Luke
Shliger

Move him up the draft board. After only watching Shliger for one quick at-bat in the Cape last summer I was a little skeptical about his size (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) and how it would play going forward into pro ball. However, those concerns are now lessened. With quick feet he’s an athletic defender. He also possesses average arm strength and a quick release. He should have little trouble remaining behind the dish at the next level. Adding to his draft resume are his abilities in the batter’s box. With an aggressive approach his swing is balanced and compact with above average bat speed. Despite 1-for-11, 2 BB, 3 SO production over the weekend, Shliger showed well-above-average feel for the strike zone and impressive ability to track. He’s also a threat on the base paths, swiping one in the three games. This tool won’t be asked to play in pro ball, but it’s there when needed. Teams will need to buy into there being enough power in the profile to play at the next level (.026 ISO in the Cape last summer) in order for him to project to the top three rounds, but with his advanced feel in the box and relatively simple and balanced swing mechanics should help the cause. Shliger is also a capable defender at second base and he moves well enough to handle an outfield corner if need be, making him a true utility option at the next level.

Cape Cod: On his way to earning an All-Star selection this summer, Shliger slashed .273/.412/.299 from the left side for the Red Sox, showing a well-above-average feel for the strike zone and impressive ability to track in the box. A top tier on-base threat for Y-D, the power was almost non-existent for the slightly undersized Shliger (listed at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds) despite a solid spring for Maryland in which he slugged .605 and produced and ISO-power of almost .250 for the Terps. It's a balanced stroke with a quiet head through contact, and he does a solid job staying on plane with the barrel. Teams need to buy into there being enough power in the profile to play at the next level (or Shliger needs to show it through production next spring) in order for him to project to the top three rounds next summer, but the advanced feel in the box and relatively simple and balanced swing mechanics that should be able to absorb adjustments without serious ripples, both help the cause. Shliger shows solid actions behind the dish with multiple sub-2.0 pops in our viewings, and is a capable defender at second base. He also moves well enough to handle an outfield corner if need be, making him a true utility option at the next level if the bat proves worthy. He'll be closely monitored this upcoming fall and spring and seems like a safe bet to fit somewhere in the first few round on day two of the MLB Draft – perhaps higher to a club that believes there is even more pop to unlock here.

Maryland commit, 5-foot-9, 172-pound left-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Stays in his legs well and consistently stays behind the baseball. Showcased a gap-to-gap approach and creates regular back spin. Registered a bat exit velocity of 83 mph and ran a 7.02 60-yard dash. Flashed advanced catch and throw skills behind the dish with pop times of 1.94-2.01 on throws of 81 mph from the crouch. 

5-foot-9, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Ran a 7.15 sixty on the laser at the event. The skill set behind the dish is good, threw 79 mph down to second base. The pop time is 1.94. The feet work during the transfer and the arm has strength. The bat has a tee exit velocity of 90 mph. The setup is wide in base, the bottom half is under control throughout the swing. The path is simple, flat and clean. I love the path, good looking prospect for me.

(NYS Games) 

60 Yard Dash: 7.53
Exit Velocity: 89
Positional Arm: 79
Pop-Time: 2.02-2.16

5-foot-9, 166-pounds, ran a 7.53 60 yard dash. Active and aggressive actions defensively, loose arm, short take away with 79 mph arm-strength, 2.02 pop time in the work out. In the box, wide base, Aggressive attacking the ball out in front, swing stays balanced throughout contact, high hands, consistent contact with level plane. 89 mph exit velo off a tee.

Preseason - Downstate: Stands 5-foot-9, 170-pounds with a strong body frame. He ran a 7.18 60-yard dash showing athleticism for his position. At the plate, slightly open narrow stance, loose hands, long stride back to even on the pitch,  extremely aggressive with his swing path, slightly uphill very loose and fluid, repeatable 89 mph exit velocity and expect plenty more bat speed from the 2020 prospect. Defensively, shows proper receiving mechanics, soft hands extremely fast transfer, throws from a high 3/4 slot strong above-average arm strength at 78 mph from behind the dish, an impressive 1.95 pop time.

Defensively- Left-handed hitting catcher, is flexible, balanced and works low to the ground when receiving the baseball. The transfer is quick, gains ground with feet, arm action is short and smooth. The arm was clocked at 75 MPH down to second. Offensively- At the plate, stance is wider, hands are loose at shoulder height, swing path is flat through the zone, line drive approach. Exit velocity checked in at 75 MPH as well.

Tee Exit Velocity- 90 mph

Catching Velocity- 79 mph

Pop Time-1.94