Top 5 high school catchers for 2015 MLB Draft

Video: Long Beach Wilson (CA) - Chris Betts highlights
See Woodrow Wilson High catcher and MLB Draft prospect Chris Betts in action

The Class of 2015 is not deep at catcher, but there are still a few who could be chosen in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft, which begins June 8.

MaxPreps continues its series on the top high school players expected to be chosen in the 2015 MLB Draft with a look at the top five catchers.


Chris Betts, Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.), 6-2, 210
Betts is the top catcher in a class that is not very deep at this position. Whichever teams gets Betts, however, will be getting a talented player. He greatly improved his batting skills this year, hitting for average (.473) and power (eight home runs). He's prized more for his bat than his defensive skills, which could mean a switch from behind the plate at some point in the future. Where he'll go: Late in the first round.

Lucas Herbert, San Clemente (Calif.), 6-1, 195
Herbert greatly helped his cause at the National High School Invitational, where he helped San Clemente win the tournament. He's also shown a late surge at the plate, adding five home runs over the final month of the season after hitting just three during the first two months. Where he'll go: Round three or four.

Tyler Stephenson, Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Ga.), 6-4, 210
Although Betts has long been considered the top catching prospect in the Class of 2015, recent mock drafts have Stephenson moving up rapidly, and in some cases overtaking Betts. While Stephenson does not hit for power like Betts, he has better running speed, fielding ability and arm strength. He can also hit for average. It wouldn't be surprising if Stephenson goes ahead of Betts. Where he'll go: End of first round.

Wyatt Cross, Legacy (Broomfield, Colo.), 6-3, 205
Teams interested in Cross have an interesting dilemma. While Cross certainly ranks as one of the best defensive catchers in the draft, he did not have a single at-bat this season due to a back injury. According to the Broomfield Enterprise, Cross had a batting session in April and hit six home runs. It will be interesting to see how Cross' back injury will affect his draft status. Where he'll go: Round two or three.

Elih Marrero, Coral Gables (Fla.), 5-9, 190
While Marrero, at 5-foot-9, does not have great size for a catcher, he does have decent arm strength and fielding ability, according to several scouting reports. He does not hit for power like some of the other catchers on the list, but he does hit for average. He also has good speed and good genes. His father Eli spent 10 years in the Major Leagues. Where he'll go: Round three or four.