2024 MLB Draft Profile: Walker Janek

[Hector Rodriguez]

The Miami Marlins have a major need at the catcher position. Sam Houston State's Walker Janek might be the top overall catcher in this draft class.

Overview

Position: C

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 190 pounds

School: Sam Houston State

Walker Janek is a 6’0”, 190-pound catcher who plays for the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Janek is one of the top-hitting catchers in the 2024 draft class.

Coming out of high school, Janek was not a highly-touted prospect. He didn’t get attention from Power 5 programs and MLB scouts. On Perfect Game, Janek was the 211th-ranked catcher in his draft class.

During his freshman season, Janek worked his way into a starting role and played very well for the Bearkats. Janek slashed .308/.432/.456 with 56 hits, four doubles, seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .888 OPS. He was named to the WAC All-Defensive Team.

In his sophomore season, Janek broke out and turned himself into one of the top catchers in college baseball. Janek slashed .301/.377/.549 with 68 hits, 17 doubles, thirteen home runs, 65 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and a .926 OPS. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the WAC Tournament. Janek also batted .281 with five home runs, seven stolen bases, and a .838 OPS in the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League.

During the 2024 season, Janek continued to improve in all aspects. Janek is slashing .364/.467/.709 with 80 hits, fifteen doubles, 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, thirteen stolen bases, 40 walks, and a 1.185 OPS.

Janek runs well for a catcher and is also a smart baserunner. He was also named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Strengths

• All-around good hit tools
• Good bat speed
• Excellent defensive catcher
• Improved approach at the plate
• Above-average runner as a catcher
• Performed well in Cape Cod

 

Weaknesses

• Chases pitches out of the zone
• Tends to be a little pull-happy
• Speed likely won’t translate at the next level

 

Pro Comparison: Elias Díaz

Projection: Top 30 pick (28th on the 2024 MLB Mock Draft Consensus Board as of June 1)

 

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Bottom Line

The Miami Marlins have an organizational void at catcher. Production from their major league backstops ranks at the bottom of the league and the Marlins don't have a Top 10 catching prospect in the pipeline.

Walker Janek’s defense alone could make him the top catching prospect in the Marlins farm system. If his bat translates to the next level, Janek could be a quality-hitting catcher with plus defensive skills.

 

Check out the rest of our 2024 MLB Draft Profile series.

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