Taylor Ward

An unsigned 31st-round pick out of high school in 2012 (Rays), Ward became a part-time starter as a freshman with Fresno State. He was the everyday backstop his final two seasons and emerged on the national scene as the top defensive catcher for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team last summer. He shared time with Miami's Zach Collins and Clemson's Chris Okey, showing solid rather than spectacular receiving skills to go with one of the best throwing arms in the country. Ward earns consistent plus grades and 65s from teams that use the 20-80 scale, as his throws are accurate and true. He's thrown out 37 percent of basestealers this season after nabbing 40 percent in 2014. Ward's athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and arm strength would play on the mound if he doesn't hit enough to stick behind the plate, and scouts have their doubts on his bat. He's hit 13 home runs the last two seasons combined and has decent pull power, though he lacks a natural feel for hitting. Position scarcity, solid production (.290/.417/.495 line for Fresno State) and his throwing arm should make Ward one of the first college catchers off the board, likely no later than the third round.