2024 MLB Draft Profile: Caleb Lomavita

Overview

Position: C

Height: 5’11″

Weight: 200 pounds

School: California

Caleb Lomavita is a 5’11”, 200-pound catcher who plays for the California Golden Bears. Lomavita is one of the top prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft class and someone who could be on the Marlins’ radar with the 16th overall pick in the first round.

Coming out of high school, Lomavita wasn’t a super highly touted national prospect, but he was rated the best prep prospect in Hawaii. Lomavita was a Top 500 prospect and the 81st-ranked catching prospect in his class. He also played at St. Louis High School, which was the same high school for former Marlins pitcher Jordan Yamamoto.

During his first season at California, Lomavita earned the starting role and made an immediate impact for the Golden Bears. Lomavita was named a Freshman All-American and was also selected to the All-Pac 12 First Team. Lomavita slashed .272/.345/.414 with 63 hits, ten doubles, seven home runs, fifteen stolen bases, and 22 walks.

In his sophomore season, Lomavita’s offensive production went up a notch with more power. He slashed .316/.367/.612 with 65 hits, thirteen doubles, sixteen home runs, 43 RBIs, and a .979 OPS. He was also selected to the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League.

So far during the 2024 season, Lomavita has been crushing the ball for the Golden Bears. Entering Sunday, he's slashing .345/.398/.679 with 28 hits, a team-high nine home runs, 28 RBIs, five stolen bases, and a 1.077 OPS.

Besides his hit tool, Lomavita is also a sound defensive catcher with plus arm strength. The 21-year-old junior still has some room for improvement when it comes to his defense, but his offense and above-average speed makes him arguably the best catching prospect in the 2024 draft class.

Strengths

• Plus hit tools
• Consistently barrels balls
• Can drive the ball to all fields
• Runs well for a catcher
• Plate approach has improved since freshman season
• Plus arm strength

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t draw a lot of walks
• Still developing his plate discipline
• Framing needs some work
• Could move to third base in the future

Pro Comparison: Keibert Ruiz

Projection: Top 25 pick

Bottom Line

Caleb Lomavita is a talented backstop who can hit and hit for power. Lomavita’s defense will continue to improve with time, but his arm strength is already among the best in his draft class.

The Marlins farm system continues to lack high-level catching talent. Lomavita could be available to them with the 16th pick.

It’ll be interesting to see how Lomavita looks the rest of the season against mostly Pac-12 competition.