Casey Schmitt, 3B
DOB: March 1, 1999
BATS: R / THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2nd Round (#49), 2020
LAST LEVEL: N/A
VOLATILITY: Medium
GiantFutures Ranks: #2 Third Base
Performance: Like the other 2020 draftees, Schmitt has no pro experience to go off of. However, his sophomore (2019) and shortened junior (2020) years at San Diego State showed a consistent performance by the third baseman at the plate. His 2020 slash line in 16 games (.323/.386/.452) was similar to his 2019 line in 56 games (.315/.415/.450). His 2020 strikeout rate (18.6%) was a bit of a rise from his 2019 rate (12.7%), but not significantly enough for a concern in a shortened season. The lack of home runs in 2020 was a tad more concerning after having 5 in 2019. However, he hit five home runs in less games (37) at the wood bat Cape Cod league, giving some assurance that the power is in there.
Notably, Schmitt’s strong arm has kept him as a bullpen option at San Diego State and in the Cape Cod league, as he had a 3.75 ERA in 2020 over 12 innings, collecting six saves (tied for the NCAA Division-I lead), similar to a 3.77 ERA in 43 innings in 2019. and he had a 2.45 ERA in 11 games at the Cape Cod League.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Schmitt is a good all-around bat, with good contact skills and raw power, though it hasn’t consistently found it’s way into games yet. Adjustments are needed for him to fully take advantage of his offense, though. He has a solid approach and doesn’t sell out for power, giving him low strikeout numbers, but also less power than third base might normally expect. He’s a below-average runner, but he doesn’t run himself into trouble.
Schmitt is a good defender at third, probably the best in the system (which is an admittingly low bar). Obviously, he has a strong arm to play the hot corner with, but he also has soft hands and moves well defensively.
Due to his pitching ability, there is talk of him become a two-way player, but he would likely need to improve his stuff to do that. He has a 96 mph fastball and a very good splitter, but no other offspeed stuff to work off of.
2021 Outlook: Schmitt almost certainly will start at Low-A San Jose for 2021, where he’ll look to loose his power upon a league known for it’s offensive-minded parks. He’ll also be close to San Francisco for the most roving coach attention he can get. He has helium, so he could move up mid-season if he excels. The most interesting thing to watch will be if the Giants do put him on the mound at times, and how much work he’d get to improve his pitching if so.
Future Profile: Schmitt has all the tools to be an above-average Major League third baseman, but a fair amount of work to get there. The power will be a key for him to reach that ceiling, and his ceiling could be as an all-star. But without the adjustments, his floor is to be a backup corner infielder with never-reached potential, and there are many players like that to be found.
Recent Comments