Episode 18: Get to Know Ryan Jeffers

[Seth Stohs]

Two years ago, the Twins surprised a lot of experts in the baseball scouting industry when they selected catcher Ryan Jeffers in the 2nd round. Two years later, he has proven a lot of people wrong and become a top catching prospect.First of all, we should wish a very Happy 23rd Birthday to Ryan Jeffers! In honor of his birthday, I thought it would be fun to catch up with the Twins catching prospect.

 

 

When the Twins used their second round pick on him two years ago, he was known solely for his hitting. However, less than two years later, his defense has improved so much that Baseball America said he was the organization's best defensive prospect.

 

While many of my podcasts have fun closer to an hour, this one is just about 25 minutes. In it, you will hear from Jeffers about his draft experience. We talk to him about his first big league spring training, his experiences and then the unprecedented, abrupt end to spring training. We talked about how he uses available technology to better himself as a player.

 

 

 

Enjoy the conversation, and then discuss what parts jumped out as interesting to you!

 

https://traffic.libs...yan_Jeffers.mp3

 

 

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PAST EPISODES

 

Episode 1: Get to know Niko Guardado (Actor and son of Eddie Guardado)

Episode 2: Get to know Pat Dean, Brent Rooker

Episode 3: Get to know Royce Lewis, AJ Achter

Episode 4: Get to know Devin Smeltzer

Episode 5: Get to know Jaylin Davis, Tyler Wells

Episode 6: Get to know: Travis Blankenhorn, LaMonte Wade

Episode 7: Get to know: Matt Wallner (and Ten Minutes with Tyler Wells)

Episode 8: Get to know: Caleb Hamilton, Austin Schulfer, Nick Anderson

Episode 9: Get to know: Andy Young, Billy Boyer (and Ten Minutes with Tyler)

Episode 10: Get to know: Wesley Wright (Twins Pro Scout)

Episode 11: Get to know: John Manuel(Twins Pro Scout)

Episode 12: Get to know: Marshall Kelner(Mighty Mussels broadcaster)

Episode 13: Get to know: Dick Bremer (Twins broadcaster, author)

Episode 14: Get to know: Anthony Slama (former Twins pitcher, entrepreneur)

Episode 15: Get to Know the 1960s Twins (with Dave Mona)

Episode 16: Get to Know the 1970s Twins (with Patrick Reusse)

Episode 17: Get to Know the 1980s Twins (with Howard Sinker)

 

 

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[rdehring]

Thanks for bringing us back to baseball, Seth.

 

Will try to listen later this morning. Will admit that I have been impressed with everything I have read about Jeffers this winter, especially the work he put in to become better defensively. Although I continue to believe that Rortvedt remains a top prospect, I now agree that Jeffers will probably join the Twins before Ben makes his debut.

 

Assuming there is a season, would not be surprised to see Jeffers making his debut later this summer/fall. Expect the Twins will have a nice problem a few years out by having three catchers whom all deserve regular playing time.  Sure as heck will be an improvement over some recent years when they arguably had none. 

[mlhouse]

I have watched Ryan Jeffers play catcher in Ft. Myers.   He is not a good defensive catcher.     He is a huge guy, so he is not mobile and he has some false steps in his throwing as well as accuracy issues.  Unless he has improved significantly since I have watched him catch with the Miracle, his upside is a slightly below average catcher in the major leagues.

 

That is perhaps good enough for him to remain a catcher in the major leagues because in the modern era the running game isn't as important, and if so this could be valuable for the Twins.   His bat should get him to that level and if he can play some catcher, between that position, first base,and DH he has a chance to be a strong contributor to the team.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I have watched Ryan Jeffers play catcher in Ft. Myers.   He is not a good defensive catcher.     He is a huge guy, so he is not mobile and he has some false steps in his throwing as well as accuracy issues.  Unless he has improved significantly since I have watched him catch with the Miracle, his upside is a slightly below average catcher in the major leagues.

 

That is perhaps good enough for him to remain a catcher in the major leagues because in the modern era the running game isn't as important, and if so this could be valuable for the Twins.   His bat should get him to that level and if he can play some catcher, between that position, first base,and DH he has a chance to be a strong contributor to the team.

 

Pitch framing is pretty much all that matters for catchers statistically, because they have to receive 150-200 pitches every game. They may make a throw to second once, maybe twice, a game. 

 

There are so many similarities between Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers, offensively, defensively, size, arm strength, intelligence... 

[AceWrigley]

I agree with Seth. Pitch framing, controlling the wild pitch, knowing your pitchers strengths and weaknesses vs the hitters strengths and weaknesses, and not having a rag arm. Now if we could just watch him play.