Braves manager Brian Snitker is impressed with what he’s heard about Shea Langeliers, the team’s first-round selection (No. 9 overall) in the MLB draft.
Langeliers, a seasoned catcher from Baylor, was coined the draft’s best defensive backstop. His offense shows in spurts, including Saturday’s three-homer, 11-RBI performance in the NCAA regionals.
“I don’t know that (the scouts) thought he’d be there when they picked,” Snitker said. “But all the reviews and everything you heard about him, we might really have something here. Sounds like a legit guy. Just looking at him, big physical guy. Looks the part, looks athletic. It’s nice to get someone that advanced where you can just plug him in and go through pro ball.”
Indeed, part of Langeliers’ appeal is his maturity. The organization had only one catching prospect with premium potential – William Contreras, who’s still in High-A – and adding Langeliers could bolster the big-league club as early as late 2020.
“I don’t remember how long Buster (Posey) spent (in the minors), but it wasn’t long before he came up here,” Snitker said. “And I remember when he came up here, he was running a veteran staff.”
Posey, whom San Francisco drafted fifth overall in 2008 out of Florida State, debuted in September of the following year. That’s setting a high bar for Langeliers, but the Braves believe there’s ability to develop well-rounded skill of the Posey mold.
Braves vice president of scouting Dana Brown continuously spoke of Langeliers’ total-package potential. At the plate, he rebounded from a mediocre sophomore season to hit .308/.374/.530 in 44 games this season.
Langeliers, 21, also missed 10 games early with a broken hamate bone. He returned in under three weeks, a testament to his toughness that the Braves reference. That his offense still made strides after the injury is further encouragement he could become a plus hitter.
Snitker believes catchers who already have strong defensive abilities can progress quickly as batters because they know they’ll be in the lineup every day. There isn’t pressure to collect a three-hit day because their real value is found in how they’re managing the game.
“Yadi (Yadier Molina) wasn’t a great hitter when I saw him in Double-A,” Snitker said. “But those kind of guys, their managers play them so much that they end up learning how to hit. If they have any hitting ability at all, they’re in the lineup. Their managers want them to play. Consequently, they end up learning to hit.”
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