First impressions: Blake Hunt
Blake Hunt has been one of the Dust Devils’ most steady players at the plate and behind it so far this season. Leading the team in walks and batting average, he has reached base safely in each of the games he’s played so far.
Blake was drafted out of high school as the #69 overall pick in 2017 and was graded as the best defensive catcher in the draft with a great arm.
“[Blake] throws real well,” said Padres general manager A.J. Preller. “He has the chance to neutralize the running game, another guy with good makeup. From our standpoint, it wasn’t about need or anything like that. In the system, it’s always important to have catching.” (mlb.com)
Arguably more than any other position, teams will stretch in the draft for a player who isn’t a premium hitter but can play the position with skill.
Catcher is a giant pain-in-the-ass position — did you know that? Actually, more of a pain in the knees. Oh, and a pain in all of the other unprotected parts where fastballs in the 90s are going to occasionally smack the poor guy while he sits squatted behind the plate for 9 innings. It’s mentally taxing, too. Catchers have to be an encouraging counselors for their pitchers, advocates and diplomats with umpires, defenders of second base from would-be thieves, and game-strategists-on-the-field as they call pitches. And there aren’t relief catchers — yet.
Beyond his skill at catcher, Blake Hunt is tall (listed at 6'3) and strong with a good bat and the ability to hit for power.
“I’ve got a little bit of a bat,” he told the Herald’s Annie Fowler.
In 2017 Arizona rookie ball, Blake batted .241 with a couple home runs in 30 games. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a full season in and wasn’t able to play his position because of a shoulder injury that forced him to play DH.
