James McCann

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #6 prospect in 2015
  McCann always has earned praise for his defensive chops, but 2014 was the best offensive season of his career. He posted career highs in batting average (.295), on-base percentage (.343) and slugging (.427) while in Triple-A Toledo before his big league debut as a September callup. McCann is a quality receiver and a quiet defender. He has minimal foot speed but moves well behind the plate, rarely allowing a ball to get by him. He does the little things well, framing pitches and earning praise for his game-calling. His plus arm helped him throw out 42 percent of Triple-A basestealers, which ranked second in the International League. As McCann learned to leverage the ball better and tweaked his setup, his offense improved. He's a good fastball hitter with quick hands, though his barrel angle leaves length to his swing without ideal bat path. He's an aggressive hitter who has trouble with the soft stuff, though he doesn't swing and miss excessively. He should max out at around 8-12 home runs per year. McCann fits what teams look for in a backup catcher, which could help him carve out a long career. Given the offensive improvement he showed in 2014 and the struggles of Alex Avila, McCann could play a larger role with the Tigers in 2015.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #11 prospect in 2014
  When the Tigers signed Victor Martinez as a free agent following the 2010 season, they surrendered their 2011 first-round pick as compensation. They used their top pick, No. 76 overall and in the second round, on McCann, who signed for $577,900. McCann reached Double-A Erie in 2012 and spent the entire 2013 season repeating the level, showing steady skills with a defensive-oriented profile and durability. Intelligent behind the plate, he earns high marks both inside and outside the organization for his ability to handle a pitching staff. His speed is well-below-average, but he moves well behind the plate, is a good receiver and does a nice job framing pitches. He has an average arm and controls the running game, throwing out 37 percent of basestealers in 2013. McCann's bat hasn't progressed as quickly as the Tigers had hoped, but he had his best season in 2013. He doesn't swing and miss excessively, but he has a bat wrap that creates length to his stroke, and his power is below-average. McCann's defense will have to carry him to the big leagues, with perhaps enough skill at the plate to carve out a career as a second-division catcher.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #11 prospect in 2013
  The Tigers gave up their 2011 first-round pick as compensation for free agent Victor Martinez, so their first choice didn't come until No. 76 overall. They took McCann, who signed for $577,900, continuing their affinity for players from the Southeastern Conference. Of the 224 SEC players drafted from 2010-12, the Tigers picked 23 of them, by far the most of any team. Some scouts viewed McCann as a fringy receiver coming out of Arkansas, but he has improved in that regard and is now the system's best defensive catcher. He has worked hard to improve his blocking, framing and footwork. He has solid arm strength and threw out 43 percent of basestealers last year. He's a leader on the field with a take-charge attitude, and pitchers love throwing to him. McCann's defensive skills are good enough to get him to the big leagues, but his bat is a question. Using a long, flat swing path with an opposite-field approach, he has hit an anemic .227/.272/.304 in pro ball. He's a well below-average hitter with gap power at best and he's a 20 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. With his defensive skills and makeup, McCann should at least be a useful big league backup. He'll probably return to Double-A to open 2013.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #9 prospect in 2012
  The Tigers gave up their 2011 first-round pick as compensation for free agent Victor Martinez, so their first choice didn't come until No. 76. They took McCann, who signed for $577,900, which was exactly $100,000 over MLB's slot recommendation. While he isn't as advanced offensively as Rob Brantly, McCann gets better reviews for his work behind the plate. He has a strong frame, a solid arm and leadership and game-calling skills. Some scouts who saw him as an amateur labeled him a fringy receiver, but the Tigers believe he's solid in that regard. McCann's bat is his biggest question. His swing can get long and he has trouble catching up to good velocity. He projects as a .260 hitter who can take advantage of mistakes and produce gap power. He's a below-average runner. McCann doesn't have any standout tools, but he has the skills to become a big league regular if his bat develops. If not, his defense makes him a backup option. Where Detroit sends Brantly will affect McCann's 2012 assignment, but he figures to spend his first full pro season in Class A.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The Tigers gave up their 2011 first-round pick as compensation for free agent Victor Martinez, so their first choice didn't come until No. 76. They took McCann, a defensive-minded catcher who hit .306 with six homers as an Arkansas junior. He signed for $577,900, which was exactly $100,000 over MLB's slot recommendation. Scouting Report: While he isn't as advanced offensively as Rob Brantly, McCann gets better reviews for his work behind the plate. He has a strong frame, a solid arm and leadership and game-calling skills. Some scouts who saw him as an amateur labeled him a fringy receiver, but the Tigers believe he's solid in that regard. McCann's bat is his biggest question. His swing can get long and he has trouble catching up to good velocity. He projects as a .260 hitter who can take advantage of mistakes and produce some gap power. He's a below-average runner. The Future: McCann doesn't have any standout tools, but he has the skills to become a big league regular if his bat develops. If not, his defense makes him an attractive option as a backup. Where Detroit sends Brantly will affect McCann's 2012 assignment, but he figures to spend his first full pro season in Class A.