Loons catcher Garrett Kennedy was selected by the Dodgers in the 14th round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Miami with the 432nd overall pick. He was one of five players from the Hurricanes picked in the June draft.

After a bit of a slow year as a junior he broke out in his senior year in 2015 helping to lead his team to a berth in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. While splitting his time as a catcher and designated hitter he hit .329 with seven home runs and 51 runs batted in along with 11 doubles, 36 walks and an OBP of .440.

On the season Kennedy started 61 of 64 possible games for the Hurricanes helping them win their second straight ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Coastal Division crown, the NCAA Coral Gables Regional title and earning the 24th College World Series berth in program history.

Besides helping his team secure the College World Series berth he earned All-ACC third-team recognition.

It might be said that Garrett Kennedy in 2015 had accomplished a college baseball hat trick. Not long before he boarded the bus that would take him on the first leg of his journey to Omaha and the College World Series, along with teammate Ricky Eusebio with who was selected by the Seattle Mariners, he learned he had been drafted by the Dodgers. His senior season was wrapped up in a trip to the College World Series, an All-star selection and being drafted by a MLB team.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to get drafted. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to get drafted and play baseball,” Kennedy said on Wednesday. “And now, to get on a flight right now and go to Omaha, we have the best of both worlds. We know we get to play and compete for the College World Series and you also have the relief that you’ve been drafted and that you’re going to play after this.”

Garrett Kennedy
(Photo credit – David C. Bristow)

The native of Davie, Florida began his professional baseball career behind the plate with the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League on June 25th in a game against the Idaho Falls Chukars. At the plate he had two hits, including a double, and walked twice. After 19 games in Ogden in which he hit .265 with an OBP of .350 he was promoted the Great lakes Loons of the Class-A Midwest League.

He found the going a bit more challenging in the Midwest League finishing the season with a .228 batting average in 16 games along with a .302 OBP. Behind the plate with the Raptors and Loons he handled a total of 258 chances yielding a fielding percentage of 1.000.

The 6’1”-205 lb right-handed hitter began the present campaign with the Great Lakes Loons splitting time behind the plate with fellow catcher Brant Whiting. Through nine games he is hitting .321 with and OBP of .424 along with two home runs. Behind the plate he has no passed balls, has committed one error and thrown out six of 12 would be base stealers.

A continuing trend for Kennedy is a good walk to strike out ratio. In his minor league career thus far he has walked 21 times while striking out 27.

In watching the 23-year old Kennedy work behind the plate he looks like a catcher. That might seem to be a strange assessment for a young player but he does not appear to be inexperienced at the professional level. He may be one of those young players who is able to let the game come to him. He moves well behind the plate and thus far has good success with throwing out base runners.

Chris Vosters the Loons play-by-play announcer writes: “… he has been playing solid defense. Garrett strikes me as a guy who loves the art of catching. He nurtures a unique connection with his pitchers, especially the starters, and I like seeing how his demeanor changes depending on who is on the mound. He knows when to be encouraging and when to tell the pitcher to just hit his darn spot. I’m also impressed with how dedicated he is to scouting the opposing team and breaking down hitters. He’s a really informed guy and I like picking his brain. I agree that he seems like a take charge guy.”

That is what catching is all about. Garrett Kennedy reminds me of Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis. At present as a second year player he may not be the highest profile catcher on the Dodgers minor league depth chart but certainly with continued growth in taking charge of the game and balls in the dirt his profile will grow. Like A.J. Ellis he is a great teammate and when on the field he is in charge.