Cameron Rupp Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1027
AVG	.234
OBP	.298
SLG	.407
HR	39

Full name Cameron Arthur Rupp
Born 09/28/1988 in Dallas, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Texas
Debut 09/10/2013
Drafted in the 3rd round (108th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010 (signed for $287,000).

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Teams covet catchers with power and arm strength, which put Rupp in position to be a possible first-round pick. But he hasn't had the numbers to put him there, batting .313/.401/.498 though conference tournament play. Scouts have admired his strength since he won the home run derby at the 2006 Aflac Classic, though they aren't sure he'll be able to tap into his power as a pro. He has an arm bar in his righthanded swing that allows pitchers to tie him up inside with good velocity, and he chases too many offspeed pitches and offerings up in the strike zone. Rupp has worked hard to improve his defense and keep his 6-foot-2, 235-pound frame under control, but scouts still worry that his size and lack of athleticism will affect his long-term ability to remain behind the plate. He has plus arm strength and has shortened what once was a long release, and while it's still not compact, he has thrown out 40 percent of basestealers this year. He has gotten better as a receiver and calls most of the pitches for college baseball's most talented pitching staff. He's similar to Ryan Garko, who was a third-round pick out of Stanford, with more power and defensive ability than Garko had.

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When the Phillies acquired Tommy Joseph as the key to the 2012 Hunter Pence trade, they appeared to have found their catcher of the future, and to have relegated Rupp to a backup role. A year later, Joseph's stock has tumbled as he's dealt with concussion-related problems, while Rupp reached a career-high in homers (14) and finished the season in the major leagues. A durable Texan with huge hands and great makeup, Rupp has the physicality to hold up as an everyday catcher. Pitchers love throwing to him, and he has improved his receiving and game-calling to the point where he can be at least a serviceable backup. His plus, accurate arm rates as his best tool and helped him throw out 34 percent of basestealers in the minors in 2013. Rupp's swing is powerful but long, so he probably won't ever hit for a high average or avoid strikeouts. He has the power to punish mistakes. Rupp's lack of speed makes him a baseclogger despite his consistent best efforts. The Phillies re-signed veteran Carlos Ruiz in November, so Rupp's best bet is to compete for the backup job in spring training. More likely, he'll be the starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2014.
Rupp generated first-round talk before his junior season at Texas, and though he didn't hit enough to go that early, the Phillies took him in the third round and signed him for $287,000. He improved significantly last year and put himself in the organization's plans with a strong performance in high Class A, where he managed a prospect-laden staff with aplomb. Rupp's 2012 season started in mid-January, when he reported early to spring training and caught bullpens from Roy Halladay. He also lost 15 pounds, which helped him play with more energy. Rupp has a long arm bar in his swing but got to fastballs on the inner half more frequently than he had previously. He has impressed with plus raw power since he won a high school home run derby in 2006, and he knocked 33 extra-base hits last season in a tough hitter's environment. Rupp is a solid defensive catcher, offering a wide target and smothering balls in the dirt. He has plus arm strength and has worked to shorten his release, leading to 1.9-second pop times and a 34 percent caught-stealing rate last season. He's a well below-average runner. Rupp doesn't have huge upside but should have a big league future. He'll advance to Double-A in 2013.
Rupp caught nearly every game in his three years at Texas, managing the staff and calling pitches for a Longhorns team that went to the College World Series finals in 2009. Based on his durability, power and arm strength, he received first-round buzz, but the Phillies got him in the third round last June and signed him for $287,000. Rupp has unquestioned strength that generates raw power, but scouts question how much contact he'll make. His swing isn't pretty, as he has a noticeable arm bar and an awkward weight transfer that produces a lot of strikeouts. Behind the plate, Rupp has above-average arm strength, but he needs to improve his footwork. He threw out just 15 percent of basestealers during his pro debut. He is an average receiver, but he'll need to keep his body under control because he lacks athleticism. He's a well below-average runner. Rupp will spend his first full pro season in low Class A.