Wyatt Toregas

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #24 prospect in 2008
  A versatile performer at Virginia Tech who played infield and outfield as well as catcher, Toregas has emerged as a prospect since switching positions and becoming a full-time catcher. The Indians added him to their 40-man roster in November. He became the complete package behind the plate in 2006 and took another step forward last year, continuing to hone his game-calling skills and maintain some offensive upside. A contact hitter with good plate discipline, Toregas hits line drives to all fields, showing surprising power as well. He reads pitches well and can turn on inside fastballs, though he can get too pull-happy at times. Toregas' gregarious demeanor can sometimes rub pitchers the wrong way, but he's a natural leader who handles a staff well. Toregas has the best catch-and-throw skills in the system, and threw out 51 percent of basestealers last year, tops in the Eastern League. He possesses well-above-average arm strength, posting 1.85 pop times consistently. Though the organization is split on how much upside Toregas has, he's at least a solid backup in the majors. He'll likely spend all of 2008 in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #20 prospect in 2007
  Toregas was one of the system's most improved players last year, vaulting himself from an afterthought to the top of the catcher depth chart when Kelly Shoppach was promoted to the big leagues in June. Toregas had a solid pro debut with the bat in 2004, then took a step backward offensively in 2005 as he honed his game-calling and receiving skills. He was the complete package in 2006, hitting for average and power with tremendous improvement defensively, and the Indians now believe that he has a higher ceiling than Shoppach. Toregas has a line-drive stroke and uses the whole field effectively, showing good oppositefield pop. He can become pull-oriented and his swing can get too long at times. His speed is well below-average. Toregas has solid catch-and-throw skills. With a strong, accurate arm and a quick release, he posts consistent 1.85 pop times to second base. He led the Carolina League by throwing out 48 percent of basestealers last year and erased 38 percent after his promotion to Double-A. Toregas' bat cooled off after he got to Akron, so while he'll get a long look in big league camp, he'll probably open 2007 in the minors.