J.T. Realmuto

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #2 prospect in 2015
  When he wasn't throwing touchdown passes in high school, Realmuto was manning shortstop on the baseball field. After signing him for $600,000 as a third-round pick in 2010, the Marlins transitioned him to catcher, and it proved a savvy move. When starter Jarrod Saltalamacchia missed time with a concussion in 2014, the Marlins called up Realmuto from Double-A Jacksonville to make his big league debut rather than summon Kyle Skipworth or Rob Brantly from Triple-A. Realmuto's athleticism and plus arm strength shine behind the plate. He runs well for a catcher and his game-calling and handling of pitchers have earned praise from Miami manager Mike Redmond. Realmuto threw out 39 percent of basestealers in 2014, posting pop times of 1.85 seconds on throws to second base, and he projects as an above-average defender overall. His offensive numbers in 2013 suffered as a result of his emphasis on defense, but he got back on track in 2014, focusing on a shorter swing and all-fields approach. His bat stays in the zone longer, and he has the strength for gap power, though consistent double-digit home run seasons aren't likely in his future. Realmuto profiles as an everyday catcher with two-way potential, but he may have to wait a bit at Triple-A New Orleans for his opportunity. Saltalamacchia is signed through 2016, and the Marlins exercised their 2015 club option on Jeff Mathis.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #10 prospect in 2014
  A standout quarterback in high school, Realmuto spent most of his diamond time at shortstop while setting national records with 88 hits and 119 RBIs and hitting .595 with 28 homers as a senior. The Marlins converted him to catcher immediately after signing him for $600,000. A tremendous athlete, Realmuto is an above-average defender whose arm strength, footwork and release set him apart. Opponents typically stop running after seeing him throw and note his 1.8-1.85-second pop times. He receives well but tends to pick at balls he should body up and block. He handles pitchers well and calls a good game, skills that can be still fine-tuned with experience. Despite his prep r?sum?, Realmuto is a below-average hitter who falls into the habit of opening up too soon and pulling off the ball. When he's going well, he'll use a more athletic, line-drive swing and stay up the middle. He should develop enough power to hit 12-15 home runs a year. An average runner under way, he's a little slow out of the box due to a big follow-through. Realmuto projects as a durable catch-and-throw guy who should hit enough to hold down an everyday job. He should open 2014 at Triple-A New Orleans and be ready to help out in Miami by 2015.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2013
  A shortstop in high school, Realmuto set national records with 88 hits and 119 RBIs while hitting .595 with 28 homers as a senior in 2010. The Marlins saw one of his rare appearances behind the plate and converted him to catcher after signing him for $600,000 as a third-rounder that summer. Realmuto has the potential to become a solid hitter with average power. He uses the entire field and cut his strikeout rate from one per 4.5 at-bats in 2011 to one per 7.0 last season. The rigors of catching wore on him as the year progressed and he occasionally cheated on pitches, sometimes pulling off and opening up too soon. That should happen less frequently as he gets more accustomed to the grind. Managers rated Realmuto the Florida State League's best defensive catcher in in 2012. The former prep quarterback combines quality arm strength with quick footwork and a fast release, turning in sub-1.8-second pop times. He threw out 36 percent of FSL basestealers. His receiving and game-calling took big steps forward last season, though he still must improve at blocking balls and handling tough pitches. He's a tick above-average runner but figures to lose a step as he continues catching. Realmuto will spend 2013 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #5 prospect in 2012
  A star quarterback in high school, Realmuto set national records in 2010 with 88 hits and 119 RBIs while hitting .595 with 28 home runs. The Marlins signed him for $600,000 in the third round that summer and moved him from shortstop to catcher. After they shortened his stride and started his hands in a better hitting position, he batted .299/.351/.519 in the second half of 2011 with all 12 of his homers--including one off a rehabbing Stephen Strasburg. Realmuto projects as a solid hitter, though he gets in trouble at times expanding his zone. He's still learning which pitches to drive and when to pull balls to tap into his average power. A gifted all-around athlete, his plus speed stands out for a catcher. With his agility, soft hands and strong arm, he has the tools to be an above-average defender. He threw out 42 percent of basestealers in 2011 while exhibiting 1.9- second pop times. He needs to get better on blocking pitches and committed 25 passed balls in 76 games, many a result of trying to keep pitches in the strike zone. Realmuto will move a level at a time as he incorporates the many adjustments the Marlins have thrown at him. He has blown by 2008 first-rounder Kyle Skipworth as Miami's catcher of the future.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #15 prospect in 2011
  A three-sport standout at Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., Realmuto quarterbacked his football team to the 5-A state championship title in the fall of his senior year, then set national high school records with 88 hits and 119 RBIs last spring. He batted .595 with 28 homers in 42 games. While Realmuto spent most of his prep career at shortstop, the Marlins believe he has the athleticism and leadership to thrive as a catcher. They took him in the third round and signed him for an above-slot $600,000. Realmuto has an unorthodox batting style, crouching deeper than most hitters and holding his bat parallel to the ground. Florida tinkered with him slightly, getting him to start earlier and calming the loading of his hands, but won't overhaul what has worked for him unless he struggles against pro pitching. He projects as a solid-average hitter who should provide at least average power. Defensively, his quick feet and soft hands will serve him well at catcher, as will his strong arm. He's a plus runner and won't be a typical baseclogging catcher. Realmuto has a track record of winning, and his makeup and intelligence should allow him to make a successful transition to catching. The Marlins will use spring training to determine if he's ready for a full-season assignment or should head to Jamestown.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Southern League #7 prospect in 2014
