Defense and Comps
Everyone knows about the arm of Shea Langeliers — it’s the best in all of the minors right now. He threw out nearly 42 percent of base stealers in 2021.
Shea Langeliers' right arm should be registered in the State of Mississippi. #Braves https://t.co/V6J84afm3p
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) June 4, 2021
He’s also a very solid blocker and receiver behind the plate. And the Mississippi Braves pitching staff was second in Double-A South in ERA at 3.58, so I’d have to say he’s a pretty good signal-caller as well.
Whether he hits or not, his defense will make him a big-league catcher for a long time.
The Comparisons
I don’t know if it’s a great comp or not, but I can’t get Russell Martin out of my head whenever I look at Shea Langeliers.
What’s crazy, is that if you look at Martin’s stance early in his career he was more open and hunched over the plate — and was a better average hitter at that point.
But later in his career, he was more closed with a bigger leg kick — more like Shea Langeliers is now — and that’s when he started being more of a .230-.250 hitter with 15-20 home runs a year.
Martin was also a Gold Glover early in his career with a strong arm.
He’d go on to play 14 years in the big leagues slashing .248/.349/.397/.746 with 191 home runs in 1,693 games.
Martin made 4 All-Star appearances, won a Silver Slugger, one Gold Glove, and got MVP votes in three seasons.
I’d be more than happy as a Braves fan if Shea Langeliers has a similar career.