Anyone have a good scouting report on Max Pentecost?

[pickoff22]

If so please post - and thanks!

[Captain Adama]

Max Pentecost

Rank: 19

Kennesaw State, Junior

Height: 6'2", Weight: 190

Position: C

DOB: 3/10/1993

Bats: R, Throws: R

Prev. drafted: 2011, 7th (234) - TEX

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

 

Though Pentecost required surgery to repair a stress fracture in his throwing arm as a high school senior, the Rangers still drafted him in the seventh round in 2011 and nearly signed him. His decision to attend Kennesaw State could make him the first college catcher selected in 2014, as he's coming off a summer in which he was MVP of the Cape Cod League and led the premier college summer circuit with a .962 OPS.

 

Pentecost, a rare catcher who could have average or better tools across the board, has a chance to hit for solid average and power. He has a quick right-handed bat, and while his hitting skills have been more evident than his pop, he did hit six homers on the Cape with wood bats.

 

His receiving skills still need work, though Pentecost should be able to remain behind the plate. He has the requisite arm strength for a catcher, though he can improve his accuracy. He runs better than most backstops and has average speed overall.

[connorp]

That doesn't sound very sexy. Cant you fill that purpose by signing veteran C to relatively cheap short term deals?

[connorp]

Also I just realized its prob been debated a million times in the draft thread but Im just coming in and looking for cliff notes:)

[jb22]

That doesn't sound very sexy. Cant you fill that purpose by signing veteran C to relatively cheap short term deals?

 

He has lots of time to improve...

[Convo]

He has lots of time to improve...

 

Doesn't everyone?

[Angrioter]

That doesn't sound very sexy. Cant you fill that purpose by signing veteran C to relatively cheap short term deals?

 

Premium position hermano. We're talking about the most important defensive position of the game, a talent very difficult to find.

The kid is a good athlete (for his defensive position). Toolsy catcher who can help you to win games in many different ways. He's the opposite to Arencibia.

 

Now, depend of the Jays finish that product.

[HERPDERP]

So if everything pans out we got Jason Kendall in Yadi's body.

 

Gotcha.

[Camps]

http://jaysprospects.com/2014/06/06/max-pentecost-blue-jays/

 

Here’s additional information from first-hand sources on Max Pentecost:

Baseball America:

“Pentecost’s athleticism stood out then and still does after catching for most of the last three seasons. Scouts consider him an above-average runner, fairly exceptional for a catcher, and his 6-foot-1, 190-pound body could use more strength to hold up under the rigors of catching 100-plus games. The body and his speed earn him Jason Kendall comparisons. He’s an average receiver with average arm strength with inconsistent throwing mechanics and profiles as an offensive catcher. [...] Scouts like his line-drive swing, which has improved over the course of his college career. Most scouts see him as a below-average power producer but some see enough feel for hitting for Pentecost to reach 12-15 homers eventually.”

 

MLB.com:

“Taking Max had nothing to do with any of those trades or getting rid of any of those players,” Blue Jays director of amateur scouting Brian Parker said. “When you pick nine and 11, you just have to line up your board and take the best player, and that’s what we did. We like Max. We scouted him pretty hard from last summer in the Cape and throughout this spring.

“This is a guy we have above-average catching grades on,” Blue Jays director of amateur scouting Brian Parker said. “We think this guy can be an asset behind the plate for us. We’ve done some research, we talked to some of his teammates from the Cape, some of the guys he’s played with in the past, and they all rave about him.”

 

ESPN:

“Offensively, Pentecost has a line-drive swing that stays through the zone with good bat speed and transfers his weight well to generate average power, mostly to the pull side. He’s shown an ability to work counts and a willingness to hit the ball the other way, so high averages and on-base percentages are not out of the question. His swing is more geared towards contact; but 15-18 homer seasons are not out of the question.

Where Pentecost has improved the most since he was a prep, however, is behind the plate. He’s an above-average athlete who runs well for the position, and has shown an ability to block pitches in the dirt. His overall arm strength is only average, but he uses his athleticism and quick release to get rid of the ball quickly and he should do a decent job of keeping base-runners from running.

There isn’t one skill that jumps out when you watch Pentecost, and if you look at the 20-80 grades you might think he looks very mundane; but those can be a bit misleading. An everyday catcher who can get on base and produce average power totals and won’t kill you with the glove is something that every club covets and it’s why Pentecost has a chance to go very early come draft day. One concern is that Pentecost has faced less-than-stellar competition at Kennesaw State, but the tools translate very well and there’s a great chance he’s a first-round pick this year.”

[jays4life19]

I really really like the Petencost pick. Dude has a short swing and unlike so many of AA previous position player picks can actually HIT the baseball. Infact, his hit tool is so good it could play at second base. To get an athlete with a +hit tool that's a college jr and not a million years away is very valuable at a premier position like catcher. Petencost is an absolutely fantastic pick who shouldn't be a tough sign (college jr) like a Beede or a Bickford.

 

No one should hate this pick.

[baseballsss]

whats the chances the can stick at catcher?

[sdyment]

What's a realistic ETA? Not used to draft picks who aren't still in diapers!

