Drafted in the 3rd round (103rd overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011 (signed for $315,000).
View Draft Report
The first thing scouts notice about Maynard is his hitting ability from the left side. He hit just .273 as a sophomore, but with 11 home runs and more walks (64) than strikeouts (42). The new bats in college baseball this season haven't seemed to affect him, as he was hitting .330/.408/.481 in 212 at-bats. His power is more in the form of doubles this season and scouts think he'll continue to show more line-drive power than home runs as a pro. He hasn't walked as much this season, but still shows good plate discipline. The doubts surround Maynard's ability to catch, though teams will give him every chance given the lack of depth at the position. He needs polish in all facets defensively, and if he has to move to a corner, his lack of home run power dents his profile. If a team believes in Maynard behind the plate, he could go off the board in the fifth round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Dodgers signed four college catchers out of the 2011 draft, starting with Maynard in the third round for $315,000. He stands out more offensively than defensively at this point. Maynard, who ranked third in NCAA Division I with a North Carolina State-record 64 walks in 2010, has good pitch-recognition skills. He lets balls travel deep in the hitting zone and utilizes the opposite field. He has some fringy power, though it comes mostly in the form of line drives and doubles rather than homers. Maynard will need to stick as a catcher because his bat won't be enough to carry him if he has to move to a corner. He didn't catch every day in college, so he's more raw behind the plate than the typical college draft pick. He shows quality leadership and game-calling abilities, but he needs to soften up his receiving and improve his footwork. Maynard does have solid arm strength and threw out 23 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. An ankle injury limited him to 25 games at Ogden, though he did recover in time to participate in instructional league. He'll move up to one of Los Angeles' Class A affiliates in 2012, most likely Great Lakes.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone