Kevin Plawecki Stats & Scouting Report

AB	262
AVG	.26
OBP	.34
SLG	.443
HR	11

Full name Kevin Jeffrey Plawecki
Born 02/26/1991 in Hinsdale, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 208 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Purdue
Debut 04/21/2015
Drafted in the C-A round (35th overall) by the New York Mets in 2012 (signed for $1,400,000).

View Draft Report

Purdue is steaming toward its first Big Ten Conference regular-season championship in 103 years, thanks in large part to Plawecki, an offensive-minded catcher with enough defensive savvy to make it to the majors as a regular behind the plate. Plawecki has a mature approach, focusing on staying inside the ball and driving it back up the middle. Scouts marvel at his ability to make contact, as he has struck out just 28 times in 154 games over three seasons with the Boilermakers. A 6-foot-1, 215-pound righthanded hitter, he could develop average power once learns to backspin balls and turn on pitches. Defensively, Plawecki has fringe arm strength that plays up thanks to a quick release, and he has thrown out 40 percent of basestealers while making just one error this spring. He throws from a low three-quarters slot that costs him velocity and accuracy, and he developed a tired arm when he used a more traditional release point. He's an efficient receiver who calls his own pitches and takes charge of his pitching staff. Add it all up, and Plawecki draws comparisons to a righthanded-hitting version of A.J. Pierzynski.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

An offensive-minded college catcher who signed for $1.4 million as a 2012 supplemental first-round pick, Plawecki has had no trouble adjusting to pro ball. He conquered two Class A levels in 2013, then advanced to Triple-A Las Vegas in the second half of 2014. Plawecki has hit .307/.379/.453 in full-season ball in 2013 and 2014, with strikeouts just 11 percent of the time. That sort of bat control speaks to his strong hands, all-fields approach and ability to handle varied pitch types, which will allow him to hit for average in the big leagues. While he's more of a gap hitter, he can pull the ball for power and will reach double digits for home runs. Plawecki receives the ball well behind the plate and has sure hands and solid blocking ability, but a fringe-average arm limits his defensive ceiling to average to a tick below, depending on the evaluator. His arm will play up if he can improve his footwork, transfer and arm stroke to get rid of the ball more quickly. While he doesn't offer the power-and-arm-strength profile that teams favor from catchers today, Plawecki has feel to hit, on-base ability, moderate power and the defensive chops to play every day. Mets rookie Travis d'Arnaud hit well in 2014, but his defensive struggles--he committed an National League-leading 12 passed balls--could one day create an opportunity for Plawecki to start.
Plawecki struck out just 29 times in three seasons at Purdue, and he continued to show fine bat control after signing for $1.4 million as the 35th pick in the 2012 draft. He walked more often than he whiffed in his pro debut, then hit .305/.390/.448 at two Class A stops in 2013. Plawecki can drive the ball to his pull side or take breaking balls the other way, and he seldom strikes out. He's a safe bet to hit .280 with a dozen homers at his peak. Plawecki receives the ball well and despite a large frame has enough agility to have allowed just five passed balls in 88 games behind the plate. His arm earns fringe-average to average grades, and he threw out 29 percent of basestealers, an average rate. He needs to do a better job of reading opposing batters to help his pitchers get through tough spots, but he has good hands and sets a nice target. If he can handle the demands of catching 100 games a year, then Plawecki has the bat to profile as a starting catcher. It not, he could be a valuable part-timer behind the plate and at first base, especially if he continues to crush lefthanders as he did in 2013 (.981 OPS). He'll begin the 2014 season at Double-A and might make his Mets debut the following season.
Plawecki intrigued teams in the 2012 draft as an offensive-minded catcher with barrel awareness and strike-zone discipline. He struck out just 29 times in three seasons at Purdue. The Mets tabbed him with the 35th overall pick--compensation for the free-agent departure of Jose Reyes--and signed him for $1.4 million. He led Brooklyn with seven home runs and faced an even bigger challenge on defense, where he caught perhaps the best pitching staff in the league. The rotation's heavy Latin American flavor was a world removed from the Big Ten Conference, though Plawecki made great strides and won over his staff with his natural leadership skills. His receiving is fine, and his feet and transfer are quick, though he sabotages fringy arm strength with tailing throws brought on by a low arm slot. He threw out 32 percent of basestealers. Plawecki can be tough to pitch to because he has home run power to his pull side, and he's not afraid to take the ball to the opposite field when pitchers work him away. He also has good hit-and-run skills. Scouts who like Plawecki see a future .270 hitter with on-base ability and maybe 10 homers in his best years. He has a chance to move quickly in a system sorely lacking in impact catching talent.

