Daniel
Susac

2022 MLB Draft: At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds the right handed hitting catcher looks like a big leaguer, moves like a big leaguer and is the younger brother of a big leaguer. The draft-eligible sophomore will very likely become a big leaguer himself. He is not on the same level as former Pac-12 star Adley Rutschman, but Susac has all the tools, skills and intangibles to have a long Major League career. He has given up switch-hitting and shortened his right-handed swing since his time with the USA CNT last summer, but has not sacrificed power which he generates from his strong hands and wrists. He finished the 2022 season with a .366/.429/.582 slash with 12 home runs and 61 RBI. His exit velocities were also some of the best in college baseball this season and his BB/SO ratio has improved to 23:52 after beginning the season at 2:15. His season strikeout rate is solid at 16.7% with an ISO of .216. He also shows the ability to make in-game pitch-to-pitch adjustments. Susac moves well for his size and runs average 1st to 3rd. Earlier this season scouts saw fringe average arm strength, down from the plus gun he showed last summer. However at the Pac-12 tourney his arm was back; loose and better than average with plus accuracy. He ended the season throwing out nine of 34 attempted base stealers (26%) with 11 passed balls. These skillets speak to an area for improvement, and as a tall catcher, is going to be something that will likely always show up. More often than not, he's able to beat the ball to the spot and get below it, while subtly bringing it back up into the zone. He can steal strikes while also staying quiet through swings and misses and folds up well, getting his body in a smaller position to give the umpire a clean look. The blocking ability also shows well, softly blocking a ball in the dirt, then quick picking and throwing to nail the runner trying to advance to second base. With the ability to also play on the dirt with some experience at 1st base, this just adds to his value. Overall, Susac projects to be an average hitter with above average power production and at least an average defender with above average catch/throw skills.

At 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, there is still ample room on his frame for future size and strength. His lower body is strong and streamlined but not overly muscular which could take away from his agility at the catcher position. There were an abundance of scouts and cross-checkers on hand on Sunday, March 13 as he hit home runs in his first two at-bats...both in the first inning. The first coming on a fastball in a 1-1 count and the second on a first-pitch breaking ball. The rest of the day was quiet as he got a little out front, presumably hunting a third home run and frankly, most players might have succumbed to the temptation. His fourth at-bat showed his awareness and ability to get back to the right approach. He fouled off numerous balls to the right side (at-bat eventually ended with a deep F9) and it was apparent he was letting the ball get deep intentionally after striking out the previous at-bat when he was out front on a couple of change-ups down and off the plate. After his game on Monday, March 14, he was hitting .407, leading the nation in hits after the Monday game vs Pacific (33), with 3 HR and 23 RBI on the season. He was named both Pac-12 and Collegiate Baseball Player of the Week, hitting .526, with 5 runs, 3 HR, 11 RBI, and 2 doubles. The walk to strikeout percentage of 2:15 is something he can improve as he settles into the season. The power numbers should come along nicely as he is surrounded by a talented group of teammates and can't just be pitched around on a routine basis. When he's going right, his ability to hit with power in the middle of the field shows up though in this game, both home runs were to the pull side, the second one being a moon shot. He can get out on the front foot at times but with his strong hands and wrists, he can make impact contact, often enough to get ground balls through the infield or dump balls between the infielders and outfielders. Being tall and having long levers there is some maintenance to his stroke and there will be moments where the timing is off, as is often the case with long lever hitters. But, as the numbers show with 33 hits and only three of them thus far leaving the yard, he's got the ability to hit and HIT for power. Susac projects as a future above average hitter with the ability to produce what would be above average power, while using all fields. He can and will make adjustments within a game and is capable of doing so pitch to pitch as well. He's always had the desire to stay behind the plate and has the chops to stick. This game didn't produce an opportunity to show off his plus arm and catch/throw ability. It's a loose arm with a lower slot and somewhat slingish release, but the ball jumps out and he's both confident and accurate, with multiple warm-up tosses coming in under 2.0. As a receiver and blocker he flashes both strengths and room for improvement, though the receiving and focus from pitch to pitch is clearly higher than it was in high school. He's able to utilize all the catching set-ups, can get below the ball while subtly bringing it back up into the zone, can steal strikes while also staying quiet through swings and misses and foul tips. He understands how to massage the ball deeply and softly while getting his body in a smaller position to give the umpire a clean look, particularly on the breaking ball in the zone. The blocking ability showed up as well, deftly and softly blocking/controlling a couple of balls in the dirt, while one ball did get away from him up the third base line, though the block effort itself did save a run. Baserunners are 5-for-6 in stealing bases, though the low number of attempts is an indication of the respect opposing teams have for his catch/throw talents. Two passed balls on the season speaks to an area for improvement, and as a tall catcher, is going to be something that will likely always show up from time to time. Another trait that stands out about him is his communication and relationship with the pitchers. He's a front of the dugout presence and carries himself like a pro. Given his performance as a freshman (3rd team All-American) and his start to this season, the draft eligible sophomore has a legitimate chance to hear his name called in the top 15 overall picks, which may be a fairly conservative projection. He projects as an average hitter with above average power production, an average defender with above average catch/throw skills. Like other catchers, the run tool isn't a plus, but he's not a clogger either. With the ability to play and some experience at 1st base, that is a feather in his cap. His pedigree also matters, with older brother Andrew Susac (also a catcher) being a former 1st rounder and MLB champion with the San Francisco Giants. (Clemmens)

