Seby Zavala

Position: C
Born: 8/28/93
Ht: 6′ Wt: 185 lb B-T: R-R
Acquired: Drafted 12th Round in 2015 from San Diego State
Career stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #21 – 2015 Preseason
  • #24 – 2016 Midseason
  • #27 – 2017 Preseason
  • #21- 2017 Midseason
  • #16 – 2018 Preseason
  • #17 – 2018 Midseason
  • #16 – 2019 Preseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • Arizona League All-Star, Postseason 2015
  • South Atlantic League All-Star, Midseason 2016
  • South Atlantic League All-Star, Midseason 2017
  • Southern League All-Star, Midseason 2018

Scouting report

Zavala moved around a lot in his amateur career, playing a mix of third and catcher in high school (where he only played for two years). He then played primarily in the outfield at San Diego State in his first two seasons before moving back behind the plate for 2015 (as a redshirt junior). He tore the UCL in his throwing arm in 2012 as a freshman, resulting in Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2013. Offense was his strength at the collegiate level – he compiled a .290/.399/.537 line in his final year at SDSU, hitting 14 home runs in 64 games.

Taken in the 12th round in 2015, he was assigned to the AZL as a 21-year-old and posted gaudy numbers at the plate: .326/.401/.628, leading the league in multiple offensive categories (though in just 35 games). In 2016, Zavala went to Kannapolis, where his overall numbers at the plate were decent if unspectacular (.253/.330/.381, 7 HR, 8.7% BB/PA, 25.7% K/PA).

2017 saw Zavala open back at Kanny due to the presence of Zack Collins a level above him, and he showed to be ready to move up (.840 OPS, 8 HR). He went to Winston-Salem and in 55 games put up a strong .302/.376/.485 line with 13 more HR to finish with 21 on the year, leading the entire Sox farm. Then it was onto the AFL where he posted more strong numbers. Seby opened in tandem with Collins again in 2018, this time at Double-A Birmingham, where his .830 OPS and improved defensive work got him a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in July. Zavala struggled with the Knights, hitting .242/.266/.357 over 48 games.

In 2019 he was sent back to Charlotte. He showed big power with 20 home runs in 82 games, but hit just .222 with an on-base percentage just below .300. He received a brief call-up to the White Sox, but was overmatched. He struck out nine times in 12 plate appearances, managing just one hit.

Zavala gets the bat through the zone quickly from a somewhat crouched stance and tucked leg kick, and he works long at bats. He has gained strength and his power is playing up. Speed is below average (though perhaps average for a catcher). Defensively it’s a mixed bag. The weak spot in his game is handling bad pitches, but 2018 reports indicate marked improvement in this area. His arm is average, but he has a pretty quick release. We’ve heard a number of positive reports about his pitcher handling, and he shows good baseball IQ. The overall package looks like a probable major league backup, but his first brief stint in the majors did not go well.

Major League Outlook: Power-reliant backup catcher
ETA: 2019