Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Lomavita came out of a St. Louis High School program in Hawaii that produced such big leaguers as Jordan Yamamoto and Brandon League, but didn’t garner much pro attention in his senior season in 2021. He started making a name for himself as a freshman at Cal, then raised his profile with a .979 OPS and 16 homers as a sophomore. Hitting well for two straight summers in the Cape Cod League hasn’t hurt, making him one of the better catching prospects in the class.

Lomavita’s stock has soared as his bat potential has improved. He utilizes an unusual approach and swing mechanics from the right side, with the drop of his back leg to create a launch-oriented swing, but he routinely finds the barrel. He can drive the ball to all fields and really started to tap into his raw power in 2023 as he chased less and recognized spin better. The chase rate did creep back up this spring and Lomavita could use some approach refinement as he is a very aggressive hitter who swings at everything. He runs very well for a catcher and can steal a bag with excellent instincts on the basepaths.

While his athleticism helps him behind the plate, he’s still learning the nuances of receiving. He has plus arm strength, it would easily be a 60 arm from third base, but he’s still learning to shorten his arm stroke and quicken his release behind the plate. He could handle the hot corner or even the outfield if needed, but there’s no reason to think he can’t stick behind the dish and he was appearing to win the Northern California college catcher battle with Stanford’s Malcolm Moore.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Lomavita came out of a St. Louis High School program in Hawaii that has produced big leaguers Jordan Yamamoto and Brandon League, but he didn’t garner much pro attention in his senior season in 2021. He started making a name for himself as a freshman at Cal, then raised his profile with a .979 OPS and 16 homers as a sophomore. Hitting well for two straight summers in the Cape Cod League didn’t hurt, making him one of the better catching prospects in the 2024 Draft class. The Nationals selected him 39th overall this summer and signed him for roughly slot value at $2,325,000.

Lomavita’s stock soared as his bat potential improved. He utilizes an unusual approach and swing mechanics from the right side, with the drop of his back leg to create a launch-oriented swing, but he routinely finds the barrel. He can drive the ball to all fields and really started to tap into his raw power in 2023 as he chased less and recognized spin better. The chase rate did creep back up this spring and Lomavita could use some approach refinement, as he is a very aggressive hitter who swings at everything. He runs very well for a catcher and can steal a bag with excellent instincts on the basepaths.

While his athleticism helps him behind the plate, he’s still learning the nuances of receiving. He has plus arm strength -- it would easily be a 60 arm from third base -- but he’s still learning to shorten his arm stroke and quicken his release behind the plate. He could handle the hot corner or even the outfield if needed, but there’s no reason to think he can’t stick behind the dish.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/13/2024	C Caleb Lomavita assigned to Fredericksburg Nationals from FCL Nationals.
	08/05/2024	C Caleb Lomavita assigned to FCL Nationals.
	07/24/2024	Washington Nationals signed C Caleb Lomavita.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated C Caleb Lomavita.
	02/06/2024	C Caleb Lomavita assigned to California Golden Bears.
	06/08/2023	C Caleb Lomavita assigned to College Workout.
	02/09/2022	California Golden Bears activated C Caleb Lomavita.
	02/09/2022	C Caleb Lomavita and assigned to California Golden Bears.