Orioles 2017 #19 Prospect - Austin Wynns - C

[Tony-OH]

Austin Wynns - C
6' 2" 205
Bats: R Throws: R
Age: 26: Bowie (AA)
Most Likely: Backup catcher (4)
Ceiling: Platoon Starter on Lower Division Team (4.5)
Floor: AAAA Guy (3)

Background: Wynns was drafted in the 10^th round of the 2013 draft out of California State University. He struggled to hit much his first two professional seasons and looked like an organizational catcher before starting to show some life with the bat in Frederick at age 24 putting up a .730 OPS over 262 PAs. In 2016 Wynns was returned to Frederick where he hit even better in his return slashing .303/.351//436/.787 in 306 Pas before getting some time in Bowie and Norfolk for a bit.

2017: The Orioles gave him his first everyday priority catcher opportunity at Bowie after impressing Buck Showalter and staff in spring training. With Chance Sisco playing everyday in Norfolk, Wynns spent all of 2017 in the Easter League where he slashed .281/.377/.419/.796 with a career high 10 home runs and 19 doubles.

2017 stats (Fre/Bow)
AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS: .281/.377/.419/.796

PA: 434
H: 104
2B: 19
3B: 1
HR: 10
BB: 52
SO: 64
RHP Slash: .286/.377/.405/.781
LHP Slash: .281/.379/.449/.828

Scouting report (now and future)

Hit: 40/45
Power: 45/45
Speed: 30/30
Def: 50/50
Arm: 50/50

What we know: Wynns is a defense first catcher that finally started to hold his own with the bat. He’s an above average blocker and he controls the running game throwing out 38% of base stealers last year. Offensively he controls the strike zone and can make adjustments within at bats. He’ll take singles but will turn on mistake pitches and is able to drive them for power. He doesn’t have great bat speed so his upside is limited, but he controls the strike zone well enough to battle against good pitching. He can be fooled by good breaking pitches especially good sliders and although his swing is not pretty, its fairly compact and that enables him from getting jammed too often.

What we don't know: Will he be able to make the adjustment to lay off the good offspeed pitches? Will his lack of bat speed be exploited at high levels? Can he hit enough and call games well enough to be a solid backup catcher?

What he needs to improve:
He still can lose focus occasionally when calling games and will need to continue to improve that aspect of his catching. While not poor, it’s the one area of his catching skills that could improve some.

Summary: Although Wynns’ ceiling is not very high, he has a high likelihood of reaching that ceiling. Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, he will get an opportunity to be the Orioles backup catcher. His chances go up immeasurably if the Orioles decide Sisco needs to continue to work on his defensive skills everyday in Norfolk to start 2018. The Orioles could do a lot worse with Wynns backing up Caleb Joseph in 2018.

[Frobby]

I’m glad you guys finally got around to posting a report on this guy — I was starting to think you’d forgotten!

I see Wynns as the second coming of Caleb Joseph.   He will be a very competent back-up catcher, who can take over primary duties when needed, and will be well-respected by teammates and fans.    I thought it was interesting that ZiPS projected Wynns to hit slightly better than Joseph this year.    

[Tony-OH]

50 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I’m glad you guys finally got around to posting a report on this guy — I was starting to think you’d forgotten!

I see Wynns as the second coming of Caleb Joseph.   He will be a very competent back-up catcher, who can take over primary duties when needed, and will be well-respected by teammates and fans.    I thought it was interesting that ZiPS projected Wynns to hit slightly better than Joseph this year.    

Thanks. Completely my fault on this one. Luke has reminded me several times to get this knocked out and I just hadn't made time.  I apologize for the lateness.

He's similar to Joseph but Joseph in my mind is a better player overall. Joseph has more power, throws a bit better, and is more of a general behind the plate when working with pitchers. Wynns though is solid defensively, and could hit for a higher average since he'll take more singles and may walk a little bit more than Joseph.

Not everyone believes in his swing and bat speed so he'll need to prove those doubters wrong, but I think he'll end up a solid backup as long as he can hit a bit with long breaks of playing time, something Joseph was not very good at doing.

