Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Over the last 30 years, the Mets have selected a catcher in the first round of the MLB Draft just once, when they picked Kevin Plawecki at No. 35 overall in 2012.

And the lack of a can't-miss catching prospect in the 2020 MLB Draft might mean that the Mets going for one when they pick at No. 19 is unlikely.

When you look at the Mets' farm system, Francisco Alvarez is a true blue chip catching prospect who profiles as a player who will excel on both sides of the ball. But he likely won't be ready until 2022 at the earliest, and potentially not until 2023.

There's also the likely presence of Brodie Van Wagenen favorite J.T. Realmuto being on the free agent market after the 2020 season, so the Mets could potentially turn to him to replace Wilson Ramos.

But teams don't draft for need. And if the Mets decide to go with a catcher at No. 19, here are three they could consider...

C Patrick Bailey, North Carolina State

A 20-year-old switch-hitter, Bailey was initially drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round of the 2017 draft, but turned them down in order to go to college.

With NC State, Bailey -- the top-ranked catcher in the draft, per MLB Pipeline -- hit .288/.390/.513 with 10 homers in 60 games in 2019 and was hitting .296/.466/.685 with six homers in 17 games this season before it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "Bailey is a switch-hitter whose strength gives him solid raw power from both sides of the plate. His pop stands out more than his hitting ability, though he makes consistent contact and draws a healthy amount of walks. While he wasn't productive with wood bats last summer with Team USA, scouts believe he'll produce enough offense to profile as a regular."

C Tyler Soderstrom, Turlock High School (CA)

The No. 19 ranked prospect in the draft, Soderstrom has an advanced hit tool and plus power, but there is some concern regarding whether he'll be able to stay behind the plate at the highest level.

Soderstrom hit .450 with four homers, 12 doubles, and one triple during his junior season. His senior campaign was suspended after just five games.

MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "Soderstrom is an athletic, left-handed hitting catcher whose bat is ahead of his defense. At the plate, he's really polished with a solid overall approach and makes the kind of loud contact that makes people sit up and take notice when he's taking batting practice."

C Dillon Dingler, Ohio State

The 21-year-old Dingler has above average tools across the board, including an arm that grades out at 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale.

Dingler, whose offensive output improved from his freshman to sophomore seasons with the Buckeyes, was tearing the cover off the ball in 13 games during his junior season in 2020 before it was suspended, slashing .340/.404/.760 with five homers in 13 games.

MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "While Dingler batted just .267/.362/.396 in his first two college seasons, he controls the strike zone well and has plus raw power, so he should be able to hold his own as a right-handed hitter."

Video: Terry Collins reveals feelings on Johan and Harvey

Popular in the Community