#9 - C Leonardo Bernal
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Background:
Signed out of Panama in 2021, Bernal has emerged as one of the most intriguing young catching prospects in the game. He was just 20 years old for most of the 2024 season and already performing above league average offensively in full-season ball—an impressive feat that shouldn’t be overlooked. Defensively, he made significant strides in 2024, showing off plus catch-and-throw ability and continued refinement as a receiver, rounding into a well-balanced backstop.
Scouting Report:
Bernal is already well ahead of the curve defensively. He boasts a strong, accurate arm and smooth mechanics behind the plate, projecting as an above-average defender long-term. In 2024, he gunned down 40 of 116 attempted base stealers (34.5%), one of the best marks in minor league baseball.
Beyond the arm strength, his throwing consistency and mechanics impress me a ton. He also made serious developments as a receiver in 2024, rounding out a quality all-around defensive skill set.
Offensively, Bernal doesn’t have a singular carrying tool, but his profile is fairly well-rounded. He’s a switch-hitter who looks equally comfortable from both sides of the plate. There’s some raw power in the tank—he’s posted a 90th percentile exit velocity of 104 mph—but he doesn’t consistently tap into it yet.
His groundball rates have hovered around 45% throughout his career, and he hasn’t shown the type of barrel control to overcome that batted-ball profile. He’s run a .140 ISO to this point, though he should benefit from the more hitter-friendly environment of the Texas League in 2025.
Right now, his game power projects as closer to average, but there’s room for growth if he can improve his ability to elevate and find the barrel more consistently. His swing decisions are trending in the right direction—he chases a bit more than you’d like, but the approach remains manageable, and he rarely looks overmatched in the box.
His bat-to-ball and BABIP skills are both around average. There’s still a bit more swing-and-miss on in-zone breaking balls than you’d prefer, and it’ll be worth watching how that translates to the upper minors. Overall, both his hit and power tools currently project around average, with potential for more growth as he matures physically and tightens his offensive approach.
Future:
At a minimum, Bernal’s defensive tools give him a relatively safe floor as a backup catcher. If the offensive development continues on its current trajectory, there’s a realistic chance he becomes an everyday, switch-hitting backstop who provides solid defensive value.