Class: Junior
Hometown: Pacific Palisades, California
Height/Weight: 5-11/205
Born: June 19, 1991
One of the most underappreciated catchers in college baseball, Heineman is in the midst of a career-year, both at the plate and behind it. As a result, he could be one of the first catchers off the board on draft day. Not bad for a guy who’s getting his first chance at regular playing time.
Heineman’s defense has been a big reason the Bruins have actually taken a step forward this season, despite losing both Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole to the first round of last year’s draft. He’s made only two errors and has thrown out 41% of baserunners. He’s also helped guide the pitching staff to a 3.50 ERA. His work with UCLA’s bullpen has been particularly good. Three pitchers (Ryan Deeter, David Berg, and Scott Griggs) have pitched to ERA’s under 2.40.
Offensively, Heineman has been an offensive catalyst. He’s proven his unselfishness with 14 sacrifice bunts and 12 hit-by-pitches and his on-base percentage (.475) is second on the team. His .369 average is one of the top numbers from any catcher in any division of college ball and he’s been incredibly adept at staying out of trouble on the basepaths, getting caught stealing only once and grounding into just one double play (also the best number on the squad).
One thing Heineman appears incredibly adept at is getting on base, even when he’s not hitting well. He walked 15 times (to only two strikeouts) in 19 games with Wisconsin of the Northwest Summer League last year.
Now to the con, and it’s a big one.
With only one career home run, coming this year, Heineman is going to offer little power at the big-league level. He’s not much of an extra-base hit machine either, although hitting within 31 points of .400 at the college level in a major conference is nothing to sneeze at, and could possibly signify that he’s coming into his own as a hitter.
This kid is a flat out WALL behind the plate! His UCLA pitching staff is better simply because they have him as their receiver. Unreal plate discipline and a total team player that gives up ab’s to move runners into scoring position. Has a cannon and quick release plus is cat-like quick with anything in the dirt. A grinder and hustler that is the toughest out in the Pac 12
No argument there. Heineman has put everything together at exactly the right time, especially in a year that they lost both Bauer and Cole. His unselfish play (a team-leading 14 sacrifice hits) and his defensive prowess (41% CS) have been keys to the Bruins excellent start. He won’t be an offensive force at the next level, but at the very least he could be a serviceable backup with plenty of value defensively.
I saw this kid when he was at Windward(small academic school)….and he was a righty. Batting from the Left side Has gotta be new ….the power is there…. watch homie take BP .I’m convinced this guy is like Wade Boggs with the stick, he chooses to be a line drive / groundball hitter letting the ball get deep (esp from left side). It’s like the bat is a tool.
I guess facing Bauer and Cole for two years of intersquads helps a guys confidence too.
The exciting thing about Heine (love that nickname) is if he keeps developing at this rate the bigs are a reality. Oh yeah heard he is a deans list student too.
It’s surprising that Heine (you are right, great nickname) isn’t getting more love. I think he’s comparable to some other catchers who have been drafted in the supplemental first, or second round over the past few years. And a caught stealing rate over 40% is phenomenal at the college level.
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