Daulton Varsho

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #2 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of former major leaguer Gary Varsho, performed well at summer camp in July before earning a big league callup a week into the season. Things didn’t go well initially, but the competitiveness of Varsho’s at-bats improved as the season progressed. He posted an .822 OPS over his final 74 plate appearances, looking more like the productive hitter he was in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like many hitters in their first big league exposure, Varsho got caught in between during many of his early at-bats and was either too aggressive or too passive. He got more comfortable as the season progressed and began showing the decisive, compact swing that has long yielded predictions of an above-average hitter with average power. Varsho is a natural catcher, but his above-average speed and surprising athleticism convinced the D-backs to try him out in center field. He played both spots in his big league debut and was passable at each. His below-average arm strength was more noticeable in the outfield than behind the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Varsho doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, but he also doesn’t have a clear role on the 2021 big league roster. He’ll try to win a spot in spring training and carry over his strong finish from 2020.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of ex-big leaguer Gary Varsho, cemented his status as one of the Diamondbacks' most dynamic prospects last year when he put together one of the better seasons of any hitter at Double-A. In leading the Southern League in OPS, Varsho showed an ability to hit for average and get on base, displayed both power and speed and played well at two positions high on the defensive spectrum. Though he finally began to gain industry-wide recognition in 2019, his production generally fell in line with what he had done throughout his career since being selected 68th overall in the 2017 draft out of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With short arms and a compact swing, Varsho finds the barrel often. He has a mature approach and will take his walks, and he also has good hand-eye skills that allow him to spray the ball to all fields. Even though he hit 18 home runs in 108 games at Double-A Jackson, his power potential generates mixed feelings, with some scouts anticipating 20-plus home runs while others see him merely reaching double digits.He has above-average speed (and not just for a catcher) and is a good baserunner; he became the first backstop at Double-A or Triple-A to steal 20-plus bases since at least 2006. He even runs well enough to hold his own in center field, which he did during a cameo there over the final two weeks of the season. Scouts and executives both inside and outside the organization believe he can be at least an average defensive major league catcher. He is athletic, is a decent receiver, blocks well and compensates for below-average arm strength with a quick transfer that leads to at least average times on throws to second base. D-backs officials were encouraged by Varsho's brief exposure to center field, which came as no surprise given the high marks he receives for his baseball instincts.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Carson Kelly's emergence as a potential frontline catcher, the D-backs started to experiment with other paths toward big league atbats for Varsho in August. His outfield experience was limited to center field, but club officials say he also could be exposed to left field and did not rule out the possibility of second base. Varsho is likely to open the year in Triple-A Reno and should give the D-backs the kind of flexibility their front office values.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #3 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After tearing up the Horizon League his junior year at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Varsho, the son of big leaguer Gary Varsho, was taken 68th overall by the Diamondbacks in 2017. In his first full season as a pro, he jumped to a fast start for High Class A Visalia before needing surgery for a broken right hamate in June. He returned in August, and after a slow two and a half weeks, he hit like had before the injury over his final 10 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Varsho has a compact swing, an aggressive-yet-mature approach and a knack for finding the barrel, with scouts seeing good extension that generates loft, giving him average power with the chance for more. There are still questions about his ability to stick at catcher, but he did win over some converts in 2018. He's athletic and energetic behind the plate, and his quick transfer and throwing accuracy make up for average-at-best arm strength. Some scouts say his receiving can occasionally appear raw. He's the rare catcher who also is an above-average to plus runner.
