:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14211575/aa2013mlbdraftprofile.0.jpg)
Nick Ciuffo, C
| Nick Ciuffo |
||
|---|---|---|
| Pos | High School / College | Consensus Rank |
| Shortstop |
Lexington High School (SC) |
late 1st round |
| B/T | Birthdate (age) | Height / Weight |
| L/R | 3/7/95 (18) | 6'1" / 205 lbs |
Along with Jonathan Denney and Reese McGuire, Nick Ciuffo is one of three prep catchers projected to go in the first round of the 2013 draft. If Denney is the one with the big bat you hope will stick at catcher, and McGuire is the one that you will hope hits enough to make the strong defensive profile useful, Ciuffo is kind of stuck in between. His bat doesn't have the upside of Denney's, and while Keith Law has said he has the best hands of the three, his overall defensive projection doesn't quite match up to McGuire's. However, his balance of skills might end up making him the best prospect in the long run. He has a commitment to South Carolina, but once again, the #11 slot money should be enough to buy him out.
Video (Steve Fiorindo/Bullpen Banter)
Alex's take:
"Nick Ciuffo’s actually my favorite prep catcher in this draft class, the guy I see as being the most ready to step in and contribute on both sides of the plate. Defensively, he’s improved by leaps and bounds. He has outstanding hands and a great acumen for the game. He displays good energy behind the plate and has an above-average throwing arm. Offensively, he’s the most polished bat of the prep catchers. He has a simple, direct rotational swing with a sound approach. He does need to watch a bat wrap, but I figure he should hit for average with a little bit of pop."
Baseball America's Take:
"He is a good receiver with a strong arm and quick release. He plays with energy and has matured into a leader on the field for a nationally ranked team. He projects to hit for at least average power and draws comparisons to A.J. Pierzynski for his tools and competitive edge. He committed to South Carolina before recording a varsity at-bat and has excellent baseball aptitude, recalling at-bats against Stetson Allie as a freshman and breaking down opposing players for scouts. He's not as athletic as Reese McGuire and doesn't have the same power as Jonathan Denney, but he has the best all-around skills of that group and could go in the first round."
