Anthony Recker

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #27 prospect in 2008
  Not many clubs other than the Phillies and Mets were on Recker, a standout prep catcher from Allentown, Pa., who went on to star at Division II Alvernia. A's area scout Jeff Bittiger liked the athleticism, power and chiseled physique of Recker, and convinced the club to pop him in the 18th round. Recker is arguably the strongest player in the organization and has plus-plus raw power. He started to develop more opposite-field pop last year in high Class A, but then struggled with the bat in his first exposure to Double- A pitching. Well-disciplined for a power hitter, Recker will work deep counts and showed the ability to shorten his swing last year, but he still has a ways to go to stay to the center of the diamond consistently. His arm strength is above-average, but he carried his offensive woes with him to the field in Double-A, where he threw out just 18 percent of runners. Recker also needs to continue to work on his game-calling skills, blocking balls and receiving to effectively control the running game. He lost development time and an AFL assignment due to a broken hamate bone that sidelined him late in the season. If the bat doesn't come along at the upper levels, Recker profiles as a big league backup. But his defense took a hit last year and he'll go back to Double-A in 2008.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #23 prospect in 2007
  Recker was a star at Division II Alvernia (Pa.), becoming the first player drafted from the school since Wade Miller in 1998. Scouts consider Recker a favorite for his all-out approach and muscle-bound physique. He's perhaps the A's hardest worker and strongest player. Most important, he has tools. He has developed a lower set-up to his swing since college, improving his swing path. He's strong enough to drive the ball out of any park and has plus raw power, though he doesn't project to hit for a particularly high average. Defensively, Recker has an above-average arm and threw out 42 percent of basestealers in low Class A last season. His tools give him the profile for a backup catcher. Recker's biggest issue will be whether he can receive, block balls and handle pitching staffs up well enough to become a regular. Just three Midwest League catchers topped his 14 passed balls, and his 12 errors tied for the league's worst mark. He's headed to high Class A in 2007 to get more polish.