 

Is the 1000pa's a good rule for college position players?

[jays4life19]

whats the chances the can stick at catcher?

 

I don't see any reason why he can't. Good athlete with +arm. Just needs to work on receiving which is very coachable.

[Angrioter]

whats the chances the can stick at catcher?

 

The chances are very high.

 

John Jaso + D lol

[baseballsss]

The chances are very high.

 

John Jaso + D lol

 

Thanks. I love that quote you got lol

[aselvana]

the burning question is, can he catch the knuckler??

[Convo]

100%

 

No such thing as 100%

[Angrioter]

the burning question is, can he catch the knuckler??

Do you want to rob the Thole's job?

[Atothe]

the burning question is, can he catch the knuckler??

 

I'm pretty sure dickey is gone by the time he comes up

[admin]

That doesn't sound very sexy. Cant you fill that purpose by signing veteran C to relatively cheap short term deals?

 

I'll admit I haven't followed any of this draft so I could be completely wrong, but I agree.

He seems like an "okay" hitter that sounds like he probably won't even stick at catcher, unless he improves.

So we'll have an okay hitter that will end up in the OF or 1B.

[z3r0s]

I'll admit I haven't followed any of this draft so I could be completely wrong, but I agree.

He seems like an "okay" hitter that sounds like he probably won't even stick at catcher, unless he improves.

So we'll have an okay hitter that will end up in the OF or 1B.

 

He'll stick at catcher, that's why we took him where we did.

[Olerud363]

What's a realistic ETA? Not used to draft picks who aren't still in diapers!

 

Is the 1000pa's a good rule for college position players?

 

Aaron Hill was drafted in 2003 and here in 2005. I think that's realistic for a good college player. If it takes longer he's having trouble somewhere.

Russ adams drafted in 2002 and here in 2004.

 

John Olerud was drafted in 1989 and here in 89. Did not stop in the minors. Special case obviously.

 

J.P. Arencibia drafted in 2007, here in 2010. And that was after hitting a huge road bump in the first go in aaa. So I like I said if all goes well 2015. If he hits a major road bump that may only delay it a year to 2016. If he falls apart completely... well hopefully not.

[admin]

He'll stick at catcher, that's why we took him where we did.

 

We'll see. Seems like he improved quite a bit.

But the fact this organization did f*** all with JPA to try and make him a catcher, I'll believe it when I see it.

Though I'm sure there is no way he is as arrogant as JPA is, and I doubt he thinks he's the best catcher in the world like JPA does.

[SpeedyGose]

We'll see. Seems like he improved quite a bit.

But the fact this organization did f*** all with JPA to try and make him a catcher, I'll believe it when I see it.

Though I'm sure there is no way he is as arrogant as JPA is, and I doubt he thinks he's the best catcher in the world like JPA does.

 

Almost every scouting report said he has the athleticism (also, he's not too big for catcher which is a big reason why guys get moved) to play C also has strong defensive tools outside of receiving. I would be shocked if he is moved off of the position.

[connorp]

Meh.. I don't really follow the players coming into the draft but it just seems underwhelming for #11. I understand its a premium position but its not like he projects as an elite defender with average or maybe better bat.. he's just ok all-around.. Seems like they fell in love with him during a short season league rather than his body of work. Also I've never heard of the college he went to, is it a major D1? I just think you can get Russell Martins and such on reasonable deals and you can prob trade for guys like Wilson Ramos without giving up your elite prospects.. idk.. just going on record so if theres an uproar in 3 years about who we could have gotten after him and everyone starts looking back on who was for the pick.. I'm on the record as against:)

[connorp]

Top 5 you'd think Wieters or Mauer type.. dangerous on both sides.. top 10ish you'd think either the bat or glove would be elite with the other part average or better

[Mac Outlaw]

Catcher, to me, and maybe I'm showing you my age in the face of all these analytics, but who cares about catcher? The Jays never had a elite catcher through their glory years of 83 to 93 and I can't recall many more since then.

 

It would seem to me that most of their value comes from framing pitches, then by calling games, yet maybe those two should be reversed. After that would come throwing out base runners. Anyway, not many catchers in the history of the game have hit worth a lick.

 

Well board analytic managers, give me your best. How important is catching perceived today?

[connorp]

Catcher, to me, and maybe I'm showing you my age in the face of all these analytics, but who cares about catcher? The Jays never had a elite catcher through their glory years of 83 to 93 and I can't recall many more since then.

 

It would seem to me that most of their value comes from framing pitches, then by calling games, yet maybe those two should be reversed. After that would come throwing out base runners. Anyway, not many catchers in the history of the game have hit worth a lick.

 

Well board analytic managers, give me your best. How important is catching perceived today?

 

You're mac33 from the old board?

[Sammy225]

So too soon to get a Pentecost jersey?????

[jb22]

Top 5 you'd think Wieters or Mauer type.. dangerous on both sides.. top 10ish you'd think either the bat or glove would be elite with the other part average or better

 

No...just no. Catchers with elite bat/glove and average or better of the other don't grow on trees, and especially not at 21 years old.