Much like second base, catcher is a thin or top-heavy position. Most of the time, the best-hitting catchers end up moving off the position. A few below, and a few left off this like Dalton Rushing and Moises Ballesteros are a few primed to move. Most likely, just Basallo on the list below moves off catcher with Adley locked in for the Orioles. Here is some insight on a few other catching prospects quickly rising through the ranks.
Catcher Dynasty Prospect Comps
Samuel Basallo, BAL
Dynasty Floor Comp: (2024) Christian Walker
Basallo has been the best backstop bat for 2 years, despite the misplaced Ethan Salas hype. What Basallo has done at just 20 years old is impressive. Reaching Triple-A, hitting for average and power, and stealing 10-plus bases in back-to-back seasons. Christian Walker was limited to 130 games in 2024, but the overall numbers seem like a realistic ask from Basallo. A .335 OBP with 26 HR is in the range of what Basallo has produced in the last two seasons. The stolen bases may decrease to the 5-8 range for Basallo when he debuts, but the overall profile is a power hitter.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: Rafael Devers
A big left-handed bat, Basallo could reach the upside of Rafael Devers. Devers held a .354 OBP last season with 28 HR. Basallo has the power to tap into 30 HR a season if it all comes together. Devers also has the elevated hit tool compared to Walker, and Basallo has hit for average nearly every step of the way. Devers has been one of the more consistent superstars in the last few years, but Basallo shows an advanced approach to match him. Still only 20 years old, Basallo has a path to become Devers.
True Projection:
In my eyes, Basallo has the true projection of Devers in his prime. When Basallo debuts at age 20 or 21, he may have an adjustment but ages 24-29 should mirror Devers. Basallo has the potential of a .275 average, with a .370 OBP, 25+ HR, and 10 SB per season. One of the quick risers after 2022, Basallo has established himself as the next big potential. The top C/1B prospect in baseball, Basallo is one of the top 3 hitting prospects in baseball.
Kyle Teel, CHW
Dynasty Floor Comp: Austin Wells
The safe comp for Teel is a player who had a breakout second half of 2024. Austin Wells put up a .241 average with 7 HR in his final 54 games. While Teel has a better hit tool, the 10-15 HR range and 5-10 SB range is a safe floor. Wells should be able to match his second half from 2024, and possibly improve in the HR department. Teel should get a debut in 2025 and it may follow similar to the debut of Wells in 2o24.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: J.T. Realmuto
It may be a bit of a reach to say Teel is locked in for 20+ HR, or 20-20 seasons. However, he is trending in that direction. The power may be easier to come by than the stolen bases. Teel has the ability to impact ever aspect of the game. The counting stats should be good, with a solid average. Teel has some work to get to 20-20 but at his peak, that is the potential.
True Projection:
The 14th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft was a quick riser. A plus bat, Tell has the projection of prime J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto started stealing bases at the age of 30. While Teel doesn’t have the same speed, he can swipe 8-10 per season. Teel may not possess the 20+ HR power that Realmuto was putting up, but he should reach 15-20 per season. While slightly under the upside, Teel should be a 15HR/12SB player, while nearing a .300 average.
Blake Mitchell, KCR
Dynasty Floor Comp: Lawrence Butler
Mitchell has the athletic ability to hit for power and steal bases. A rare combo behind the dish, Mitchell could rise to be the top-catching prospect quickly. Butler broke out in a big way in 2024 and the 2024 of Mitchell matched the production. Butler doesn’t walk at the rate Blake Mitchell does, but the lower hit tool might even out the OBP. If Mitchell continues to lack in the average department, his patience approach and power/speed will mirror the 2024 of Lawrence Butler.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: Seiya Suzuki
Suzuki put up 21 HR and 16 SB in 132 games in 2025. Mitchell has the ability to hit for 20+ HR and his 26 SB in 2024 was a bit of a surprise. Mitchell is a good athlete but the stolen bases should live around the 12-15 range as he focuses more on his approach. Suzuki had a .283 average in 2024, which is a big improvement from the Low-A .232 average Mitchell held. The 8th overall pick in 2023, Mitchell was drafted because the bat was advanced for his age. Mitchell should continue to move at a slow pace, but 2025 could be the breakout season that shows him reaching this potential.
True Projection:
Mitchell has a lot of the baseball player look. Mature behind the plate, the bat is a little behind. 18 HR and 26 SB is a win, but Mitchell managed just a .232 average with 149 strikeouts. If the hit tool doesn’t improve, Mitchell should still be able to provide multiple-category upside. Mitchell will be 20 years old until August of 2025 and should see Double-A by the end of season.
Harry Ford, SEA
Dynasty Floor Comp: Ha-Seong Kim
Harry Ford has been a top prospect since he was drafted 12th overall in 2021. Kim put up 22 stolen bases and 11 home runs in 2024, with a .233 average. Ford has 10-15 HR power with above-average speed leading to 20 plus stolen bases. The power took a step back in 2024 for Ford, which makes Kim a floor comp. Ford went from double-digit home runs in 2022 and 2023, to 7 home runs in 2024. The stolen bases jumped from mid 20’s to mid 30’s for Ford. Kim and Ford both have a good walk-to-strikeout ratio and could be a spot on numbers comp.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: Randy Arozarena
It could be argued that 2024 Randy Arozarena was similar to 2024 Ha-Seong Kim outside of the power and strikeout difference. Ford has the chance to reach 15+ HR, and should easily reach 20+ stolen base total. Arozarena hit just .219, and Ford has never registered under a .249 average. Granted Ford has decreased his average every season as he rises through MiLB. Arozarena from 2024 was a down year for him but could be the height for Ford.
True Projection:
Ford has been a top prospect for a while and he’s shown that he can do it all. The two categories that he excels in are speed and walk rate. Ford has an outside chance to debut in 2025, and with that, he’ll realistically see a .345+ OBP, and 25+ SB. If Ford can take a step forward with his power and hit tool, he’s a 5 tool catching prospects. There is an outside chance he can move to the outfield, but Ford will have value at any defensive position.
Ethan Salas, SDP
Dynasty Floor Comp: Jake Cronenworth
The floor for Salas is a 15-20 HR player with 1-5 steals and a mid .200 average. His major league teammate, Jake Cronenworth is exactly that. 17 HR with a .241 average and low .300 OBP was the 2024 season for Cronenworth. Salas has yet to find success outside of his first 48 games at Low-A in 2023. The Padres pushed Salas to High-A, and Double-A to end 2023 which may have been too much. The projection is difficult for Salas but 15 HR with a .320 OBP is a safe floor.
Dynasty Ceiling Comp: Bryan Reynolds
Reynolds has been consistent outside of his shortened 2020 season. Salas has a beautiful swing and the talent to reach some of his potential. Those who were realistic about his potential think 2024 Bryan Reynolds is the upside of Salas. A .275 average, with a .344 OBP and 24 HR would be a top catcher. Salas looks the part, and if the talent catches up as he gets closer to the age of the competition he’s facing, he could reach that potential.
True Projection:
Salas gained way too much hype, way too quickly. He was unfairly given Jasson Domínguez hype, which is impossible to live up to. Salas doesn’t turn 19 years old until June of 2025. Ethan Salas reached Double-A in his first season but had little to no success. Repeating High-A in 2024, Salas continued to struggle despite being very young. The main success point for Salas was the lack of strikeouts with 98 in 111 games. Salas was overmatched and the Padres are moving him quickly. Ethan Salas is still a very good prospect but the true projection is difficult due to Padres’ plan and lack of success.