Indians draft catcher with their first pick

The Indians used their first pick in the 2018 MLB draft, pick 29 overall, on catcher Noah Naylor from St. Joan of Arc High School in Ontario, Canada.

The Indians used their next three picks on right-handed pitchers.

With their second pick, No. 35 overall, the Tribe picked 18-yearold right-handed pitcher Ethan Hankins from Forsyth High School in Cumming, Ga. According to MLB.com., Hankins has the best fastball in he draft. He has been clocked as high as 96 mph.

The Tribe used the 41st overall pick on 17-year-old righthanded pitcher Lenny Torres from Beacon, New York. Torres, who doesn’t turn 18 until October, also throws a fastball in the mid-90s.

When it was the Indians’ turn again they selected right-hander Nick Sandlin from Southern Mississippi.

Naylor, 6-foot, 195 pounds, can also play first base and third base, according to the scouting report from CBSSports.com.

Perfectgame.com offered this scouting report on the 18-year-old Canadian:

“Strong athletic build, good present strength with room for more. Very high level athleticism for performed at high level a catcher, 6.62 in the 60, events against top pitching.” low and flexible behind the plate, very quick shifting Lastwordonbaseball. and blocked, high level com praised Naylor’s power arm strength with a loose at the plate. and fast arm, 1.78 best pop “The biggest thing that time. stands out with Naylor is

“Also played the middle an impressive power bat,” infield with surprisingly the scouting report said. good actions and tools, “He is arguably the best can develop this part of his high school hitter in the game further. Left-handed draft and captured the hitter, slightly open stance, High School Home Run clean shift into contact and Derby in Miami last season. swing, has lots of strength It is the power and at contact and can drive the bat that draws people the ball hard, tends to stay in, but it his potential behind open but can go the other the plate that puts way effectively. Has always him over the top. Naylor’s physical build and athletic ability behind the plate are very similar to that of star Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. His arm will play at any level, and his bat should help him along as he continues to work on his receiving skills.”

Naylor played in seven games with the Ontario Blue Jays, the elite 18-andunder travel team in Ontario, this spring. He was 8-for-26, (421) with two doubles, a home run, and six RBI).

Naylor has committed to Texas A&M.

JASON BEHNKEN — ASSOCIATED PRESS Canada Junior National Team catcher Noah Naylor throws to first during a spring training baseball game against the Blue Jays on March 17 in Dunedin, Fla.