Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Messina brothers both have the talent to fit between the third and fifth rounds, though South Carolina catcher Cole is more likely to sign there than hard-throwing Palmetto State prep right-hander Carson. Cole played sparingly as a freshman first baseman in 2023 before hitting 17 homers and earning All-America accolades as a catcher last spring. His makeup may be more impressive than his tools, but he's equipped to contribute on both sides of the ball and impressed scouts with a strong performance at the Southeastern Conference tournament in May.

A right-handed hitter, Messina showed a more adjustable stroke and did a better job of making consistent contact in 2023. He always has struggled to stay back on changeups but also is swinging and missing a lot more often against fastballs this year. He's still getting to his pull power and has 15-20 homer upside, and he does draw a healthy amount of walks.

Messina has the leadership skills desired in a catcher and takes charge behind the plate. He's an average receiver with arm strength to match, and he moves fine behind the plate despite being a well-below-average runner. The 6-foot, 230-pounder will need to stay on top of his conditioning but has the work ethic to do so.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

After not playing much as a freshman at South Carolina, Messina became the Gamecocks’ starting catcher as a sophomore, smashing 17 homers in 2023. He won the Johnny Bench Award as the top NCAA catcher in 2024, hitting 21 more homers and finishing with a 1.166 OPS. That helped him land in the third round with the Rockies. He then got to watch younger brother Carson, a high school pitcher, get taken in Round 12 by the Blue Jays.

Messina is a strong right-handed hitter who put up those good power numbers despite struggling with his approach during his junior season. There was a lot more swing-and-miss overall compared to his 2023 campaign, with higher whiff rates against fastballs than previously, and he’s always had a hard time with softer stuff. There’s plenty of power for him to tap into, especially to the pull side, and he may always have a power-over-hit approach with some walks thrown in.

With a take-charge attitude behind the plate, Messina has the right mentality to catch at the next level. He’s a solid receiver with an average arm and shows enough agility to block well even though he’s not fleet afoot. He didn’t hit during his pro debut after signing, but a 15-game sample is not enough to draw any conclusions from.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Messina brothers both had the talent to fit between the third and fifth rounds, and older brother Cole went in the third round to the Rockies while younger brother Carson signed with the Blue Jays as a 12th-rounder. Cole played sparingly as a freshman first baseman at South Carolina in 2023 before hitting 17 homers and earning All-American accolades as a catcher last spring. His makeup may be more impressive than his tools, but he's equipped to contribute on both sides of the ball and impressed scouts with a strong performance at the Southeastern Conference tournament in May.

A right-handed hitter, Messina showed a more adjustable stroke and did a better job of making consistent contact in 2023. He always has struggled to stay back on changeups but also is swinging and missing a lot more often against fastballs this year. He's still getting to his pull power and has 15-20 homer upside, and he does draw a healthy amount of walks.

Messina has the leadership skills desired in a catcher and takes charge behind the plate. He's an average receiver with arm strength to match, and he moves fine behind the plate despite being a well-below-average runner. The 6-foot, 230-pounder will need to stay on top of his conditioning but has the work ethic to do so.

Awards

NWL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/09/2025	C Cole Messina assigned to Hartford Yard Goats from Spokane Indians.
	03/06/2025	activated C Cole Messina.
	08/08/2024	C Cole Messina assigned to Spokane Indians from ACL Rockies.
	08/05/2024	C Cole Messina assigned to ACL Rockies.
	07/21/2024	Colorado Rockies signed C Cole Messina.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated C Cole Messina.
	03/12/2024	C Cole Messina assigned to South Carolina Gamecocks.
	03/26/2023	C Cole Messina assigned to South Carolina Gamecocks.
	03/31/2022	C Cole Messina and assigned to South Carolina Gamecocks.