The Nationals overhauled their scouting division, with Brad Ciolek and Danny Haas being put in control of operating the draft. The Nationals technique within the 2024 draft was totally different than years previous. They prioritized athleticism and really feel to hit. Catcher Caleb Lomavita is an instance of this new method. He was drafted with the thirty ninth choose, a compensatory choose the Nats acquired from the Royals within the Hunter Harvey commerce.
Lomavita is an ultra-athletic catcher, who’s a professional risk to steal bases, a rarity for catchers. He grades out as a median to barely above common runner. Lomavita stole 12 bases his last yr at Cal. He additionally has a strong hit instrument, with scouts lauding his skill to seek out the barrel. The 22 yr outdated can also be praised for his management, a trait that’s particularly vital for catchers.
Lomavita didn’t begin catching full time till faculty, so his protection continues to be a little bit of a piece in progress. Nonetheless, he has proven flashes of being at the very least an above common catcher because of his athleticism and powerful arm. If he places within the work, all of the traits are there to be a strong defensive catcher. In contrast to Keibert Ruiz, who’s defensive points are largely attributable to a scarcity of athleticism, Lomavita is a superb mover who must refine his fundamentals. Given the actual fact he has already made quite a lot of progress defensively, additional enchancment appears probably.
The Hawaiian additionally boasts above common uncooked energy. Nonetheless, like Seaver King, he doesn’t elevate the ball sufficient to transform his plus exit velocity to over the fence energy. There’s sufficient pop to dream on 15-20 house runs with loads of doubles.
By far the largest difficulty for Lomavita is his plate self-discipline. In his draft yr at Cal, he solely walked 12 occasions in 258 plate appearances. With Lomavita being the perfect hitter at Cal, and pitchers making an attempt their finest to not make errors, strolling that sometimes is a crimson flag. Whereas Lomavita doesn’t need to be Juan Soto, he’ll must discover a strategy to chase much less. If he may even he has 40 grade plate self-discipline fairly than 30 grade, he has the instruments to change into a professional beginning stage catcher.
The Nationals drafting two faculty catchers within the first 100 picks tells you numerous about how they really feel about Keibert Ruiz. Whereas he would be the man in 2025, his standing because the beginning catcher is up for grabs long run regardless of his contract. Lomavita ought to have the primary crack at making an attempt to usurp him if he performs properly in his first full professional season. Given his struggles in a small pattern dimension in Low-A, and the intense pitcher pleasant nature of Excessive-A Wilmington, it’s potential he begins the yr down in Fredericksburg. Nonetheless, I consider they will ship him to Excessive-A, given the actual fact he’s already 22.
Like Seaver King, Lomavita is much less refined than another faculty prospects, however his athleticism offers him untapped potential. The Nationals wager on athletic guys who can play in the midst of the diamond within the 2024 Draft. There isn’t a higher instance of that than Caleb Lomavita, a catcher is a risk to steal bases.
