Padres Select Portland C Rocky Gale With 24th Round Pick in 2010 MLB Draft

Just like “Tyler Stubblefield” sounds like a gritty middle infielder, “Rocky Gale” sounds like a big, muscular catcher.

And he is.

Gale is the Padres 24th round selection in the 2010 draft out of the University of Portland. He is the team’s third catcher selection and second straight, following 23rd-rounder Xorge Carrillo of Arizona State.

Gale is an extreme contact hitter who batted .347/.373/.465 as a senior, striking out just 14 times in 44 games.

Plate discipline is an issue, as he walked just five times.

Gale has some gap power, ripping 11 doubles and two homers this past year.

Where Gale really stands out is on defense, where he caught a ridiculous 18 of 23 attempted base thieves.

The 22-year-old has sizzling arm strength out of his strong, compact frame, and is a very solid all-around defender.

Gale probably won’t hit enough to start, but his defense gives him a shot at a backup career.