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Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Two Young Catchers to Watch
While Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis get all the attention, these are two other young catchers to watch from the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie league affiliates
Most of the Pittsburgh Pirates top catching prospects are in the upper levels of the minor leagues. Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis are both at Double-A, and Abrahan Gutierrez is at High-A Greensboro. But there is more than just Davis, Rodriguez, and Gutierrez to keep an eye on as they develop and progress throughout the Pirates’ minor league system.
A few years ago, the Pirates’ system was barren of catching talent, and now I’d go so far as to say it’s one of their strengths. Once Davis and Rodriguez graduate prospect status sometime in 2023, some other young catchers in the lower levels of the system could take their place on prospect lists.
There are two backstop prospects I want to turn your attention to at the Rookie-Ball level. These are all former international signees, but they’ve done exceptionally well for the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League affiliates.
Axiel Plaz
Signed out of Venezuela this past off-season, the Pittsburgh Pirates gave Axiel Plaz a $350,000 signing bonus. Plaz put up some crazy numbers in his small sample size at the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League affiliate. In just 86 plate appearances, Plaz collected 26 hits and 13 walks. Of those 26 hits, three were home runs, and 11 more were doubles.
Overall between Plaz’s ability to draw walks and hit for power, the backstop batted .382/.500/.706 with a .550 wOBA and 210 wRC+, making him 110% better than the average batter at the DSL. He also swiped two bags and only struck out 16 times. He had an even split between his three batted ball types, posting a 33.3% rate in line drives, ground balls, and flyballs.
Plaz has recieved good reviews for his defensive prowess. With plus power potential, Plaz has two attributes that you like to see from backstop prospects. Plaz is only 17 years old and stands at 5’11”, 165 pounds. Plaz has room to grow. There’s some projectability here, which is why he has above average power potential.
Samuel Escudero
The Pirates acquired Samuel Escudero last season in a trade that didn’t garner much attention. Escudero was sent from the Milwaukee Brewers for Jandel Gustave and Troy Stokes Jr. It wasn’t much of a trade, but the Pittsburgh Pirates definitely are looking to benefit in the long run. Stokes Jr. never appeared in a major league game for the Brew Crew, and while Gustave has been solid, he’s worked sparingly in a low-leverage role.
Escudero struggled as a 17-year-old with the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League affiliate in 2021, but he’s returned this season, posting much better numbers. He is batting .284/.419/.351 with a .397 wOBA, and 123 wRC+. Granted, Escudero isn’t hitting for much power. He didn’t hit a single long ball, but he did have five doubles. He also drew 16 walks while striking out just 14 times.
But he does have the potential to hit for more power. Watch any video of him, and you’ll see some great bat speed. He’s shown good plate discipline, keeping a strikeout rate under 15% and walk rate over 11% in both this year and last year. He’s also shown some good instincts behind the dish and caught 50% of would-be base stealers this year.
Next. Rodolfo Castro is Breaking Out. dark
Of course, Escudero is likely another three or four years away from the major leagues. However, next season will be his age-19 campaign, and he’ll get a chance to get some regular playing time with A-Ball Bradenton. He’s a raw talent but has the bat speed, plate discipline, and reflexes to be a potential prospect to watch.