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Dodgers: 2017 Biggest Draft Steals and Impact Players

By Michael Wittman

Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) talks with manager Dave Roberts (right) and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (middle) during today's batting practice and workout prior to game one of the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) talks with manager Dave Roberts (right) and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (middle) during today's batting practice and workout prior to game one of the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) runs after he hits a two-run RBI single in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3rd RD Pick 100 – Connor Wong – University of Houston

Wong was the 112th ranked player in the draft per mlb.com and comes with a skill set similar to Austin Barnes.  Wong was originally a shortstop but converted to catcher during his sophomore season at Houston.  He is still learning the tricks of the trade at catcher, and some scouts are concerned that he is too small to be an everyday catcher at 180 pounds.  Should he need to switch positions, Wong is capable of playing third base, second base, and first base.

The reason Connor Wong has a chance to be the next Austin Barnes is that he can play multiple positions, he is a contact hitter, and he is an intelligent baseball player.  Wong has some pop as he hit 12 home runs this season, but the most surprising skill he brings is speed. Most catchers are not the most fleet of foot, but Wong stole 26 bases this season and was only caught four times.

With Will Smith the most likely candidate to be the next Dodger starting catcher in a few years, the Dodgers may have found his future battery mate in Connor Wong. Smith and Wong could be the next Grandal and Barnes duo in three to four years.  Catchers are always in demand so the Dodgers were wise to take a gamble on Wong who at worst should be a very serviceable backup catcher in the Austin Barnes mold.

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