Dominic 22-Keegan

[Padres]

The IBC White Sox currently roster 5 Catcher eligible players - all of whom I like and value - so we are making Dominic 22-Keegan available to teams seeking a young Catcher who is enjoying a solid real life season ...

Dominic Keegan is a 23 year young right handed Catcher, 1B, LF in the Rays organization. Playing between A and A+ this season he has combined for a .291/.387/.480 slash line with 13 HR in 411 PA. His BB/K ratio is an attractive 54/83. He has played 73 of his 98 games this season as a Catcher.

MLB Pipeline has Keegan ranked as the Rays #10 prospect in their mid-season rankings writing:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

After winning the 2019 College World Series championship as the team’s backup catcher, Keegan didn’t become a full-time player at Vanderbilt until 2021. He was the Commodores’ most productive hitter in ’21, albeit as a first baseman, but didn’t sign with the Yankees after they picked him in the 19th round of the Draft. He returned as a fourth-year junior last spring, splitting his time between first and catcher, and remained Vandy’s top hitter. All that could turn him into a fourth-round steal for the Rays, who nabbed him 134th overall and signed him for $397,500.

Given his background as a position player who lined up at offensive-oriented spots like first base and left field, it might be no surprise that Keegan offers a good amount of athleticism and hitting ability for a catcher. He’s got an effortless right-handed swing, but the ball jumps off his bat with power to all fields. He’s not a base-clogger, either, with solid speed for a backstop. He backed up his track record of success as a hitter in the SEC with a dozen games of quality performance in his pro debut, all of them coming at catcher.

Keegan has quickened his transfer and release to get more out of his throws, as his solid arm strength has played as more average. The Rays have been enthused by how that work has carried into the season at Single-A and High-A, and they've grown even more confident that Keegan can be at least a 50-grade defender behind the plate. Given the relative lack of catching across the industry, someone who can hold his own back there while hitting is worth keeping an eye on.

BA ranked him as the Rays #29 in their mid-season rankings writing:

Track Record: Keegan was a very productive hitter in four seasons at Vanderbilt, but he struggled to find a defensive home. The Rays and Keegan have worked hard to make him a full-time catcher.

Scouting Report: Keegan has always been able to hit, but he’s improved his work behind the plate. His throwing is now an asset. He has an above-average arm that can fire off 1.95-2.0-second pop times with solid accuracy. He’s thrown out nearly 30% of basestealers this year. His blocking continues to need improvement, as he doesn’t always get in front of balls in the dirt. As a hitter, his defensive work has meant he’s remained at lower levels than his bat is ready for, but he’s a potentially average hitter with fringe-average power. He works counts, is exceptionally picky and looks to take walks and generally doesn’t swing and miss.