David Banuelos Stats & Scouting Report

Full name David Clemente Bañuelos
Born 10/01/1996 in Ontario, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Long Beach State
Drafted in the 5th round (153rd overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2017 (signed for $300,000).

View Draft Report

Banuelos took over as Long Beach State's starting catcher midway through his sophomore season and was so impressive that he was named first team all-conference for that half-year. Banuelos is the classic quarterback behind the plate, drawing raves for his toughness and leadership ability. Physically, his best tool is his arm. He records consistent 1.89-1.92 second pop times, which grades out as plus, and threw out over 60 percent of baserunners in his two seasons as a starter. A catcher since he was 5-years-old, Banuelos possesses soft hands in receiving, knows how to read swings and blocks well, making him an above-average-to-plus defender. Offensively Banuelos has a patient, mature approach and excellent barrel control that allows him to get on base and make solid contact with near-average power potential. Banuelos draws frequent comparisons to Rene Rivera and Jose Molina. That level of defensive excellence will get his name called, likely early on the draft's second day.

Top Rankings

Few catchers in the 2017 draft class come close to Banuelos' elite defensive ability. He was traded from the Mariners to the Twins in exchange for $1 million in international bonus money. Baneulos is a born leader with outstanding makeup, and the fact that he is bilingual and can easily communicate with his pitching staff is icing on the cake. His arm strength grades plus, with pop times to second base as quick as 1.9 seconds. In addition to his pure arm strength, Banuelos assesses situations well, picks up runners' tendencies quickly and makes firm throws. He has soft hands and blocks well, projecting to be an above-average-to-plus defender. Baneuleos' biggest question is how much he'll hit at higher levels. He controls the barrel and has a patient approach, but projects as a fringe-average hitter at best for evaluators. There is an expectation his near-average power will play when he controls the zone better. Banuelos projects as a backup catcher. He'll head to full-season ball in 2018.

Banuelos took over as Long Beach State's starting catcher midway through his sophomore season and was so impressive that he was named first team all-conference for that half-year. Banuelos is the classic quarterback behind the plate, drawing raves for his toughness and leadership ability. Physically, his best tool is his arm. He records consistent 1.89-1.92 second pop times, which grades out as plus, and threw out over 60 percent of baserunners in his two seasons as a starter. A catcher since he was 5-years-old, Banuelos possesses soft hands in receiving, knows how to read swings and blocks well, making him an above-average-to-plus defender. Offensively Banuelos has a patient, mature approach and excellent barrel control that allows him to get on base and make solid contact with near-average power potential. Banuelos draws frequent comparisons to Rene Rivera and Jose Molina. That level of defensive excellence will get his name called, likely early on the draft's second day.