Kale
Emshoff

2020 DRAFT: Prior to this February, Emshoff last took the field for the Trojans as a sophomore in 2018, when he started all 56 games and slashed .273/.377/.415 with four home runs. After sitting out the 2019 season due to TJ surgery, the now redshirt junior enjoyed a very loud start to 2020 before the season was cut short, making his way on to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Watch List by slashing .417/.527/.800 in 17 games. At 6-foot-2, 225-pounds, Emshoff has strength for plus raw power and he's also able to get to it during games (seven home runs in 74 plate appearances) with strong plate discipline skills (14 walks vs 11 strikeouts). With his above-average arm, he threw out 50% of would-be base stealers, but his receiving and blocking skills will need polish to remain behind the dish at the next level. He's on the older side for a 2020 draftee, turning 22 in early May, which will likely impact the utility of a return to campus in 2021. While it's possible Emshoff could have pushed himself even higher up draft boards with a full season to work with, he likely showed enough in the first four weeks of the season to secure a spot in the top five rounds of the shortened draft this summer.