NAME: Tyler Soderstrom
SCHOOL: Turlock High School, Turlock, CA
POSITION: Catcher/3B
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’2″, 190 lbs.
B/T: L/R
D.O.B.: November 24, 2001
PREVIOUSLY DRAFTED: None – Committed to UCLA
Scouting Report
Tyler Soderstrom attended Turlock High School in Turlock, California. In his last full season as a Junior, Soderstrom hit .450 with 12 doubles and 4 home runs in 108 plate appearances. He was off to a strong start before his 2020 season was interrupted with three hits, including one long ball in 16 trips to the dish.
His scouting report from Perfect Game, indicates that he possesses strong, quick hands to generate bat speed resulting in a high contact line-drive swing. The sound off his bat is the type that gets people to turn their heads and take notice. A left-handed hitter with slightly above-average speed is a positive for the catching position.
Behind the dish, he exhibits a quick release and solid arm strength. His athleticism gives him good side to side movement with the added benefit of being able to play 3B. As a high schooler, his defensive and game management skills are raw, but the ability to play multiple positions will boost his draftability. Factor in his offensive skills, and you have a top player at the position and the 17th overall rated prospect per MLB Pipeline.
Scouting Grades
Hit 60
Power 50
Run 50
Arm 60
Field 40
Overall 50
Per MLB Pipeline
Prospect Overview And Future Outlook
As a high schooler, logically, Tyler Soderstrom has a long way to develop. The key to his draft status and future is his advancement behind the plate. On his high school team, he was often the backup catcher behind an extraordinarily strong defensive player. Scouts have differing opinions on whether he’ll develop into an MLB level backstop. His biggest asset right now is his strong arm, followed by his raw athleticism. He has played some third base giving interested teams another fielding option.
On offense, he still needs to develop his power. Some scouts feel he has the best hit tool among prep players with enough raw power to entice a team to take him. Teams always covet solid contact hitters from the left-side and his advanced skills in that regard make him an attractive talent.
Mock Draft Outcomes
Most mock drafts have Soderstrom going in the latter third of the first round with some projecting him in the second. Either way, it appears he’ll be available when the White Sox make their selection at number 11. Given the extremely shortened draft and his commitment to UCLA, the White Sox and other teams may want to give him time to refine his catching skills and develop his power before taking a chance on him in 2020.
Potential Fit with the White Sox
Catching prospects are currently one of the most discussed topics among White Sox fans. With three older prospects on the 40-man roster and a high-profile battle for the last roster spot taking a high school catcher in the first round would certainly ignite conversation. As a question mark on defense and solid hitter, Soderstrom fits right into the current stable of catching prospects. Many would consider him Zack Collins 2.0 or a left-handed version of fan-darling Yermin Mercedes, but that description wouldn’t be totally accurate. Soderstrom could likely move to third base or the outfield almost immediately if the club wanted. Of the three currently mentioned, only Seby Zavala demonstrates MLB level defensive chops. However, after the three Triple-A prospects, there is a significant gulf in talent at the position and adding a young developmental prospect may make sense in the big picture.
Photo credit: YouTube video still
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With Grandal signed for four years, I think drafting a catcher with the Sox #1 pick would be a waste of a high draft pick. I’d like the Sox to continue taking high schoolers with very high ceilings instead of focusing on college prospects because they have high floors.
Soderstrom isn’t going to catch at the professional level, with the plus arm and polished bat with emerging power he looks like a nice RF profile…. the bat is 60 grade plus and he’s been spending some time in the gym and is currently about 205 lbs, the exit velo’s are some of the best in high school baseball right now.
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