Dodgers: MLB mock draft has LAD selecting powerful college bat

The Los Angeles Dodgers might have a thing for bringing in marquee superstars, but this championship team was built thanks to some sterling player development.

Looking for a player that could do for the offense what Walker Buehler, and Dustin May have done for the pitching staff, LA could have their guy in Florida State catcher Matheu Nelson.

While the Seminoles were up and down on the field last year, Nelson was the one constant.

In just 53 games, Nelson clubbed 17 doubles and 23 home runs while hitting .330, making him one of the finest bats in the draft class at any position.

The Dodgers have had success with developing players straight out of high school and young international prospects, but there are few in the league that can claim to be in the same tier as them when it comes to helping college talent get to the pros, and there’s plenty of reason to believe that Nelson could be their next success story.

MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo had Nelson, who was a unanimous first-team All-American and winner of the Buster Posey Award, going to the Dodgers with the 29th pick in a 2021 MLB mock draft. Would Nelson be able to flourish in the Dodgers’ system?

Would Matheu Nelson become a star with the Los Angeles Dodgers?

Nelson projects as an above-average offensive catcher, as his power should translate well to the professional ranks. With an ability to use the whole field, his bat is what will ultimately earn him playing time.

Nelson is not a perfect prospect, however. He has a high swing-and-miss percentage, as evidenced by a 24% strikeout rate in college. The fact that he only had seven home runs in two seasons before his final one in Tallahassee might get some scouts worried. Defensively, he doesn’t appear to be much of a needle-mover despite a plus throwing arm.

But given his player profile and experience in college, he could breeze through the minor league ranks. Though this could create a bit of a logjam, as the combination of starting catcher Will Smith, backup Austin Barnes, and top prospect Keibert Ruiz could make it tough to zoom right to the majors.

Even with some concerns, Nelson is far too talented of an offensive player to last until this point in the draft if his final season with Florida State is indicative of the type of player he is. You can never have enough depth and quality at the catcher position, and Nelson would be a very worthwhile addition to the Dodgers’ farm system.

At the very least, his selection would make the organization more comfortable shipping off Ruiz at the trade deadline for more MLB talent instead of having him waste away in the minors.

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