Janek can be one of the more complete backstops in the class, and the stick impressed big in 2023. He’s a versatile athlete with a good chance to stick behind the dish with an above-average arm. The bat has the chance to really play if he moves off to a corner/third base, with a good combination of power and bat-to-ball ability. He’s on the barrel and sprays it hard to all fields from a really short, clean path. The athleticism is a standout defensively and he made strides. Janek has a real knack on both sides and is in store for a huge year. -IB
Carns is coming off one of a loud PG circuit and gets the nod as the current top prep catcher in the class. The Florida State commit oozes athleticism with huge bat speed at the plate. It’s a pure speed/power profile as a plus runner and strength that plays to the biggest parts of the yard. He can leverage the barrel with good backspin and carry to the path while whipping through the zone. The defensive feel has been solid in looks and there’s good twitch and sound actions with solid-to-average arm strength. He’s a high end athlete who can handle a corner spot should he move over, but the bat and defensive ability makes him one of the more intriguing names in the class and has all the chance to the be first prep backstop off the bord come July. -IB
Potential to be First Prep Catcher Off The Board: Drew Rogers, C, Hamilton HS (AZ), Georgia Tech commit
One of my favorite backstops in the entire 2024 class is
Drew Rogers. The Georgia Tech commit has a really enticing skillset that will likely pique the interest of some big-league teams this spring. He’s playing for Hamilton HS in Arizona this spring and a loud performance could be his ticket to move up the draft board. The 6-foot, 215-pound backstop swings it from the right side and has traits that make him stand out amongst the rest. As a backstop, he has tons of baseball IQ and great instincts behind the dish. He stands out as a game manager, able to step in as needed and take control of things. He throws well, posting a 1.79 pop last summer on the circuit with 85 mph throws down to second. So, the tools behind the dish are certainly intact. Plus, in the batters’ box, there are some really loud swings from Rogers, who hit a couple of balls over 100+ mph in Jupiter, including a 107 mph, 431-foot bomb. It’s a physical swing that produces some real thump off the barrel. Tons of power upside with Rogers moving forward. He’s one of those players who could very well hear his name called this summer as the first prep backstop off the board. -TK
Potential to be First College Catcher Off The Board: Jacob Cozart, C, Junior, N.C. State University
On the collegiate side,
Jacob Cozart is one of the backstops that could end up being a high priority on big league draft boards next summer—the N.C. State catcher has plenty to like about him and is primed for a big junior campaign this spring. He's one of the better catchers out there in this year's draft class, and the defensive polish may just give him a leg up on other catchers in the '24 class. He's got a lengthy 6-foot-3, 216-pound build with strength in the lower half as a part of his frame. He's a smooth mover behind the dish, staying balanced and moving about behind the dish. Whether it's popping out of the crouch quickly for throws to second or using his length to step outside and gun a runner down at third, Cozart's got the defensive polish to do so, being a plus-defender. At the dish, there's an upside as well. It's a simple and fluid stroke from the left side. He's quick to the ball, uses the strength in the lower half to leverage balls, and can certainly use the strength to lift. He uses the lengthy levers well to extend and drive the ball well. After a breakout season in 2022 as a sophomore, Cozart's primed for big things in 2023. Another loud spring could very well see him move up draft boards quickly, to be the first backstop off the board in 2024. -TK