Nessy spent three years in short-season ball and had a lost year in his full-season debut because of a hamstring injury and concussion in April. Still, he has the ceiling of an offense-first everyday catcher. With a large frame and strong build, Nessy has plus raw power and can hit home runs to the opposite field. He has above-average bat speed and the ball jumps off his bat. His power is ahed of his hit tool, and he has struck out in 25 percent of his career plate appearances. His swing can get long as he searches for pull-side power, and he has inconsistent swing mechanics. He has an aggressive approach and walked at a below-average rate (5.4 percent). With a plus arm, solid receiving skills and strong leadership ability, Nessy has the tools to be at least an average defender. After rating as the best defensive catcher in the Appalachian League in 2012, his defense regressed in 2013, which can mainly be attributed to his concussion. Nessy should open 2014 at high Class A Dunedin, and a healthy 2014 could significantly bolster his value.
Since signing with Toronto for $750,000 as a 16-year-old in 2009, Nessy has moved through the system step by step. He has yet to play in a full-season league, though he did finish last season in Vancouver at age 19. Nessy stands out most for his above-average raw power. He combines strength and a quick bat to drive balls a long way. However, he's still raw at the plate because he takes an overly aggressive swing and is too pull-conscious. Nessy weighed 190 pounds when he signed but now checks in at 220, leading to skepticism about his chances to stick behind the plate. He earned high marks for his defense in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he threw out 33 percent of basestealers. He has an above-average, accurate arm, though he can rush his throws at times. He blocks balls well, and his bilingual skills help him manage a pitching staff. Nessy should get his first crack at full-season ball in 2013.
Minor League Top Prospects
Nessy signed for $750,000 in 2009 and has advanced deliberately through the lower levels of the Blue Jays system. Like many of Bluefield's top prospect, he earned a promotion for the short-season Northwest League's stretch run and playoffs. International scouts wondered if Nessy could stay behind the plate because of his jumbo frame, but he answered those questions for the time being by establishing himself as the Appy League's finest defensive catcher. He threw out 33 percent of basestealers thanks to plus arm strength and accuracy. He sometimes wants to be too quick and comes out of his throwing mechanics, but managers lauded his blocking skills, arm strength, effort level and game-calling ability. He's bilingual and communicates well with his pitchers. Nessy's greatest attributes on offense are his bat speed and above-average power. He takes a wild hack and tries to pull every pitch he offers at, but if he can learn a modicum of restraint he ought to have more than enough bat to profile as a starting catcher.
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