This year’s first selection by the Braves could not be any more different than last year’s.
Carter Stewart was a high-school arm, with Shea Langeliers being a college bat. Carter Stewart did not sign with the Braves. Langeliers has not only signed with the team within a week but came to an agreement with the Braves nearly $1 million below slot. Now, they have more money to sign players throughout the draft class.
Shea Langeliers agrees to $4M deal with Brsves. No. 9 overall pick. Baylor catcher is brilliant defender. Compensation pick for failing to sign first rounder Carter Stewart last year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 9, 2019
Langeliers is known for his elite defense. Many think it is better than first overall pick Adley Rutschmann’s, and that is saying something. When selected, many of the MLB Network crew said that he is a future Gold Glover. We all know that baseball is emphasizing the defensive aspect of catching nowadays, and it seems like his defense alone can get him to the big leagues. According to mlb.com, he has had 1.8-second clockings during his gameplay and features an absolute cannon.
The good news is he is pretty good with the stick as well. Langeliers got hotter as the season dwindled after recovering from a busted hamate bone on his catching hand. That should speak for the type of player Langeliers is, and his under-slot agreement is indicative of how he is a team player.