Kevin Parada

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #10 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Parada made huge strides both offensively and defensively as a Georgia Tech sophomore in 2022 following offseason strength gains. The Mets drafted him 11th overall that year and signed him for $5,019,735, or 5% over slot value. Parada helped Low-A St. Lucie win the Florida State League title in his pro debut, then spent most of the 2023 season at High-A Brooklyn. He was promoted to Double-A at the end of August.
  
  Scouting Report: Parada’s first full pro season was a trying one. He hit well for Brooklyn until an August ankle injury and rough adjustment to Double-A muddied his final line. But any discussion of Parada’s future value begins with his defense. He allowed 129 stolen bases--fourth most in the minors--on 157 attempts, showing an erratic arm that was short for catcher. Parada has average raw arm strength but has struggled to get into position to properly turn and load his throws, costing him velocity and accuracy. He also struggled to frame pitches at the top of the zone because he was late loading his glove for the high pitch. At the plate, Parada uses a unique reverse barrel tip as a timing mechanism but is generally good at getting out early and on time, especially for pull-side power. His hitting ability was compromised by higher-than-expected miss rates on pitches both in and out of the zone. If he can iron out his approach, he could be an average hitter with average power.
  
  The Future: The Mets praise Parada for his aptitude and work ethic, and he focused his Arizona Fall League time working on catching drills. If he has to move off catcher, he should be able to pick up first base. Some rival scouts would like to see him try second base. The 2024 season will be pivotal for Parada’s development.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #4 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: A top draft prospect in 2020 out of high school in Los Angeles, Parada was not selected in the truncated five-round draft because of his strong commitment to Georgia Tech. He ably continued the Yellow Jackets' rich catcher tradition that includes first-round picks Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart. Parada took his game to a new level as a sophomore after offseason strength gains. He hit .361/.453/.709 with 26 home runs, 30 walks and 32 strikeouts in 60 games. Ranked as the No. 6 draft prospect, Parada slipped to the Mets at No. 11 and signed for $5,019,735, or 5% over slot value. He joined Low-A St. Lucie for 10 games and helped the club win the Florida State League championship by going 6-for-15 with two walks in four playoff games.
  
  Scouting Report: Parada is a disciplined hitter who makes steady, hard contact to all fields. His swing features some pre-pitch movement, but he gets into launch position consistently. When Parada swings, he tends to make contact, and his 10.5% strikeout rate in college was easily the lowest among Division I hitters with at least 25 homers. He struck out just twice in four FSL playoff games. Parada did not show crazy exit velocities in his pro debut but has demonstrated power that is at least above-average. Parada is regarded as a fringe-average defensive catcher with a fringe arm, but he is committed to improving. He bought a house in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in order to spend his offseason around Mets instructors. He also spent time at Cressey Sports Performance to work on lateral movement and flexibility. Like most young catchers, he must improve his game-calling and situational awareness.
  
  The Future: The Mets were thrilled to land Parada, a potential first-division catcher, when he fell to the 11th pick. He will begin challenging for MLB at-bats in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #6 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Georgia Tech Committed/Drafted: Never Drafted
  Age At Draft: 21
  BA Grade: 60/High
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45
  One of the top prep hitters in the 2020 draft class, Parada ranked as the No. 48 prospect on the BA 500 but made it to campus at Georgia Tech after going undrafted. His cross country move from Southern California to Atlanta should pay off, as Parada is now viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2022 draft class—and again viewed as one of the most accomplished pure hitters of the crop, albeit a more proven one with more power. A draft-eligible sophomore, Parada turned in a strong freshman campaign in 2021 (.318/.379/.550 with nine home runs and 20 doubles) before looking tired and worn out during the summer in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Over the offseason, Parada added more weight and strength, which translated into more home run power (26) and durability that has prevented fatigue from setting in at the end of the season. Parada has a unique pre-pitch setup at the plate, with his bat angled behind his back and pointed down into the dirt with his lead shoulder raised and almost directly between his eyes and the pitcher. Despite that unorthodox setup, Parada consistently gets to a good launch position and times up quality stuff, with the ability to hit for average power to all fields. His improved power production this spring came with reduced strikeout rates (from 16.9% in 2021 to 9.5% in 2022) and he also walked as frequently as he whiffed. Between his contact ability, newfound power and production in a strong conference, Parada’s offensive package is as complete and proven as anyone’s in the 2022 class. Defensively, it’s less glowing, though Parada has made strides to improve as a receiver and thrower this spring. He’s a good athlete and runner for a catcher, but could improve his lateral mobility and blocking, as well as his arm strength, which is cited as fringe-average currently. He did improve his 12% caught stealing rate from 2021 to 22% in 2022 and scouts who know him praise his work ethic and desire to stick at the position at the next level. Parada’s bat is enough to force its way into a big league lineup and he should be one of the first college players selected because of it.
• Ranked #48 prospect in 2020 draft
  Parada won MVP of the 2018 WWBA World Championships as a junior and continued to perform at every major showcase last summer. He got off to a red-hot start this spring and had Southern California area scouts buzzing before the season shut down. Parada is widely considered one of the best prep hitters in the class. He’s a strong, powerful hitter who crushes both fastballs and offspeed pitches, and he has a long track record of performing against good competition. Parada stays in the strike zone, covers the whole plate and already posts exit velocities near 100 mph. Evaluators see a potential .280 or better hitter with a chance to hit 20 or more home runs. Parada is less certain to remain a catcher. He’s a good athlete, but he’s a fringe-average defender whose flexibility is a concern. His above-average arm strength is nullified at times by a long arm action. Some clubs want to make Parada an outfielder and let him focus on hitting. He is strongly committed to Georgia Tech and may be difficult to sign.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #50 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: A top draft prospect in 2020 out of high school in Los Angeles, Parada was not selected in the truncated five-round draft because of his strong commitment to Georgia Tech. He ably continued the Yellow Jackets' rich catcher tradition that includes first-round picks Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart. Parada took his game to a new level as a sophomore after offseason strength gains. He hit .361/.453/.709 with 26 home runs, 30 walks and 32 strikeouts in 60 games. Ranked as the No. 6 draft prospect, Parada slipped to the Mets at No. 11 and signed for $5,019,735, or 5% over slot value. He joined Low-A St. Lucie for 10 games and helped the club win the Florida State League championship by going 6-for-15 with two walks in four playoff games.
  
