Mike Piazza

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect in 1993
  So much for the high science of drafting. The Dodgers wasted a decade of first-round picks, and wind up with a 62nd-rounder who reaches the big leagues. Piazza’s story is pretty well known by now. Drafted as a favor to his godfather Tommy Lasorda, the son of a wealthy car dealer worked his way through the farm system with a display of power at all levels and work ethic that turned him into a decent catcher. In fact, for all the big offensive numbers Piazza posted last year, management was more impressed with his improving defense, considering he was a first baseman in school. Piazza has a strong arm, he’s learning to block balls in the dirt and major league pitchers say he handles them well. The Dodgers think so highly of Piazza, they didn’t mind letting catching fixture Mike Scioscia walk. For his combination of catching skills and power hitting, Piazza draws favorable comparisons to eight-time all-star Lance Parrish. That is an irony, in that the Dodgers invited Parrish to spring training and he could become a combination backup/teacher for Piazza. What is most impressive about Piazza is that despite a silver-spoon upbringing and obvious well-placed connections, he works hard for everything. To win the starting job this spring from Carlos Hernandez, Piazza must impress the entire coaching staff. Lasorda says he will avoid charges of nepotism by letting his coaches decide who should start. Piazza split last year between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Albuquerque, showing an ability to hit for power and average and being named the organization’s player of the year.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #10 prospect in 1992
  Piazza is Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda’s godson and was drafted in the 62nd round as a favor, with nobody giving him even a remote chance to make it. But the kid is big, strong and devoted, and all he does is bomb home runs everywhere he plays, including the Mexican Pacific League this winter. Unfortunately, his 29 home runs last year at high Class A Bakersfield were overshadowed by controversial and aborted assignment to Vero Beach for the postseason, which he had nothing to do with. Expectations are higher, as is the Double-A competition. As a catcher, Piazza's arm is improving, but he still has much to learn about receiving. Nonetheless, his power and ability to make contact are making people take notice.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #5 prospect in 1992
  Never mind his much-publicized ties. Piazza has the tools to be a front-line big league catcher. The godson of Tommy Lasorda started the season in Double-A, but finished with the Dodgers, and went 3-for-3 in his big league debut. Power is Piazza's best asset. He doesn’t pull the ball much, which concerns some, but be can reach the deepest fences in the yard, so what does it matter? Piazza has an above-average arm, though he could use a little more consistency. He greatly improved his receiving skills at Albuquerque this year.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #38 prospect in 1993

• December, 1992 Scouting Report
  So much for the high science of drafting. The Dodgers wasted a decade of first-round picks, and wind up with a 62nd-rounder who reaches the big leagues. Piazza’s story is pretty well known by now. Drafted as a favor to his godfather Tommy Lasorda, the son of a wealthy car dealer worked his way through the farm system with a display of power at all levels and work ethic that turned him into a decent catcher. In fact, for all the big offensive numbers Piazza posted last year, management was more impressed with his improving defense, considering he was a first baseman in school. Piazza has a strong arm, he’s learning to block balls in the dirt and major league pitchers say he handles them well. The Dodgers think so highly of Piazza, they didn’t mind letting catching fixture Mike Scioscia walk. For his combination of catching skills and power hitting, Piazza draws favorable comparisons to eight-time all-star Lance Parrish. That is an irony, in that the Dodgers invited Parrish to spring training and he could become a combination backup/teacher for Piazza. What is most impressive about Piazza is that despite a silver-spoon upbringing and obvious well-placed connections, he works hard for everything. To win the starting job this spring from Carlos Hernandez, Piazza must impress the entire coaching staff. Lasorda says he will avoid charges of nepotism by letting his coaches decide who should start. Piazza split last year between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Albuquerque, showing an ability to hit for power and average and being named the organization’s player of the year.
• December, 1991 Scouting Report
  Piazza is Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda’s godson and was drafted in the 62nd round as a favor, with nobody giving him even a remote chance to make it. But the kid is big, strong and devoted, and all he does is bomb home runs everywhere he plays, including the Mexican Pacific League this winter. Unfortunately, his 29 home runs last year at high Class A Bakersfield were overshadowed by controversial and aborted assignment to Vero Beach for the postseason, which he had nothing to do with. Expectations are higher, as is the Double-A competition. As a catcher, Piazza's arm is improving, but he still has much to learn about receiving. Nonetheless, his power and ability to make contact are making people take notice.
• December, 1991 Scouting Report
  Never mind his much-publicized ties. Piazza has the tools to be a front-line big league catcher. The godson of Tommy Lasorda started the season in Double-A, but finished with the Dodgers, and went 3-for-3 in his big league debut. Power is Piazza's best asset. He doesn’t pull the ball much, which concerns some, but be can reach the deepest fences in the yard, so what does it matter? Piazza has an above-average arm, though he could use a little more consistency. He greatly improved his receiving skills at Albuquerque this year.