  
  The Future: Even those unsure if Varsho can catch believe he'll be a big leaguer, saying that his athleticism should allow him to handle second base or the outfield, with some saying the Diamondbacks could use him at multiple positions the way the Dodgers have with Austin Barnes.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #5 prospect in 2018
  The son of big leaguer Gary Varsho and the namesake of his father's former teammate, Darren Daulton, Varsho came off a huge junior season at Wisconsin-Milwaukee when the D-backs selected him 68th overall in 2017. He led the Horizon League in batting average (.362), on-base percentage (.490) and slugging (.643), then in his pro debut led the short-season Northwest League with a .902 OPS. Varsho has an unusual profile in that he's a catcher who runs better than he throws--but most believe he will hit. With short arms producing a compact lefthanded swing, he has a mature approach, a good feel for the strike zone and makes consistent loud contact, showing power to all fields. His lack of arm strength is a concern, but D-backs coaches clocked his pop times on throws to second base as low as 1.9 seconds. If catching doesn't pan out, Varsho runs well enough to be a solid left fielder, and he might even be an option in center field or at second base. He runs well enough that some scouts could envision him reaching 30 steals. Some believe in Varsho's hitting potential to the extent that they might move him to a less grueling position to hasten his development. He has a chance to start at high Class A Visalia in 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #100 prospect in 2017 draft
  Varsho has an unusual assemblage of strengths and weaknesses. He's the catcher who can really run but can't really throw. The son of former Cubs and Pirates outfielder Gary Varsho, Daulton has hit for average and power as a sophomore and junior. He's a short, strong-bodied lefthanded hitter with pull power and bat speed. Evaluators like his swing and he uses the whole field, but some worry about whether Varsho will hit for average in pro ball because he'll get caught front-footed at times. He has, however, been strong enough to make it work in college, batting .362 through 54 games this spring. Varsho could end up getting picked in the third to fifth round by a team that likes his potentially above-average receiving ability and his ability to block balls in the dirt, but it will have to be a team that is willing to live with his below-average throwing arm. He is a plus runner who could possibly slide to left field.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #14 prospect in 2019
  Varsho had a perfectly fine first half, but then a switch flipped in the second half and he hit .344/.420/.599 in 52 games. Overall, he led the Southern League in runs (85), slugging percentage (.520) and OPS (.898) while placing third in average (.301) and fourth in on-base percentage (.378). Most notable in Varsho’s performance is his combination of power and speed from the catcher position. He missed going 20-20 by just two home runs. Varsho brings a hit-over-power mentality to the plate, rarely swinging and missing, and shows power mostly to his pull side. Behind the plate, Varsho is a hard-nosed catcher who moves well laterally and receives well but has a fringe-average arm with below-average accuracy. Because of his above-average speed, Varsho tried his hand in center field late in the season to open another potential avenue to a big league role.
• 
  Ranked California League #10 prospect in 2018
  Varsho missed two months with a fractured hamate bone but impressed when healthy. The rare catcher who is a plus runner, Varsho stole 19 bases to go with a solid year both at the plate and behind it. Varsho’s receiving earned plaudits and he showed above-average arm strength with a quick release when he got his feet set, although his throws sailed when he rushed. He threw out 37 percent of attempted basestealers and was particularly adept at backpicking. “His ability to backpick at any base at any time I think puts a lot of hesitation to baserunners and he can help you get out of innings,” Modesto manager Mitch Canham said. “And then watching him block behind the plate he’s very efficient. Keeps everything in front of him, provides a low target and does a good job keeping strikes strikes and making borderline pitches strikes as well.” Varsho takes big, aggressive swings early in counts that produce line drives, and he’ll put a bunt down when opponents shift him. Concerns Varsho’s aggressiveness will be exploited at higher levels precluded evaluators from seeing a huge ceiling, but the consensus was he’s a big leaguer.
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #10 prospect in 2017
  Heading into the draft, scouts weren't entirely sure what to make of Varsho--then a catcher at Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an unusual profile. There are still questions for Varsho to answer in multiple facets of his game, but if his debut season at Hillsboro is any indication, hitting isn't one of them. The 68th overall pick and the son of former Cubs and Pirates outfielder Gary Varsho, Daulton led the league in slugging during a .311/.368/.534 season and was consistently cited as one of the toughest outs in the league. Varsho uses a short, compact lefthanded swing to spray the ball to all fields. At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Varsho's hit tool grades above his average power, but he still hit seven home runs in 193 at-bats. The rest of his toolset is unusual in that he's a catcher with plus speed and a below-average throwing arm. An explosive athlete, Varsho makes up for his lack of arm strength with quick feet and actions behind the plate, registering pop times anywhere from 1.80 to 1.95 (plus to merely average).

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2020

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of former major leaguer Gary Varsho, performed well at summer camp in July before earning a big league callup a week into the season. Things didn’t go well initially, but the competitiveness of Varsho’s at-bats improved as the season progressed. He posted an .822 OPS over his final 74 plate appearances, looking more like the productive hitter he was in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like many hitters in their first big league exposure, Varsho got caught in between during many of his early at-bats and was either too aggressive or too passive. He got more comfortable as the season progressed and began showing the decisive, compact swing that has long yielded predictions of an above-average hitter with average power. Varsho is a natural catcher, but his above-average speed and surprising athleticism convinced the D-backs to try him out in center field. He played both spots in his big league debut and was passable at each. His below-average arm strength was more noticeable in the outfield than behind the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Varsho doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, but he also doesn’t have a clear role on the 2021 big league roster. He’ll try to win a spot in spring training and carry over his strong finish from 2020.