2/3/2023 baseball Edit

2023 Rutgers Baseball Roster Preview: Catchers

Hector Rodriguez • TheKnightReport

Baseball Analyst

Next up in our 2023 Rutgers Baseball position breakdown, The Knight Report takes a look at the surplus of catchers on the roster for the Scarlet Knights this upcoming season.

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ANDY AXELSON

Senior catcher Andy Axelson returns to Rutgers for his final season with the Scarlet Knights. Axelson is the veteran backstop on the roster and is coming off a career-best season offensively.

Axelson is a 5’11” 200-pound catcher out of Roxbury High School in Roxbury, New Jersey. During his junior season, Axelson had a strong offensive season, especially as a backup catcher where he played in a career-high 21 games. He slashed .279/.415/.419 with twelve hits, six doubles, thirteen runs scored, and a .834 OPS. Axelson should remain as the backup catcher this season but might see more action this season.

DANNY MELNICK

Junior catcher/outfielder Danny Melnick might not see a lot of action behind the plate, but he should get plenty of at-bats this season. Melnick was one of the few transfers Steven Owens and the Scarlet Knights landed from the Transfer Portal last offseason.

Melnick is a 5’11” 185-pound catcher/outfielder out of the Hun School in Hamilton, New Jersey who transfers in from Quinnipiac University after spending three seasons with the Bobcats.

Melnick earned a starting role for the Bobcats last season and became one of their best hitters. The Garden State native slashed .344/.423/.656 with 55 hits, seventeen doubles, eleven home runs, 33 RBIs, 21 walks, and a 1.079 OPS. Melnick will likely play in the outfield for the Scarlet Knight if he’s not starting behind the plate.

JASON SHOCKLEY

Sophomore backstop Jason Shockley is back for his second season with the Scarlet Knights. Shockley had his ups and downs as a freshman and has some quality competition behind the plate.

Shockley is a 6’3” 195-pound catcher out of Sussex Technical High School in Greenwood, Delaware. In his freshman season, Shockley posted a .217 batting average with five hits, one double, seven walks, and eight runs scored.

Shockley is going to have to stand out to get some playing time this season. The Scarlet Knights kept Axelson, who’s a standout defensive catcher. They also brought in a talented transfer, Danny Melnick, and signed Hugh Pinkney.

HUGH PINKNEY

Freshman catcher/outfielder Hugh Pinkney was one of the top prospects in Rutgers’ 2022 recruiting class. Pinkney was also selected in the 2023 MLB Draft but decided to honor his commitment and enrolled at Rutgers.

Pinkney is a 6’2” 185-pound catcher/outfielder out of the Silverthorn Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Canada. On Perfect Game, Pinkney was the twentieth-ranked prospect and the #1 ranked catcher in Canada.

Pinkney was drafted in the 17th round by the San Diego Padres in the 2022 MLB Draft. He also played for the Canadian National Team in the 18U Baseball World Cup. D1 Baseball also named Hugh Pinkney their 2023 Big Ten Preseason Freshman of the Year. Pinkney should be the starting catcher or outfielder for the Scarlet Knights.