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Atlanta Braves 2019 Draft Preview: the year of the position player?

By Clint Manry

The Atlanta Braves failed to sign their first round pick but signed nearly everyone else selected in 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves failed to sign their first round pick but signed nearly everyone else selected in 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

(C) Adley Rutschman

  • JUNIOR
  • 6’2″, 216 lbs. — Switch-hitter — OREG. ST.
  • #1 prospect — 60 FV 
  • PLAYER PAGE

What can you say bad about Adley Rutschman? This guy is putting up some ridiculous stats in college baseball, currently running an OBP of .568.

Rutschman isn’t your typical catcher, as he’s both a switch-hitter and a bat-dominant player behind the plate.

Here’s a small scouting report from Fangraphs:

"Excellent defensive catcher with current all-fields doubles power and tremendous feel for contact. Other than speed, could end up with all 55s and 60s."

Just look at the video game numbers he’s posted in his last 2 seasons:

2018 Season (Soph.)

  • 67 games
  • .408 batting-average
  • .505 OBP
  • 1.133 OPS
  • 9 home runs
  • 22 doubles
  • 83 RBI
  • 21.2 BB% –16.0 K%

Current Season

  • 32 games
  • .413 batting-average
  • .568 OBP
  • 1.385 OPS
  • 12 home runs
  • 4 doubles
  • 40 RBI
  • 38.4 BB% – 20.1 K%

I’ve checked other sources to confirm these stats (these are from D1Baseball.com); that’s how ridiculous Rutschman’s numbers are.

While he’s no doubt a potential future star, I’m also looking at what fits for the Braves as an organization; and frankly I don’t see them taking a catcher in the 1st-round.  That’s just my personal opinion, but there’s almost zero chance Rutschman would drop to them at pick #9 anyway.

Regardless, Adley Rutschman is ranked #1 on most top-100 lists for a reason. There’s no guarantee that he could translate his college success on to a major league field, but judging by his last 2 seasons — my money says he most likely can.

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