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Austin Nola 2021 Player Outlook: Don't Pay For Catchers
While in the Marlins minor league system, Nola had a high of six home runs with a .116 ISO. Then he signed with the Mariners before the start of the 2019 season and everything changed. He began catching, changed his swing, and refined his approach at the plate. That produced 10 home runs in 267 plate appearances with a .185 ISO and .269 batting average. He was then traded to the Padres the following season and he clubbed seven home runs in 184 plate appearances with a .199 ISO and .273 batting average. The walk rate increased while the strikeout rate decreased. Entering the 2021 season, Nola is being selected as the ninth catcher off the board and 184th overall player. Steamer has him projected for 10 home runs with a .252/.328/.397 slash in 396 plate appearances. Here's the thing, though, you can find similar stats much later in the draft. Yadier Molina has an ADP of 249 and is the 15th catcher off the board. He's projected for 10 home runs and a .257/.305/.394 slash in 389 plate appearances. Ryan Jeffers has an ADP of 368 and is the 28th catcher being selected and he's projected for 11 home runs with a .259/.321/.443 slash in 290 plate appearances. Nola also suffered a fractured finger this spring and his return date is TBD.
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