Chase Vallot

Position: C
Level: Class A
Affiliate: Lexington Legends
League: Carolina League
Age: 19
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 215
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 1st Rd., (#40 overall) 2014 MLB First-Yer Player Draft (KCR)

Prospect Spotlight

After scuffling in his first tour through the Sally last summer, the former sandwich pick (#40 overall in 2014) has started mashed his way through the first four series of the 2016 season. The Louisiana native is presently slashing .314/.423/.561 with seven walks against 11 strikeouts over his first 52 PAs. His swing is lofted with some length and plenty of leverage, producing natural lift to go with plenty of torque generated through his core. While his plus raw power is the key to his offensive value, Vallot has the bat speed and hand-eye coordination to overcome some of the holes in swing. He should continue to develop into a capable hitter for average, as well, with more reps and instruction.

There’s still work to be done behind the plate for the stocky backstop. Despite generating pop times in the 1.9-second range, Vallot has a tendency to push his throws off target when he doesn’t get his feet underneath him – a shortcoming that will need to be ironed out over time. Additionally, while he possesses soft hands and is an adequate receiver, he can struggle to stay compact behind the plate and can allow his bulk to carry his glove off its point of reception when forced to lean during receipt. He can also struggle to get low in his set up, on occasion dropping to one knee with no runners on to help push his body lower in the zone. His side-to-side actions are adequate but limited, as he squares-up and blocks balls he gets to, but can be late sliding into position.

There’s still a long developmental road ahead of Vallot, but his early offensive output is encouraging after a rough 2015 campaign, and the physical tools are there to be molded into a big league catcher with time and effort. –Nick J. Faleris