years. Now I realize it is just college but I would love to see what he can do as a professional.

[auclairkeithbc]

I believe when we talk about Wieters a few things need to be remembered as we have this debate.

1. Most scouts had him as the top prospect in the draft this past summer

nah. he was considered top 5 by most for sure. but #1 by very few.

[cardinal1975]

The reason he went #5 to Balt is not due to talent. It was mostly his price tag and other teams needs. Tampa was going to take the best pitcher at #1, being Price....arguably the top prospect in the draft. KC was too cheap to take Wieters and signed Moose for 3 million less. Ditto that for the Pirates at #4 when they took a college senior, Moskos from Clemson. And of course the Cubbies continually try to fill 3B and took Vitters at #3. Price, Wieters, Porcello, and Moose were the top four players available(in that order or with Wieters and Price flipped) according to Baseball America, ESPN, and several other sources. Apparently Porcello was not a top pick either due to his being picked at #27. The draft is mainly about price tags for the cheaper franchises, which is why Wieters was available at #5 to start with.

[auclairkeithbc]

i am aware of the price tag issue, which occurred with porcello for sure, but i don't think most scouts thought he was #1.

[thedude]

i am aware of the price tag issue, which occurred with porcello for sure, but i don't think most scouts thought he was #1.

Most scouts thought that he was the best college hitter, of not the best hitter overall. Most people did consider Price to be the better prospect.

[thedude]

Wieters also has the higher ceiling tham Clement, has better defense (and thus is more likely to stick at the position) and is not blocked (Clement is blocked). Clement is closer to the majors, but Wieters won't be far behind.

[MaudDib]

Hank Conger is been given a spot for spring training which doesn't mean a whole lot but he has a good bat and could be one of the better catchers out there. He doesn't have a lot of experience yet but does have the skills.