Severino, Kieboom and Read highlight strong crop of catchers in Nationals system

Pitchers and catchers report to Nationals spring training in Viera, Fla., on Feb. 19. The club announced its non-roster invitees yesterday, a list that included catchers Spencer Kieboom, Steven Lerud and Pedro Severino.

Both Kieboom and Severino played for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Lerud played 60 games with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves last season.

Nats director of player development Mark Scialabba told me this week that the catching depth is solid throughout the system.

"It starts with the prospects," Scialabba said. "It starts with Severino (and) Kieboom. Both have upsides to be frontline catchers in the major leagues, certainly the tools. Then the next wave of talent, and you are talking about Raudy Reed and Jackson Reetz.

"You see tools and you see ability. You see makeup. They certainly have a chance down the road to impact us. For the catching position, there is a longer learning curve because you're dealing with so much more than regular position players. You have to learn how to work with the pitching staff and you're developing the mental side as much as physical side."

Scialabba said the organization's coaches, including ex-major league catcher Michael Barrett, have done a nice job preparing these younger prospects for the next step.

"Michael's very passionate about the position of catching and teaching our catchers on daily basis all the details and fundamentals, but he also takes a self interest in them developing properly. He takes pride in it," Scialabba said.

"Bob Boone, Randy Knorr, Bobby Henley, Matt Lecroy, among others, all do a great job. DSL Nats manager Sandy Martinez deserves a ton of credit. He has been able to produce some young catchers - Severino, (Rauy) Read and others (like) Brayan Serrata and Jorge Tillero."

Read is one to watch after the 21-year-old Dominican hit .281 last season for short-season Single-A Auburn.

"Raudy is very strong and really has started to mature on the mental side (of the game)," Scialabba said. "He still has a ways to go on the physical side, but I think he is someone who has started to blossom now. Physically he has strength in his hands and legs so he looks like he will be able to generate some power. He is a gap-to-gap hitter now, but he can certainly drive the baseball.

"(Read has a) solid understanding of the strike zone and can barrel up the baseball. He has an above-average arm and is learning ways to be more efficient with his release. He is a catcher with a very impressive tool set. He is young and he needs to continue to work on all phases. He will be an interesting player to watch this year."

Severino is among the non-roster invitees and played well last season for high Single-A Potomac in 94 games, helping them to a Carolina League title.

"Pedro had a great second half offensively," Scialabba noted. "His defense was good throughout the five months of minor league baseball. He is one of the main reasons that team had so much success. He's a rock back there. He has great energy for the position. He's a leader. With him, being able to speak the language helps him advance quicker than other players. He has athleticism and range back there. He is able to stop balls and hop on his feet quicker. He plays pitches as good as any catcher we have in the system. He has a high upside."

Former Clemson catcher Kieboom is fully healthy, and also is expected to make a nice impact this season in the Nationals syetem.

"Kieboom is a catcher who is a very cerebral catcher, very good leader, handles our staff extremely well, but also had a good year offensively," Scialabba said. "Hits the ball to all fields. He is another catcher to talk about."