Drafted in the 7th round (193rd overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2000.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
Recognizing a dearth of young catchers in the organization, the new Marlins regime was pleased when the Cubs agreed to include Jorgensen in a late-spring deal for four minor leaguers, including Dontrelle Willis. Bothered by a sprained ankle early in the year, Jorgensen still hit much better than expected at the outset. His batting average came back to earth, but the former Louisiana State backup (to Diamondbacks prospect Brad Cresse) still showed enough behind the plate to earn a midseason promotion to Double-A. An excellent catch-and-throw guy, Jorgensen blocks balls, takes pride in his game-calling and works well with pitchers. He has added strength and shown signs of developing some gap power, though he still tends to pull off balls and get a little long with his swing. If he can hit .250 with 10 homers annually in the majors, that might be enough to warrant a starting job. His receiving skills are that good. This year he'll return to Double-A, where he has hit just .178 the past two seasons in 253 at-bats.
The Cubs haven't signed an amateur catcher who developed into an all-star since drafting Joe Girardi in the fifth round in June 1986. At this point, they'd be happy if they could just come up with a regular. Their best hope now is Jorgensen, who was a backup catcher to Brad Cresse (now a top Diamondbacks prospect) on Louisiana State's 2000 College World Series champions. Jorgensen has lived up to his reputation as an outstanding catch-andthrow guy. In 2001, his first full season as a pro, managers rated him the best defensive catcher in the Florida State League and he threw out a combined 41 percent of basestealers at two stops. As a bonus, Jorgensen hit better than anticipated until his midseason promotion to Double-A, where he missed a month after straining his back in his third game. He still must prove he can hit in the upper minors, and adding some strength and making more contact definitely would help. Jorgensen batted just .225 in the Arizona Fall League, so Chicago may want to play it safe and let him begin this year back in the FSL.
The Cubs say Jorgensen was the best defensive catcher in college last season, even better than highly touted Dane Sardinha of Pepperdine, a second-round pick of the Reds. Yet Jorgensen was only the No. 2 backstop on national champion Louisiana State, which started NCAA Division I home run and RBI leader Brad Cresse behind the plate. Jorgensen has advanced catch-and-throw skills, and his arm rates a 65 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. He has soft hands and is agile behind the plate. He didn't show much with the bat in college but surprised the Cubs with his offense in his pro debut. He hit .300 with gap power and drew a good amount of walks. He'll never hit many home runs and will have to prove his hitting ability at higher levels. After sharing time with Cresse in college and promising Korean Yoon-Min Kweon at Eugene, Jorgensen may finally get a chance to catch every day in 2001. That probably will come at Daytona.
Minor League Top Prospects
Jorgensen backed up All-America senior Brad Cresse after transferring to Louisiana State from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College, where he built a reputation as a staunch defensive catcher. He didn't get to play much at LSU and had to share time in Eugene with South Korean import Yoon-Min Kweon.
Despite all the sharing, Jorgensen emerged as the league's best defensive player thanks to his catch-and-throw skills and above-average arm. Kotchman, a scout when he’s not managing, and Shaffer, an ex-big league catcher, rated Jorgensen's arm a 65 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.
"Glove-to-glove (from catcher to second base), he's the best I've seen in a while in the league," said Kotchman, Boise's manager for the last 11 years. "And his hands are so soft."
Said Shaffer: "Kweon can really catch, and he's got a great arm and release, but Jorgensen's arm is a little better. He moves well and has a great release. He can be in the big leagues now on his receiving skills. His defense is so good, his bat will catch up."
Best Tools List
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Miami Marlins in 2005
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Florida State League in 2001
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Chicago Cubs in 2001
Scouting Reports
Jorgensen backed up All-America senior Brad Cresse after transferring to Louisiana State from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College, where he built a reputation as a staunch defensive catcher. He didn't get to play much at LSU and had to share time in Eugene with South Korean import Yoon-Min Kweon.
Despite all the sharing, Jorgensen emerged as the league's best defensive player thanks to his catch-and-throw skills and above-average arm. Kotchman, a scout when he’s not managing, and Shaffer, an ex-big league catcher, rated Jorgensen's arm a 65 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.
"Glove-to-glove (from catcher to second base), he's the best I've seen in a while in the league," said Kotchman, Boise's manager for the last 11 years. "And his hands are so soft."
Said Shaffer: "Kweon can really catch, and he's got a great arm and release, but Jorgensen's arm is a little better. He moves well and has a great release. He can be in the big leagues now on his receiving skills. His defense is so good, his bat will catch up."
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