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Draft | Story | 6/3/2019

PG Top 10: Catchers and the Draft

Blake Dowson

Photo: Adley Rutschman (Scobel Wiggins)

2019 MLB Draft Preview Index

The list of catchers that have gone in the Top-3, or even Top-10, of the MLB Draft is not very long. Catchers are seen in the scouting community as a risky proposition, therefore backstops typically fall a bit in the draft. That will likely change this year, though, as Oregon State’s Adley Rutschman is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by Perfect Game. Below is a Top-10 list of the highest drafted catchers of all-time, headlined by a guy that just finished what could be a Hall of Fame career.

Rk.	Player	Drafted	Year	Team	Career
1	Joe Mauer	1st	2001	Twins	15 years in MLB
1	B.J. Surhoff	1st	1985	Brewers	19 years in MLB
1	Danny Goodwin	1st (twice)	1971, 1975	Cubs, Angels	7 years in MLB
1	Mike Ivie	1st	1970	Padres	11 years in MLB
1	Steve Chilcott	1st	1966	Mets	7 years in Minors
6	Joey Bart	2nd	2018	Giants	Currently Class A-Adv
6	Ben Davis	2nd	1995	Padres	7 years in MLB
6	Tyler Houston	2nd	1989	Braves	8 years in MLB
6	John Stearns	2nd	1973	Phillies	11 years in MLB
10	Mike Zunino	3rd	2012	Mariners	Currently in MLB
10	Jeff Clement	3rd	2005	Mariners	4 years in MLB
10	Eric Munson	3rd	1999	Tigers	9 years in MLB
10	Mike Lieberthal	3rd	1990	Phillies	14 years in MLB
10	Jay Schroeder	3rd	1979	Blue Jays	4 years in Minors
10	Barry Foote	3rd	1970	Expos	10 years in MLB
10	Martin Cott	3rd	1966	Astros	3 years in Minors

Although catchers are seen as risky that high in the draft, 10 of the players on the list above lasted at least seven years in MLB, with Joey Bart and Mike Zunino yet to finish their careers. When teams do feel compelled to take a catcher among the first three selections of the draft, it is typically for a good reason.

PERFECTGAME.TV

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