Current BBA Catchers
Bernd Helwich and Bradley Russel are both in their second BBA seasons so both will be slated for a $500K contract in 2065 with a projected combined $7.3M arbitration estimate in 2066.
Bernd and Bradley combined for 29 homers and a 3.9 WAR last season and are on pace for 14 homers and a 2.2 WAR this season.
Top 5 Farm System Catchers
Daniel De La Rosa is currently at the top of the list. The 20 year old has already climbe up to AAA since being drafted in 2062. While Daniel can block errant pitches with the best of them, his framing could use a lot of work and his arm is slightly above average throwing out 32% of runners trying to steal. At the plate Daniel is hitting .245/.375 and is on pace to hit 12 homers and earn a 1.6 WAR.
Hudaverdi Aricanli may be the catcher with the most potential at this point. The 22 year old is currently with the A league club but will likely be called up soon. He is excellent behind the plate getting the borderline pitch calls to go in his favor and throws out 42% of baserunners trying to advance without permission. Huda is hitting .308/.372 and is on pace for 14 homers/3.2 WAR.
Juan Gonzalez was signed during IFA this off-season and will be playing with the Russelville rookie league club. The scouts tend to think that Juan will be average defensively but will have the ability to get on base fairly often while having an average amount of power.
Tomas Gutierrez may have the strongest arm of all the catchers in the list throwing out 43% of baserunners. His bat is suspect at this point hitting .219/.316 in AAA but he is on pace to hit 15 homers.
Titus Vasdeki is another catcher added via the IFA route. Since his signing in 2060 he has worked his way up to the A league where he is hitting .266/.336. Scouts have only rated the 21-year old's arm at a 6 but he has thrown out 70% of baserunners so far this season.
Other Notables:
Ernesto Delgado is a threat to thwart any offense both when he has on the catcher's glove and when he has the bat. Playing part time, Ernesto's arm is seldom tried throwing out both base runners who have attempted to steal on him. With a blocking rating of 9 and a framing rating of 8, Ernesto is staying on the front office's radar even though he is only hitting .182/.176.
Harry Flack was drafted in the sixth round this season. Harry is rated average by the scouts in a lot of different categories. The jury is still out on whether or not Harry will develop enough to work his way through the system.
Below is the current list of catchers in the Valencia farm system along with their ratings:
