The old adage of “like father, like son” rings truer now more than ever. Turlock High School’s Tyler Soderstrom looks primed to be a first round pick in the MLB Draft. This coming 30 years after his father, Steve Soderstrom, was drafted out of the same school.
Steve Soderstrom was taken in the 15th round, but he chose to attend Fresno State. Three years later, he was the sixth name off the board. Tyler will not go that high, but he should be a mid-first-round pick. He is currently the 19th-best prospect, according to MLB.com. He burst onto the prospect map last summer with great performances at the PDP League and the Perfect Game All-America Game.
Soderstrom has a good build at six-feet, two-inches tall, weighing 200 pounds. If he cannot come to terms with the team that drafts him, he will attend UCLA.
Strengths
Hitting is Soderstrom’s strength. The bat should play at the next level. Scouts note that he is a polished hitter with a great approach. He makes good contact at the plate, that gets the attention of those around him. His hit tool grades as a 60/80. His swing generates lift , and he swings with intent to produce line drives.
Soderstrom’s pure hitting ability is better than his power ability at this moment, but it is felt that he has professional level power potential . His power tool grades a 50/80, and he separates his hands well with fluidity and rhythm in his load. The ball flies off the barrel of his bat to the tune of 95 MPH exit velocity. Essentially, Soderstrom is a hitter first, but he will tap into his power down the road.
Defensively, Soderstrom has an arm that base runners will not want to test. Scouts grade it as a 60/80, and he can hit 88 MPH with his throws. Additionally, he gets a good pop time of 1.90 and a quick exchange, making him a threat to anyone trying to steal a base.
it is worth noting that he runs well for a catcher too. His 6.86 60-yard dash time gives him a speed advantage over others at his position.
Weaknesses
It is worth noting that most high school catchers taken in the first round do not pan out. In the last 37 MLB Drafts, only Joe Mauer has accrued a WAR greater than 5.0 in MLB after being drafted so high.
The same fate could await Tyler Soderstrom. His fielding tool is only a 40/80, and it is noted that his offense is ahead of his defense at this point. Soderstrom has actually been the back-up catcher on his high school team, losing the starting spot to a better defender. Although the arm is superb, the blocking and game management are raw at best right now.
The caveat to Soderstrom’s defense is that his athletic build allows for him to move around the diamond if he cannot develop his defense. If that happens, third base and the outfield are possible positions that he can occupy.
MLB Comp
Among the 21 active catchers that hit left handed, Soderstrom matches Baltimore Oriole Chance Sisco in terms of build. They stand at the same height and similar weights.
Although the future is uncertain for Soderstrom as a catcher, his offense could resemble that of Jonathan Lucroy if he sticks at the position. Although Lucroy bats from the right side and not the left, he makes a lot of contact with good power and a better pure hitting ability. Soderstrom’s power could play out more prominently than Lucroy’s, but their offensive profiles are comparable.
There is no question about if Tyler Soderstrom can hit a baseball. The question for the team that drafts him is at what position they will get his bat into the lineup.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
