After Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz were recognized by MLB.com for being the #2 RHP Prospect and #8 LHP prospect in the country respectively, Kevin Plawecki was named the 6th best catching prospect in the minors yesterday. The only surprise here is at the end of 2014, Plawecki was the 4th best catcher on list.
MLB.com gives his hitting a 55, power a 45, run 35, arm 50, field 50 and an overall score of 55. His numbers are the same as last year, so his drop in position isn’t about him regressing but people around him improving. The scouts at MLB.com talk about right now he is hampered by the obvious, Travis d’Arnaud, the 2013 best catching prospect from MLB.com. They note how he can compete for the #1 job in the near future.
Now as a pragmatic fan, I don’t see a lot of ways that this can play out. Kevin has to have regular playing time. Like the scouts note, in the beginning he looked like a borderline starter, which is a good place to be as a catcher because backup catchers get significant playing time in a season compared to other positions. But if he is the real deal, or has the potential to be a starter, he needs to play the same amount as a regular catcher. With d’Arnaud’s surge the second half the year, barring an injury to either one (knock on wood but knowing d’Arnaud’s history…) Plawecki should be moved. A player with potential of hitting well at the catcher spot should be easy to move in a trade.
The Mets are in a good position when it comes to catchers, but they need to be wary of hurting them due to a log jam.
