Matt Wood-C-Penn State

Bats/Throws: L/R

Ht/Wt: 71/195

Age on Draft: 21.4

Matt Wood is a junior catcher at Penn State university, where he had a solid sophomore season as his first year starting behind the plate, and then added power this year, hitting 12 HR with a .379/.480/.667 slash line and a 36/26 BB/K ratio in 249 PA. He has been a strong statistical performer in a cold weather state, which merits conversation for a Day Two pick.

Offensively, Wood really sticks out for his feel for hitting. He rarely chases, and makes consistent hard contact when he swings. These two traits don't always go together, which makes Wood's bat especially unique. It's a simple swing that works to all fields. Has average bat speed, some lift in the swing to tap into power but is able to make the most of it. Able to cover the entire plate, above average pitch recognition and shows ability to hit offspeed. His raw power is fringe average, and he can get into it due to the bat to ball skills, but Wood is more of a gap to gap hitter than a true power hitting catcher. It's not a super sexy profile, but his bat to ball skills and pitch recognition are impressive and will make an impact in the big leagues.

On the defense side, no tool really stands out here. He's a solid average receiver with an average arm, with 1.9-2.0 pop times. Wood can stick behind the plate with no issues, but he's not going to provide surplus value behind the plate in either today's game or in robo-ump game. His defensive value will be whatever the value of the average catcher is when he gets called up. Wood runs fairly well and is a solid athlete, which gives him an chance at adding some positional utility and increase his overall value. I would be interested to see if he could handle some third base or corner outfield.

Physically, he's somewhat undersized but has a thick built fit to play behind the plate. No real phyiscal projection here, which limits projection of the raw power, but combining the plus bat to ball skills and his present 40 raw it isn't an issue.

In summary, Wood has a plus hit tool and is good enough behind the plate to provide legitimate big league utility. Has enough power to do damage, but it's a hit over power profile. Depending on how teams value the catcher position in three years will decide where he lines up on a teams' big board, but I'd rather have Wood and his skillset than a similar college middle infielder with fringe power that seems to go around this area. He has some round up attributes (cold weather, lefty bat) that give him more upside.

Role: Lefty bat off the bench with defensive utility, low end platoon regular catcher. 

Tool	Present	Future
Hit	35	60
Power	30	40
-Raw Power	45	45
Run	40	40
Defense	45	50
Throw	50	50