Daulton Varsho

Position: C
Level: AFL
Affiliate: Salt River Rafters
League: Arizona Fall League
Born: 07/02/1996 (Age: 27)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 190
B/T: Left / Right
Acquired: 2nd Rd., 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft (ARI)

Prospect Spotlight

Varsho played the entirety of his first full professional season with Advanced A Visalia, slashing an impressive .286/.363/.451 with a mix of power and speed—an intriguing range of skills for a catcher. Arizona sent the athletic backstop to Fall League this year, where his well-rounded toolset impressed me during my weeklong coverage of Salt River this October.

Built like a fullback at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he’s stocky and muscular with surprising athleticism for such a bulky frame. An above-average runner underway who stole nearly 20 bases this season, Varsho moves incredibly well for his size and can surprise defenses with infield hits or base-hit bunts. A left-handed hitter, he has an aggressive swing that looks to do damage and doesn’t show much willingness to shorten up with two strikes. Varsho puts a charge into the ball to both fields, but aspects of his approach could lead to more strikeouts higher up the ladder unless he starts to tone down at the plate. He has the strength and batspeed for raw power, though a level path limits the lift in his swing right now. Varsho shows occasional flyball power but will need to emphasize putting the ball in the air to put up bigger home run totals. He’s developing as a receiver, but moves very well from side to side and blocks the ball well. Varsho is quick out of the crouch with solid strength and carry on his throws.

The son of eight-year big leaguer Gary Varsho, the younger Daulton shows tools on both sides of the ball and strong overall instincts. Whether he could remain at catcher was a question early in his pro career, but he looks like he’s on his way to sticking there long-term. Presuming he develops into enough of a defender to profile behind the plate, the offensive upside gives Varsho a good chance to be a solid-regular at catcher.