Meet a Prospect: Josh Breaux

With the 61^st overall pick in the 2018 MLB First Year Players Draft and with their second-round selection the New York Yankees selected catcher Josh Breaux from McLennan Community College in Texas. Breaux was listed as a catcher and as a right-handed pitcher by Baseball America, but it looks like the Yankees drafted Breaux with the intent of keeping him behind the dish if at all possible, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Josh Breaux Edition.

Breaux was selected by the Houston Astros last year in the 36^th round and decided to improve his draft stock with one more amateur season. With the jump into the second round you have to think that Josh is happy with his decision to play in Junior College for the 2018 season, especially after posting a .404 batting average with 18 home runs and 69 RBI. Breaux, like Seigler, is a right-handed pitcher as well while many scouts wonder if his future, if not behind the dish, is in the outfield at the Major League level.

Breaux’s defense is a question mark at this point in his career, but Baseball America stated that the right-hander had shown significant improvement defensively over the last two years. Breaux obviously has a strong throwing arm, but they note that his flexibility and receiving could use some polishing if he will remain as a catcher. Breaux runs well for a catcher posting a 6.8 second 60-yard dash which could lead him to a corner outfield spot in the future.

Breaux has the power to play into an outfield spot and he has the frame as well standing as 6’2” and weighing in at 200 lbs. Breaux has shown a maturity and patience at the plate that you don’t always see in such a young hitter which was shown by his 48 walks this season compared to just 32 strikeouts.

Breaux also has experience batting with wooden bats after playing for the Cape Cod League last season where he hit six home runs and drove in 24 RBI in 35 games.

Breaux has all the makings of being a very interesting prospect, assuming he foregoes his commitment to the University of Arkansas and signs with New York, to watch develop in the system, so here’s to hoping he signs.