Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: Purdue Athletics

The Cleveland Indians signed non-drafted free agent catcher Zac Fascia.

Zac Fascia – Catcher

School: Purdue
Age: 22.10
Height 6’1; Weight: 225
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Zac Fascia Rankings:

IBI – unranked

Perfect Game – 500+

Willie Hood’s Analysis:

Fascia was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in the 37th round of the 2018 MLB Draft; he chose to attend Purdue instead of signing. A covid senior, Fascia started his collegiate career at Indians Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa, in 2018. He transferred to Purdue in 2019, during his second season producing a .277 average and a .747 OPS. The Canadian native walked 8.33 BB% of the time while striking out 11.84 BB% and producing below-average power with a 26.8% XBH rate. Returning to Purdue in 2020, Fascia was off to a solid season, hitting .255 with a .813 OPS and improved above-average power (41.7% XBH) in a small sample. This past season he posted a career-high batting average of .281, walking 4.55 BB% and striking out 10.39 SO%. Fascia hit 3 home runs and 7 doubles showing below-average power (25.6% XBH). He went on to play for the Frederick Keys of the newly formed MLB Draft League, where he hit .359 with 3 doubles walking twice, and striking out once in 39 AB’s.

Fascia started over 100 games at catcher over his three-year career with the Boilermakers. At the dish, Fascia displays below-average power outcomes despite his strength and size. He can be a patient hitter and will draw his fair share of walks. Behind the plate, he’s regarded as a defensive-oriented backstop with an above-average arm, showing good catch and throw skills. Fascia produces pop times in the 1.86 to 2.02 range on throws to second base. He was on the Buster Posey Award watch list and, according to Purdue athletics, was revered for his work with the pitching staff. Fascia lacks offensive upside and is nearly 23 years of age, but he’s an intelligent coach’s kid with the physical and defensive tools to carve out a professional career.