2011 Texas Rangers Draft Pick Joseph Maloney

In the 10th round with the 324th overall pick of the 2011 MLB draft the Texas Rangers chose catcher Joseph Maloney. He was second of three catchers the Rangers selected during the draft. The other two were Maxwell Pentecost of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, GA and Zachary Fish of Lake Gull High School in Richland, MI. Neither of the other catchers has signed with the Rangers and both have signed letters of intent to play collegiate baseball. Maloney signed with the Rangers on June 10, 2012.

With that the 6”2 190 pound catcher out of Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina apparently would be in my baseball life again. During his time with the Limestone College Saints Joe Maloney played against my local Division II team the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. In the three game series they played this year he absolutely devastated the Crusaders. The first game he went 2 for 3 with 2 hits and 4 RBI, including 2 home runs and a HBP. The second game he went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 2 RBI. The third game he went 1 for 3 with a double. When he was at bat the outfield played near the wall.

His production during the time I saw him went well with his 2011 collegiate offensive numbers of .308/.417/.654 in 185 at bats. He also had good control at the plate with 38 strikeouts to 34 walks.

His 2010 numbers were .298/.381/.583 in 186 at bats with 19 walks and 28 strikeouts and 12 homeruns

His 2009 freshman year he had offensive production of .294/.368/.529 in 153 at bats. He also counted 11 walks and 42 strikeouts as well as 8 homeruns.

Looking at his 3 years in college his numbers steadily climbed, his plate control became better all signs of good things to come.

He played for the Arizona League Rangers in 2011following the draft. In the mere 9 games he appeared he had only 24 at bats. During this time his offensive output was an anemic .208/.310/.208 with 4 hits, 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. This is clearly not enough of a sample size to draw any real conclusions from. 2012 will likely find him in extended spring training where we can see if he can make the transition from Division II baseball to minor league baseball.