BA Newsletter: Get Analysis, Rankings Delivered To Your Inbox!

Patrick Bailey vs. Austin Wells: 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Showdown, Catcher Rankings



Leading up to the 2020 draft on June 10, we'll preview each position group by comparing and contrasting two of the top players in the mix. Today is catchers, led by Patrick Bailey and Austin Wells.

Previous installments: 

Outfielders | Corner Infielders| Lefthanders| Righthanders


Hitting: Scouts seem to be higher on Wells’ pure hit tool, though both catchers have similar college production, albeit with one extra season for Bailey. Their numbers are glaringly different when considering summer stats. Wells hit .308/.389/.526 with seven home runs in the Cape Cod League and Bailey hit .231/.333/.308 in a smaller sample with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. There are more swing-and-miss concerns with Bailey than Wells, whose swing is purer. EDGE: Wells

Power: Both players have above-average power potential, so this one could come down to who is able to get to more of that power in games. Wells seems to get to his power more easily, and has plus raw juice, while Bailey has more above-average power. EDGE: Wells.

Speed: This is the least important tool for a catcher, but scouts have called Wells an average runner. He went a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts at Arizona. EDGE: Wells

Fielding: This is where Bailey gains a big advantage as the best catch-and-throw prospect in the 2020 draft class. He has exceptional hands, blocking ability and he is one of the rare college catchers to call his own game. He has a chance to be a plus-plus defender while many teams think Wells might have to move off the position. EDGE: Bailey

Arm: Wells has shown plus arm strength at times, but he’s also dealt with elbow issues that have limited him and caused him to display more of a fringy arm. Bailey has a consistently plus arm. EDGE: Bailey

X Factor: How teams evaluate catchers today could be wildly different in a few years, when automatic strike zones will probably be a part of the major league landscape. Presumably, catcher framing will be less valuable with robo umps calling the pitches, which would help Wells and hurt Bailey. But controlling the running game with arm strength and quick, fluid throwing mechanics—not to mention blocking balls in the dirt with runners on base—should always be priority skills at the position. That is where Bailey shines. EDGE: Bailey

Scout's take on Bailey: “Elite catch-and-throw skills. I don’t like his swing much but he has hit in the ACC for two years . . . Could be an average power guy and a 40 bat. If you have plus defensive skills that’s an all-star-caliber player . . . I would say he’s the best defensive catcher in the country.”

Scout's take on Wells: “He’s more like Matt Thaiss than anyone else, though he has more power than Thaiss . . . It’s plus power for Wells, good plate discipline, sees the ball really, really well. Discipline is plus and contact ability is average to a tick better.”

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Catchers

Strength: 4 stars

This year’s catching talent runs deep, though it lacks the impact standout of an Adley Rutschman, the No. 1 overall pick last year. Austin Wells has the most offensive upside in this year’s draft class but faces long odds to stick behind the plate.

First-Round Talents
No.RankPlayerSchoolStateHITPOWRUNFLDARM
114Patrick BaileyNorth Carolina StateNC4555407060
218Tyler SoderstromHS—TurlockCA5560304060
321Austin WellsArizonaAZ6055504045
Second-Round Talents
No.RankPlayerSchoolStateHITPOWRUNFLDARM
437Dillon DinglerOhio StateOH5055405570
538Drew RomoHS—The WoodlandsTX4050457060
648Kevin ParadaHS—Los AngelesCA5555405055
Third- To Fifth-Round Talents
No.RankPlayerSchoolStateHITPOWRUNFLDARM
7100Jackson MillerHS—New Port RicheyFL5045405550
8101Casey OpitzArkansasAR4040406060
9116Daniel SusacHS—CarmichaelCA4560405060
10131Carlos PerezHS—MiamiFL4050406060

Yankees

Austin Wells’ Defensive Gains Propel Him Toward Yankees Debut

The 23-year-old's work ethic has caught the attention of team officials and is moving him closer to his big league debut.

Are you a member?

In order to access this exclusive content you must have a Baseball America Account. 

Login or sign up  


Additionally, you can subscribe to Baseball America's newsletter and receive all of our rankings, analysis, prospect insight & more delivered to your inbox every day. Click here to get started. 

of Free Stories Remaining