Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40
Zavala missed a year with Tommy John surgery and didn't become a full-time catcher until his 2015 redshirt junior season at San Diego State. He hit 14 homers and threw out 46 percent of basestealers that spring, propelling him into the 12th round and to the White Sox. He led the system with 21 homers in 2017 and beat more highly touted catching prospect Zack Collins to Triple-A last year.
His best tool is his plus raw power, and Zavala did a better job of tapping into it once he increased his launch angle in his right-handed swing in 2017. He did a better job of using the entire field last year, though most of his home runs still come to his pull side. He's definitely a power-over-hit guy who could stand to tighten up his plate discipline.
Zavala's leadership and game-calling ability stand out more than his physical tools behind the plate. He has an average arm and similar receiving skills, though he struggles at times to handle premium velocity. He profiles more as a slugging backup than a regular. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 51 3 0 0.0 78.7 21.9 .108 .125 .073 .101 .405 0.0 75.0 0.0 ALL 51 3 0 0.0 78.7 21.9 .108 .125 .073 .101 .405 0.0 75.0 0.0 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/30/2019 Chicago White Sox recalled C Seby Zavala from Charlotte Knights. 08/06/2019 Chicago White Sox optioned C Seby Zavala to Charlotte Knights. 08/02/2019 Chicago White Sox recalled Seby Zavala from Charlotte Knights. 06/01/2019 Chicago White Sox optioned C Seby Zavala to Charlotte Knights. 05/25/2019 Chicago White Sox recalled Seby Zavala from Charlotte Knights. 05/14/2019 Charlotte Knights activated C Seby Zavala from the 7-day injured list. 04/25/2019 Charlotte Knights placed C Seby Zavala on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 24, 2019. 03/13/2019 Chicago White Sox optioned C Seby Zavala to Charlotte Knights. 11/20/2018 Chicago White Sox selected the contract of Seby Zavala from Charlotte Knights. 07/28/2018 Charlotte Knights activated C Seby Zavala from the 7-day disabled list. 07/16/2018 Charlotte Knights placed C Seby Zavala on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 14, 2018. 06/21/2018 C Seby Zavala assigned to Charlotte Knights from Birmingham Barons. 05/30/2018 Birmingham Barons activated C Seby Zavala from the 7-day disabled list. 05/21/2018 Birmingham Barons placed C Seby Zavala on the 7-day disabled list. 04/02/2018 C Seby Zavala assigned to Birmingham Barons from Charlotte Knights. 03/26/2018 C Seby Zavala assigned to Charlotte Knights from Winston-Salem Dash. 01/22/2018 Chicago White Sox invited non-roster C Seby Zavala to spring training. 06/22/2017 C Seby Zavala assigned to Winston-Salem Dash from Kannapolis Intimidators. 02/28/2017 C Seby Zavala assigned to Chicago White Sox. 07/29/2016 Kannapolis Intimidators activated C Seby Zavala from the 7-day disabled list. 07/14/2016 Kannapolis Intimidators placed C Seby Zavala on the 7-day disabled list. 04/05/2016 C Seby Zavala assigned to Kannapolis Intimidators from AZL White Sox. 06/18/2015 C Seby Zavala assigned to AZL White Sox. 06/12/2015 Chicago White Sox signed C Seby Zavala.
