Continuing our series of prospect profiles ahead of next month’s MLB Draft, we now head down to Texas. Catcher Blake Mitchell is the 13th-ranked overall draft prospect on MLB.com’s list and the second-highest catcher. The only higher-ranked catcher is Kyle Teel of the Virginia Cavaliers, who is 11th overall. Mitchell, 18, is no stranger to winning. Out of Sinton High School in southeast Texas, he led his squad to a 4-A state title in his junior year, when he also took home state player of the year honors. Mitchell also won gold at the 18-and-under World Cup playing for the U.S. junior team, where he stood out as a pitcher, his other position. He is an LSU commit, but he will likely go early in this year’s draft. Here’s a closer look at what Blake Mitchell brings to the table.
Here is Blake Mitchell’s walk-off from @SHS_PirateBball win over Calallen in game 1 of the series, 2-1 in the 10th inning. Heck of a game@ChrisThomasson7 @kiii3sports @4ATxHsBaseball @TxHS_Baseball @LarissaLiska @Caller_Len @CallerSports @THSBCA pic.twitter.com/XKP9cfFcrC
— Marcus Sarate (@marcussarate) May 12, 2023
Blake Mitchell Draft Profile
Scouting grades (MLB.com): Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Strengths
Mitchell possesses a solid frame for a catcher, at 6’1″ and 202 lbs. He has strength at the plate with good bat speed, and he hits from the left side, adding some versatility to any lineup. Mitchell has demonstrated an ability to work counts, although he often strikes out amid his quest for homers. Defensively, he sports a strong throwing arm, which compensates for his otherwise average blocking and catching ability. According to Perfect Game, Mitchell is also an excellent student, which is an especially important trait for a backstop to have.
While he is listed primarily as a catcher, Mitchell has also had success as both a pitcher and outfielder. His fastball has reached 97 mph, and he also incorporates a changeup and curveball on the mound. If he veers off the catching path for whatever reason, the farm system that develops him will have some options to develop him into a bona fide major-league talent. In an ideal world, Mitchell will develop into a decent defensive catcher with an ability to throw out baserunners, and a pesky hitter with some pop.
Weaknesses
Like many catchers, Blake Mitchell is not blessed with the gift of speed. This will hopefully not come into play too much if he’s a smart baserunner, but don’t expect him to take many chances on the basepaths or give his offense extra at-bats by beating out grounders. Mitchell’s positional versatility could offer him multiple paths to major-league success. However, some teams may not want to deal with experimenting with him in the minors to see where he fits best. He will likely stick behind the plate for the foreseeable future, but any uncertainty about his ultimate position could cause a team or two to pass on drafting him.
Mitchell has some pop from the left side of the plate, but this will likely lead to plenty of strikeouts. His patient approach should lead to his share of walks, though, hopefully making strikeouts a minimal issue.
Blake Mitchell MLB Player Comparison
Exclusively lefty-hitting catchers are few and far between in MLB, but two switch-hitting catchers possess similar skill sets to Mitchell. Adley Rustchman of the Baltimore Orioles and Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners both spend plenty of time hitting lefty. They have each demonstrated some pop from that side of the plate. Moreover, both catchers, especially Raleigh, have been proficient at throwing out would-be base stealers with strong throwing arms. Both are slightly bigger than Mitchell at the moment, but if he bulks up after he’s drafted, it could enhance his current strengths. Any team that drafts Mitchell would be pleased if he becomes as talented as either of these two catchers.
Photo Credit: Angela Piazza/Caller-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Players Mentioned: Blake Mitchell, Kyle Teel, Adley Rutschman, Cal Raleigh
