Matt McBride Stats & Scouting Report

AB	194
AVG	.201
OBP	.228
SLG	.299
HR	4

Full name Matthew Hagerty McBride
Born 05/23/1985 in Bethlehem, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Lehigh
Debut 08/04/2012
Drafted in the C-B round (75th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2006 (signed for $445,000).

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McBride's strength has always been his catch-and-throw skills, which is why his stock suffered a bit early this season when tightness in his shoulder limited his throwing. By the end of the season he was back to catching every day and showing the plus arm strength that yielded 1.85-second pop times a year ago. McBride has a big, strong frame and athleticism that allows him to move laterally and block balls in the dirt well. He has above-average speed for a catcher (as evidenced by his 21 stolen bases), but needs to clean up his footwork behind the plate. Offensively, McBride hit 37 doubles but just five home runs over his first two college seasons, but he worked on getting more backspin and developing more of a wood-bat, professional swing this season, resulting in 10 home runs. He has at least average raw power, and he is difficult to strike out. Mcbride whiffed just 11 times in 195 at-bats this year after striking out just seven times in 152 at-bats against better competition in the Alaska League last summer. His defensive abilities at a premium position, power potential and offensive approach make for an attractive overall package that could get see him go as high as the third round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After agreeing to acquire Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and Joe Gardner from the Indians for Ubaldo Jimenez in July 2011, the Rockies asked pro scout Ty Coslow to name a fourth player to be included in the deal. Coslow's choice was McBride, who batted .344/.365/.535 at Triple-A Colorado Springs and had two tours with Colorado in 2012. McBride excels at putting the bat on the ball with a short, quick stroke and a low-maintenance swing. He uses the opposite field well and can hit breaking balls, but he has limited home run power due to his flat stroke. He doesn't strike out often but rarely walks. His only free pass with the Rockies came in his 80th plate appearance. McBride offers value as a utility player because he can catch. He's nothing special behind the plate, with a below-average arm and shaky receiving skills, so he doesn't profile as a potential regular there. He has caught 26 games the past five seasons, including eight in Triple-A last year. Primarily a right fielder and first baseman now, he offers little defensive value at either spot. His arm and below-average speed limit him in the outfield, and he's stiff at first base. The Rockies outrighted him off their 40-man roster in November, so he may be destined for spending most of 2013 back in Triple-A.
After Victor Martinez graduated to the big leagues in 2002, the Indians had trouble developing catching depth in their system. They addressed the shortage in 2006, drafting McBride and trading for Kelly Shoppach and Max Ramirez (whom they later included in a deal for Kenny Lofton last year). Cleveland loves the leverage and loft in McBride's swing. He makes consistent hard contact and his strike-zone discipline and pitch recognition are both assets. He's a natural leader who runs a pitching staff well. He's more athletic and runs better than most catchers. One of the organization's hardest workers, he arrived at the Tribe's complex at 6 a.m. every morning during spring training to work on his core strength. Though McBride has solid-average arm strength, he threw out just 14 percent of basestealers last season. He also struggled with his receiving skills, committing 16 passed balls. Then he had minor surgery on his throwing shoulder during the offseason. He should be ready for spring training. There's no talk of moving him from behind the plate just yet, and Cleveland's logjam at first base would make it tough to find a spot for McBride. The tools are there, and he'll be challenged to improve defensively in high Class A this season.
The Indians' catching depth improved greatly in 2006, as they drafted McBride, traded for Kelly Shoppach and Max Ramirez and saw significant improvement from their previous top in-house candidate, Wyatt Toregas. After bouncing back from some tightness in his shoulder, the athletic McBride climbed draft boards last spring. He won Patriot League MVP honors after capturing the conference triple crown with .417-12-61 numbers. A supplemental second-round pick, he signed for $445,000. McBride has a strong work ethic and his makeup is off the charts. His father George spent time before or after every practice at Lehigh throwing him batting practice for an extra hour. That continued when McBride returned home from short-season Mahoning Valley for five days before reporting to instructional league. He produces above-average power with natural leverage and loft to his swing. He also makes good contact and controls the strike zone, which should enable him to hit for average. He's more athletic and runs better than most catchers. While McBride has solid-average arm strength, he needs to improve as a receiver and refine his game-calling skills. There's no question McBride bolsters the improved contingent at catcher in the system, but he has a long way to go to add defensive polish. He'll start his first full season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

McBride didn't receive a lot of hype, but he may have been the best all-around college catcher available in the 2006 draft. A supplemental second-round, he's a rarity--an athletic backstop with offensive potential. McBride showed patience at the plate, the ability to make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat and game to game, as well as raw power that should translate into 10-15 homers annually. While a sore shoulder limited him to DH duty for half the season, he has sound catch-and-throw skills and his arm strength was back to at least average by season's end. "He's very intelligent behind the plate and I think he can show more leadership, be more assertive with pitchers," Mahoning Valley manager Rouglas Odor said. "When he does that, he'll be a complete catcher. He's an extremely hard worker--he almost works too hard--but he came to the park every day looking for a way to get better."