The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted catcher Kevin Krause in the ninth round of the 2014 MLB draft. Krause is from Stony Brook University. Krause hit for a .354/.441/.551 line with eight homers in 198 at-bats this past season. Baseball America rated him the 298th best prospect in the draft, and said he has the physical tools to remain behind the plate. He hasn’t played catcher full time, spending time in the outfield.
Krause put up huge numbers in his junior year, but projects to be a fringe-average hitter with average power. He is going to need some work behind the plate, but he does have a good arm, enough that he could play right field if necessary. If he doesn’t work out behind the plate, he could make that shift to the outfield.
This is the third college catcher the Pirates have drafted so far. Connor Joe will move to right field, while Krause and fourth round pick Taylor Gushue were announced as catchers, and project to remain behind the plate for the Pirates. Just like the outfield situation, that is going to make it hard to find playing time this year and next year. If I had to guess, I’d say that Krause would be more likely to go to Bristol, with Gushue in Jamestown, and both going to West Virginia next year, with Gushue getting the bulk of the time.
