The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted catcher Wyatt Mathisen with the 69th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Mathisen was considered the top high school catching prospect in the draft, and unlike a lot of high school catchers, projects to remain behind the plate.
He has a plus arm and good intangibles. He’s athletic enough that his team used him more as a shortstop this year, although he has what it takes to be a catcher. It’s not unusual for prep teams to play their best athlete at shortstop. Mathisen’s upside is probably better as a catcher.
He’s got the potential to hit for average and power. Mathisen has a commitment to the University of Texas, which means he could be the next in a line of players to break their Texas commitment and join the Pirates, joining Josh Bell, Colton Cain, and Robbie Grossman.
I had Mathisen in my fifth tier of my rankings, which was designated as guys who would be worthy of the compensation pick. He’s a good value in the second round, and fills a system need as the Pirates are thin at the catcher position. As a prep guy, he probably won’t move quickly through the system, so for the short-term the Pirates are still counting on Tony Sanchez. But due to the lack of depth in the system, Mathisen becomes the number two or three catching prospect, depending on how high you are on Ramon Cabrera.
UPDATE 1:41 PM: Good article here on Mathisen. He’s quoted as saying he wants to start his career early if he gets drafted high. He said he expected to go in the second or third rounds, so I’m guessing that means he’ll now be looking to start his career. A scout in the article is quoted as saying he wants to sign. So it doesn’t sound like it will be hard to break that commitment to the University of Texas.
The article also has a good look at his playing time at shortstop, despite the fact that he’s viewed in the draft as a catcher. It was mentioned that he probably would have gone higher if he caught more often. That’s not the first time I’ve seen this mentioned. Seems like a good upside pick, especially if his tools really translate well behind the plate.
June 5, 2012 at 12:39 pm
GREAT PICK!!! JMHO
June 5, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Do you really think that after the second round when bonuses really shrink that these high school kids will sign?
June 5, 2012 at 4:13 pm
some of them will, yes. Mathieson will, I bet. Did you read the link?
June 5, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Yes I did Lee. With Boras around he will demand top buck for Appel and I assume the Pirates will need close to 2 million to sign number 2. That doesn’t leave much to sign 3-10. Once I would like to see Boras get crushed.
June 5, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Rooting for Adam Brett Walker to drop to our next pick
June 5, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I definitely like the pick….as a side note though, what’s up with Cabrera this season? Not doing as well as the same level as last year, right? or am I thinking of Paulino?
Twitter: timwilliamsp2
June 5, 2012 at 12:59 pm
You might be thinking of Paulino, who is no where close to what he was doing last year.
Cabrera isn’t winning any batting titles this year, but he’s doing well.
June 5, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Ok, that sounds right. I haven’t been following them intensely, but they aren’t hopping off the stat sheet either.
June 5, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Great pick, go Bucs!
June 5, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Love the pick. Nothing wrong with a catcher who has the potential to be a solid, everyday starter.
June 5, 2012 at 11:40 pm
“Something ridiculous would have to happen to where I wouldn’t sign, which I highly doubt anything like that is going to happen,” he said.”
http://www.caller.com/news/2012/jun/05/pirates-pick-calallens-mathisen-second-round-mlb-d/