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound backstop is another 2020 high school graduate who will be eligible by age for the 2022 draft. Having just completed his true freshman season when he posted a .335/.392/.591 slash for the Wildcats, Susac held his own for the CNT batting .273 in 22 at-bats. The switch-hitter has shortened his swing a bit from my previous look in Frisco this past spring, but still must cheat to hit the heat. He showed similar raw power from both sides of the plate. With a tall frame he folds up well behind the dish and reminds me of Sean Murphy (Oakland A’s) in this regard. He’s an advanced defender with a plus-to-better arm strength and strong accuracy that shuts down the opposing run game. With continued development of his bat to ball skills and plate discipline (19 walks vs 47 strikeouts for Arizona, 0 walks vs 10 strikeouts for the CNT), expect Susac to be considered during Day One of the 2022 draft.

NorCal ProCase: Spotlight

vs Turlock in SJS D1 playoff - Oregon State commit; Not much new learned from any previous viewing this spring, continues to rate as one of very best 2020 catching prospects in the nation. Offensively was better than earlier viewings, looked away and banged away, hard L9 that was knocked down by wind and on another day may have gone off fence, took knock through right side through vacated hold in another at-bat, caught very well in this game and while tightening up his blocking which occasionally can get a little loose.

vs Clovis HS at Fresno Easter Classic - Oregon State commit;  Long and lean strength throughout, one of the top throwing catcher throwing arms in the state (83-85 mph on pops between innings), best throws down around 1.95 and rarely above 2.0-2.02. Agile blocker, occasionally late to shift, soft hands, can get better receiving the low pitch. Excellent back-picker and has the guts to do it at anytime. Got pitched very tough by 2020 RHP Noah Beal in highly competitive at-bats. Plenty of bat speed and raw power, with a heavy barrel. Was letting ball get a bit too deep in this one.

vs Valley Christian - Oregon State Commit. XL frame, long with lean athletic strength in build that shows current strength with projection for future growth as well. At the plate slightly opened stance with crouch keeping high hands and elbows as bat bounces off back shoulder. Leg tuck with transfer of weight into back hip as hands turn barrel working back. Swing shows good rearward barrel turn with slightly upward path; times where bat flattens out. Quick hands with ability to handle good velocity. Strong recognition of his hitting zone and not going to chase. During viewing was looking to attack fastballs early just being late on a couple; didn’t see many strikes after 1st two AB’s. Fly out to CF showed ability to create easy loft on the ball. Plus defender behind the plate with advanced game calling, receiving and blocking skills. Athletic with quick reactions showing agility in lateral movements and understanding when he needs to smother or just block pitches in dirt. Arm is an absolute weapon being easy plus with quick release and plenty of arm strength; future double plus arm. Showed off arm between innings with excellent transitions and plus pop times (1.87-2.01). I’ve seen a lot of the 2020 catchers in Northern California and his ceiling might be the highest.

