Joe Donovan

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #307 prospect in 2020 draft
  A well-rounded defensive catcher, scouts believe Donovan has the tools to be an asset behind the plate at the big league level, but questions about his offensive production have limited his overall upside in the draft. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound backstop, Donovan is a career .228/.316/.388 hitter with Michigan who has struck out around 23 percent over his three years with the Wolverines. Evaluators were surprised at the amount of swing and miss in Donovan’s game, especially after a strong summer in the Cape Cod League in 2018. That summer with Brewster, Donovan hit .309/.417/.324 in 26 games with more walks (14) than strikeouts (12). While his average and on-base percentage was encouraging, his lack of impact with a wood bat raises skepticism about how his power could translate. Some scouts think Donovan has enough power to run the ball out of the yard enough to be a threat—he homered nine times in 2019—but he managed just one extra-base hit in the Cape. Donovan’s value goes back to his defense at a premium position, with above-average arm strength and good receiving ability, but an 8-12 round talent might not find a place in 2020’s shortened draft.