• Share on Google+
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr

Jack Kruger Prospect Profile

al west los angeles angels baseball prospects 1 jack kruger prospect profile
Name: Jack Kruger
Position: Catcher
Birthdate: October 26, 1994
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 185 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
School: Mississippi State

Profile Date(s) — July 2018

Affiliate (League): Inland Empire 66ers (California League)
Level (Org): A-Advanced (Los Angeles Angels)


Signed by the Los Angeles Angels at the very last minute of the 2016 post-MLB Draft signing period, Jack Kruger entered pro ball from Mississippi State with a reputation as a strong power-hitting catcher. Now, as big and physically fit as ever, the backstop is enjoying a breakout season in 2018 that’s seen him promoted to Double-A Mobile of the Southern League for the first time to go along with a torrid pace towards career numbers in nearly every offensive category by the time this summer season ends.

Bulky and muscle-bound through his shoulders and upper half in particular, Kruger has the raw physical strength to muscle balls all over the field, though he lacks some of the quick-twitch nature and above-average bat speed to really give him a shot to produce lasting pop at the plate. Further, he can get overly horizontally rotational through his swing at times, generally limiting power to his pull side and creating a struggle to consistently work to the opposite field. He’s figured that out some this summer, though, but serious over-aggressiveness at the plate suggests his hit tool and statistical production may soon come back down to earth (as of July 23, in 107 Double-A at-bats, Kruger had walked just once against 24 strikeouts).

Behind the plate, Jack Kruger is an average receiver and framer with decent overall athleticism; he moves around pretty well back there especially considering his size, though age may not be as kind to him in that regard. His arm strength is just a shade below 50-grade right now, popping 1.99 – 2.05 consistently based on my looks earlier this summer, though there’s perhaps some wiggle room to smooth out his mechanics, build arm strength, and cut some time in the near future.

Overall, Jack Kruger’s power bat and average profile behind the dish suggest the Angels may have themselves a serviceable backup catcher. There are some significant holes in his game, and that red-hot Double-A start this summer will almost assuredly normalize unless Kruger significantly refines his approach at the plate. He need not go too far with that, though; sneaky power and decent arm strength may be enough to get him to the big leagues as a 40-grade backup catcher at some point next season.




Jack Kruger Prospect Video

For more prospect videos, click here and subscribe to our YouTube channel.




+++

For more like our Los Angeles Angels catcher Jack Kruger prospect profile…

Though our numbers consistently grow year over year, and more people are reading Baseball Census than ever before, advertising revenues across the digital media landscape continue to fall, and can be very unpredictable month-to-month. Our core mission is to produce extensive, high-quality prospect content and baseball journalism that is readily available for all, on a daily basis. To that end, we aim to be a source of news, video, and insight on baseball prospects that is currently unavailable elsewhere — no small task.

But to continue to do so, we need your help. Our baseball content takes time, money, and lots of hard work to produce and provide to readers on this platform. If you like what you read and see on this site, and you feel so inclined, we encourage you to please help fund Baseball Census’ continued existence and growth by giving any amount of financially support quickly and securely by using our PayPal link here:

Support Baseball Census

Even without a show of your financial support, there are still other ways you can help us continue to grow and reach social and financial sustainability. The easiest way to do that is by following and sharing our content across the various social media platforms where we regularly post and interact with our readers, below.

Subscribe to the Baseball Census YouTube channel:

Follow us on Twitter:

Follow @BaseballCensus

Like us on Facebook:

Baseball Census

  • Share on Google+
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr

Bobby DeMuro

Bobby DeMuro is the founder of Baseball Census. A former college and independent league baseball player, he now watches more than 200 games a year working full time for the site. You can follow him on Twitter @BobbyDeMuro for more.

Load More Related Articles
Load More By Bobby DeMuro
Load More In Miscellaneous & Uncategorized

Leave a Reply

Check Also

New Scouting Reports: San Joaquin Delta College

Fresno, Calif. —— On Sunday, we published yet another batch of new junior college baseball…