Raudy Read Stats & Scouting Report

AB	248
AVG	.29
OBP	.326
SLG	.577
HR	17

Full name Raudy Miguel Read
Born 10/29/1993 in San Jose De Ocoa, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 09/03/2017

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: After winning the Nationals' Bob Boone Award for professionalism and leadership after a strong 2017 season, Read tested positive for the steroid Boldenone during the offseason and faced an 80-game suspension that limited the 25-year-old catcher to 53 games in 2018.

Scouting Report: Read's power fell off in 2018 with just one home run every 71 plate appearances, compared to one homer every 26 plate appearances in 2017. Those within the Nationals organization still like his raw power and natural strength, but there is added skepticism of what that tool truly looks like now given his suspension. Read hit well in Double-A but struggled in a 13-game stint in Triple-A, with most evaluators citing his hit tool as fringe-average, though he managed to use the opposite field more this season. Defensively, Read has plus arm strength and has consistently improved behind the plate as he learns how to absorb and use more information related to game-calling as he progresses.

The Future: Read will need to make up for lost at-bats in 2019, and should be challenged with a full season in Triple-A Syracuse, as he's proven his bat in the Eastern League and is getting old for the level.
Read has improved seemingly every year since signing with the Nationals in 2011, and he took strides on both sides of the ball in 2017. The best defensive catcher in the Carolina League in 2016, he improved his blocking technique in 2017 and reduced his passed ball count from 20 to 14. Read won the Nationals' Bob Boone award, which recognizes the minor leaguer who best displays professionalism, leadership and consistency. Read has an above-average arm and has improved his footwork. In previous seasons he tended to throw from his knees frequently, but that wasn't as much of an issue in 2017. Offensively, Read has potential for above-average power and held up well as the season progressed, hitting 10 of his 17 home runs during his final two months at Double-A Harrisburg before making his big league debut as a September callup. He occasionally loses balance in his lower half at the plate, but when he sits back and lets the ball travel, his power plays more consistently. Like most catchers, he's slow and doesn't hit for average. Read has the tools to impact the game offensively and defensively, which is a rare commodity among major league catchers. He could earn a share of the big league catching job at some point in 2018.
Read finished the 2015 season strong, earning a late-summer promotion to high Class A Potomac. He built on that performance the following year in his return to the Carolina League, and again played well down the stretch and in the playoffs. He impressed the Nationals enough to be added to the 40-man roster in November. Read has a solid approach at the plate, showing a good understanding of the strike zone and a knack for hitting. The righthanded hitter has solid raw power thanks to his strength, particularly to his pull side. Read has improved behind the plate, and was voted best defensive catcher in the Carolina League in 2016. He has above-average arm strength, but will need further refinement defensively to become an everyday catcher in the big leagues. He will reach the upper minors for the first time in 2017 as he advances to Double-A Harrisburg.
Read produced the best season of his young career in 2014 as a 20-year-old in the short-season New York-Penn League. He moved up to full-season ball in 2015 and, after struggling at the plate early in the spring, came on strong in the second half. Read has an advanced approach at the plate for his age, showing a good understanding of the strike zone and a knack for hitting. He produces solid power thanks to his strength. While it presently manifests itself more as doubles pop, he should eventually hit more home runs. Defensively, Read still has work to do to prove he can play catcher. He has above-average arm strength and has thrown out 41 percent of basestealers in his career, but he needs to continue to improve his receiving and game management. Read will return to high Class A Potomac in 2016.
Read took a major step forward in 2014, putting together the best offensive and defensive season of his young career. He wore down a bit late in the season, causing his production to tail off, but he impressed enough to rank as the No. 13 prospect in the New York-Penn League. Read flashes above-average raw power and is learning to make use of his pop in games. He has good pitch recognition and can handle breaking balls in addition to velocity. The key to his development will be whether he takes ownership at the catcher position. He has soft hands and an above-average arm that helped him throw out 47 percent of basestealers in 2014, but he has a lot of work to do cleaning up his receiving, blocking and footwork. His pitch-calling and game management also have a long way to go. Read's bat could get him to the big leagues, but he'll need to improve behind the plate to become a regular.

Minor League Top Prospects

Read took a major step forward as a 20-year-old in the NYPL, putting together the best offensive and defensive season of his career to date. "For me, he was one of the most impressive guys all-around," Williamsport manager Shawn Williams said. "He's a good fastball hitter, a tough out, showed some power, especially for a 20-year-old. Catching-wise, he's very good back there--blocking, receiving, he throws very well, and consistent throws, throws from his knees, everything's right on the bag." Read's plus arm helped him throw out 47 percent of basestealers this summer. He has the hands to become a good receiver and his footwork is promising, but he needs to work on his pitch-calling and game management. Read also flashes above-average raw power and is learning to make use of his pop in games, showing good strength to the opposite gap along with loft power to the pull side. He is an instinctive hitter with feel for the strike zone and a fairly disciplined approach for his age.

Scouting Reports

After testing positive for the steroid Boldenone in the offseason, Read faced an 80-game suspension that has limited him to just 25 games this season. He was demoted to Double-A after 19 games in the International League, but scouts inside and outside of the Nationals organization still believe he could be an everyday catcher down the line, with above-average power, a plus arm and improved defensive ability behind the plate.
Track Record: Read has improved seemingly every year since signing with the Nationals in 2011, and he took strides on both sides of the ball in 2017. The best defensive catcher in the Carolina League in 2016, he improved his blocking technique in 2017 and reduced his passed ball count from 20 to 14. Scouting Report: Read has an above-average arm and has improved his footwork. In previous seasons he tended to throw from his knees frequently, but that wasn't as much of an issue in 2017. Offensively, Read has potential for above-average power and held up well as the season progressed, hitting 10 of his 17 home runs during his final two months at Double-A Harrisburg before making his big league debut as a September callup. He occasionally loses balance in his lower half at the plate, but when he sits back and lets the ball travel, his power plays more consistently. Like most catchers, he's slow and doesn't hit for average. The Future: Read has the tools to impact the game offensively and defensively, which is a rare commodity among major league catchers. He could earn a share of the big league catching job at some point in 2018.