Padres Select Santa Clara C Tommy Medica With 14th Round Pick in 2010 MLB Draft

Adding to an already sizeable stable of California-based picks, the Padres popped Santa Clara catcher Tommy Medica with their 14th round selection in the 2010 draft.

I’d been clamoring for the Padres to get high-upside starting pitching (and they sure did), but I’d also been hoping they’d select a catcher before the 14th round. At least they got Medica, a 22-year-old right-handed hitter.

Medica is a solid all-around player with a strong arm behind the plate and a good feel for hitting. A 2009 shoulder injury knocked him down some draft boards, so if he’s over that, he could be a real steal at this point in the draft.

Medica batted .386/.460/.667 in 2010 as a redshirt junior. He also stole 15 bases in 17 attempts, unusual for a catcher.

Medica played mostly infield in 2010 due to the presence of Geoff Klein behind the plate for Santa Clara, but he threw out a whopping 24 of 40 attempted steals in 2008, showcasing a good arm. Hopefully, the 2009 shoulder injury doesn’t sap his arm strength long-term.

You have to like catchers with arm strength and power, and Medica fits that bill.