Martin Maldonado

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #18 prospect in 2012
  The Brewers always have believed that Maldonado had the defensive skills to play in the major leagues. He just never showed anything with the bat, which is why the Angels released him after he hit .237/.294/.274 in his first three pro seasons, none above Rookie ball. He didn't fare much better in his first four years in the Brewers system before surprisingly breaking out in 2011. He set career highs across the board and benefited from working with hitting coach Sandy Guerrero at Nashville, where he hit .321/.410/.537 in 39 games. Maldonado's work behind the plate remained as good as ever, with managers rating him the best defensive catcher in the Double-A Southern League last year. He used his plus-plus arm to throw out 43 percent of basestealers. He also has soft hands and moves well behind the dish despite being a well below-average runner. In the past, Maldonado found little offensive success with a long swing, overly aggressive approach and a maddening inability to punish mistakes. Whether the gains he made in 2011 are real will determine his future. He got a cup of coffee in Milwaukee in September and is a significantly better defender than the club's two main catchers last year, Jonathan Lucroy and George Kottaras. Maldonado projects as at least a defensive-minded backup and possibly a starter if he continues to hit.