  Scouting Report: Parada is a disciplined hitter who makes steady, hard contact to all fields. His swing features some pre-pitch movement, but he gets into launch position consistently. When Parada swings, he tends to make contact, and his 10.5% strikeout rate in college was easily the lowest among Division I hitters with at least 25 homers. He struck out just twice in four FSL playoff games. Parada did not show crazy exit velocities in his pro debut but has demonstrated power that is at least above-average. Parada is regarded as a fringe-average defensive catcher with a fringe arm, but he is committed to improving. He bought a house in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in order to spend his offseason around Mets instructors. He also spent time at Cressey Sports Performance to work on lateral movement and flexibility. Like most young catchers, he must improve his game-calling and situational awareness.
  
  The Future: The Mets were thrilled to land Parada, a potential first-division catcher, when he fell to the 11th pick. He will begin challenging for MLB at-bats in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: A top draft prospect in 2020 out of high school in Los Angeles, Parada was not selected in the truncated five-round draft because of his strong commitment to Georgia Tech. He ably continued the Yellow Jackets' rich catcher tradition that includes first-round picks Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart. Parada took his game to a new level as a sophomore after offseason strength gains. He hit .361/.453/.709 with 26 home runs, 30 walks and 32 strikeouts in 60 games. Ranked as the No. 6 draft prospect, Parada slipped to the Mets at No. 11 and signed for $5,019,735, or 5% over slot value. He joined Low-A St. Lucie for 10 games and helped the club win the Florida State League championship by going 6-for-15 with two walks in four playoff games.
  
  Scouting Report: Parada is a disciplined hitter who makes steady, hard contact to all fields. His swing features some pre-pitch movement, but he gets into launch position consistently. When Parada swings, he tends to make contact, and his 10.5% strikeout rate in college was easily the lowest among Division I hitters with at least 25 homers. He struck out just twice in four FSL playoff games. Parada did not show crazy exit velocities in his pro debut but has demonstrated power that is at least above-average. Parada is regarded as a fringe-average defensive catcher with a fringe arm, but he is committed to improving. He bought a house in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in order to spend his offseason around Mets instructors. He also spent time at Cressey Sports Performance to work on lateral movement and flexibility. Like most young catchers, he must improve his game-calling and situational awareness.
  
  The Future: The Mets were thrilled to land Parada, a potential first-division catcher, when he fell to the 11th pick. He will begin challenging for MLB at-bats in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  August Update: One of the top high school hitters in the 2020 draft class, Parada ranked as the No. 48 prospect on the BA 500 but made it to campus at Georgia Tech after going undrafted. His cross-country move from Southern California to Atlanta paid off. He was viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2022 draft class and fell to the Mets with the 11th overall pick. Scouts viewed Parada as one the most accomplished pure hitters of the 2022 crop. A draft-eligible sophomore, Parada turned in a strong freshman campaign in 2021 (.318/.379/.550 with nine home runs and 20 doubles) before looking tired and worn out during the summer in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball&#39s Collegiate National Team. Over the offseason, Parada added more weight and strength, which translated into more home run power (26) and durability that has prevented fatigue from setting in at the end of the season. Parada has a unique pre-pitch setup at the plate, with his bat angled behind his back and pointed down into the dirt with his lead shoulder raised and almost directly between his eyes and the pitcher. Despite that unorthodox setup, Parada consistently gets to a good launch position and times up quality stuff, with the ability to hit for average power to all fields. His improved power production this spring came with reduced strikeout rates (from 16.9% in 2021 to 9.5% in 2022) and he also walked as frequently as he whiffed. Between his contact ability, newfound power and production in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Parada&#39s offensive package was as complete and proven as anyone other player&#39s in the 2022 class. Defensively, reviews are less glowing, though Parada has made strides to improve as a receiver and thrower this spring. He&#39s a good athlete and runner for a catcher, but could improve his lateral mobility and blocking, as well as his arm strength, which is cited as fringe-average currently. He did improve his 12% caught stealing rate from 2021 to 22% in 2022 and scouts who know him praise his work ethic and desire to stick at the position. Parada&#39s offensive production is loud enough to force his way into a big league lineup.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 65. Power: 60. Run: 45. Field: 45. Arm: 45.