Tyson Van Winkle

The top catcher taken out of the Northwest will likely be Oregon State's Ryan Ortiz, but some scouts see Gonzaga's Tyson Van Winkle as a better value and a better bet to hit as a professional. Van Winkle was drafted as a sophomore last year in the 39th round by the Astros and is a skilled defender. The 6-foot, 185-pounder is athletic, with quick feet. He's a skilled blocker, and his pitchers trust they can bury any pitch and Van Winkle will block it. His arm lagged behind his footwork in the past, but they're more in sync this year and his pop times were in the 1.8- to 1.9-second range. Van Winkle isn't just a catch-and-throw guy. He hit .361/.424/.542 for the Zags this year and has power potential.