Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

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

While the Canadian province of Alberta has produced some big league arms like Mike Soroka and Chris Reitsma, there has never been a high school hitter to be drafted and signed from the area to make it to the highest level. Flewelling, a young catcher who helped offset a relative lack of exposure by performing well at the MLB Draft Combine in June, hopes to be the first.

Flewelling checks off one sought-after demographic box by being a left-handed-hitting backstop. He has a short path to the ball with decent bat speed that generates some power to the gaps and produced some elite-level exit velocities at the Draft Combine. It's not difficult to dream on more pop to come as he matures. Another plus in his favor is his age, as he won’t turn 18 until November.

While he’s a bit raw as a catcher, he has some defensive characteristics that already stand out, showing off good lateral movement, blocking skills and exchange and some pop times under two seconds when throwing to second base. He gets high marks for his makeup and wants to stick behind the plate, something teams want to see from someone who will need to work to develop behind the dish. If a team doesn’t take a chance on him at some point on Day 2 of the Draft, it’s easy to think he could emerge from Gonzaga as a much better prospect in a few years.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Flewelling could be something of a trailblazer out of the city of Red Deer in the Canadian province of Alberta. While Alberta has delivered a handful of Major League pitchers, including Mike Soroka and Chris Reitsma, there has never been a high school hitter drafted and signed out of the province who reached the Majors. Could it be Flewelling, the Rays’ third-round pick in the 2024 Draft out of St. Joseph High School in Red Deer?

Flewelling has a fascinating profile as a left-handed-hitting catcher who was only 17 when the Rays drafted him. He’s still quite raw and will require some patience, especially defensively, but he put together a strong performance at the MLB Draft Combine that captured clubs’ attention. And his first Spring Training with Tampa Bay was promising enough that the organization sent him to Single-A Charleston rather than keeping him back at the complex. He’s more of a contact hitter than a slugger at this point, but his short swing produces solid bat speed and has generated some elite-level exit velocities. And he’s a physical player, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, so he could grow into more power as he matures.

Flewelling is a rarity for the Rays: a catching prospect whose offense is ahead of his defense. He has some tools and characteristics that should allow him to succeed behind the plate, including good lateral movement, blocking skills and pop times and a strong enough arm. Evaluators believe he has the presence of a good catcher at a young age, but considering his relative lack of experience, it will take time for him to learn the finer points of the position. Flewelling also earns rave reviews regarding his makeup and maturity, which could go a long way toward helping him master a challenging position.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/02/2025	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods from Charleston RiverDogs.
	04/01/2025	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from FCL Rays.
	03/08/2025	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
	03/06/2025	activated C Nathan Flewelling.
	08/19/2024	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to FCL Rays.
	07/26/2024	Tampa Bay Rays signed C Nathan Flewelling.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated C Nathan Flewelling.
	06/11/2024	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to College Workout.
	09/23/2023	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Team Blue.
	09/22/2023	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to New Blue.
	09/14/2023	New Blue activated C Nathan Flewelling.
	09/24/2022	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Team Stairs.
	09/10/2022	C Nathan Flewelling assigned to Navy.