OTM's Top 20 Red Sox Prospects: #18 Mark Wagner

by Randy Booth on Jan 17, 2007 10:55 AM EST in Minors

Name: Mark Wagner
Age: 22
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205
B/T: Right/Right
POS: Catcher
Draft: 9th round, '05
Projected '07 team: Lancaster (A+)
ETA: Late 2008

SoxProspects.com
Wagner's 2006 stats

For a system that has lacked catching depth for many years, Mark Wagner is one (of two) within the organization that could be changing that.

Wagner, 22, is a "defensive-minded" catcher. Baseball America said Wagner is the best defensive catcher in the Red Sox system. He's good at throwing out runners and he's a good leader behind the plate. He knows how to call a game for his pitcher.

Wagner had a very strong 2006 in Greenville (A-). He batted .301/.386/.456 with seven home runs in 355 at-bats. He was promoted to Wilmington later in the season but struggled in 65 at-bats batting just .169/.243/.277.

A little on his college career at UC Irvine:

Catcher Mark Wagner received second-team honors for the second consecutive year after establishing himself as one of the top defensive catchers. Wagner foiled 34 stolen base attempts and held opposing teams to a .443 stolen base average on the basepaths to lead the conference's catchers. Offensively, Wagner was UCI's most consistent player and batted .355 with a team-high 78 hits, 11 doubles, four triples and four home runs. In conference play, the junior hit .356 and paced the team with 32 hits, two home runs and 15 RBI. Wagner was voted the team's Most Valuable Player and led the Big West in hits and was fourth in batting average.

UC Irvine (2005)

The bottom line on Wagner is if his offense continues to improve while climbing the Boston ranks, he could be our future catcher. His defense and leadership is in check, but his stock will suffer if his offense dips once he makes the full-time jump to Lancaster (A+).

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Re: OTM's Top 20 Red Sox Prospects: #18 Mark Wagne

How can a guy that couldn't hit his weight in A ball make top 20?

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by jsnvaritek33 on Jan 17, 2007 2:56 PM EST reply actions

Re: OTM's Top 20 Red Sox Prospects: #18 Mark Wagne

Keep in mind, where he "didn't hit his weight" was in a very small sample size. Less than 70 at-bats in both instances at Lowell and Wilmington. But he makes the top 20 because of his solid defense and good contact at the plate.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 17, 2007 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

Re: OTM's Top 20 Red Sox Prospects: #18 Mark Wagne

No team has 20 prospects that look great. That 11-20 range is usually for guys that nail some aspects of the game but have holes in others that need to be, and yet can be, addressed. I like this feature and I'd love it if my boy over at Talking Chop would do it for my Braves.

by ejruiz @ Over the Monster on Jan 17, 2007 7:53 PM EST up reply actions