#15 Pirates Prospect - Wyatt Mathisen

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#15 - Wyatt Mathisen

Measurables: 6'1, 205
Bats: R, Throws: R
Position: C
Acquired: 2nd Round (69th overall), 2012
Bonus: $746,300
DOB: 12/30/1993
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: Not Ranked


2012

With their second round pick in the 2012 MLB draft, the Pirates selected prep catcher Wyatt Mathisen out of Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. Interestingly enough, Mathisen is one of only two prep positional players - Josh Bell being the other one - selected by Neal Huntington in the first five rounds of the draft.  Mathisen signed very quickly after being drafted, allowing him to get plenty of playing time in the GCL.  In his first taste of pro ball, Mathisen seemed unfazed, performing well.

In 167 plate appearances over 45 games, Mathisen posted a .295/.388/.374 tripleslash.  In addition to displaying a good hit tool, Mathisen demonstrated an ability to be patient at the plate.  He walked 9.6% of the time while striking out only 11.4% of the time. Mathisen didn't display tremendous power - his ISO was only .079 - but he did hit one home run and has plenty of time to develop power.  The plate discipline is more important at this stage as it indicates Mathisen could develop into a solid-OBP catcher with any power he produces being a bonus.  Defensively, Mathisen is very athletic but raw as a receiver.  He also possess plus arm strength.  One interesting note is that Mathisen stole 10 bases in only 45 games as he runs well for a catcher and should in the future, even if he loses a step.

In the long-run, Mathisen could develop into a plus two-way catcher, giving him a very high ceiling. Only time will tell if he reaches that ceiling or even comes close, but the Pirates will give him every opportunity to succeed.  That will start in 2013, most likely at West Virginia considering Mathisen's draft pedigree and the success he had in 2012 at the GCL level.