Oregon State commit, viewing in game vs St. Mary's HS; displayed the wide range of defensive and offensive tools we've come to see on a routine basis. Nothing much different from the previous game we saw, which was just the day before vs De La Salle. He took some big hacks early in the count as he was hunting a bit and when he does that his front shoulder flies too early. True to what we've seen, he calms that down as the at-bat goes along and makes good adjustments. Susac stays back on the breaking ball well and can shorten up while still making hard loud barrel contact (he swings wood). His deep fly ball in his third at-bat likely goes out of the yard on a tad warmer day. Defensively he again showed his agility/athleticism to block/control and showed his willingness to backpick and hunt outs for his pitchers. There are some improvements for him to make defensively, particularly more consistent focus, technique, effort in receiving and opportunities to corral pitches he's capable of stopping. The arm is big, getting up to 84-85 on the gun once again. He is one of the the elite catching talents in the 2020 class.

Game at De La Salle - Oregon State commit;  Long and rangy catcher who has flashed all the tools defensively and has what appears to be all the bat talent to put him in the mix for the top catcher in the region/state in his class. Offensively we've seen him plenty and there is consistently a good approach and loud barrel contact. He exclusively uses a wood bat and he handles it well. His swing mechanics, particularly his finish are very similar to those of Kris Bryant. In this one Harrison got the best of him in the first at-bat, getting him to open up early on a curveball then running a couple of good fastballs by him on the outer half as Susac didn't stay on the ball long enough, which he usually does. In his second at-bat he made the adjustment and in a two-strike count lined out hard to the right fielder. Seeing a player make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat is impressive. The next evolution is to make the adjustments within an at-bat. Defensively he showed off his ability to backpick and his willingness to do so, which we also routinely have seen. He was slinging the ball a bit and his feet weren't quite working in the right direction, so he can work on cleaning that up. For a long tall catcher he is agile and can block well, but again, there were some times he was late to block and it's an area to keep working on. The arm is strong 83-85 mph and the warm-up pop times 1.97-1.98 at his best on this day.

Scrimmage v Rocklin HS - Oregon State commit and one of the top 2020 catchers in California and a strong 2020 draft prospect. Older cousin of 2021 RHP Anthony Susac and the younger brother of Big League catcher Andrew Susac. Having seen both Andrew as a high schooler and getting a few looks at Daniel, it would appear as though he is ahead of his older brother's development at this age. Go down the list of boxes to check for a pro catching prospect and Daniel checks them all... power arm (and accurate), power bat, receiving, blocking and athleticism, and he has a good hitting approach. The swing mechanics resemble those of Kris Bryant. The video shows all of it, each of his tools. The back-pick and C/T skills are fun to watch.

Oregon State commit. Long and lanky and lots of room on that big frame to keep adding strength and muscle. Showed impressively as a power-hitting switch-hitter during BP, with more present day usable power on the right side and a glimpse of his ability to handle the bat on the left side. Young hitter who looks to have embraced the uppercut swing on the right side, does have some length on that side that starts with a bat wrap. Swing does happen easily and he can leave multiple parts of the yard. Short stride on the right side. Left-handed showed more a 'serve the ball' swing but he was quiet and started to get comfortable and show the potential to hit for power on that side as well. Wristy swing on that side. Behind plate had pop times from 1.93-2.0 with a loose strong arm. All the tools are present for him to be one of N. California's top pro prospects in the 2020 class.

Oregon State commit. Game vs conference rival Elk Grove HS for lead in the conference. Long lanky projectable build. Plenty of bat speed, stands tall at the plate, kept hands inside, drove ball to deep centerfield (using wood bat), though not something to expect much of he did show good ability to sac bunt. Can improve at receiving the low pitch but caught well as LHP Benbrook went CG and mixed three quality pitches.

Oregon State Commit. 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Athletic, long limbed, lean frame that projects to add strength and mass, especially in lower half. Susac, really projects at catcher where he shows an athletic setup, soft hands, the ability to block and pop, and a very strong, accurate arm. Susac shows agility and flexibility when in his crouch and when moving to shifting into blocking position. There were no steal attempts so all his throwdowns were during warmups where he was clocked in he 2.02-2.11 range with all throws on the bag with his feet in line with the target. Susac called his own game once he came in as an injury substitution in the third inning and didn't miss a beat after starting the game at third base. He frames very well without tipping off the umpire. Receives with soft hands. Offensively, Susac is toying with switch hitting but is far more comfortable from the right side at this point of his development. His hands and wrists are loose and his hands fast allowing him to get the barrel through the hitting zone. Power should develop as his lower half continues to strengthen. An aggressive hitter from the right side, Susac is looking to drive the ball in the gaps which is where his present power is. Routinely squares balls up from the right side.