Dylan Shockley
Dylan Shockley
Position: C
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 04/10/1997
College: University of Rio Grande
How Acquired: Draft 34th Rd., 1024th Overall, 2019
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
Shockley played for NAIA Rio Grande for four years, although he missed nearly all of his sophomore season, apparently with an injury. He put up big numbers in a good hitting environment, batting 381/484/575 as a junior, which got him conference player of the year honors. As a senior he hit 373/495/574. In both years he walked more than he struck out. He was out of eligibility and signed a couple weeks after the draft. As a pro, he’s become an organizational catcher who fills in wherever needed. He hasn’t hit much, but he’s a very strong defensive catcher. He’s gotten progressively better at throwing out base stealers as he’s moved up, to the point where he may be the best catcher in the system at stopping the running game.
2019-22
Excluding 2020, Shockley played at several levels his first three years, reaching high A. The playing time was limited — only 106 ABs in 2021 — and he mostly didn’t hit much. He played only for Altoona in 2022, getting 68 ABs. A thumb injury ended his season in July. He threw out 38% of base stealers that year.
2023-24
Shockley continued in the same vein in 2023, although two injury stints cost him about six weeks. He got into two games for Indianapolis and 36 for Altoona. He didn’t hit at all but continued to play good defense. The latter included throwing out 40% of base stealers for the Curve, by far the best of the six different catchers the team had during the season. In 2024, he played 29 games in AAA and 11 in AA. He hit better during his time at Indy, with a 258/324/409 line. Between the two levels he threw out 22% of base stealers.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 34th round, 1024th overall pick; signed on June 17.