Jason Hagerty

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #20 prospect in 2012
  Hagerty didn't catch much during his final two years at Miami in deference to Yasmani Grandal, and his inexperience behind the plate often shines through. He spent the bulk of his first two pro seasons at the Class A level, while Grandal zoomed from the 12th overall pick in 2010 to Triple-A in the Reds system last year. Hagerty spent six weeks in Double-A at the conclusion of last season, but his bat slowed under the duress of catching 90 games. He threw out 30 percent of the 117 basestealers to test him, pairing average arm strength with a quick release and accuracy. He's often too rigid when receiving and blocking, and he may lack a catcher's prototypically soft hands. Hagerty will be forgiven his defensive lapses if he develops the 20-homer power of which he's capable. A switch-hitter, he shows a more discerning eye and makes more contact from the right side but has significantly more power from the left. Hagerty cracked all nine of his home runs and slugged .490 while batting lefthanded in 2011. He works deep counts and takes walks, but he doesn't run well or project to make enough contact to hit more than .260 or so. Hagerty profiles as a starting catcher because of his power, but most clubs would prefer a stronger defender in a backup role.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #10 prospect in 2011
  Hagerty's 2009 pro debut barely registered, as he hit just .225/.335/.399 at Eugene. Part of the problem was that he had to get reacclimated to catching after playing primarily first base during his last two years at Miami in deference to Yasmani Grandal, the 12th overall pick in the 2010 draft. Hagerty improved as much as any Padres farmhand last year, ranking second in the Midwest League in on-base percentage (.424) and third in throwing out basestealers (34 percent). Hagerty has above-average raw power from both sides of the plate, works counts effectively and shows enough athleticism to believe the strides he made last year are sustainable. He may not make enough contact to hit better than .260, and his below-average speed won't help him leg out any hits. Hagerty improved his defense during the course of last season and now projects as an average catcher at the major league level. He has solid arm strength and a smooth transfer to go with natural leadership skills. He could stand to soften his hands while receiving and blocking. Hagerty did everything possible in 2010 to position himself as San Diego's catcher of the future. He'll begin this season in high Class A, with a chance to move quickly to Double-A if he continues to hit.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Hagerty's 2009 pro debut barely registered, as he hit just .225/.335/.399 at Eugene. Part of the problem was that he had to get reacclimated to catching after playing primarily first base during his last two years at Miami in deference to Yasmani Grandal, the 12th overall pick in the 2010 draft. Hagerty improved as much as any Padres farmhand last year, ranking second in the Midwest League in on-base percentage (.424) and third in throwing out basestealers (34 percent). Hagerty has above-average raw power from both sides of the plate, works counts effectively and shows enough athleticism to believe the strides he made last year are sustainable. He may not make enough contact to hit better than .260, and his below-average speed won't help him leg out any hits. Hagerty improved his defense during the course of last season and now projects as an average catcher at the major league level. He has solid arm strength and a smooth transfer to go with natural leadership skills. He could stand to soften his hands while receiving and blocking. Hagerty did everything possible in 2010 to position himself as San Diego's catcher of the future. He'll begin this season in high Class A, with a chance to move quickly to Double-A if he continues to hit.