Draft Prospects

Purdue is steaming toward its first Big Ten Conference regular-season championship in 103 years, thanks in large part to Plawecki, an offensive-minded catcher with enough defensive savvy to make it to the majors as a regular behind the plate. Plawecki has a mature approach, focusing on staying inside the ball and driving it back up the middle. Scouts marvel at his ability to make contact, as he has struck out just 28 times in 154 games over three seasons with the Boilermakers. A 6-foot-1, 215-pound righthanded hitter, he could develop average power once learns to backspin balls and turn on pitches. Defensively, Plawecki has fringe arm strength that plays up thanks to a quick release, and he has thrown out 40 percent of basestealers while making just one error this spring. He throws from a low three-quarters slot that costs him velocity and accuracy, and he developed a tired arm when he used a more traditional release point. He's an efficient receiver who calls his own pitches and takes charge of his pitching staff. Add it all up, and Plawecki draws comparisons to a righthanded-hitting version of A.J. Pierzynski.

Minor League Top Prospects

Plawecki's offensive emergence the past two seasons--he has hit .307 with solid power--has prompted the Mets to at least consider the idea of moving young big league catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who suffered a concussion in May, to left field. Plawecki has a short stroke and makes contact with incredible frequency, frustrating opponents with his ability to foul off pitches. A consequence of so much contact is that he doesn't walk much and must rely on the hits falling in to keep his on-base percentage afloat. Plawecki hits for mostly gap power but can turn on the inside pitch for home runs to his pull side. "His approach is pretty good, and he has the ability to make contact," one scout said. "I think he gets to double-digit (home runs) for sure. He has enough raw power to hit 10-15 homers." Plawecki's defense is not as advanced--he threw out just three of 29 basestealers, a 10 percent success rate--though he has good hands, average arm strength and average accuracy. Some scouts think he and d'Arnaud compare favorably behind the plate.
An offensive catcher who makes a ton of contact, Plawecki divides as to whether he's the Mets' backstop of the future or whether that job still belongs to the incumbent Travis d'Arnaud. Plawecki is blessed with strong hands and has a solid approach at the plate, which he used to strike out just 48 times in 376 at-bats between Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas this season. He keeps the barrel in the zone a long time and shows solid power in batting practice, despite hitting just 11 home runs in the regular season. As a receiver, Plawecki has work to do. Scouts find him to be average as a receiver and a blocker and believe he tends to stab rather than sway when catching. His footwork needs to be streamlined and his arm stroke shortened. His arm rates as solid-average at best, and he threw out just 23 percent of basestealers in two stops this season.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Hitter for Average in the New York Mets in 2014

Career Transactions

C Kevin Plawecki assigned to Round Rock Express.
San Diego Padres traded C Kevin Plawecki to Texas Rangers for cash.
San Diego Padres traded C Kevin Plawecki to Texas Rangers for cash.
C Kevin Plawecki assigned to Round Rock Express.
C Kevin Plawecki assigned to San Diego Padres.
C Kevin Plawecki assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.
Rochester Red Wings released C Kevin Plawecki.
C Kevin Plawecki assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
Washington Nationals signed free agent C Kevin Plawecki to a minor league contract.
Indianapolis Indians released C Kevin Plawecki.
C Kevin Plawecki roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
C Kevin Plawecki assigned to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent C Kevin Plawecki to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.