Steve Bean Stats & Scouting Report

AB	889
AVG	.223
OBP	.305
SLG	.282
HR	5

Full name Stephen William Bean
Born 09/15/1993 in Rockwall, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Rockwall
Drafted in the C-A round (59th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 (signed for $700,000).

View Draft Report

The University of Texas landed two of the top three high school catching prospects in its recruiting class, though neither Bean nor Wyatt Mathisen figures to arrive on campus. Bean has raised his profile as much as any prospect in Texas this spring, giving himself a chance to go in the top two rounds of the draft. His standout tool is an arm that grades as a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's improving as a receiver and projects to develop solid skills in that regard. A 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, Bean offers offensive potential from the left side of the plate as well. He makes consistent contact and has the wiry strength to grow into decent power. While he's a below-average runner, he's athletic for a catcher and plays with a lot of energy.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Cardinals bought Bean out of a commitment to Texas with a $700,000 bonus in 2012, when he was the 59th overall pick in the draft. Two years later, he reached low Class A Peoria but sputtered offensively. The lefty-hitting catcher split time with Carson Kelly in 2014 and saw just 34 at-bats versus lefthanders the entire season. Bean has yet to demonstrate manifest power, but scouts do seem some looseness to his swing and some pop to the gaps with a solid idea of the strike zone. The Cardinals targeted his receiving skills in instructional league after Bean threw out 27 percent of basestealers in 2014--which was down from 46 percent in 2013. He has plus arm strength, but he tended to sit back on his heels and hurry his throws. Both issues are being corrected, which will allow him to regain rhythm on his throws. Another assignment to Peoria in 2015 seems likely.
Though the Cardinals' attempt to push him up a level early may have contributed to a sink in offense, Bean remained the organization's top defensive catcher, a complete-package prospect behind the plate. St. Louis selected Bean 66th overall in 2012 and lured him away from a committee to Texas with a $700,000 bonus. He hit .125/.263/.213 when pressed to Rookie-level Johnson City for a debut, so while he didn't hit great in his return, he did improve, taming some of the movement at the plate to help steady his lefthanded swing. He projects for more power as he gains strength with age. Bean's arm grades as a 65 on the 20-80 scale, and he has above-average accuracy on his throws and a quick transfer after receiving the pitch. He's thrown out 41 percent of basestealers at Johnson City in two seasons. He plays with more athleticism and energy than most catchers, and has merged his nimbleness with fundamentals. He'll get some tutelage in spring training and is earmarked for another push, his full-season debut at low Class A Peoria in 2014. He's talented enough behind the plate to advance while he works at becoming more potent at the plate.
The initial plan to push Bean to Johnson City proved a little daunting and perhaps unfair for the prep catcher whom the Cardinals took with the 66th overall pick last June. He struck out 32 times in 80 at-bats in the Appalachian League but rallied to hit .320/.424/.400 after he was drawn back to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Bean had committed to Texas before a $700,000 bonus lured him to pro ball, where he instantly became the system's best defensive catcher. His arm rates a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he threw out 37 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. Despite some youthful hiccups, he's a nimble and sound receiver who should grow with experience. Bean doesn't hit for much power now, but his developing strength hints at more down the road. He has a feel for the strike zone and a quick bat. He does have excess movement at the plate that makes him vulnerable against quality pitching, so St. Louis will try to quiet that down. He's a below-average runner but plays with more athleticism and energy than most catchers. Given his initial struggles, Bean may open his first full pro season in extended spring training before going to State College in June.

Draft Prospects

The University of Texas landed two of the top three high school catching prospects in its recruiting class, though neither Bean nor Wyatt Mathisen figures to arrive on campus. Bean has raised his profile as much as any prospect in Texas this spring, giving himself a chance to go in the top two rounds of the draft. His standout tool is an arm that grades as a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's improving as a receiver and projects to develop solid skills in that regard. A 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, Bean offers offensive potential from the left side of the plate as well. He makes consistent contact and has the wiry strength to grow into decent power. While he's a below-average runner, he's athletic for a catcher and plays with a lot of energy.

Minor League Top Prospects

Bean had a disappointing repeat of the league this summer after he broke a finger during warmups for the first game of the year. He ended up missing a month and struggled upon his return. Bean is a strong defender, with a plus arm and above-average throwing accuracy. He?s a below-average runner but a good athlete for the position and shows quick feet. He has improved his receiving by eliminating excess movement behind the plate. He struggled with pitches on the inner third and when facing lefthanders. His swing has some length, and he?ll need to improve his contact ability and power to advance. If his offense comes along, he should at least be a big league backup thanks to his defensive ability. ?He looked overmatched at times at the plate,? a scout said. ?But he can catch and throw, and he caught well. I was impressed with him defensively.?
The Cardinals initially sent Bean, a supplemental first-round pick, to the Rookie-level Appalachian League after he signed for $700,000. He stumbled in Johnson City, hitting .125/.263/.213 in 24 games and struggling to make contact, but rebounded when he went down to the GCL. Bean impressed GCL observers with his offensive and defensive potential. He has a good idea of the strike zone for a young hitter, makes consistent hard contact and understands how to use the middle of the field. His power is below average now, but he has good strength through his forearms and his lower half and could develop into a home run threat in the future. Bean's arm grades as a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His receiving skills are still a work in progress and he butchered a few balls in the GCL, but he has good mobility behind the plate and projects as a solid receiver. While he's a below-average runner, he's athletic for a catcher and plays with a lot of energy.