[Luke-OH]

3 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Thanks. Completely my fault on this one. Luke has reminded me several times to get this knocked out and I just hadn't made time.  I apologize for the lateness.

He's similar to Joseph but Joseph in my mind is a better player overall. Joseph has more power, throws a bit better, and is more of a general behind the plate when working with pitchers. Wynns though is solid defensively, and could hit for a higher average since he'll take more singles and may walk a little bit more than Joseph.

Not everyone believes in his swing and bat speed so he'll need to prove those doubters wrong, but I think he'll end up a solid backup as long as he can hit a bit with long breaks of playing time, something Joseph was not very good at doing.

I worry with his bat speed he'll have to cheat to hit premium velocity.  I also have concerns that his BB rate will drop due to not being a major power threat.  He's a smart hitter, but he'll really need to max that out to be a decent hitter at the MLB level.

[Tony-OH]

53 minutes ago, phillyOs119 said:

I worry with his bat speed he'll have to cheat to hit premium velocity.  I also have concerns that his BB rate will drop due to not being a major power threat.  He's a smart hitter, but he'll really need to max that out to be a decent hitter at the MLB level.

Don't disagree but most backup catchers have the similar issues or they wouldn't be backups.

His walk rate will most likely drop at the major league level, but he does have a good eye which will help him draw some, probably more than Joseph which isn't a high bar to jump since walking is not exactly a Joseph calling card. 

Defense will need to carry him if he's to have a nice career in the major leagues. At worse though he's going to be AAA depth for teams for a long time due to his defensive abilities. 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

Thanks for the write up.

I look forward to how Spring Training plays out, with him getting some reps with whatever staff the Orioles have and getting to face some MLB pitchers. He held his own in the AFL (.300 average) in 2016 against some top names. Hopefully he can improve a bit more on both offense and defense with the MLB coaching staff and put together a strong spring.

His batting really improved last season with his strike zone recognition along with his power. Speed seemed to increase too (first career triple, though I think he needed an oxygen tank after.)

Selfishly, I want him either in Baltimore or Bowie, because Norfolk is the furthest away.

Just curious about something Tony. You mentioned he can lose focus when calling a game. What do you mean? I know Bowie had some struggles last year in the pitching department, but most of that was from inconsistent pitching and control issues.

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, Legend_Of_Joey said:

Thanks for the write up.

I look forward to how Spring Training plays out, with him getting some reps with whatever staff the Orioles have and getting to face some MLB pitchers. He held his own in the AFL (.300 average) in 2016 against some top names. Hopefully he can improve a bit more on both offense and defense with the MLB coaching staff and put together a strong spring.

His batting really improved last season with his strike zone recognition along with his power. Speed seemed to increase too (first career triple, though I think he needed an oxygen tank after.)

Selfishly, I want him either in Baltimore or Bowie, because Norfolk is the furthest away.

Just curious about something Tony. You mentioned he can lose focus when calling a game. What do you mean? I know Bowie had some struggles last year in the pitching department, but most of that was from inconsistent pitching and control issues.

Just something I was told by a source. It's not all the time, but I was told there are times his game calling goes awry and it could be a lack of focus. I don't think it's an issue necessarily, just something he needs to tighten up a bit. I don't think it would be an issue at the major league level. There are some dog days in the minor leagues especially late in the year that can be grinding on any player, particularly a catcher. Just something I heard and passed along since the source was legit.

[Legend_Of_Joey]

15 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Just something I was told by a source. It's not all the time, but I was told there are times his game calling goes awry and it could be a lack of focus. I don't think it's an issue necessarily, just something he needs to tighten up a bit. I don't think it would be an issue at the major league level. There are some dog days in the minor leagues especially late in the year that can be grinding on any player, particularly a catcher. Just something I heard and passed along since the source was legit.

Thanks. 

I've always wondered how scouts and others judge a catchers ability to call a game when it's mainly the pitcher that has to execute the pitch. 

Hopefully Coach Russell and Caleb can help him out in the Spring.