Kevin
Parada

2022 MLB Draft: Showing noticeable strength and agility improvements this spring compared to last summer with the USA CNT, the Golden Spikes Award finalist is an offense-first backstop. The right handed hitter has an unorthodox setup at the plate, but uses tremendous hand/eye and wrist strength to consistently square up baseballs. The sophomore eligible produced a tremendous slash line of .356/.451/.728 with 28 home runs this spring in just his second season of college baseball. More importantly he cut down significantly on his strikeout rate (16.9% to 9.5%) while improving his walk rate (7% to 9.9%) and increasing his ISO (.232 to .372). Behind the plate he continues to be a work-in-progress, showing average arm strength with below average accuracy and throwing out 12 of 54 base runners (22%).

Showing noticeable strength and agility improvements since last summer with the USA CNT (scouting report here), Parada had a strong weekend in front of an abundance of scouts. With five hits in 13 at-bats his season average dropped a few points, but overall it remains a blistering .455/.556/.909 with 8 HR and 28 RBI. His eighth home run was a moonshot belted during Sunday's first game. The right handed hitter is now just one homer short of his 2021 season total. Parada also walked five times and struck out just once over the weekend. With 2022 current season totals of 13 BB and 6 SO, he's on pace to erase last season's subpar 17 BB vs 41 SO. With exceptionally strong hands at the plate he generates better than plus raw power to all fields. It's not just BP power. It's real power that he's able to get into during games due to his strong pitch recognition and plate discipline skills, along with an ability to manipulate the barrel. His power production should translate into 25-plus a season in the Major Leagues. If he can stick behind the plate where he showed to be an improving receiver and much more adept blocking than previous evaluations, this type of power should result in All-Star appearances. With agile feet he shows the desired range, but is still working on the "soft-block", redirecting the ball to the plate instead of just stopping it from going to the backstop. He also tended to follow the low pitch to receive it, instead of beating it to the spot and feathering it back up into the strike zone for a better presentation to the umpire. His tendency to drop to his left knee while catching the pitch – a touch habit to break – is also concerning, especially since it inhibits his greatest weakness; slowing the running game. Parada shows average arm strength, but it plays down to below average in the game, lacking on-line carry and leading to inconsistent accuracy. Last spring he threw out just 7 of 59 attempted base stealers (12%) and is off to a 2-for-13 (15%) this season. Yes, some of this is due to the pitcher, and in particular the stolen base he allowed during Sunday's game was mainly due to the long delivery time by Zach Maxwell. As a hitter with a plus hit tool and above average power production, it's not inconceivable to think that Parada could play himself into consideration for one of the top five picks overall if he continues to show power with low strikeouts totals, as well as show even further improvement behind the dish, especially with his throwing accuracy. Although not a perfect comparable, especially since it was a totally different era, Parada has the potential to become a Mike Piazza type of ML catcher. However, even Piazza managed to throw out 23% of base stealers over his career when the league average was 31% during his 16 season MLB career. Note: During the 2021 MLB season, the caught stealing rate was 24% (23% AL / 25% NL).

Cape Cod- Parada played just nine games for Chatham before heading to Team USA and then shutting it down for the summer. He was worn down after serving as Georgia Tech's everyday catcher all spring, and he did not show great receiving or throwing skills for Chatham. He'll need to clean those things up, but his bat is his calling card, and he can really hit. Here's David Seifert's report on Parada after seeing him with Team USA: At the plate, the righthanded hitter stayed inside the ball well and showed power to all fields. He has the potential to hit for a high average and above-average power and finished second on the CNT in batting average at .400 (10-for-25). Behind the plate, he is limited defensively with fair hands, fringe arm strength, and his one-knee setup may be more comfortable, but isn't conducive for high-level blocking. However, with an exceptional work ethic, anything is possible and Parada could continue to grind it out behind the plate. Otherwise, a move to first base is likely in his future at the next level. Based on his bat alone, Parada is likely to receive Day One consideration in 2022.

A bat-first backstop, Parada is likely age eligible for the 2022 draft. With an early August birthday, it all depends on the date of the MLB draft next summer. At the plate, the righthanded hitter stayed inside the ball well and showed power to all fields. He has the potential to hit for a high average and above average power and finished second on the CNT in batting average at .400 (10-for-25). Behind the plate, he is limited defensively with fair hands, fringe arm strength and his one-knee setup may be more comfortable, but isn’t conducive for high-level blocking. However, with an exceptional work ethic, anything is possible and Parada could continue to grind it out behind the plate. Otherwise, a move to first base is likely in his future at the next level. Based on his bat alone, Parada is likely to receive Day One consideration in 2022.

Georgia Tech recruit. The 6-foot, 194-pounder features a sturdy frame with noticeable strength in both the upper and lower-half. Utilizing a simple approach from the right side, he generates impressive power from quick hands and strong wrists/forearms. He drove a home run over the right field fence that left in a hurry, and demonstrates the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He works noticeably uphill with a two-handed swing, and gets a bit heavier onto his back side in the finish. He has shown well in the past against some of the nation’s better pitching, and is a prospect to know as the 2020 MLB Draft season kicks off.

C Kevin Parada (Loyola HS, CA) is a strong kid and receives well behind the plate. He has strength at contact. Like Thomas, he had two doubles in the first round of the playoffs and finished the weekend 11-for-23 with four doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs.

Parada will have an argument for being the best defensive catcher in his class in California when it’s all said and done. Receives with soft hands and a quiet body. No wasted movements in his setup/shift. The arm is strong and accurate - popped 1.98-2.02 between innings - and he controls the running game well. The Georgia Tech commit is physical at 6-foot, 195-pounds