Craig Tatum Stats & Scouting Report

AB	269
AVG	.223
OBP	.291
SLG	.264
HR	1

Full name Craig B. Tatum
Born 03/18/1983 in Hattiesburg, MS
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Mississippi State
Debut 07/21/2009
Drafted in the 3rd round (78th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2004 (signed for $450,000).

View Draft Report

Highly regarded as a pitcher coming out of high school, Tatum has developed into one of the better defensive catchers in college baseball. His arm strength rates 65 on the 20-80 scale, and he consistently delivers the ball to second base in 1.85-1.92 seconds. He's become a sound receiver as a redshirt sophomore, and has gained strength offensively and developed some of his raw power. He still struggles to make consistent contact and has worn down from his catching load. While he has a strong body, he often skips infield and bullpen sessions to stay fresh for games, leading some to question his durability.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Tatum was the Mississippi high school player of the year in 2001 as a senior at Hattiesburg High, where his family has a farm not far from Jets quarterback Brett Favre's property. He went to Mississippi State to add polish, and three years later the Reds took him in the third round as a redshirt sophomore and signed him for $450,000. He quickly became one of the best defensive catchers in the system. Tatum missed most of 2005 with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but showed few ill effects upon his return. He has above-average arm strength and threw out 38 percent of basestealers last season. He's a solid receiver who frames pitches, blocks balls well and calls a good game. At the plate, Tatum uses the whole field with power to the gaps that allows him to occasionally leave the yard. He's a well below-average runner. He probably won't hit enough to be a big league regular, and he looked overmatched in his short exposure to Triple-A last year, but his defensive skills make him a useful emergency option in 2009. If Tatum can continue to improve his hitting, he has a chance to be a major league backup down the road.
Tatum's career hit a detour in his first full pro season in 2005, when he went down with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. But he regained his prospect status with a strong 2007 season that carried over into a solid Arizona Fall League performance. The Reds always have liked Tatum's defensive work. He has soft hands, blocks balls in the dirt and handles pitchers well. His arm has bounced back fully from elbow reconstruction, as he was ripping off 1.90-1.95 second pop times again and threw out 32 percent of basestealers last season. Cincinnati believes his defense will be enough to earn him a backup big league job, and his bat will determine whether he can play a larger role. Tatum has a short, quick swing and does a good job of using the entire field, which should allow him to hit for average, but he doesn't have much power potential. He's a well below-average runner. Tatum struggled in a late-season promotion to Double-A, so he'll likely return to Chattanooga to see if he can build off his AFL stint.
The last thing the Reds would seem to need is a defense-first catcher, but they paid Tatum $450,000 as their third-round pick last June. He offers premium defensive skills, including an arm scouts rated as a 65 on the 20-80 scale. He used his plus arm and quick release to catch 36 percent of basestealers to lead the Rookie-level Pioneer League in his debut. His defense was good enough to earn him the nod on the league's postseason all-star team. Tatum will have to work hard to get stronger and keep his fundamentals sound over the course of a long season. He still has work to do offensively, though he has raw power and eventually could hit 15-20 homers a year. His plate discipline will have to improve for his power to show through, but he progressed after signing and had more walks with Billings than in either of his two seasons at Mississippi State. He should open 2005 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

The PL was thin in catching this year, with Tatum getting the nod over Great Falls' Donny Lucy as the lone backstop to crack the Top 20. Tatum stood out more defensively than offensively in his pro debut, leading the league by erasing 36 percent of basestealers. Tatum has a plus arm that consistently delivers the ball to second base in less than two seconds. The Reds want him to improve his receiving skills somewhat, looking for him to be quieter behind the plate and set his target a little earlier. He tore the labrum in his left shoulder late in the season, requiring surgery. He'll need to shorten his swing because he struggles to make consistent contact. When he does connect, he shows plenty of raw power.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Cincinnati Reds in 2008

Career Transactions

Miami Marlins released C Craig Tatum.
Miami Marlins signed free agent C Craig Tatum to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
C Craig Tatum elected free agency.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees activated C Craig Tatum from the 7-day disabled list.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees placed C Craig Tatum on the 7-day disabled list.
New York Yankees sent C Craig Tatum outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
New York Yankees claimed Craig Tatum off waivers from Arizona Diamondbacks.
Arizona Diamondbacks claimed Craig Tatum off waivers from Houston Astros.
Houston Astros designated Craig Tatum for assignment.
Houston Astros claimed C Craig Tatum off waivers from Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles recalled Craig Tatum from Norfolk Tides.
Craig Tatum roster status changed by Norfolk Tides.
Norfolk Tides placed C Craig Tatum on the 7-day disabled list.
Baltimore Orioles optioned C Craig Tatum to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles recalled Craig Tatum from Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles optioned Craig Tatum to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles claimed Craig Tatum off waivers from Cincinnati Reds.
C Craig Tatum assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
Cincinnati Reds recalled Craig Tatum from Louisville Bats.

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