  Realmuto improved every area of his game in his repeat season at Jacksonville, earning two callups to the Marlins and positioning himself as the organization's catcher of the future. Already a skilled defensive player, Realmuto toned down his swing and his aggressiveness and flourished at the plate, making more contact, drawing more walks and hitting for more power than he did in 2013. He projects to have an average hit tool after demonstrating he can handle both inside and outside pitches. He can drive early-count mistakes for power, translating into perhaps fringe power. Realmuto neutralizes the running game with an arm bordering on double-plus. He gunned down 39 percent of basestealers in 2014 with consistent pop times of 1.85 seconds on throws to second base. No catcher in the full-season minors deterred the stolen base quite like Realmuto, who saw a lower rate of steal attempts per game (0.61) than any qualified backstop. Scouts love his makeup and grade his range and hands as above-average, projecting him as a first-division regular.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #13 prospect in 2011
  There were more heralded catchers in the SAL heading into the 2011 season, but none made a more positive impression than Realmuto. A high school quarterback who played shortstop on the diamond, he set national high school records with 88 hits and 119 RBIs in 2010. The Marlins decided to move him behind the plate and he exceeded expectations in his first full pro season. Realmuto displayed leadership skills, quick feet and a strong arm, which led to him ranking second among SAL catchers by throwing out 42 percent of basestealers. He has soft hands but still has a ways to go as a receiver after committing 25 passed balls in 76 games. He has an unorthodox batting style with a deep crouch but makes consistent hard contact. "To do what he did this year is incredible," Haines said. "He can catch and throw, he's going to have some power, he runs well and his makeup is off the charts. And he doesn't get beat on really good fastballs. Late in the year he had some good at-bats against Jameson Taillon and he took Stephen Strasburg deep."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #76 prospect in 2015

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: A shortstop in high school, Realmuto set national records with 88 hits and 119 RBIs while hitting .595 with 28 homers as a senior in 2010. The Marlins saw one of his rare appearances behind the plate and immediately converted him to catcher after signing him for $600,000 as a third-rounder that summer. Scouting Report: Realmuto has the potential to become a solid hitter with average power. He uses the entire field and cut his strikeout rate from one per 4.5 at-bats in 2011 to one per 7.0 last season. The rigors of catching wore on him as the year progressed and he occasionally cheated on pitches, sometimes pulling off and opening up too soon. That should happen less frequently as he gets more accustomed to the grind. Managers rated Realmuto the Florida State League's best defensive catcher in in 2012. The former prep quarterback combines quality arm strength with quick footwork and a fast release, turning in sub-1.8-second pop times. He threw out 36 percent of FSL basestealers. His receiving and game-calling took big steps forward last season, though he still must improve at blocking balls and handling tough pitches. He's a tick above-average runner but figures to lose a step as he continues catching. The Future: Realmuto will continue to advance one level per year, with Double-A his destination for 2013. He's on course to reach Miami at the end of 2014.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Also a star quarterback, Realmuto set national records as a high school senior in Oklahoma in 2010 with 88 hits and 119 RBIs, while batting .595 with 28 home runs. The Marlins signed him for $600,000 in the third round and moved him from shortstop to catcher. After he shortened his stride and started his hands in a better hitting position, he batted .299/.351/.519 in the second half of 2011 with all 12 of his homers--including one off a rehabbing Stephen Strasburg. Scouting Report: Realmuto projects as a solid hitter, though he gets in trouble at times expanding his zone. He's still learning which pitches to drive and when to pull balls to tap into his average power. A gifted all-around athlete, his plus speed stands out for a catcher. With his agility, soft hands and strong arm, he has the tools to be an above-average defender. He threw out 42 percent of basestealers in 2011 while exhibiting 1.9-second pop times. He needs to get better on blocking pitches and committed 25 passed balls in 76 games, many a result of trying to keep pitches in the strike zone. The Future: Realmuto will move a level at a time as he incorporates the many adjustments the Marlins have thrown at him. He has already supplanted 2008 first-rounder Kyle Skipworth as Florida's catcher of the future.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  A star quarterback in high school, Realmuto set national records in 2010 with 88 hits and 119 RBIs while hitting .595 with 28 home runs. The Marlins signed him for $600,000 in the third round that summer and moved him from shortstop to catcher. After they shortened his stride and started his hands in a better hitting position, he batted .299/.351/.519 in the second half of 2011 with all 12 of his homers--including one off a rehabbing Stephen Strasburg. Realmuto projects as a solid hitter, though he gets in trouble at times expanding his zone. He's still learning which pitches to drive and when to pull balls to tap into his average power. A gifted all-around athlete, his plus speed stands out for a catcher. With his agility, soft hands and strong arm, he has the tools to be an above-average defender. He threw out 42 percent of basestealers in 2011 while exhibiting 1.9- second pop times. He needs to get better on blocking pitches and committed 25 passed balls in 76 games, many a result of trying to keep pitches in the strike zone. Realmuto will move a level at a time as he incorporates the many adjustments the Marlins have thrown at him. He has blown by 2008 first-rounder Kyle Skipworth as Miami's catcher of the future.