The MLB Draft League is loaded with pitching prospects who have mid-90s velocity and nasty offspeed pitches with high spin rates and sharp, late action to them. It is one thing to get hitters to swing and miss, but who is going to stop that ball when it breaks into the dirt and prevent runners from advancing or even scoring? Catcher is the most difficult position to play in baseball: some guys can play it, others excel at it. 

Below, we will break down State College's Kenny Piper, one of the Draft League’s top catching prospects thus far. But first, a primer on how catchers are scouted in today’s game. 

Teams place a value on ability in the Draft. The more talent the player has, the higher he will go in the draft (and the more bonus money he’ll receive). All catchers are evaluated on their ability to catch in the Major Leagues. Is the arm strong enough to shut down the running game or at least contain it? Are the receiving skills good enough to consistently catch quality Major League pitching? Does he have the first-step quickness and athleticism to save runs and block pitches? 

Having a quality bat with power in addition to all the physical tools and defensive traits is a true separator in the Draft -- the kind that yields bluechip, first-round types. The majority of the catchers taken in each year’s Draft are guys who have some potential big league qualities, but not the total package of an elite pick. Many of those catchers go later in the Draft because, in the big picture, they are still good catching prospects even if they don’t check all the boxes.

So, to review, we have three kinds of draftable catchers:

1. Catchers who are very good defensively and very good offensively. These are the premium type catchers who get drafted in the first couple of rounds.
2. Catchers with good defensive ability but are suspect with the bat. Teams place their own value.
3. Catchers who can really swing it but are just serviceable defensively. Teams place their own value.

Kenny Piper

Kenny Piper has a strong, durable catcher's body at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. He has solid defensive skills (2.02-second release time) along and a slightly above-average arm that generates accurate throws with good carry. That combination of accuracy and a quick release could allow Piper to shut down a running game at the Major League level. He has good hands and can get pitchers extra strikes and still has room for improvement as a receiver.

The Columbia College product has first-step quickness and consistently gets his feet, hips and shoulders in a position to block the ball, with the overall athleticism needed to make spectacular plays. He handles a pitching staff well, too, showing a strong work ethic and intangibles behind the plate. 

 

Offensively, Piper exhibits a good approach from the right side of the plate and can square the ball up consistently, driving it to all fields. He shows power potential with his bat speed and path through the hitting zone that could translate to 10-plus homers for him at the Major League level.

Overall, the combination of Piper's bat and defense is good enough to project him as a potential platoon or backup at the highest level -- the type of player who could be taken in the 10th round or later this July.