Paul Hoover

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #30 prospect in 2001
  Drafted out of college as a shortstop before being converted to catcher, Hoover played third base and caught last season to earn a spot on the Southern League's postseason all-star team as a utility player. He has made a rapid adjustment to catching thanks to his quick feet and above-average arm. While Tampa Bay likes him behind the plate, Hoover has the defensive talent and instincts to play well anywhere on the field, and even saw some activity at second base last spring during big league camp. A jack-of-all-trades with the leather, Hoover needs to become more consistent with the bat. He must hit through the ball more often and use the entire field. He doesn't have as much power as scouts expect from a player his size. His speed is a hair above average, which is quite good for a catcher, and he has a propensity for drawing walks. With his all-around ability, Hoover could be a classic utility player and carried as a third catcher in the major leagues if he gains some consistency at the plate. He's expected to move up a rung in the organization this year to play at Triple-A.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 1999
  Background: Hoover was drafted out of Kent University as a shortstop. The Devil Rays quickly decided that Hoover was too big and lacked the ideal quickness for the middle of the field and converted him to catcher. Strengths: Hoover has the gritty intensity and take-charge attitude that teams value in catchers. His arm strength is well-above average and he showed good hands and quick feet behind the plate. A good overall athlete, he stole 28 bases in 1998 while adjusting to the physical stress behind the plate. Weaknesses: Hoover's challenge will be to maintain enough offensive production to allow his defensive and athletic skills to carry him to the big leagues. He has a fundamentally sound, line-drive swing but just fair overall bat speed. The Future: Hoover has caught the Devil Rays' attention with his quick conversion to both the physical and mental demands of catching. With Hoover, Humberto Cota and another conversion, Toby Hall, catching in the low minors, Tampa Bay feels confident as an organization about its catching future.