In 2018, Heim was a non-roster invitee to A’s big league camp just a short time since joining the organization via a trade with the Rays, the second time the catcher had been dealt since the Orioles drafted him out of high school in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft. He was a little bit of a low-motor type and manager Bob Melvin, a 10-year big league veteran behind the plate, told him he needed to play with more energy to make it. To his credit, Heim listened and had the best year of his career, especially offensively, while reaching Triple-A for the first time and earning a spot on the 40-man roster.
With that fire lit under him, Heim’s growth was exciting for the A’s to watch. Known previously more for his glove work, the switch-hitting catcher had always made consistent contact, limiting strikeouts, but he started driving the ball with more authority. And while he’s always likely to be more of a line-drive, hit-over-power type, he set career highs in slugging percentage and OPS last year.
Heim has always been a good receiver with excellent flexibility behind the plate while possessing a strong arm, but learned to get rid of the ball more quickly and be more accurate, leading him to throw out 52 percent of potential basestealers in 2019. He also showed more leadership qualities needed for the position and it all carried over to a strong winter ball performance where his team, Toros del Este, actually liked him better than fellow A’s catcher Sean Murphy, who played there the year prior.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 35 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Developing high school catching is a tough exercise. When that catcher comes from a cold-weather area like western New York State, even more patience is needed. The Orioles initially drafted Heim from Amherst High School in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft. He made it to full-season ball in 2015, but missed a large chunk of that year with a foot injury. With his bat not developing, Baltimore sent Heim to Tampa Bay in August 2016 in return for Steve Pearce. He was on the move again after a year with the Rays, coming to the A's to complete the Joey Wendle trade. Things started to click a bit in his first year with Oakland and he reached Double-A for the first time, though he struggled once he arrived.
A long-limbed, switch-hitting backstop, Heim stands out more for his work behind the plate than at it. He receives well and has a strong arm that's allowed him to throw out just over 34 percent of potential basestealers heading into 2019. Heim started to swing the bat with a bit more authority over the past two seasons and hit well in the California League before stumbling post-promotion. He has more of a line drive approach now, but he shows some raw power in batting practice and still has room to add strength. While it's more leverage than bat speed, you can dream on some future pop.
The A's would love to see Heim play with a little more urgency. A slow heartbeat for a catcher isn't a bad thing, but some added energy could help him reach the big leagues as a backup backstop.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Heim was headed to Michigan State until the Orioles picked him in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft. He made his full-season debut at Class A Delmarva in 2015, where he got off to a promising start before a broken bone in his left foot in May derailed his campaign. Initially thought to be a potential career-threating injury, Heim was able to avoid surgery and returned to Delmarva in late August. He parlayed a strong showing during fall instructional league and then in Spring Training into an Opening Day assignment to Class A Advanced Frederick, where he's shown usable power and good on-base skills despite offering little in the way of average.
One of the better defensive catchers in the 2013 Draft class, Heim has already shown excellent, receiving, blocking and throwing skills. He's mature beyond his years, calling his own game and working extremely well with pitchers. He's agile and moves well behind the plate, with plus arm strength that helps him shut down running games. A switch hitter, the upstate New York product has a good swing from both sides of the plate, but he lacks the current strength to drive the ball with any consistency.
The Orioles are more than willing to be patient with Heim, believing that with his aptitude and plus makeup, he will develop into an all-around catcher as he gains strength and experience. At the very least, they have a capable defensive backup on their hands.
Developing catching is always a tricky endeavor, with so much a player has to learn on both sides of the ball. Heim is already a step ahead of many young backstops thanks to his advanced skills behind the plate.
While still very young, Heim has already shown excellent, receiving, blocking and throwing skills. He's mature beyond his years, calling his own game and working extremely well with pitchers. Heim moves well behind the plate and his strong arm has already helped shut down running games. Heim's offensive skills are behind his glovework. A switch hitter, the upstate New York product does have a good swing from both sides of the plate, but he lacks the current strength to drive the ball with any consistency.
