Drafted in the C-A round (61st overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 (signed for $531,000).
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Easley was a second-team high school All-American out of Olive Branch, Miss., who has steadily become a reliable catcher with an offensive mindset. Though he has played third base and catcher during his college career, Easley's value lies in his ability to remain behind the plate. He's similar to 2006 Mississippi State draftee Chris Coughlan in that he makes consistent hard contact but doesn't have the type of power potential to profile as an everyday third baseman in the majors. He has a simple approach, using all fields and keeping his hands inside the ball effectively. He has plenty of bat speed and leverage in his swing to develop average power. His catch-and-throw skills are passable, but his arm isn't as strong as his statistics might suggest. He threw out a Southeastern Conference-high 22 runners this season, including nine in the Louisiana State series. He uses a quick release and easy exchange to his advantage. He's a solid-average runner. Easley will benefit from his reputation as a good college hitter in this draft, and might be taken as early as the second or third round.
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Easley won the Johnny Bench award as college baseball's best catcher in 2007, but he didn't look like it in 2008, struggling at the plate and behind it in his first full pro season. He has the tools to be a good catcher, with an average arm, but he threw out just 28 percent of basestealers in the California League and had 23 passed balls, so the Diamondbacks brought him to instructional league to work on his receiving. He also worked with former big league catchers Mike Macfarlane and Jason Phillips in the offseason. He played a little first base and third base in instructional league, but he needs to stay at catcher if he wants to be an everyday player. Easley is a battler at the plate, but he chases too many pitches and needs to improve his knowledge of the strike zone. He should have average power, but a hip slide in his swing sapped his power last year. He needs better body control both hitting and catching. Arizona still likes Easley's desire and baseball IQ and thinks he just struggled in dealing with failure for the first time. He'll move up to Double-A and is a candidate for a bounceback season.
Easley was a second-team high school All-American in 2004, but he went undrafted because of his strong commitment to Mississippi State. He had a successful career in Starkville, taking the Bulldogs to the College World Series and winning the Johnny Bench award as the nation's top college catcher in 2007. He compiled career highs in most offensive categories as a junior, batting .358 with 12 home runs, and led the Southeastern Conference by throwing out 29 basestealers. The Diamondbacks liked his athleticism and offensive potential, so they took him 61st overall and gave him a $531,000 bonus. He jammed his left thumb early in his pro debut, so he didn't show a lot with the bat. But Arizona sees a solid approach at the plate, with good bat speed and good hands, and they expect him to hit .260-.275 with 15-20 homers each year. He moves well behind the plate, though his arm is just average. He earns high marks for the way he handles a staff. He also runs well for a catcher. Easley could jump to high Class A for his first full season, but there's no need to rush him because of Arizona's young catching depth in the big leagues.
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