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of former major leaguer Gary Varsho, performed well at summer camp in July before earning a big league callup a week into the season. Things didn’t go well initially, but the competitiveness of Varsho’s at-bats improved as the season progressed. He posted an .822 OPS over his final 74 plate appearances, looking more like the productive hitter he was in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like many hitters in their first big league exposure, Varsho got caught in between during many of his early at-bats and was either too aggressive or too passive. He got more comfortable as the season progressed and began showing the decisive, compact swing that has long yielded predictions of an above-average hitter with average power. Varsho is a natural catcher, but his above-average speed and surprising athleticism convinced the D-backs to try him out in center field. He played both spots in his big league debut and was passable at each. His below-average arm strength was more noticeable in the outfield than behind the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: Varsho doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, but he also doesn’t have a clear role on the 2021 big league roster. He’ll try to win a spot in spring training and carry over his strong finish from 2020.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of ex-big leaguer Gary Varsho, cemented his status as one of the Diamondbacks’ most dynamic prospects last year when he put together one of the better seasons of any hitter at Double-A. In leading the Southern League in OPS, Varsho showed an ability to hit for average and get on base, displayed both power and speed and played well at two positions high on the defensive spectrum. Though he finally began to gain industry-wide recognition in 2019, his production generally fell in line with what he had done throughout his career since being selected 68th overall in the 2017 draft out of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With short arms and a compact swing, Varsho finds the barrel often. He has a mature approach and will take his walks, and he also has good hand-eye skills that allow him to spray the ball to all fields. Even though he hit 18 home runs in 108 games at Double-A Jackson, his power potential generates mixed feelings, with some scouts anticipating 20-plus home runs while others see him merely reaching double digits.He has above-average speed (and not just for a catcher) and is a good baserunner; he became the first backstop at Double-A or Triple-A to steal 20-plus bases since at least 2006. He even runs well enough to hold his own in center field, which he did during a cameo there over the final two weeks of the season. Scouts and executives both inside and outside the organization believe he can be at least an average defensive major league catcher. He is athletic, is a decent receiver, blocks well and compensates for below-average arm strength with a quick transfer that leads to at least average times on throws to second base. D-backs officials were encouraged by Varsho’s brief exposure to center field, which came as no surprise given the high marks he receives for his baseball instincts.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Carson Kelly’s emergence as a potential frontline catcher, the D-backs started to experiment with other paths toward big league atbats for Varsho in August. His outfield experience was limited to center field, but club officials say he also could be exposed to left field and did not rule out the possibility of second base. Varsho is likely to open the year in Triple-A Reno and should give the D-backs the kind of flexibility their front office values. SCOUTING GRADES Hit: 55. Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 45. BA GRADE 55 Risk: Medium
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Varsho, the son of ex-big leaguer Gary Varsho, cemented his status as one of the Diamondbacks' most dynamic prospects last year when he put together one of the better seasons of any hitter at Double-A. In leading the Southern League in OPS, Varsho showed an ability to hit for average and get on base, displayed both power and speed and played well at two positions high on the defensive spectrum. Though he finally began to gain industry-wide recognition in 2019, his production generally fell in line with what he had done throughout his career since being selected 68th overall in the 2017 draft out of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: With short arms and a compact swing, Varsho finds the barrel often. He has a mature approach and will take his walks, and he also has good hand-eye skills that allow him to spray the ball to all fields. Even though he hit 18 home runs in 108 games at Double-A Jackson, his power potential generates mixed feelings, with some scouts anticipating 20-plus home runs while others see him merely reaching double digits.He has above-average speed (and not just for a catcher) and is a good baserunner; he became the first backstop at Double-A or Triple-A to steal 20-plus bases since at least 2006. He even runs well enough to hold his own in center field, which he did during a cameo there over the final two weeks of the season. Scouts and executives both inside and outside the organization believe he can be at least an average defensive major league catcher. He is athletic, is a decent receiver, blocks well and compensates for below-average arm strength with a quick transfer that leads to at least average times on throws to second base. D-backs officials were encouraged by Varsho's brief exposure to center field, which came as no surprise given the high marks he receives for his baseball instincts.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Carson Kelly's emergence as a potential frontline catcher, the D-backs started to experiment with other paths toward big league atbats for Varsho in August. His outfield experience was limited to center field, but club officials say he also could be exposed to left field and did not rule out the possibility of second base. Varsho is likely to open the year in Triple-A Reno and should give the D-backs the kind of flexibility their front office values.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Varsho had a perfectly fine first half, but then a switch flipped in the second half and he hit .344/.420/.599 in 52 games. Overall, he led the Southern League in runs (85), slugging percentage (.520) and OPS (.898) while placing third in average (.301) and fourth in on-base percentage (.378). Most notable in Varsho’s performance is his combination of power and speed from the catcher position. He missed going 20-20 by just two home runs. Varsho brings a hit-over-power mentality to the plate, rarely swinging and missing, and shows power mostly to his pull side. Behind the plate, Varsho is a hard-nosed catcher who moves well laterally and receives well but has a fringe-average arm with below-average accuracy. Because of his above-average speed, Varsho tried his hand in center field late in the season to open another potential avenue to a big league role.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Varsho is out with a broken right hamate bone, but he was hitting for average and power, exhibiting a good walk rate and impressing evaluators with his fundamentals, energy and leadership. He runs well and is regarded as one of the system’s best baserunners. More scouts seem convinced he can stick behind the plate, saying he makes up for a light arm with a quick release and accurate throws.